LambriniBobInIsleworthISeesYa ·
31/10/2026 18:13
I’m not name changing for this because I can’t be arsed. It might be a bit outing but fuck it. I understand that Mumsnet isn’t a substitute for medical advice from a professional and am putting this out there in the spirit of information gathering. I apologise for the length.
I've had six months of recurrent UTIs, around 10 antibiotic courses and three A&E visits, and I now have several documented kidney stones from a contrast CT scan in my right kidney. I was referred to urology in June by my GP and then again in September by A&E but despite chasing by me and my GPs Practice Manager I am no closer to an appointment.
I'm in a lot of pain in my right side from loin to groin which has brought me back to A&E on Wednesday; at the time I came here I was also suffering from uncontrollable vomiting, diarrhoea and cold sweats with shivering. I waited 14 hours to even see a doctor. A CT scan has confirmed that the stones are still in situ in my right kidney and haven’t moved or obstructed, but I’m still in pain and the doctors say there’s no other reason on the CT scan that could be causing the pain. I am also in considerable pain when I need to wee and have shooting pains from loin into my groin often when I move or need to go. The pain goes from around a 3-4 an hour after painkillers to a 9-10 once they’re due.
I’ve seen several different doctors since turning up at A&E on Wednesday morning. They’ve said things ranging from that I’ll be sent home on painkillers to that I won’t be allowed to leave this place with the situation as is as I’m in so much pain and have such little quality of life. Today’s doctor was a prick who was trying to send me home on morphine (more on that in a minute). The variation in what I’ve been told by different people over the past few days is insane.
When in A&E I was diagnosed with a UTI from a dip test; despite this I’ve never had a recorded fever here, I suspect because of having been on oral antibiotics more or less constantly since May. Three days later my urine is apparently clear of infection. I’ve been very hydrated with IV fluids which has made weeing much less painful, but the doctor here has stopped that now as I’m not being sick, despite me requesting I stay on as it’s been helping the pain.
My pain is only partly controlled on IV paracetamol, ibuprofen and morphine. I’m currently an in patient on a medical receiving ward. There’s seemingly no on-site urologist here; all conversation with them by other doctors on my behalf has been remotely as they cover three hospitals but I’ve seen a general consultant and now there’s talk of me being discharged with morphine as my pain is “under control” and then to wait for an appointment with urology as an out patient.
I don’t know how happy I am with this as I’m still in so much pain despite the drugs I’m getting here. The argument is that because the sickness and upset stomach are “solved” now (with anti endemics) and I am no longer infected I could potentially go home because the stones aren’t obstructive so aren’t causing a problem (apart from the pain).
I spoke to the nurse in charge of the ward earlier and her advice was to stubbornly insist on an in patient consultation with a urologist and to ask to see the pain team. I did this but the (arrogant prick of a) doctor that was on today was very condescending and said that urology can’t afford the time to see me when there’s so many emergencies and that the pain team won’t see me because I’m on morphine.
This is all new to me and I’d like advice, especially on the language (any buzz words or phrases) I need to be taken seriously. The attitude seems to be that if the stones aren’t obstructive then they aren’t really causing problems which is obviously untrue.
I do not know where to go from here. I’m starting to feel like a bed blocker who’s faking symptoms but then maybe that’s in my head as the rest of the staff have been horrible apart from this doctor today. I have the details for PALS but they don’t work weekends. I also have the Martha’s Rule number for her but don’t know if that’s an overreaction to phone that.
I have had an initial appointment with a private urologist who was looking at my scans earlier this week. Can I pay to have these stones lasered urgently if the NHS won’t do it? It isn’t just the pain; I fully believe that the stones are infection harbouring and I’ve always got at least a low level infection and have had forensic months. I have no quality of life right now; I’m just surviving. Doing what I have to and then going to bed on a fistful of codeine. I’m a teacher who fainted in front of a class in day 2 of the kids being in in September…. I’ve been signed off ever since.
Other things that may be relevant; I am a 42 year old female, not in menopause, a bit overweight but not medically worryingly so. I have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia mainly due to pain and persist infection with no other cause. I have a history of anaemia and had two full blood transfusions in 2023 although haven’t been told that I’m anaemic now. I have a diagnosis of IBS. I’ve previously had several gastric ulcers, a few of which have bled.
Any advice or words of wisdom would be very appreciated. I’m so sick of being in hospital but am reticent to leave as I don’t want to go through the hell of A&E again.