Urine infection - GP surgery refused appt. what next?

[twolittleboysonetiredmum]

I’ve had a uti on and off for the last 2 weeks. I thought it had gone until waking up overnight and it’s back with a vengeance. Combined with an horrific cold I feel rotten. I tried to see the GP last week and woman on desk said they would call me as I couldn’t have an appt for it. No one rang then it seemed to improve so I left it. Should I try again or was she right? I’ve never had one before so not sure if it’ll just go away!

Ring round pharmacies- some are happy to give 3 Day course of antibiotics and then if that doesn’t sort it will refer you to the GP. According to pharmacist I went to recently , they used to do a dip test but new guidance out saying they can prescribe just on symptoms.

It sounds like they wanted to call you but either you missed their call or they forgot. Phone your GP as soon as they open this morning.

It’s pretty much an automatic prescription, if you’re ok with paying then there are lots of online GPs like the link above, I think they can fax prescriptions to your local pharmacy or they post them out to you next day delivery.

I find that Superdrug service dicy as hell if they're not taking cultures then also providing more 'for future use' for people to self-prescribe and medicate. Good way to fuel antibiotic resistance right there!

I work in a surgery my advice is turn up when they open and ask for emergency appointment and insist on it say you feel terrible , really ill and have already been offered a call back and never got one and you can no longer wait. If they insist that you need a telephone appointment or put a sample in then ask for a time e.g. morning call back if you haunt had it by lunch time ring back. If they want a sample do it their and ring at lunch time to chase. Just basically be pushy. You've waited a long time it's getting worse and it could end up a further Infection. My mum actually ended up in hospital with urinary sepsis and was very poorly. So if you are really feeling awful I would insist on being seen and just explain it feels a lot worse and you are concerned it has gone further than a urinary infection

When you call the Dr receptionist I wouldn’t tell her why you need to see the dr.
I think it’s awful they decided you didn’t need an appointment.
My dr surgery never ask what the appointment is for.

You should definitely ring back. I left a uti once and it turned into a kidney infection. The gp gave me a bollocking!

Oh also op what ever they do. Give a sample as sometimes the infection is not sensitive to all antibiotics so the ones you are given need to be changed when results come back from the labs.

Ring GP surgery again, say you were told to expect a ring back and haven't had one and symptoms are getting worse.

They have somehow made a mistake and dropped your name off the ring back list or not been able to get hold of you.

When you call the Dr receptionist I wouldn’t tell her why you need to see the dr.
I think it’s awful they decided you didn’t need an appointment.
My dr surgery never ask what the appointment is for.

You should definitely ring back. I left a uti once and it turned into a kidney infection. The gp gave me a bollocking!

Elpha one problem is GPs are reluctant to grow cultures til you've had several...my husband has had two lots of antibiotics for the same ongoing infection and hasn't had a sample cultured, it's unclear why.

have you tried over the counter cystitis meds first? I'd give GP a call and ask for a phone consult.

Yeah, NHS GPs don’t usually culture anyway and often don’t do dipstick either now. So the online service is no different. Also it’s not quite an ‘automatic’ prescription that was perhaps misleading of me, you have to either answer online questions ‘right’ or have a conversation with a qualified GP - same as you do over the phone on NHS. A friend of mine was turned down for antibiotics from this service and told she had to see her own GP because something she said/answered meant they wanted her checked in more detail then they could. It’s no more ‘dicy’ than standard NHS practice, just more easily available. Because you’re paying for it.

I agree the Superdrug service is a bit odd given the antibiotic / resistance media drive going on at the moment. My gp never, ever samples anything for cultures. They just give antibiotics based on symptoms.

I have an autoimmune disorder and suffer from frequent utis and have taken daily antibiotics since I was 14 (I am now 37). It means I get them a lot less than I would do otherwise. I take one daily, upping to 3 daily if I get a full blown infection.

Yep Fairylea

I have always had a GP dip and culture my urine for suspected UTIs (even pre-AD diagnosis). I'm shocked at PPs saying that their GPs don't. A dip takes seconds, so hardly a costly procedure.

Antibiotics apocalypse ahoy, people 😕

Evidence is that 2+ symptoms of uti in a fit woman is more sensitive than dipstick anyway and no need for culture.
Microbiology led algorithms (to aid/improve antibiotic prescribing support this)
GP should issue a script over the phone for a one off uti if you are otherwise fit and well.
If male or other medical issues or recurrent symptoms needs to be seen/ dipped etc

At my surgery you can hand in a urine sample first thing they will test and if you phone after 1pm they will give results and doc will write a prescription if needed I just buy the sample bottles at Boots or you can get them at the surgery!

That’s exactly what happens at our GPs too beyondworriedmum. It’s a really good system and, as a veteran of many UTIs, I am very grateful that it works so well. Can you suggest this OP?

The problem with the over-counter remedies is that they just ease the symptoms. They dont really tackle the infection itself and if it has taken hold then you really do need a-b’s. I have recently been looking into Waterfall d-mannose - the reviews and people's experiences do seem encouraging so may give that a whirl.

Fairylea thank you a million times over re: the Superdrug info. I have often thought that, especially when going away on holiday that I would really like to have some a-b’s just in case. And thanks to you, now I can!!

Ooh and mentioning ‘lower back pain’ in relation to your UTI does seem to kick otherwise reluctant GP receptionists into action, I have found. It means that your infection may have started travelling to the kidneys....

Thanks all - I couldn’t see anyone or speak to anyone. The receptionists demand to know why you want an appt. they said a doctor hadn’t rung me last week as they had run out of time. I ended up ringing out of hours (which I hate doing) and getting some abs. The doctor made a big issue out of how I could’ve bought abs but I didn’t feel that was the right thing to do without discussing it with a gp. They’ve taken a sample but already given me the abs which seems backwards. It seems to be clearing thankfully. Just so frustrating that one phone call could’ve been it.

I think I would be looking to change my surgery!
Hope you feel better soon
If you do start to feel better but then symptoms return you need different AB' s...please don't leave it before going back

I get UTI's a lot and my GP surgery is a dystopian hell hole where the staff refuse to even look at you.

I wait until out of hours and then phone 111. Describe the symptoms and an OOH GP with fax a perscription to your local pharmacy for you.

Glad you’re feeling better OP!

I could’ve bought abs but I didn’t feel that was the right thing to do without discussing it with a GP

Just to be clear.... when you buy abs privately you still have to discuss it with a GP! It’s just private rather than NHS.

I am so glad that you are feeling better OP! UTIs are a special kind of hell, aren’t they?! Any doc receptionist who is dismissive and/or nasty has clearly never suffered from one!

They’ve taken a sample but already given me the abs which seems backwards. I think around 90% of UTIs are caused by e-coli so its a fair bet that the a-b’s will work.

Thanks to this thread, I now know that I can purchase them direct from Superdrug. Total genius!! I am going to get a just-in-case course for when I go on holiday.