Uti? Or Kidney?

[num1habsfan]

Hey everyone... I need some of your advice, and by now you'd think I would know already if I have some sort of infection by getting them so often. I can't really get to a doc who would help me until Saturday morning probably, and this started yesterday... do you think 4 days is too long to wait????

I'm convinced its a kidney infection because well...my kidney hurts. It feels like someone has been poking me sharply there. I have been going to the bathroom at least once an hour, even when I don't have very much to drink. I went out and got some cranberry juice since I'm always told that would like to help. I have also seen a trace of pink, which obviously has to mean some blood.

Please try to help me out here, guys.

~ Lisa ~

[~alex~]

When I had a kidney infection, I got very ill very quickly. I was feeling fine in the morning and then was admitted to the hospital by the evening. Nausea, vomiting and incredible fatigue were the prominent symptoms for me. Fever and confusion were also present as the day went on.

If you're feeling very, very ill and it came on quickly it could be a kidney infection and you could be in extremis if you don't get treatment for 4 days. If you're symptoms aren't severe, it might be a simple bladder infection -- which should still be treated since it could lead to a kidney infection.

If you think you have a kidney infection you should go to the ER ASAP. They are not something to fool around with.

[gfpaperdoll]

yep, I would be in the ER ASAP...

[wowzer]

I wouldn't wait. The jabbing pain could also be a kidney stone.

[2kids4me]

Right now you are describing a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract includes the kidneys. A bladder infection that remains untreated can ascend up the ureters (the tube from the kidney to the bladder) and then you have a kidney infection + a bladder infection.

Once the kidney is involved - you will get fever/chills and feel very ill.

The pain you are describing could indicate that the infection is indeed making its way into the kidney or that you have a kidney stone. Based on the urgency and frequency of urination plus signs of blood - I would guess that you have a signifcant infection.

You should NOT wait and going to ER is reasonable for a possible kidney infection. Once the kidney becomes inflamed - it affects kidney function and rapidly inflames all the little network of tubules in the kidney itself. Kidney infections, left untreated - may cause scarring in the kidney.

Do not be surpirsed nor embarrased if they ask you about sexual activity as this is a common cause of UTI in women. ..and if it related to that, and it may impact which antibiotics they choose... it doesnt necessarly mean a partner "infected you" but the activity itself can irritate the urethra. I add this info for general knowledge for readers of the post who may find this info helpful....

Please see a physician as soon as you can. Drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and/or alcohol for now. Cranberry juice can help because it acidifes the urine - bacteria like an alkaline environment.

Sandy

[num1habsfan]

If you guys are trying to scare me into going, it's almost working. I'll make my decision tomorrow morning, see if I get any worse. If I do, I may just try to get to a walk-in clinic (since i'm positive ER would make me wait there alllll day and like last time not listen when I tell them what's wrong--last time I waited 8 hours even after describing that my pain on a scale from 1-10 was a 11!).

I sure have the major fatigue, still pain in the kidney, still can't go more than 1 1/2 hours without having to pee, had a little bit of a fever earlier, and definitely have the nausea (almost threw up when I ate supper)...

~ Lisa ~

[loraleena]

Definitely get to the doc. In the meantime try D-Mannose it is very helpful with uti's. Keeps bacteria from sticking to bladder walls. Can cure infection (in the beginning) without antibiotics. You could start this while you are waiting for your appointment. You can get it at a natural food store.

[2kids4me]

If you guys are trying to scare me into going, it's almost working. I'll make my decision tomorrow morning, see if I get any worse. If I do, I may just try to get to a walk-in clinic (since i'm positive ER would make me wait there alllll day and like last time not listen when I tell them what's wrong--last time I waited 8 hours even after describing that my pain on a scale from 1-10 was a 11!).

I sure have the major fatigue, still pain in the kidney, still can't go more than 1 1/2 hours without having to pee, had a little bit of a fever earlier, and definitely have the nausea (almost threw up when I ate supper)...

~ Lisa ~

I am not tring to scare you - I am stating facts. Although I am in the veterinary profession, my work is in the lab as well as patient care. Plus I have had an ascending UTI myself. The fever is telling you that is is likely moving up into the kidney. If you choose to wait, that is your choice. A walk in clinic would be great - less wait than ER because ER has to prioritize cases.

If you feel the ER will make you wait then why not go to a walk in clinic during the day?

Yes ER can be frustrating but if your vitals are good, you will wait. Patients with unstable signs are seen first...you never know what came in through the ambulance bay.

Abdominal pain no matter how bad is evaluated along with vitals. If you have tachycardia and low blood pressure - believe me - you would be seen.

A UTI would be lower priority in ER and yes, likely a long wait if they are busy... but you would be seen at a walk in clinic.

Sandy

[marciab]

I agree that you need to get treated soon. You mentioned that you've been through this before so, do you have a Urologist / doctor you could call and ask for antibiotics ? I don't know if they do this, but if you're in a bind, they might.

I've heard of people treating their UTIs with that cranberry supplement (AZO ? ). I tried to self treat my last UTI with that extra strong cranberry juice. My UTI came on around 2 am and within 6 hours of drinking that cranberry juice almost straight, the spasms stopped and I could get off the toilet. My urine was cranberry colored, but I'm not sure if it was blood or cranberry juice.

By day 3, I thought it was working because I stopped leaking all the time. But I ended up bent over in pain and nauseas in the ER on day 4. Two days on antibiotics and I was fine again. My symptoms were worse than yours are though. Don't know if that matters ...

FYI: My daughter went to a walk-in clinic and was diagnosed with a UTI / kidney infection and given antibiotics. They didn't even look for a kidney stone and she had all the symptoms (vomitting, nausea, horrible pain) She ended up in the ER the next day ... She had a stone that was stuck right outside her bladder. OW !!!!!

So, if you go to a walk-in-clinic, you want to make sure they check for stones. The ER doc said it was common for them not to check ...

Hope you feel better ... Marcia .. Keep us posted ...