Should I go to A&E

[saduncomfortable]

Some background - I started with what I’m sure were kidney stones two weeks ago. I nearly ended up at A&E at 1 in the morning because the pain was so bad but then it passed. Shorter bouts of pain continued for a week so I went to my GP last week. They dip tested my urine and said I had an infection and gave me antibiotics. I spent all weekend with full on cystitis symptoms - minus the pain of urinating. - feeling constantly like I need to go and bladder pain. My test results came back from the lab and said no infection. I went back to the GP who said that regardless of the lab results, they believed I had a kidney infection and it could easy take a week to stop feeling discomfort. My dip test still shows blood present. At the same time the GP was saying it really sounded like kidney stones and the only way to know for definite is a scan. He said if i was no better today to go through A&E as that was quickest.

So do I go go to A&E today? Will they even agree to a scan? I don’t understand why the GP couldn’t just refer tbh. I physically can’t cope with sitting for hours in A&E with this going on so am really unsure of what to do. At the same time I can’t cope with this for weeks on end and I’m also now off work with this which isn’t ideal.

A referral will lead to a scheduled appointment which could take weeks/months.
Just go to a&e if your pain is still very bad and tell them what you’ve told us.

Good luck!

Your GP told you to go to A&E????

No wonder A&E are so over run.

It is not an accident and as it is ongoing it's not an emergency either.

Go back to your GP and get them to book a scan.

My GP surgery are constantly telling people to go to A&E, rather than making any referrals etc. It's bizarre.

My dad went to a&e when he had kidney stones. They referred him and he still had to wait months and months to be seen.

Pain can be an emergency. I have an ongoing gallbladder issue and my gp put me in for an “urgent ultrasound” it took three weeks. I think they should refer and if it isn’t too bad hold on but go to A + E if unbearable.

GP said A&E is quickest route to diagnosis and kidney stones can be problematic. If you want to avoid A&E, ask for a referral.

Are you no better today?

If you’re not, you should do what your GP advised you to do. I know A+E is a total pain, especially when you’re feeling unwell, but I have to do this for a different condition which also requires a scan and it’s the only way to get one. The GP can’t book a scan, and in my area, going through A+E is the only way to get one. A referral isn’t possible because the scan is always urgent.

To minimise the waiting, I was told that the best time to attend A+E if I’m needing a scan is as early as possible in the working day - around 8a.m.

Don’t take any notice of strangers on the internet who are advising you to ignore your GPs advice.

I'm no better today - feels like it's getting worse. It's not kidney stone pain now - it's like that pain when you need the toilet and you are so desperate it really hurts - but it's constant and I don't actually need the toilet. I keep passing some small pieces of what looks like red tissue too. Have told this to the GP but he didn't seem concerned. I think I'm going to have to try A&E a bit later on.

@saduncomfortable did u go? X

Scans take weeks if not months, to come through. Clearly you've never had kidney stones otherwise you'd know how excruciatingly painful they are. They can also obstruct the urinary system, causing sepsis, hydronephrosis and kidney damage. The GP gave the correct advice, unless yours is a surgery with a built in ct scanner attached.

OP if the pain is worse and you're struggling to pee please, please go to A&E. This could be an obstruction and/or severe infection

My partner is urinating blood, he is in agony. Its been going on since mid September. He is in so much more pain. He back on the left is in agony, they have given him 3 lots of antibiotics. The 3rd one has given him blood shot eyes, worse pain. He is now getting bad pain by his belly botton. I don’t know what else to do but maybe take him to a&e tomorrow early in the morning. X

Go now. My DH had to have a morphine drip when he had kidney stones

Take him now.

6 weeks for an urgent scan in my area so A&E would be the best place if in pain

This is why I don’t understand ‘only go to A&E if it’s an accident or an emergency/life or limb’

There are situations where no you might not die if you don’t get seen but equally it’s not something that can wait for a referral either.

It’s not realistic to only go to A&E if you’ve had a car crash, a heart attack etc.

PS seriously hope you are ok OP!

Well if she didn't go on 09/04/2025 when she originally posted then I don't think offering her advice over a year later will be very helpful!

@Starrrz why do you ask? This thread is over a year old.

We’ve been twice, the first time they only dipped his urine gave him antibiotics. We went again on Sunday as the antibiotics caused him swollen eyes and red eyes really bad. They didn’t do anything else but ask us to tell the gp to refer him. I feel hopeless xx

Yes, go to A&E.

because my partner has been urinating blood, awful pain on his left side , feels like acid when he pees. Has a throbbing feeling in his penis. Pain by his belly button especially when he pees. He has had 3 lots of antibiotics and if anything, he is so much worse .

You couldn't be pregnant? I passed stuff like that with an ectopic which was really dangerous in the end. Passing bloody bits is definitely a trip to A&E.

I see. I am sorry indeed.

It is frightening - we dont have a healthcare systen at the moment and as a lot of ppl are discovering ....

....there is nothing behind the doors of the NHS for anyone. It is just a beautifully decorated stage set, that looks really real. But isn't.