To ask about your UTI experiences

[chatenoire]

I'm currently having one... It's beyond painful (I'm screaming every time I have to go to the toilet). I have severe incontinence and I'm bleeding and even passing clots.

The not very smart receptionist at the GP said it was my period...

Anywho, I've already taken 3 out of 6 pills the GP gave me but I haven't seen any improvement. Could it be something else? I have on and off pain on my left side. Feel a little bit light headed, no fever.

I've never been in so much pain in my life and I've gone through childbirth and c sections!

I have a low level one at the moment. Was prescribed Nitrofurantoin 3 day course but it didn't get rid of it. I got some more from the pharmacy to extend the course but still didn't work.
I've had success with Vitamin C and Cystopurin sachets in the past but this one won't shift. I bought Sweet Cures Waterfall D Mannose on MN recommendation but after 4 days it had made absolutely no impact.

I'm just putting up with it for now until it gets worse then will try and get a different antibiotic.

Ibuprofen works for the main. Paracetamol does not (in my experience).
Yours sounds very very severe OP. Get thee to the hospital or emergency doctor.

Quick update from the paramedic. So apparently blood is normal? And because I have no fever nor vomiting A&E won't even give me the time of day. However I should rush if I develop either.

Got 3 more days of antibiotics too.

It is really good that you got more antibiotics.

However, I’d like him to pee blood out of his junk and see if he thinks it normal.

i think if you are in that much pain you should be seen by a doctor
You may have a kidney stone or a severe infection

not knowing your symptoms or circumstances it’s normal to rule out an ectopic with pain and bleeding

I had this after some stupid sex and it was hell for 2 or 3 days, then it started to get better.

Er no, blood so much it clots is not normal.

What antibiotics have you had/got?

Go to A&E. Could be quite a few things but this is not normal.

Depends on the cause of the UTI, D-Mannose is excellent, but is only effective for e-Coli caused UTI. Drinking Lemon Barley Water, as strong as you can bear to drink it, can also help.

I hope you feel better soon. I constantly suffered UTI before I started D-mannose. I used to bleed with them too. Very painful and unpleasant.

I have had frequent UTIs - each time the culture has shown ecoli infection. Short course antibiotics (3 days) don't clear it. 7 day course usually does but it can then reoccur a few weeks later.

The bacteria causing the UTI can bury itself within the epithelial cells that line your bladder and a 'new' infection can reoccur when the cells are naturally shed in the bladder. For this reason it has sometimes been beneficial to be on a prophylactic low dose of the antibiotic to clear the 'buried' bacteria as the cells shed. I have low dose Nitrofurantoin on a prescription for this purpose.

Also if you are menopausal, UTIs can constantly occur as the female reproductive system starts to 'dry out' due to depletion of oestrogen. HRT can then help if this is the case (I'm now on HRT because of the UTIs). You will need to ensure you drink fluids so you can pass urine regularly to keep things in good working order.

Obviously good hygiene of wiping front to back goes without saying, as does avoiding perfumed products and even sometimes washing powder for sensitive skin needs to be considered rather than biological powder/liquid and fabric conditioner. White toilet paper (coloured paper can cause irritation) and cotton briefs too.

It's worth mentioning that there is something called hyponatremia which is when you drink way too much water. So don't neck pints and pints of water!

Which antibiotics have they given you? Some of them are completely useless.

The only thing that helps me is nitrofurantoin - you can get it online through Superdrug pharmacy and pick it up same day.

I suffered for years with UTIs and as you say, they were the most excruciating thing I’ve experienced. I hope you get better soon, they’re just awful 🤞🏻

I've had a few UTIs. Never blood. Honestly I would go to A and E just for a check over and to see if you can get some pain relief.

Yes it was nitrofurantoin!! But originally only gave me 3 days... There's no way that with blood three days would be enough

Last UTI I was in Portugal and they saw me at hospital within an hour of arriving. Can't remember the name of the antibiotics but they worked. Before this it was when I was eight months pregnant and went to hospital in an ambulance - given pethidine via a drip for pain. Without doubt the worse pain ever. I only have one functioning kidney so I try and be very careful. Lots of water and as soon as I feel anything I take Cymalon. How are you this morning?

I think the antibiotics are finally working but I'm still in significant pain(now I'd say it's a 7 before it was a 10). I thought I'd be brave and walk the dog last night and ended up wetting myself :/ that should teach me to stay at home.