Do I have a kidney infection or something?!
Question: I have had a UTI off and on for three weeks, very painful. I have had them before, but not as bad, and they ALWAYS go away in a day or two, I've never had to go to the doc for a UTI before they just clear up on their own. This one won't go away. I've tried cranberry pills and everything. My sides kind of hurt too. I know everyone will just say "go to the doc" but my doc is always booked and it's a pain, but does this sound like a kidney infection or just a UTI that wont go away, do they treat that with antibiotics? Thanks.
Answers: I have had a UTI off and on for three weeks, very painful. I have had them before, but not as bad, and they ALWAYS go away in a day or two, I've never had to go to the doc for a UTI before they just clear up on their own. This one won't go away. I've tried cranberry pills and everything. My sides kind of hurt too. I know everyone will just say "go to the doc" but my doc is always booked and it's a pain, but does this sound like a kidney infection or just a UTI that wont go away, do they treat that with antibiotics? Thanks.
The reason that you keep on having UTI is because you are not getting it treated, the infection doesnt go away and in the end could cause cysts. I have had this issue all my life with not finishing my medicine or just knowing it will go away with drinking cranberry juice. but a UTI can turn into a kidney infection and then further the infection travels to the bloodstream if not taken care of and you get very sick. Cipro is a very good anitbiotic, but macrobid is what i use because i am alergic to cipro... so get it taken care of. I believe you can go to a pharmacist and get Macrobid because it isnt potentially harmful so you can skip the doctor.
It definitely sounds like it could be a kidney infection if your sides hurt. If it won't go away, you MUST get to a doctor. He will most likely take a urine sample, check it to see if you have an infection, and if you do, culture it to see what it is. He may give you Cipro or Macrobid to start you off until the culture comes back. The longer you wait, the harder it may be to get rid of. Call ASAP and tell the office that you have an urgent situation and need to be seen. Maybe they can work you in.
UTIs don't just go away by themselves, that's why you keep getting them. They do treat UTIs which are bacterial infections need to be treated with antibiotics.
With a kidney infection you usually have pain on both sides of your lower back.
Numerous UTI's can lead to interstitial cystitis. Do you urinate frequently? Have pain on urination?