Who knew?

[Catrin]

I went home sick from work Wed, but was fine the next morning and went back in. Had stomach/back pain starting that afternoon - first I thought it was muscular strain from my crazy workouts, then I thought it was gas. Last night was TERRIBLE in the abdomen pain department - and I've a high tolerance for pain. Dr sent me to the urgent care center this morning and come to find out I've a bad UTI, the doc there wouldn't say whether it is bladder, kidney or both. Considering none of the pain is in my pelvic region I assume kidney. She said I still may wind up in the hospital at some point this weekend :(

It just goes to show, don't ignore abdominal pain that you've never had before! Bound and determined not to go to the ER though, I've some strong antibiotics and it can wait until Monday morning when I can see my own Dr for any further tests that might be required.

So this is a cautionary tale to listen to your body! I was telling myself that it was a strain or, perhaps, gas. The fact of the matter is I've never felt anything like this in my 54 years - and that should be a sign that we shouldn't ignore!

One indication something was off - my BP was 129/57. The second one is normal but not the first. Cool that my pulse was only 63 though, even sick my vitals are pretty darn good so all of those crazy workouts are paying off!

[OakLeaf]

Oh man! Feel better soon, sure hope you don't have to be hospitalized!

[thekarens]

Wow, hope you feel better soon :(

[Pax]

Nothing to mess around with for sure! Hope you feel better asap.

[Owlie]

Yikes. Abdominal pain is nothing to mess around with. Feel better, and I hope you can stay out of the hospital.

[emily_in_nc]

Yikes Catrin! Hope you feel much better soon and that hospitalization is NOT required. Scary indeed!

[Catrin]

I am counting the minutes until the Cipro starts working and the pain starts decreasing. I am a tough old bird but...

[emily_in_nc]

Did they give you the stuff that turns your pee bright orange and anesthetizes your bladder until the antibiotics kick in, I hope?

Perhaps if the infection is in the kidneys, though, that stuff won't work. I've only had bladder infections (and not for many years, thank the gods), and that stuff works miracles for some miserable pain.

So sorry!

[Catrin]

No, just Cipro and a stool softener. I really dont think this is in my bladder, I know what that feels like. This is just terrible but I will survive it. It doesn't seem quite as bad as last night, a bit more localized. Hopefully that is a good sign.

[ny biker]

Good luck with it. You probably also want to take probiotics to counteract the negative effects of the antibiotic.

[shootingstar]

Let us know what was the cause that would cause such a severe pain. That sounds very powerful, Catrin.

I've known some people in our age bracket with kidney temporary problems.

[Owlie]

No, just Cipro and a stool softener. I really dont think this is in my bladder, I know what that feels like. This is just terrible but I will survive it. It doesn't seem quite as bad as last night, a bit more localized. Hopefully that is a good sign.

Hopefully! In a way, you're luckier than someone I know. Totally asymptomatic UTI that went to her bladder and kidneys...and she had no idea until the raging fever showed up...

[Crankin]

I just saw this, Catrin. You are lucky, even though you're still in pain! The Cipro takes awhile to work.
Good luck. I hope you don't have to go to the ER.

[Catrin]

Let us know what was the cause that would cause such a severe pain. That sounds very powerful, Catrin.

I've known some people in our age bracket with kidney temporary problems.

Thankfully the pain is much less this morning - that Cipro is powerful stuff! What pain is left is minor in comparison - while I was trying to wait to see my doc until Monday and avoid the urgent care center (for which my copay is 20%), it is far better to deal with that than a hospital bill or perhaps worse. I know someone who tends to get UTI that is totally asymptomatic until it goes septic. It has nearly killed her twice in recent years. I will see my doctor tomorrow before returning to work to make certain that all is as it should be. I also want to find out if that infection explains the magnitude of pain and the large area affected, hopefully nothing else is going on. When it started calming it pretty much narrowed to the area around my right kidney, both front and back so that seems pretty clear.


Hopefully! In a way, you're luckier than someone I know. Totally asymptomatic UTI that went to her bladder and kidneys...and she had no idea until the raging fever showed up... As mentioned above I know someone like that as well, I had her in mind when I pushed through my stubbornness and went to see someone yesterday. Then again, there was SO much pain that I knew if it got any worse that it would be ambulance time. Thanks to all for your encouragement.

