Those of you who have had bladder infections before....?

[moriah]

I'm not truly asking for medical advice, I'm going to go to the doctor in the AM, I'm just wondering here...

About a week ago I noticed that it burned a bit to pee. But no fever, nothing. I started drinking cranberry juice, etc. On Tuesday evening, when I peed I realized it had a REALLY funny smell to it, not sugary, more like a nausea-inducing odor. It still burned, but nothing like what I've heard other people describe as the way it hurt when they had an infection. Still no fever.

Today, when I went to bed I wasn't feeling all that good. I woke up this evening to incredibly damp sheets from sweating, but I was freezing to death, every muscle hurts, I have a horrible headache. I'm also running a 101 fever now.

Yeah, it is my stupid fault for not going to the doctor as soon as I noticed burning, and I'm going to remedy that in the morning, but does what I'm describing jive with what you may have experienced? I've never had a bladder infection before but it's the only thing I can think of.

[Critters2]

1. Mine have been VERY painful in my lower abdomen,

and I've needed to pee a lot. I've had two in the last year, and wasn't running a fever with either of 'em...but my doc was surprised by that. She said most people do run a fever. Mine were diagnosed via urinalysis. So, your symptoms are different from mine, but I still wouldn't be surprised if you have a bladder infection.

Good luck! :hi:

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. Just had one that sent me to the ER

I had no trouble with peeing, in that it didn't hurt, but my urine did smell like ammonia and had a 'funky' stench to it. But the pain in the lower abdomen was undescribably painful. It built over the course of a few days. At first I thought it was related to my period. Then, as it got progressively worse and it interfered with my work and everyday activities, I knew something was wrong. I had a UTI before, with the 'usual' symptoms (burning to pee, etc.), and at first I thought it was a uterine infection (I also had one of those a long long time ago and it hurt like a mutha).

Anyway, I went to the ER, I was quickly diagnosed (although they still did a pelvic and vaginal ultrasound just to make sure), and I was prescribed an antibiotic and vicodin for the pain. I also ran a fever and I had chills at night, as well as profuse sweating.

I would definitely have yourself checked out. There are actually test strips that you can buy at a drug store to see if you have a UTI. But definitely check in with a physician. Best of luck to you.

[moriah]

3. Doctor couldn't see me today, full up....

... and I really don't want to go to the ER.

So I dug through my medicine cabinet to see if I could find anything, and found an antibiotic prescription with one refill left on it (my doctor always prescribes with 1 refill so that if after the antibiotics run out if I'm still not better I can keep on the antibiotics without interruption if I can't get back to see him. It was Clavamox, so I got that filled today and started it.

Fever broke while I was sleeping after taking the first dose, I sweated so badly my man went to sleep on the couch.

I'm at work now. They were able to get me an appointment for 10:30 in the morning, but for me that's 10:30 at night. I'll keep it, though.... although I think the Clavamox will fix whatever was wrong.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. There is an OTC drug you can get for the burning and lower

abdomen pain. It is called Phenazopyridine. It will turn your pee orange but it maked the potty part much more bearable. I keep it on hand for bladder infections. Feel better.

[Critters2]

11. I used this last week when I was in pain. Got the Walgreen's brand version,

"Walgreen's Urinary Pain Relief". It really helped. I'm going to be keeping on hand for the future!

[LynneSin]

19. Phena is really for the pain only

it won't kill the bacteria.

but I use it all the time too

[ScreamingMeemie]

24. I didn't say to take it to cure, I said, in my post that it makes peeing hurt less.

I said it was an anasthetic to make the pain go away, to be used in conjunction with an antibiotic, which it appears the OP has.

[defendandprotect]

23. Colds in the bladder which move into near or actual infections are so common . . .

that many doctors will now prescribe an antibiotic over the phone --

there was an article about that in the NY Times a few years ago ---

The most important thing to do is to keep it from moving to the infection stage.

See my post below ---

[skooooo]

4. Sounds like a duck to me!

[Heddi]

6. You may have

bacterial vaginosis, which has simliar symptoms of UTI/bladder infection. The stinky urine makes me think BV, but only your doctor can tell you for sure.

