Is this cystitis?? TMI no doubt...

[ChesterTown]

I have never had cystitis or the like before, so looking for some advice.
I feel the need to pee all the time. Even when I have literally just been. It doesn't hurt when I start to wee, but does hurt for the last 5 seconds or so when I am going. The pain feels like the I've-just-had-a-baby kind of pain. I have a horrible sensation of pressure in my pubis, like something is going to fall out. It feels like my bladder hasn't really emptied.
Is it cystitis? Is it worth a trip to docs (who are of the 'come back in 3 days if it is still a problem', 'antibiotics are bad' variety)?
it started yesterday, and I am drinking loads and have the oasis stuff from caneston, but no relief yet .

Will a GP tell me to go away and take over the counter stuff, or would they give me antibiotics do you think? Help!

it sounds exactly like cystitis...I would go to the GP, especially if the oasis is not working!

Take a urine sample. Go to GPs, sounds like cystitis but you need to get it checked.

Load of cranberry juice too. Drink loads to dilute your urine. There is some stuff called' cystemme' i think, its sachets of powder, it helps with the stinging, but you still need to take sample in as gp will want to check for infection. Hope this helps.

I think Cystemme is the same as the Oasis...?

definitely cystitis.

The only thing i have found to relieve the symptoms is to drink literally gallons of water and sit in a deep hot bath, and (yes I know this is disgusting, but it works) just wee in the bath...

Am now waiting for horrified responses.
It does work tho and you can always shower afterwards and clean the bath!

keep drinking gallons!

yes - get to gp as imho if its not going with loads of water/cystemme type stuff/cranberry juice after 24 hours you'll prob need antibiotics.

and not disgusting lipstick...sadly true

Have never found the powder works for me, helps the stinging but not the pressure and the need to try to wee...
Give the water and the bath a go.

Def sounds like cystitis. I get it a lot. Go to the GP & he'll need to send a sample off. If he won't give you AB's straight away the things that help me are cranberry juice (two cartons per day - drank watered down with hot water - cold drinks make me feel worse) and there's a herbal remedy called 'Cysticare' which has helped me a lot (tablets). Also, and this tastes disgusting, but does help -

Pour about 4 pints of boiling water over the following:-
6 tbsps pearl barley
1 bunch fresh parsley
3 whole lemons cut into quarters
Manuka honey to taste

Leave to steep & drink the liquid when it is lukewarm. Keep sipping it through the day.

I've never had any luck with Oasis/Cymalon/Cystemme et al, but others find them helpful.

Thank you ladies
Does anyone know what makes the difference between cystitis needing antibiotics and it going away with over the counter stuff?

Infection- i think that is what makes the difference.

You can get what my mam calls 'honeymoon' cystitis, which is more sore fom rough sex I think.

Sore FROM sex

I had these symptoms just before Xmas. It was not cystitis, it was a urinary infection. I went straight to GP who tested a wee sample which showed up infection. ABs for 3 days cleared it up no problem. After 24 hours it seemed better. I also was told to drink loads of anything to flush out infection.

All cases of cystitis need ABs in my (vast, unfortunately) experience.

I'm with you Dumble - I have yet to manage to get rid of it by drinking vast quantities of Cranberry of anything else come to that!

When mine's got bad (just peeing blood - sorry if tmi) only thing that's worked has been AB's. The only time cranberry juice and water helps is if I catch it right at the start, otherwise, they just help the symptoms and I still need AB's to get it gone.

deffo go docs, as well as the cranberry juice, frink barley water, its helps lots

Ok, thanks again. Have GP appt for later on. Hope I won't be fobbed off - am peeing about every 15 mins at the mo...

it's very common, I'm sure they won't fob you off! Good luck

I've had it bloody loads. Haven't had it now for 8 years due to good advice from my cousin who is a doctor.

So top advice:

treatment now:

• get ABs, do not neglect it, it can rapidly become a kidney infection
• Drink loads, drink warm not cold water and keep your kidney area warm.

To prevent getting it: (combining all these is what has stopped me getting it after getting it every couple of months for years)

• stay well hydrated, don't wait for a wee, take regular wees
• when you wee, lean back and make sure you squeeze out the last few drops, (my cousin's tip, apparently stale urine pools in the bladder and bacteria grows)
• wipe from front to back, have a proper wash before and after sex, sorry to be grim but ensure your DH/partner never touches your bum and then your other bits with the same finger (!) as it's the bacteria from the anus getting rubbed on to your urethra which can set it off, also ideally get him to wash before sex. Have a wee within 10 minutes after sex, go and drink a massive glass of water and take a cranberry or vitamin C tablet. also don't have too much sex, e.g. more than once in 24 hours.
• don't walk around on cold floors with bare feet and let your back and kidneys get cold, in general.
• don't eat too many acidic sweets or pure orange juice.

Sorry if some of these are TMI or silly sounding but they have really worked for me, and it is such a horrible thing to get. hope you feel better soon!

Went to docs, and have antibiotics. She winced when she did a dip test of my wee . Have taken one, so still waiting for it to take effect. Hope it makes a difference soon - no way can I sleep feeling like this .

Ta for all your expert advice ladies.

It will be a day (ie 24 hours) before you notice any real difference ChesterTown, but never fear, you will be on the mend soon. Glad you went to the GP and got ABs.

thankyou