Does anyone know anything about cystitis?

[IHateBacteria]

I’ve never had it before, but I think I might have it now. There’s no pain, but for the last couple of days, I’ve had a chronic urge to pee, which gets worse when I sit down (it’s making work absolutely impossible ), even though there is usually nothing to pass (ie I am not actually weeing any more than normal, just constantly feeling as if i need to).

Now I’ve realised it’s the weekend and it doesn’t look like it’s getting better by itself. Can you have cystitis where the only symptom is an urge to urinate? And is there anything good I could get OTC, or can a pharmacist give antibiotics for something like this without a prescription? I know nobody can diagnose online, but it’s keeping me awake and thought of waiting for a GP appointment next week is killing me now!!

TIA!

[RagzReturnsRebooted]

www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/
Info here, plus self care advice and when to seek help.

[Mysa74]

Sounds like you're in the early stages op. If I were you I'd grab a pint glass and massively increase my water intake. Flush it out before things start getting painful...

[Apileofballyhoo]

There are sachet things you can get in pharmacies in Ireland anyway, but I've forgotten the name. Drink lots and lots of water, at least 2 litres. At least you can pee something out then, and diluting your wee should help prevent any discomfort, and might wash out any minor irritation/infection.

[Laquila]

I've only ever had the excruciatingly painful kind so don't know how common it is to get it without the pain, but IME it generally doesn't go away without antibiotics, and I've always needed to be tested so they can give me the right kind. The powders have sometimes helped relieve the symptoms a bit in the past but certainly if you start to get even the tiniest level of pain I would go to your GP or out-of-hours service ASAP. I had to do the latter the last time I had it (March 2020 lockdown) and I was literally trembling and sobbing in the hospital waiting room. It is honestly considerably more painful for me than my two-day labour or caesareans. Very best of luck.

[Twocanplay]

It's absolutely horrendous - I feel for you OP. I went into A&E with cystitis as the pain was unbearable. I drank so much water but nothing was coming out, which made it worse as I needed to wee even more. Best thing to do is get an doctors appointment and they will give you antibiotics. Since its the weekend, the best place to go (if your docs isn't open) is the hospital. Please go before it gets any worse xx

[WellLarDeDar]

OOOH I know about this!!
You need to drink as much water as you can manage for as long as you can manage and get yourself peeing lots of diluted pee to flush out any infection. Stay away from things that make your pee more acidic (basically everything apart from protein). You can buy cystitis sachets from a supermarket or pharmacy. They're good but they taste terrible! Some pain killers and a hot water bottle might help but people have variable success with that. No tight fitting clothes for the next few days as either as that can make things worse. It's really common in women, if your symptoms don't go away in a few days then you'll need antibiotics but I'm sure if you force yourself to drink as much water as possible you'll be able to flush it out :)

[ToffeeAppleCaramel]

Yes sounds like it could be cystitis. I’ve had it a few times and rarely needed antibiotics. Drink lots and lots of water, limit caffeine and alcohol. You can buy sachets of cystitis relief which basically change the pH of your wee and can make it feel less uncomfortable. If you get pain you can take paracetamol. If no better in a couple of days see a GP.

[hamstersarse]

Get the sachets quick
They are sold in supermarkets

If that doesn't work within 12 hours, get to the docs, you will need Antibiotics.

Just don't ignore it

[KihoBebiluPute]

Cystopurin available at pharmacies and from 24hr supermarkets. Don't waste your time with cheaper alternatives. Make sure you stick to the fill course. Also but cranberry juice and chug down as much water and cranberry juice as you can.

If you are lucky that will knock it on the head but if you still have symptoms after finishing the course you will need antibiotics.

[seadreams]

The sachets are called cystopurin in Ireland. They are actually a godsend.

[Lockheart]

Oh dear. It may be a bit bedded in after two days, however I would start drinking a lot of water now.

My method for nipping this in the bud when it rears it's head is to drink a half pint of water every half hour. Do this for about four hours, then down to one half pint every hour for a while. You will pee a lot. You need to, to flush it out. Don't plan on going anywhere.

You can buy sachets of powder at the pharmacy which will help and which you can add I the above routine, but you can also use bicarbonate of soda / baking soda. This makes your urine less acidic and less painful to pass. Dissolve a teaspoon in a glass twice a day - don't overdo this.

