Flare or UTI AAAArrrgh! some help please?

**loveslife** · 12-31-2010, 08:24 AM

I have been doing so well for the last 6 months and now am back to square one with EXTREME PAIN!

Not sure whether its a UTI or a flare but the peeing is back to constant and each time I about pass out from the pain. On top of it I've started to notice clumps of blood in the tissue paper after I'm done (and I had a total hysterectomy so no chance of that being the cause). Problem is my uro is gone for the weekend. Do you think I should call my regular doc. I can barely sit up it's so bad and have taken all of the pain meds I'm allowed for now. I'm broke so having to go to the doc is something I'm trying to avoid but the blood has freaked me out a little(okay a lot!). It's been a week now but today is the worse! Any thought guys and gals?
thanks,
Cynthia

**Star B.** · 01-01-2011, 04:31 AM

I'm sorry you're hurting so much. Does your uro have an answering service? I would think that with the blood you might need to see someone soon.

***kadi*** · 01-01-2011, 07:13 AM

Hi Cynthia,
I'm sorry you're feeling so sick! And on a holiday too

1. I'd definitely call the urologist's office & see if you can speak with the doctor on call. If no one is available there or no one calls you back for several hours, you still have several options.

2. There are often Urgent Care centers open on holidays & weekends during the day. If you have insurance, the insurance company will have them listed on their website or at their phone number. If not, you can google search your area for them or often, hospitals will know where they are locally.

3. If no one is answering the phone at the insurance company, check the back of your insurance card to see if they have an advice nurse number, that advice nurse can recommend you seek treatment now (which reduces chance of dispute over your bill) and can connect you to someone who will look up the local Urgent Care offices.

4. If those are not options, the Emergency Room is probably the next option.

Your own urologist or primary care doctor is usually your best option, and then Urgent Care or the ER.

I wouldn't wait two days on this, if it is a UTI, you don't want it to get worse or go to your kidneys.

I'm sorry, I hope you feel better soon,

**teacher2be** · 01-01-2011, 02:56 PM

Have you tried a 1/2 tsp. of baking soda in water? I put mine in an empty gel cap and swallow it down with a full glass of water, b/c I can't stand the taste. Just thought I would suggest this. Hope you feel better soon. ~Susan

***ICNDonna*** · 01-01-2011, 03:47 PM

I hope you were able to see a doctor. It sounds very much like infection is a possibility .

Donna

**VickiB** · 01-02-2011, 01:46 PM

How are you doing, Cynthia? I sure hope you were able to be seen by someone to check out what's going on with your bladder. Hopefully it's a UTI. That's terrible to say, but I know I'm always hoping for that news since it means there's an end in sight.

Hope you're feeling better!
Vicki

**loveslife** · 01-04-2011, 11:35 AM

Hi guys,
thanks for the response. I did get in to see my doc. Of course she's not sure yet whether it's an infection or not until she gets the lab results back. In the meantime she's got me on cipro. If it doesn't come back as an infection then she wants to look inside my bladder, I guess because of the blood and pain.
Vicki, I just read you got a flare! Oy vey I'm sorry! this stuff can be such a drag.

**loveslife** · 01-07-2011, 01:22 PM

Okay, I'm so frickin' annoyed right now, I just need to vent! After taking the 3day supply of antibiotic and waiting to see if I have an actual infection, I finally get ahold of the nurse only to find out that she had "inadvertantly forgot to send the sample out"!!!?? I don't like taking antibiotics unless I absolutely need to as I tend to develop intolerances to them over time. so now she wants me to take 3 more days since I'm still having symptoms and THEN if it's not clear to come in for ANOTHER urine sample!!!
.

I feel like skipping it for now and just see if things will calm down since it's a little better. Is that crazy?

**VickiB** · 01-07-2011, 01:39 PM

Sheesh! She forgot to send it in?

I wonder, can she now, or do you have to go in and give another sample? Does a sample get 'old' or perhaps compromised over time?

I understand your reluctance to continue with the antibiotics in case they're un-needed. On the other hand if you're feeling a little better maybe they are doing something. Tough call. I'm sorry they put you in that position.

Vicki

**loveslife** · 01-07-2011, 01:46 PM

Hey Vicki,
no she actually lost it! I started calling yesterday to find out whether it was an actual infection or not and they didn't bother to call me back until this evening after I called several more times to tell me this and ONLY after I insisted on knowing whether it was an infection or not! She was trying to just prescibe another refill and not tell me!?? Anyway, I think I'm going to wait since it's Cipro and that stuff can be gnarly on the body. Hope you're doing better yourself?
Cynthia