Please do not continue to take the antibiotics, as they will fuck up whatever lab tests your MD is going to perform. Seriously. And make sure your MD knows that you took the Antibiotics and what kind and how many. I'm a nurse and I have seen many patients get false diagnoses because they took "some" antibiotic at home they found in the cabinet, not sure what it is or what it's for and end up getting a wrong diagnosis because the anti's they took meddled with the lab tests, so something that was originally bacterial was thought to be viral, etc.

Also, please know that antibiotics aren't the same. Some kill certain bacteria, others kill others. That's why there's different kinds of antibiotics--for different kinds of bacteria (bacilli, rod shaped, etc).

It is NEVER good to take an antibiotic that was not specifically prescribed for that specific ailment at that specific time. Even if you have the same symptoms as last time, it could be something completely different. This is just advice for EVERYONE--not just you. Taking erroneous antibiotics is one of the (many) things that cause antibiotic-resistant strains of bacterial illness.

[FloridaJudy]

7. Seconded.

Do not take antibiotics until you've seen a provider! They'll screw up any cultures.

Your fever makes me worry about a kidney infection, which can be seriously bad news. Bladder infections can cause lower abdominal pain and burning on urination, but don't usually cause fever.

And keep that appointment. I mean it.

[moriah]

9. Guess I forgot to mention...

... that before I got it filled I called the doctor's office to ask about it, the nurse called me back and said the doctor okayed it (she said he would have preferred me to take Bactrim but he knows I'm allergic to Sulfa.)

And I'm glad he did, because I'm not running a fever anymore and I was able to go to work tonight.

I am going to keep the appointment. My doctor is the only one in his office, if he's sick the office is closed kind of thing.

Perhaps I should have just gone to the ER instead. But ERs are for people who are dying.

Anyway, I'll let you guys know how it goes with the doctor tomorrow.

[FloridaJudy]

10. If through some chance

You can't make it to that appointment, go to a Doc-in-the-box. For anything that's not immediately life-threatening, they're pretty good. The wait won't be as long, and it'll be a lot cheaper than an ER. But I wouldn't put off seeking care for another day.

[moriah]

14. Got to doc's appointment....

Dipstick test showed that there was an infection, since the Augmentin had cleared up the fever I was experiencing he saw no need to do a culture at this time (he said he rarely does cultures on bladder infections unless they're recurrent anyway, he feels it's a waste of money, he sees a lot of uninsured patients). He said even though most UTIs are cleared up after 3 days on Augmentin, he wants me to take it for two weeks since I was running such a high fever. He also said that if I started feeling pain in my back, or started getting even a low-grade fever, to come back in and if I couldn't see him continue on the Augmentin but go to the ER.

So ... I'm still fever-free and taking the antibiotics.

I asked about that dye to help with the burning, and he said that it's related to sulfa so he didn't recommend me try it.

The burning is much less today, so I'm glad of that, and glad I didn't grab it OTC and try it...

[DeepBlueC]

15. be prepared for possible yeast infection

as a result of the Augmentin. It can also kill off harmless vaginal bacteria that in turn allows yeast to flourish and become troublesome. It has happened to me. On vacation. During a blizzard. I was very grumpy.

[moriah]

29. And the runs, as FloridaJudy pointed out....

... which I already have. (Then again, I also have IBS, and the runs are easier to deal with than the other IMHO -- I have meds for the cramps, but not many to fix the opposite end of the spectrum!)

I'll take the runs any day over the burning and the fever.

I assume it causes the runs because it will kill bowel flora, which is a good thing for a UTI. Most are caused by those bacteria.

I can't wait until Diflucan is available as a generic, I know he'll call it in if I start getting symptoms. The only other time I had a yeast infection was on antibiotics, and that stuff was a wonder drug.

[BuddhaGirl]

31. antibiotics kill friendly bacteria in your digestive tract

taking probiotics (acidophilus) will help replenish the friendly bacteria, and you will recover more quickly, including helping with the runs.

[DeepBlueC]

32. I think Augmentin is a wide-spectrum antibiotic

I am not a medical professional, but I think that it why it causes so much collateral damage. I never get any untoward effects from Amoxicillin or any other antibiotic I have ever taken (admittedly few) so the Augmentin caught me by surprise. Yes, the runs too, as I recall. But I had to go back to the hospital clinic for the yeast infection at that time as I was out of country.

I hope you are feeling better now. Augmentin is a thorough drug.

[FloridaJudy]

18. Good

Finish the antibiotic. Augmentin gives many folks the runs, so don't be surprised.