Once I've done the above for half a day or so my symptoms are much reduced, HOWEVER I start as soon as I feel the first twinge. After two days you may need antibiotics. If there's no improvement in 24 hours I'd ring 111 to see if they can direct you to an OOH service or a pharmacy open on Sundays.

I also think places like Lloyds or Superdrug may have a cystitis service to prescribe antibiotics. Have a google. Depending on how you feel and if there is one nearby, you may wish to pre-emptively get some antibiotics. I wouldn't usually recommend this, but you're two days in.

[Lockheart]

CRANBERRY JUICE DOES BUGGER ALL, IT'S AN URBAN MYTH.

Water will serve you just as well as cranberry juice.

[ketchupandmayo]

Water. And a shit ton of it. Plus paracetamol. And cystitis sachets (you can get from most supermarkets or locals) usually cranberry flavoured. If things don't improve by Monday get straight to the doctor for some antibiotics. And don't let them fob you off.
I dealt with cystitis for 3 years. I then had balding scarring for 8 months. Which meant my body mimicked the signs of cystitis without the infection being there. I know every trick in the book and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Avoid spicy food, alcohol and acidic foods until it's gone.

[Horehound]

Sachets and cranberry juice are your friend here.

[Lockheart]

onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/cystitis-treatment.html

This may be of use if you or someone you know can get to a Superdrug. They offer next day delivery too.

[Horehound]

Actually the molecule of cranberry juice kind of binds to the infection and reduces the pain.
It's always worked very well for me.

[Lockheart]

@Horehound

Actually the molecule of cranberry juice kind of binds to the infection and reduces the pain.
It's always worked very well for me.

The first part is nonsense, the second is a placebo effect.

There is no evidence that cranberry juice is anyore advantageous at curing cystitis than water www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/#:~:text=Drinking%20cranberry%20juice%20has%20traditionally,not%20make%20a%20significant%20difference.

[Horehound]

@Lockheart but I read it somewhere so it MUST be true lol

[Todaytomorrowyesterday]

Like others said plenty of water! You need to flush through your system :(

Avoid alcohol & sticky type drinks (orange juice etc) I find water & cranberry juice (whether cranberry works or not makes a change to water) works well.
I can’t do the sachets - I’ve suffered from cystitis & bladder infections far too many times the thought of them just make me feel sick now.
Good luck!

[ViciousJackdaw]

Have you got any bicarb in the house? If so, get a small glass of tepid water, add a teaspoon of bicarb, stir well and down it in one (because it tastes foul). Have another one before bed.

[Laquila]

@ketchupandmayo Agreed, I honestly wouldn't even wish it on the most terrible people I know!! Utter misery.

Cranberry's never done anything for me, sadly - I remember that last time I felt it coming on, I googled and what I found suggested some sources thought cranberry might be helpful preventatively, though.

[Dangermouse80]

Cystitis sachets mixed in cranberry juice. Supermarket brands are better - check that you get the version without aspartame - it is an ingredient that can cause bladder irritation.
Alternatively a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda.

A warm bath with sodium bicarbonate - half a cup full helps.

No caffeine / alcohol / drinks with artificial sweeteners.

Holland and Barrett for d-man rose tablets.

Worth calling the doctors first thing to get a short course of antibiotics.

Hope it goes quickly.

[IHateBacteria]

Thanks so much, everyone. I would have acted more quickly, but I just didn’t realise it could be cystitis without any pain. But the feeling is keeping me awake even without pain. What a horrible thing it is, so sorry for everyone who’s had it/gets it.

I’ll see if I can get the out of hours GP in the morning and get some antibiotics to be on the safe side as well as upping water.

[EngelbertsRumpispink]

order some D-Mannose powder!
works wonders
take 1 tsp in a water or cranberry juice
first thing in the morning, and before bed
and drink fresh water throughout the day

[16purplecolour16]

Just in the middle of a bout now.
Bicarbonate of soda to reduced acidity
Shit ton of water
Ibrofen -it’s a ‘itis’ meaning inflamed
Paracetamol- if you have a fever (chills or sweats)
Hot water bottle - again for inflammation.

I also have incontinence knickers so I don’t need to get up constantly during the night if it spikes then. It’s exhausting getting up frequently.

You must get tested, even if by the time they isolate the bacteria you have cleared up the infection.