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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how to get through the night with a UTI

77 replies

shaniahoo · 07/07/2023 22:23

Never had a UTI before, then around lunchtime today I started peeing more and more frequently until by dinnertime it had become like being constantly desperate for the toilet but peeing brings relief for about 30 seconds and then I'm desperate again. Then the last two times I've been it's started stinging when I go and continues to sting afterwards. 111 have advised me to go the walk in centre first thing in the morning so I will, but what the hell am I supposed to to do tonight??? I won't be able to sleep a wink! I've been sitting on the toilet for a while just letting drips out as they come and before that I was on the sofa with an ice pack between my legs. Is there ANYTHING I can do besides take paracetamol and sit up all night in extreme discomfort?

OP posts:
Ifmylifewasforrent · 07/07/2023 23:08

OP doesn’t have a bath xx

Greenel82 · 07/07/2023 23:09

Sympathies OP. They are the worst! A hot bath used to give me a bit of relief, I remember having one at 2am as I was so desperate. Sorry not much help as I’ve seen you don’t have one, but a shower may help. Hope you get sorted soon

WomanFromTheNorth · 07/07/2023 23:09

Cranberry juice will aggravate it; it's good for preventing uti s but once you have one don't drink it. Lots of water, weak squash or tea. They are hell. Get to the out of hours Dr's in the morning.

SeaPeeps · 07/07/2023 23:11

Adding to all the excellent advice above. I cannot abide cranberry juice - was drinking gallons of flat lemonade - but a nurse recommended lemon barley water as it has the correct ph. GP advised cranberry capsules (has to be capsules) which I now take daily.
I feel for you, OP. It’s awful.

Spinewars23 · 07/07/2023 23:14

June 2022 screaming in pain for help; help in late June 22 only came from an e-pharmacy online.

By May 2023 a fibroid was growing.

Proudofitbabe · 07/07/2023 23:14

You need to guzzle as much water as you can. Drink drink drink drink. Flush it out.
And this sounds grim but Tena pants or sanitary towels for when you need the relief of the "release" but not actually pee. I find there is a constant horrendous bursting urge to go, in reality it's like a drop - but you can't spent all night on the loo for that!

PriamFarrl · 07/07/2023 23:17

You can buy the sachets in supermarkets, not just the pharmacy bit. Can someone go for you?

Drink loads of water. Loads and loads.

Housenoob · 07/07/2023 23:43

Everyone has said drink tons of water which I agree with but my magic tip is drink WARM (or as hot as you can manage) water. Dunno if it's just me but it seemed to go through my system a lot quicker and help dilute the pee/flush things out a heck of lot faster than cold water.

Also ibuprofen is MUCH better than paracetamol for the pain.

FatAF · 08/07/2023 00:10

I remember suffering with a UTI in a flat with no bath. Use a flannel or similar to block the drain in the shower and let it fill up. Sit in the puddle... as long as you're in water it will help. Bless you OP... its horrendous.

NotsurewhatIbelieve · 08/07/2023 00:12

After your course of antibiotics l would recommend taking d mannose for a while to prevent recurrence. Absolutely second bicarb for now ( but I don't think you should take it while on antibiotics- check that out with the pharmacist). Fwiw when I have had UTIs I have had bright red pee with clots which has resolved really quickly when treated so try not to worry.

NotsurewhatIbelieve · 08/07/2023 00:17

Just googled bicarb though - make sure you don't take too much! (Have a look at guidance.)

llareggub · 08/07/2023 00:17

I spoke to my GP about this today. I’ve got another UTI, I keep getting them. She told me it is connected with a reduction in oestrogen in some perimenopausal women had has prescribed me a dissolvable oestrogen tablet. That and the antibiotics will hopefully do the trick.

Jellycats4life · 08/07/2023 00:22

Try not to panic about the blood. I’ve only had a UTI a couple of times in my life, but when I have I’ve passed blood. You’ll need antibiotics.

blahblahblah1654 · 08/07/2023 00:26

Hope you get a call back soon. The only thing that worked for me when I had UTIs was antibiotics. I used to pee blood too, it was agony!

Divebar2021 · 08/07/2023 00:32

My mums a very old school nurse and always recommends lemon barley water ( not juice. Not lemon squash - barley water). Add the bicarbonate of soda to every other glass for the first couple of drinks. Sitting in the bath and peeing really helps with the sting and general miserableness. It’s probably worth buying the urine dipsticks ( I got mine from Amazon) and testing your own urine for any future outbreaks. That way you can send a GP a photo of the results / read the results over the phone and get the prescription sent rather than going in.

Divebar2021 · 08/07/2023 00:33

The blood is par for the course I’m afraid. You need to up the liquids to really dilute your urine. ( I’m a veteran of many cases of cystitis and kidney infections ). The latter is like flu

HalfasleepChrisintheMorning · 08/07/2023 01:21

Azo Urinary Pain Relief - 24 Tablets
https://amzn.eu/d/70J8EeT

Sympathies, it’s awful. Hot water bottle and drink loads - a pint of water every half hour.
For future, keep these tablets in.

Original poster
shaniahoo · 08/07/2023 06:33

Thank you so much everyone, I can't reply to every response but I have read them all and I did have a warm shower and peed in the shower, tried the bicarb etc. It's actually improved a lot overnight, I managed to sleep in 2 hour chunks and everytime I woke up the peeing seemed to hurt less. I don't feel too bad right now but off to the walk in centre anyway.

OP posts:
amylou8 · 08/07/2023 06:55

They're horrible. Glad you're feeling a bit better. Ibuprofen rather than paracetamol as its anti inflammatory. Stay well hydrated but don't drink gallons as it will make you feel worse. Mine always resolve quickly as soon as I get the neon pee antibiotics.

Original poster
shaniahoo · 08/07/2023 06:58

Thinking back on it, the day before last, I had sex and didn't get up to pee afterwards. Probably for the first time in my life actually, I'm a very risk averse person and I'm always up peeing within 5-10mins after. This time I lay there for an HOUR afterwards think "ah it'll be fine". 😬

OP posts:
Florissante · 08/07/2023 07:46

How are you this morning, OP?

Original poster
shaniahoo · 08/07/2023 09:53

Florissante · 08/07/2023 07:46

How are you this morning, OP?

Update above ^ already got my antibiotics!

OP posts:
MissCalamity · 08/07/2023 10:06

Sympathies OP, I had this a fortnight ago and I was in tears thinking how on earth am I going to sleep.
Hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon!

ExtraChilliesPlease · 08/07/2023 10:20

@shaniahoo I’ve had so many UTI symptoms over the years that DH always reminds me to pee after sex, even if I just want to lie there!

Glad you’re sorted with AB, hope you get some relief soon.

SeaPeeps · 08/07/2023 10:30

Pleased to hear you now have treatment, OP. Have a really restful day today..