Cranberry juice won't cure a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), but it seems to help with the symptoms and prevent them from re-occurring, so you could give that a try. Unfortunately, the "cocktail" they sell in most supermarkets won't - it's mostly fructose or apple juice with a little cranberry added for flavor. You need the real thing: try a health food store, or the "organic" aisle of the grocery.

[moriah]

25. I always finish antibiotics

I ran into a nasty issue as a kid because my mom wouldn't make me finish the nasty tasting pink stuff.

Ended up with a really bad ear infection that was resistant.

I have lots of antibiotic pill bottles in my medicine cabinet, but they are all empty, they're there for the refill listed in case of a thing like this.

My doctor really is a good guy. He runs a small family practice, he's the only one there, he has two nurses and one receptionist, and he does a lot of care for families who are uninsured and charges very little to them. Insured patients like me are his bread and butter, but I know if I lost my insurance that he would work with me on the bill.

So yeah, it's hard to get in to see him, but he's worth it. And a visit isn't just a 5 minute in and out. The surprise? He's not an old guy, he's a pretty young. Apparently he finished his residency and then did a few years of work for Doctors Without Borders before coming here. (I hope he's independently wealthy or something, otherwise he may go out of business with that business model....)

[FloridaJudy]

26. My doc's similar

She kept me on after I lost my insurance, and always charges me the minimum and gives me free samples when she has them. Like yours, she's fairly young. She may actually be coming out ahead financially by giving me a price break, since she doesn't have to go through the major hassle of billing my insurance, and having it be declined or only partially paid.

Most docs I know hate the insurance companies, and I know a lot of them being a nurse practitioner.

This country's long overdue for single-payer.

[Critters2]

12. Sounds like your doc thinks it's a UTI. Mine also wanted me to take Bactrim, but

I'm allergic to sulfa, too. So, I'm taking Cipro. And it's working!

[moriah]

30. He says he wants to save quinolones for a last restort for me...

I have allergies to just about the entire -mycin line. Zithromax, Erythromycin, even clindamycin (which isn't really all that closely related, but I guess related enough.)

At least, if I ever get sick enough and that's the appropriate treatment, if they can keep me up on enough antihistamines and whatever else would be necessary to put the hives at bay, they can probably use one and I won't be resistant to it!

[pitohui]

17. i will third what heddi said

this is nothing to screw around with

[MichiganVote]

8. When my bladder infec. traveled to my kidney it felt like someone had

put a hot iron to my lower back.

Have a care. See the Doc. And by the way---they should have seen you at the Doc's office. Let your physician know how much discomfort you felt and why.

[SoCalDem]

13. Bladder infections can and DO travel up the ureters to the kidneys

chills, fever, excrutiating back pain. possible kidney damage.. GO TO THE ER.

[pitohui]

16. it was many a year ago but yeah, get thee to the doctor stat

sounds like what i had back in the day, you need antibiotics to clear it up or apparently they recur and nobody wants that!

[LynneSin]

20. From someone who has had BIs since I was 5

I was in the hospital for that one

If you can't get to the doctor let me recommend he following:

Cranberry Juice is your friend but make sure it's cranberries and not alot of sugar. Sugar can make it worse. I keep a bottle of pure CJ in my fridge for such emergencies. And Cranberry suppliments help too.

Make sure you use the following things when infect:
* Keep a cake of Ivory Soap around and only wash with that. Other soaps may have dyes & perfumes that can irritate
* White cotton/silk/wool undies only. Natural materials breath and dyes in underpants can make the condition worse
* Do not use TP with prints or colors - they have dyes that can affect too.

OTC Phena like Uristat will help but remember it's only a pain killer

Most doctors are keen to the urgency of bladder infections. Sometimes if they can't fit them in just ask if you can run in, pee in a cup so they can test and give you a prescription. Good doctors realize that most women can detect a bladder infection and will help fit you in if they are swamped. However, if it persists after 2-3 days even with medication get thee to the doctor.

[moriah]

27. My sister had a kidney infection when she was 3.

My mother was driving from Arkansas to North Carolina when my sister started having major symptoms. She tried to watch for signs for hospitals but hadn't seen one for many miles. With my sister screaming in the car and uncontrollably peeing blood. She got that car up to 105 MPH and got pulled over. First word's out of Mom's mouth is "Please tell me how to get to the nearest hospital!"

