Ladies: UTI?

[becka]

I think I might have a UTI.

Do I have to take some kind of medication to clear it up or will drinking lots and lots of cranberry juice and water take care of it? If I have to take meds is there anything OTC or will it need to be prescription?

 

[Blondie]

If you do have a UTI, the only thing that's going to make it go away is Cipro or Macrobid (antibiotics that you need a prescription for.)

There is something over the counter that helps with the pain of a UTI...Urostat? I can't remember the name of it...but you really need the antibiotic.

 

[ahutton]

Cranberry Juice, water and blueberries all help "flush out" your kidneys which can, if you have an irritation - not infection - help. If I start to feel like I might have one I try those first, but if it burns or you are having to go constantly go to the doctor now. It's Friday, and you don't want it to get worse over the weekend.

 

[LindaR]

Unfortunately, if you really suspect that you have an UTI you need to go to the doctor. I usually end up with two prescription drugs (one is an antibiotic).

Drinking water/cranberry juice is a good habit to get into to prevent UTI's. However, once you get one you need to see your doctor.

Call right now! Depending on your relationship with your doctor, you may just have to provide a urine sample and he/she will write the meds out for you.

Go!

 

[PamOKW]

The water and cranberry juice may help prevent infection in the future. If you already have an infection, Blondie is right. You'll need an antibiotic from the doctor to clear it up. They'll also need to do a urine test first to make sure whether you have an infection and what it is.

 

[stamper]

UGH...UTI's are miserable and you don't want to deal with it all weekend...so I agree with the others...Call NOW!

 

[browneyes]

I've heard beer helps flush it out too.

There is an OTC, but I can't remember the name of it. Your best bet is to go to the dr (go buy some yogurt or something too, usually the antibiotic they give me for stuff usually is strong and it has the tendency to create another problem ).

I hope you get to feeling better soon, Becka.

 

[stamper]

Oh...browneyes is right! OD on some yogurt

 

[becka]

Thanks!

I was afraid I probably needed to be seen today. I made an appointment with the NP for this morning. Hopefully they can give me something and it will clear it up FAST because I am in PAIN plus I am starting to get some major chills!

 

[RitaZ.]

Call your doctor and make an appointment. You don't want to self-diagnose, as it could possibly hurt your kidneys.

One thing that you can do as a preventative measure is to drink lots of water and take vitamin C. One of my friends suffered from chronic UTIs, she took antibiotics, etc. She finally found an urologist that suggested she take vitamin C everyday ( I forget the dosage, but it was high). She hasn't had any more problems.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[shelle94]

I went to see my doctor because I pulled a muscle in my upper back. I haven't been to see her in a couple of years because I've just been going to employee health. Well, since I haven't been there in so long I had to do weight, height, pee in a cup...all that stuff. When I put my cup up on the counter next to a couple other cups that were already there I noticed my urine was REALLY dark. So I told my doctor I think I'm dehydrated. She went right over to check my urine and she said not only am I dehydrated but I have a severe UTI. My urine was so dark because there was blood in it. I never felt burning at all and had no idea that I had a UTI. She asked me if I've been feeling tired and if I've had backaches. I have been feeling unwell for probably close to a year. I went to employee health about 6 months ago complaining of fatigue and that I just don't feel right. The did some bloodwork and checked my thyroid and everything came back normal. But they never asked for a urine sample. Could I have been living with this for a year? Holy cow. So now I am on Macrobid. Dr. said I will start feeling better soon. If this prescription doesn't work then I have to have tests on my kidneys. I could have damaged them from waiting so long.

So....my point is, you really should go to the doctor. Don't wait. The prescription is kind of expensive. They told me it was supposed to be about $35, but I pay $10 because of my prescription plan. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

[becka]

** UPDATE **

Well I am glad that I went to the dr. because it is in fact a UTI.

They gave me some meds and hopefully they will kick in soon!!!!!

How long does it usually take until you start feeling better?

 

[Serena]

Give it a few days for the meds to work, but you should be fine. The preventative measures work pretty well.

 

[kendall]

Becka, you should be feeling better in about 4 hours from the antibiotic - definitely by tomorrow (usually takes me about 12 hours to notice a difference). Keep drinking lots of water today - lots of water. If they gave you a second med with the antibiotics, that is probably a local anesthetic which will help tremendously with the discomfort and pain until the antibiotic kicks in!

I agree with the previous posts on cranberry juice as a healthy preventative. We always have one bottle going here in our house - there are some great blends out there now - strawberry, peach, etc - so if you aren't a cranberry fan, try one of those. I have also found that the store brand does have a different flavor from Ocean Spray - my store brand is more bitter. I now tend to stick with Ocean Spray - it is smoother to me in flavor.

I also agree about yogurt - stock up when on antibiotics!

In fact, I have a Yoplait yogurt, 8 ounces cranberry juice, calcium supplement and a multivitamin every day, just to help normal "balance", so to speak. As I am approaching 40, the body seems to be changing.....

shelle94 - wow - I'm glad you were diagnosed - best wishes as you overcome this infection!