Tender abdomen, frequent urination and white blood cells in urine

[Caelano]

I’ve had a sore abdomen and frequent urination for a week or so, with loose stools, a few chills and generally feeling a bit yucky and tired.

I had a scheduled appt with the practice nurse at my surgery today (routine smear) and when I mentioned my tender abdomen she suggested doing a urine dip test, which showed white blood cells, which she said could be a bacterial infection. She said she could speak to the GP if I want to start on antibiotics but I said no, I’ll wait and see what happens (she said the urine sample can be sent off on Monday for testing too.)
I’m now kicking myself a bit and wondering whether I should have taken the anti bs now. I’ve had UTIs before but this time I’m not getting any burning and there was no blood in the urine so in some ways I was a bit surprised, but the nurse seemed to think my other symptoms fitted.
I have health anxiety generally and am now thinking oh god could this have turned into a kidney infection (hence no burning when I urinate) and that I’ve been really stupid not starting on anti bs. Are loose stools a thing with UTIs? Does this sound like a kidney thing?

I think I felt a bit caught on the hop with all the COVID restrictions in place at the surgery, I’d already had to wait outside in the rain until they unlocked for me and I just wanted to get the smear done and out again.
Any words of wisdom? Has anyone else had something like this? I know I sound needy but my anxiety is getting the better of me...

@Caelano, try to drink a lot of water (2-3 l per day), use a hot water bottle and try to rest. If you get any worse over the weekend, call 111 and they'll find you an out of hours appointment. If you're not any worse, call your surgery on Monday morning and ask them to make sure they'll send your urine for proper testing. You can then also ask for antibiotics to keep at home in case things suddenly get bad. I had a similar thing a couple of weeks ago. I had an UTI which was treated, but it still went to my kidneys. Believe me, you'll know when it happens. Back pain, abdominal pain, chills, nausea, feeling very unwell. 111 sent me to A&E and they gave antibiotics. Loose stools may or may not be connected, you may have a bit of a tummy virus. Either way you'll be fine.

@Wireless77 thanks for your reply. I’ve had UTIs occasionally in the past but the telltale sign has always been burning when I pee and sometimes blood, along with the frequent peeing and sore abdomen. I haven’t got any burning at all, peeing feels fine, just very frequent and that horrible feeling of pressure in my pelvic area. Haven’t had loose stools with it before either. I’m going to rest up this weekend - weather looks just right for snuggling on the sofa. I’ll take your advice and start anti bs if no improvement

If you are in the uk pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics for UTIs. Might be worth calling your local pharmacy to see if they can help.

You can order 3 day antibiotics for UTIs from
Superdrug.
Hope you feel better soon

Thank you. Any advice about the loose stools? I’ve never had that before with a UTI

When I have had a uti I usually just get the frequency and pain not the burning. Hope you feel better soon,