He escorted her to the hospital, called ahead so they could get the road cleared, and led her to the hospital at 100 MPH with lights blaring.

Cops can be your friend.

I wasn't worried until the chills and fever started, and when I called the doctor, the receptionist said there was no way they could work me in that day at all and offered the 10:30 slot. I don't think she actually talked to the doctor or realized how serious it was.

When I called back to tell them that I had that antibiotic prescription and to ask if I could start taking it, and reiterated that I was running a high fever, that's when she told the nurse, who spoke to the doctor. I think if he had been told at first he would have told me to go to the ER, but he realized quick antibiotic treatment if I was running a fever were necessary, and he was happy since the Clavamox/Augmentin is what he would have likely prescribed anyway since I'm allergic to Sulfa.

Since I have very odd medication allergies -- I'm allergic to just about every antibiotic that ends in -mycin, which leaves a lot of valid treatments out the window, he saves use of quinolones in my case for if nothing else works. Since quinolones are about the strongest antibiotics out there that I don't break out in hives from, he wants to make sure I don't become resistant to them.

He really is a good doctor. His staff are nice too, but you can't expect a receptionist to know as much as a nurse or a doctor. And I don't blame her, she was very, very busy. I'm just glad it's all working out.

[defendandprotect]

21. EVERY FEMALE HERE . . . PAY ATTENTION TO THIS . . .

There is a way to avoid the trip to the doctor --- and to avoid having the cold in the bladder
get to the infection stage ---

Go to health food store and get D-MANNOSE ... it comes in power or in tablet ---

When you feel that "urgency to pee" or you feel a bit of burning or pain when you urinate
due to a cold ....

You can take D-MANNOSE and it helps immediately ---

It's simply a natural sugar which coats your organs to PREVENT an infection ---

I take it in a small plastic cup of lime sparking water --- it's only one teaspoon --

and it does help you immediately --- (it's totally tasteless)

you have to do that for three days ---


Saves a lot of running to the doctor --- and a lot of money --


It's expensive --- about $32 bucks right now --- "NOW" is a good brand ---

but it will probably last you more than a year ---

keep it in your frig --- you can also freeze it!


you're find it in the urinary cleansing section of your health food store ---

And you know who brought this to my attention?

A gay guy friend who's a health nut --- he's a big help on things like this.

I've been using this for probably almost five years now.

You'll love it!




PS: IF you already have an infection --- blood in your urine, for instance ---

you have to go to the doctor.

[madeline_con]

22. Sounds typical and you need antibiotics. In the meantime, try

to drink tons of water, followed by cranberry, and keep your fever down. I hope you feel better UTIs suck! :hi:

[undeterred]

28. Drinking cranberry juice is helpful but not sufficient

It changes the pH of the urine, and that makes it harder for the bacteria to grow. But to kill the bacteria you need antibiotics.

[lunatica]

33. Drinks tons of water

The more you urinate, the faster you flush the bacteria out. You can actually get rid of the infection that way, but it's always best to catch it very early. The sensation of having to void and the burning sensation when you do is the first sign. I've gotten rid of it within a day by drinking a lot of water.

I also use an ointment on the area (not in it)named Calmoseptine which starts acting right away and it's cool and soothing. This ointment is also really good for rashes caused by incontinence. It's a little miracle cure and clears them right up. You can buy it over the counter.

[Lil Missy]

34. Only once, and thought I was going to fucking die.

I'd had some burning before, but nothing serious.

I came home from work one day and had a can of pop. Very big mistake, the acidity in Coke or soda just makes it worse. I started feeling urgency that I had to go every 5 or 10 minutes, and it was always a few drops of blood red.

I became so doubled over in pain I knew I needed to go to the ER. But I couldn't leave my young son alone, and had to wait till my sister got there to watch him. That's when I though I was going to fucking die from pain or bleed to death.

When I finally got to the ER, they said that was the bloodiest UA they had ever seen. They pumped me full of fluids and told me not to drink anymore soda. I drank a lot of juice and water after that. And I did have to take antibiotics.

I don't recall running a fever. I might have missed the next day at work, I'm not sure. But I drank so much water and juice that night and the next day that I thought I was gonna puke.

[SarahB]

35. You need to get to the doc.

As a few other posters pointed out, the fever is a sign it could be moving up to your kidneys. It's time to get medical attention. Have you noticed any flank (back toward the side- either both or just unilaterally) pain?