To think a UTI is the worst kind of pain EVER?

[Galwayg]

Ive always suffered with bad UTIs, always at really inconvenient times too! I feel that all too familiar nip while going to the loo and just hope it isn’t too late, but 9 times out of 10, it already is 🤦🏼‍♀️ I’ve been so busy running around after our baby today that I haven’t drank any water at all, low and behold, UTI incoming 😩 I don’t even think it’s the physical pain, more just the sheer discomfort that comes with it, you can’t get away from it. I would honestly rather have another c-section and it’s recovery than have another day of uti pain!

My doctor’s surgery is a nightmare to get into/get a hold of so you’ve got little to no chance of getting antibiotics when it starts. The cranberry sachets you make into that drink are almost worse than the UTI itself, actually gives me shivers thinking about them.

I got one so bad on holiday with friends and their husbands once that I just sat pathetically crying in the room for the last two days of the holiday, unable to move more than a few metres from the toilet in case I needed to pee for the 47286th time that hour. Have my friend’s hen weekend from tomorrow and of course, here it comes 🙄 Currently downing one glass of water after another, praying those little bacteria won’t get their claws into my bladder walls (if that’s even what’s happening) 🤣 Just posting for sympathy and shared hatred of UTIs really!

You have totally nailed the description! I think some people get them without that pain though because when I’ve told people about it before they don’t seem to understand 🤔 I once had one so bad that it was making me literally need to bolt for the toilet or I would pee myself! I got antibiotics online for that one because I literally didn’t know how I could possibly sit in a waiting room for even 2 seconds. I like to be in or near a bath at all times 🙈

YANBU - just the thought of it has me quivering in fear. It's not even the pain level, I've had worse pain before but it's the psychology of it for me, the unending discomfort. I get into a mentality of being forever doomed, like I'm never going to be free of it and I'll suffer forever 😣they always seem to go 0-100 for me as well, slight twinge and the woosh can't leave the loo for 5 days. I find hot water bottles and sanitary towels the only things that save my sanity (so if I need to wee a drop and can't get to the loo for the 500th time that hour I'm not weeing my pants).
Even thinking about this is giving me phantom bladder ache!

DMannose -
Life changing!!!! Please look into it!

Hmm, I had my first one ever just after my 50th birthday earlier this year. Bastard thing lasted 6 weeks and took 3 lots of antibiotics to clear up. It only actually stayed gone when I started taking super strength cranberry capsules with probiotics and d-mannose. It made me feel like absolute crap but luckily I WFH so could go to the loo 20 million times a day.

After suffering from horrific sciatica pain constantly from disc degeneration in my back for about two years though (now pain free due to exercise) I’d rather have a UTI again anyday!

I second the comment about gallstones.. honestly that is the worst pain I have ever felt

I'll third the comment about gallstones. Never given birth so I can't compare it with that but gallstones is fucking horrendous.

I have a very sensible down to earth DR who long ago agreed to let me keep an emergency packet of antibiotics for when UTI's strike (always at the worst possible time).

That cranberry sachet stuff is disgusting, I find cartons of Cranberry juice are better. Plus, keep a diary and try to spot any food/activity/product that might be triggering infections. I've had far fewer attacks since I gave up swimming in heated public pools .

So sorry for you, and your discomfort. You have all my sympathy. When you speak to your GP, ask if you can have an emergency pack of antibiotics to keep at home. May I also suggest that you buy online some uristicks testing sticks so you can check as soon as you have the slightest suspicion that you are starting another UTI Just a tip I know you need to drink plenty of water with UTI but when you get the Antibiotics, just tone down how much you drink. You need to give the antibiotics in your bladder chance to work.
I hope you get better soon.

It's bad but a slipped disc is worse. I've had both and know which is pick!

I'll raise you cauda equina
At one point I asked a&e to cut my leg off and told them it was a relief now that I couldn't feel anything from the waist down. Relentless nerve pain that was grim

Painful yes
The worst pain? No

@2bazookas that’s weird you say that, I went swimming today 🤔

Gallstones sound pretty horrific 😬

As I say, it’s really not even the level of pain you’re in with this, it’s just the fact it completely traps you for up to days at a time in a bathroom/bath/shower and you just cannot continue on normal life like it’s not happening, no matter how much you might want to 🤦🏼‍♀️ Just going to have to keep drinking excessive amounts, it seems to be helping, the sting is away for now!

Another vote for d-mannose here. As a PP said, it is life changing.
Also be careful drinking lots of water. You can overdo it and it can be dangerous.

Yes it’s the worst! I keep antibiotics at home at all times, and take them with me on trips/hols. You can buy them online - there are lots of online pharmacies who do them. Boots are quickest as they don’t need to actually send you the drugs, but let you go in and get the paper prescription from them, Superdrug send them to you directly so takes a few days, Dr Fox are the same. No need to suffer - get your antibiotics online

I take d mannose every day (or when I remember) and I've gone from getting UTis twice a month to hardly ever.

I also have nitrofurition antibiotics on standby all the time. My doc gave me 100mg tablets to take as and when required and sometimes I take them after sex - just one.

I also get it from swimming or hot tubs if I don't wash straight away with that femme fresh delicate wash.

Cutting out sugar helps too but that's not really fun or practical.

You can get D Mannose on Amazon they really are the bees knees - I have only had one attack since taking them and that was after a whole weekend in a hot tub!

That's really dangerous to take just one antibiotic after sex.

Me too. My GP gave me a spare set in case this happened.

I always compare pain to childbirth, but yes ,UTI , kidney stones etc extremely painful.

@anon86432568 why is it dangerous? It's a recommended treatment plan for women who get uti's after sex? I've done this for 10 years. This is from the patient website

what’s ‘the mother’? sounds terrifying

Does anyone else find running/intense exercise triggers them?

Ikr I ended up in A&E with one

Taking one antibiotic when you don't need it can increase the chance of antibiotic resistance. Wait until you get a UTI that can't be treated with antibiotics anymore!

It's AWFUL.

Not had one for quite a few years but yes, when you get it, it lingers and comes out again when you think you're OK.

Mine were sex related.

Not relevant now as you're in the throes of it but always, always have a wee after sex to push any bacteria out.

Also, take cranberry capsules daily for general prevention.

You have my sympathy. I DREAD this happening again to me as it's so incapacitating. You literally can't leave the house and just want to curl up and give up 😭 x