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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

... to call in sick with suspected UTI?

26 replies

Duchessgummybuns · 08/05/2018 07:04

I always get such a guilt on about phoning in sick, but I’ve been up all night feeling like the world is going to fall out of my fanny when I pee (every few minutes). Add to that stomach, back ache and shivers. I shouldn’t go should I? Sad

Incidentally does anyone have any remedy ideas in case I can’t get a doctors appointment. If I have any more cranberry juice I think I’ll barf.

OP posts:
LondonGin · 08/05/2018 07:06

Sachets from chemist? They usually work quickly.
Unless you’re drinking pure cranberry juice, it’s a myth. Cranberry ‘juice drink’ will do bugger all for a uti.

Nothisispatrick · 08/05/2018 07:09

Don't go in. I once had a uti come on at work and didn't leave the toilet for 4 hours, then had to commute home with trains with no toilets. It was hellish and I was peeing blood by the end.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 08/05/2018 07:09

Get an appointment with a practice nurse or emergency care clinician. You don't need to see a GP for a UTI.

StickThatInYourPipe · 08/05/2018 07:10

Get the sachets of powder from Tesco they are a life saver! You have my sympathies OP UTIs are the worst!
I remember a 2am trip to the 24 hour Tesco in need of some relief, poured it into half a bottle of water in the car park, what I must have looked like I don't want to imagine!

bellanotte22 · 08/05/2018 07:11

Yes take the time off. UTIs are bloody awful. Have you got any bicarb? That in water will help. Hot water bottle to ease the pain. My mother swears by black coffee but not sure if that works except as a diuretic maybe? And get a gp appointment if you think it's a full on infection. I've suffered with them for years Flowers for you.

StewPots · 08/05/2018 07:14

Call in sick as a UTI is agony and call the GP for advice. They will probably ask for sample and may prescribe antibiotics based on that.

In the meantime, you need plenty of clear fluids to "flush" your kidneys, so water or very weak squash. No tea, coffee or high concentrate juice. Just lots and lots of clear fluids. 2 paracetamol to keep your temp down will help also.

I'm a HCP and after seeing what UTIs can do, I never underestimate how damaging they can be to both young and old.

SilverHairedCat · 08/05/2018 07:16

Can in sick, and phone the GP for an emergency appointment this morning - that's exactly what they are for.

Your surgery may be like mine and not require an appointment at all - we go in, pee in a pot and fill in a form and wait for the nurse to check it and prescribe if appropriate.

ShowOfHands · 08/05/2018 07:17

You don't need a GP. Ask if you can drop in a sample and they can test it when they have a minute and then you pick up a prescription accordingly. Saves an appointment.

Keep drinking (but not to excess), take ibuprofen if able and baths/hot water bottles help while it's really bad.

Original poster
Duchessgummybuns · 08/05/2018 07:19

Thanks for the advice everyone. I’ve tried the sachets and they ease it for a while but then it comes on again suddenly. I’ll give the health centre a call and hopefully I’ll be able to see the nurse quicker than the GP. In the meantime I’m drinking water until I float I guess

OP posts:
TittyGolightly · 08/05/2018 07:20

One of my staff ended up with sepsis after a UTI. Get it treated (may need more than one kind of antibiotic due to potential resistant strain).

forumdonkey · 08/05/2018 07:22

I suffer terribly when I have a uti. Blood, pain and cripples me. Phone GP and tell them you've got a uti and they should give you a prescription even if you can't be seen. My advice is drink, drink, drink, drink, water and cranberry juice. Hope you feel better soon, you've got my sympathy

TittyGolightly · 08/05/2018 07:28

Phone GP and tell them you've got a uti and they should give you a prescription even if you can't be seen.

They absolutely shouldn’t!

bellabasset · 08/05/2018 07:36

You can't travel to work if you have a UTI.

Plain water is best for a couple of days and if the sachets aren't working then you need to contact the surgery and organise a sample.

I have an electric blanket and curling up in a warm bed with fresh sheets helps enormously.

lindyhopy · 08/05/2018 07:37

i used to get these a lot. I always had to see doctor as nurse couldn't give me antibiotics so make sure you check on the phone. It should be an emergency appointment. Good luck I know how awful it feels x

Haudyerwheesht · 08/05/2018 07:38

tittygolightly our GP doesn’t see you for first presentation of a UTI and you don’t need a sample. I’m fact you’re requested to get a prescription via minor ailments.

Chrisinthemorning · 08/05/2018 07:38

Definitely don’t go in and definitely try to get an appt. if you are having back ache and shivers it could go to your kidneys without antibiotics.
I have chronic UTIs and a recent ultrasound showed I have a scar on my kidney from a UTI. Not something to mess with.

Chrisinthemorning · 08/05/2018 07:40

Also they should prescribe based on symptoms as the tests GPs do for UTIs are notoriously inaccurate - especially if your urine is dilute.

DiddimusStench · 08/05/2018 07:41

Back ache, stomachs ache and shivers suggest you need a GP today. A severe UTI can travel up to the kidneys and these are the first symptoms. You’ll need to give a sample ASAP to determine which antibiotics you need.

Get well soon Flowers

thesunwillout · 08/05/2018 07:43

You can get a 3 day course of anti biotics from a pharmacy. It's called Macrobid.

apostropheuse · 08/05/2018 07:43

Don't go in. UTIs can go bad quickly. I once was hospitalised with one and needed IV antibiotics. Get medical attention.

Bananarama12 · 08/05/2018 07:49

I used to have a lot of those. If you've got the shivers it really is bad so you need to see the GP before it affects your kidneys.

DrWhy · 08/05/2018 07:53

If you are shivery you need antibiotics today - sachets just ease the symptoms, you need the infection treated. If you have back ache with it then it’s alteady reached your kidneys which can be serious. I have been into my GP with that (can now get them through minor ailments thank goodness). I told her once I’d taken the first one I was hearing back into work she told me categorically not to. I went home, went back to bed and once the antibiotics had taken effect slept most of the day and felt much better the next day.

applesisapple5 · 08/05/2018 07:54

If you are sure it's a UTI and is so bad you can't get to the Drs, I once had an emergency phone call appointment and the Dr was happy to prescribe, my partner picked up from the chemist, and I stayed on the loo. Might be an option where you are?

liveinthemo · 08/05/2018 13:30

I suffer quite badly with UTIs. If your shivering and feeling unwell you could possibly have a kidney infection. Can you visit your local Walk in Centre? They can prescribe you anti biotics. Also salt baths tend to relieve pain. Cut caffeine out and sugary/fatty foods can make it worse. Also non soap products when washing yourself! Hope you get better soon OPThanks

flso · 28/08/2019 16:39

Oh myyyyy. So glad I found this thread. I feel like I'm in some kind of hell?!

Having to pee all the time, up every hour in the night, sometimes there's some blood, not to mention stomach cramps, feeling sick, no appetite, diarrhoea, feeling cold, feeling hot, feeling exhausted... 😱

Only started Monday night but luckily I've just collected some antibiotics from the doctor.

I'd had the same debate about whether or not to go to work. I was in work yesterday, but worked from home (quite unproductively) today. I think tomorrow might need to be a sick day, but like OP I always feel super guilty not going in 😕