UTI or flare?....

[mary124]

I have been pretty lucky here in regards to both of these things. haven't had a UTI in almost 5 years and my flares I usually have more pain then urgency/frequency.
The other day (Tuesday) before leaving for work my lower back started to hurt, instead of staying home like I should of (it was that bad) I took my heating pad and went to work, I still have it with me. Sometime around early that same morning started to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes; even nights are bad, I think I was up every hour. I thought about taking one of those home tests but it says to hold your urine for 4 hours so no such luck there). So question is does this sound like a flare or infection? Haven't had anything different to eat or drink. Going to the doctor tomorrow to be on the safe side.

[nottoc4]

I would definitely get checked out for a UTI. My worst IC "flare" was a UTI and in mistakenly thinking it was a flare I suffered more than I had to.
I take Macrobid at bedtime every night and my last UTI was November 2008.

[VickiB]

I can't be of any help on this, I can never tell the difference between the one or the other. Neither flare or UTI ever affect my back though.

Which ever it is it doesn't sound pleasant! Hopefully it'll be a UTI so you can begin to treat it tomorrow and get it gone.

[Calinda]

Hi,
That sounds pretty bad--I sure hope the doctor can help you! Hang in there.

[mary124]

I went to the doctor this morning, do have an infection. Put me on antibotics of course.

i guess I'm the "odd man out" here, due to my back pain with my infection, he wasn't convince that they go hand and hand, I just told him that the few times that I have an infection my back bothers me. (who knows!)
He thinks I did something to it (maybe picked something up about the same time as my symptoms started). Told me go go home and stay in bed for the weekend, ( right now I am at work, but plan on leaving early);take some aleve if I can along with my pain medication, and if I'm not better by Monday to call him.
Hope all have a good weekend.

[bladderpain451]

When I get an infection, it's usually easy to tell. I either get frequency really bad or the exact opposite, can't urinate at all. Burning always, and hurt in my bladder when trying to pea. And I always have back pain with it.

[VickiB]

I don't know how odd that is. I'm pretty sure I've read of others here mentioning experiencing back pain with flares and/or UTIs. Maybe it's a nerve thing.

Hopefully the antibiotics you're taking will quickly kick UTI butt!

[Mbee129]

I had always heard that back pain can go hand in hand with a UTI because thats where your kidneys are and a bad UTI can effect your kidneys. I'm not doctor but thats what I've heard and when I read your post and saw back pain I immediatley thought- UTI.

[ICNDonna]

Sometimes it's very difficult to tell the difference between a flare and infection.

Donna