UTI question

[wvjules]

Do they go away on their own or do you have to take an antibiotic? I'm drinking cranberry juice and taking AZO, I'm just wondering if it will go away by itself or do I need to wasted a trip to the doctor to pee on a stick and get meds.

ETA: I'm a procrastinator so I don't have a Dr. in Frederick yet which is why I'm asking. I'd have to go to the Immediate Care Facility which costs an arm and a leg.

 

[Mkrop]

I have had UTIs that have gone away on their own but I have had some that a trip to the Dr is necessary. There is an OTC test that you can pee on that stick and know for sure that it is a UTI, I usually do one of those before I call the Dr.

 

[mytwotinks]

My daughter has chronic UTI's and kidney infections. I would go to the doctor. We have gotten them to "go away" for a while w/ the cranberry pills, but they always come back with a furry! The AZO is only safe to take for a few days. It can damage the lining of your bladder if you take it too long. Good luck. I know how miserable you must be. If for no other reason, go to the doctor for the relief. When my daughter starts the correct antibiotics, the symptoms clear up within hours.

 

[Kae]

The AZO is just a pain reliever. How long have you had it? Also add lots of water. And eat some Craisns. Sleeping helps me alot. I am able to fend most of them off.

Kae

 

[wvjules]

It started yesterday. I began drinking cranberry juice last night and got the AZO this morning. (Will only take it for 2 days as recommended.) It turned my pee a different color but has provided no relief. I called the Immediate care place. I am going at 11:30 before lunch but they said the test doesn't come back for 4 days. They test to see which type of antibiotic will cure it. Ugh! So I guess its 4 days of cranberry juice and water to help flush it out.

Dangit, I guess BF and I will only be sleeping tonight.

 

[Nette]

It started yesterday. I began drinking cranberry juice last night and got the AZO this morning. (Will only take it for 2 days as recommended.) It turned my pee a different color but has provided no relief. I called the Immediate care place. I am going at 11:30 before lunch but they said the test doesn't come back for 4 days. They test to see which type of antibiotic will cure it. Ugh! So I guess its 4 days of cranberry juice and water to help flush it out.

Dangit, I guess BF and I will only be sleeping tonight.

You're joking right? I'd call another doctor. Most doctors will see you immediately if you have UTI symptoms. And they certainly wouldn't make you wait for antibiotics as the infection could spread to your kidneys.

 

[wvjules]

Not joking, when they said that my chin hit the floor.

Maybe I should find a family doctor soon.

 

[mytwotinks]

Not joking, when they said that my chin hit the floor.

Maybe I should find a family doctor soon.

I would. I think that they will generally start you on an antibiotic right away and then make sure that it is the correct antibiotic when the culture comes back. They will probably put you on Septra. That is one of the most common UTI antibiotics.

 

[rie'smom]

I'd call somewhere else too. When I get an UTI, my first symptom is bladder spasms. Labor pains are a walk in the park in comparison. You don't want to risk one of those, so please call.

 

[Mkrop]

I have never waited days to get an antibiotic, even the one time I had all the symptoms but my sample was too diluted for the stick test, I got meds right away.

I hope you feel better soon.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would also ask to be put on antibiotics now rather than wait 4 days. That's ridiculous. I had a bladder infection once - the doctor saw me on a Saturday and gave me a Rx right away.

Hope you are feeling better, soon.

Denae

 

[GoodFairies]

No they do not go away on their own. You should not take the AZO tablets because while they do relieve the pain they mask symptoms and can skew the results of the urine test.

 

[suzannen]

I just recently got over one of these. Definitely go to the doctor. My doctor does both a quick in-office strip test as well as sending out a culture. And, while it's true the final lab results do not come back for a few days, the majority of doctors will go ahead and start you on an antibiotic prescription right away. My doctor called me a few days later with the results to confirm I was on the correct antibiotic and to finish all of it. If something different had come up, the doctor will simply switch your prescription or tell you not to finish the medication. And, I had taken Uristat (same ingredients as AZO) and was worried about them not being able to do a proper culture, but both my doctor and the lab worker told me it has no effect on the lab tests, only on the color stick tests (ie home kits), so that was not a problem.

Good luck!

 

[JimmyPicker]

Here's another piece of valuable information that most people don't know.

When you find yourself getting an infection, the most popular home remedy is to drink cranberry juice. And most people do.

But, as I was plagued by UTI's growing up, I learned a little something extra. Yes, you are supposed to drink cranberry juice. There's something in it that keeps the bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.

But did you know that sometimes cranberry juice can make it worse? When I went in the last time, I told the doc that I had been drinking my juice, but it was getting worse, not better. She told me that once the infection reaches a certain level, the acidic nature of the juice actually makes it harder on your kidneys. If your kidneys are hurting, they're already having a hard time coping, and the cranberry juice COULD make it harder on them.

Just a friendly PSA. And OP, get to a doctor that will give you the antibiotics you need.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

Coming from someone who gets UTI's too often, I'd suggest you find another doctor. I agree with the person who talked about the bladder spasms. That's how mine start, along with burning and pressure. My doctor does a test and I wait in the waiting room for the results, thats how quick he gets them.

In the mean time, my advice would be to drink lots and lots of water! That's what usually works for me. By the way there is something your doctor can give you to help with the discomfort, can't remember what it's called but it turns your pee orange, I'll look to see if I can find the name of it if you want me to...it really does help! Feel better!

 

[4nana]

Hope you feel better soon . I would encourage anyone who thinks they have a UTI to not try to doctor yourself nor put off visit to your physician. Sadly my Mom ended up in ICU trying to cure w/usual home remedies. Thankfully after 4 day stay she was much mproved, but weak for several weeks.

 

[Kae]

Have you had many before/ Does your old Dr know this, could you maybe call them to get an Anti-Bioitic?

Kae

 

[PADISFAM]

due to the dangers of MRSA, VRE, VISA & many 'super bugs' out there, many doctors & physician extenders are completing a U/A C&S & taking symptoms, medical history, age into account before they 'blindly' will write scripts for antibiotics.
To complete a C&S (culture & sensitivity) the 'bug’/bacteria that is causing the potential UTI must 'grow' on the Petri dish & then antibiotics are applied to it, it is then determined which antibiotic is 'sensitive'. It is at that time when the proper antibiotics can be prescribed if needed. That process will take several days. Additionally a urinalysis will be done first to determine if indeed white blood cells & leucocytes are present in the urine, indicating a urinary tract infection.
This is the safest way to begin treatment of a UTI, again depending upon the above information, (Immuno-compromised, elderly etc).
Overuse of antibiotics is my soap box, so, climbing down now……oof…..back to your regularly scheduled UTI chatter……

ETA: Additionally—some preventative measures that sometimes is not thought about: urinate after sex, it will help clear the urinary tract of any bacteria that may have headed that direction & (silly, I know) but make sure to ‘wipe’ from front to back, I don’t have , but that is especially important to teach little girls.