NY Biker thanks for the comment about a probiotic - I will get some Kefir from Trader Joe's today. I've lost 3.5 pounds in the last 3 days but then again I wasn't eating much.

[smittykitty]

Feel your Pain!!!! Same thing happened to me a month ago. I have never been so SICK! Incredible pain. Continued to get sicker and sicker while waiting for the Cipro to work. Pretty much my whole body was in melt down! Couldn't keep anything down, got to visit the emerg. room because I was so dehydrated. After fluids and meds for the nausea, finally started to improve. Missed an entire week of work. Took a couple more weeks to fully recuperate.

Symptoms were so mild the week before that when I went to the dr. I really thought I had the flu. I learned a lesson, do not ignore even the slightest symptoms. I think I was close to septic. Decided it was time to get a flu shot too! If the flu is anything like what I went through, I don't want the flu.

[Catrin]

Yikes SmittyKitty! It sounds like you were even worse than me :( Glad you were able to get through it! Nausea hasn't been a problem most of the time, I just hurt too much to even consider eating more than a bite here and there - though I did have some yesterday. I've been forcing myself to drink water regardless of how I feel, hoping that will help with the Cipro side effects. I will also be getting a flu shot. I've not had it since I was 6 years old but if it is remotely like this I do NOT want it!

The urgent care center also checked my heart and a couple of other things, I guess that there are some aorta problems that can also cause my symptoms. THAT got my attention - but they used a digital x-ray to check it out. Had no idea that x-rays can see soft tissues, but the tech told me they can see a lot of indications for certain things. The digital x-ray could even tell that I didn't have any intestinal blockages or gas pockets - who knew they can do that with a regular (if digital) x-ray!

[snapdragen]

OMG Catrin! I had the same thing. I was positive I had appendicitis. Friday the doctor calls with test results, all blood work was fine, but my urinalysis showed a possible UTI. It won't be confirmed until Monday, when they get the culture results. She started me on antibiotics, and after two days, I feel pretty darn good.

I hadn't connected the back pain to it, until I realized this morning that it's gone. I'm not sure how long I've been living with this, I think the back pain has been going on for about a month. :eek:

[smittykitty]

Yes it was the worst! Couldn't drink water or it would come right back up! Back pain, head, eyes, muscle ache. Chills like I've never had before! Sounds, smells, light sensitive, blurred vision. And get this, put on 6 lbs! (bloated). All while throwing up, not eating or drinking! Then, rash from the Cipro! And just when I starting feeling human again, I learned what serious constipation is all about! Really, could it get much worse!

A week after I went back to work, my DH wanted us to go for a short bike ride, just couldn't do it.

Glad to be feeling my old self again.

[Catrin]

Yikes SmittyKitty, that does sound worse than what I've been enduring, and that says something! I am noticing that the more I move around, the more the pain starts threatening to come back. HAD to go to the store to get a little food - even if I don't much feel like eating, started feel bad again. Heading to my doctor tomorrow before I even consider going back to the office.

[Wahine]

Get better soon!!

[snapdragen]

Oops. :rolleyes: I don't have the same thing. Saw my OB/Gyn today, I've got an 11 centimeter ovarian cyst. Surgery is Wednesday.Wheeeee

[ny biker]

Oops. :rolleyes: I don't have the same thing. Saw my OB/Gyn today, I've got an 11 centimeter ovarian cyst. Surgery is Wednesday.Wheeeee

Yikes!! I hope everything goes well.

Everyone feel better soon!!

[OakLeaf]

Oh man Snap not again! Hoping for smooth sailing for you.

Catrin, how are you feeling?

[Crankin]

Good luck with the surgery, Snap.

[Catrin]

So sorry Snap, good luck with the surgery and hope all goes as smoothly as possible!

I saw my regular doctor yesterday and we determined that the infection is in the bladder itself, not in the tubes below, unsure how I managed that. Apparently when it is focused on the actual bladder it does cause diffuse pain that is very hard to pinpoint. I am feeling better, though not 100%. Back to the office tomorrow, finally. I canceled my group training this morning and will return Thursday morning - going to try some light exercise at home today and see what it feels like. Regardless, much easier to deal with than a kidney infection even if that couldn't have hurt any more.

[Pax]

Oh wow, Snap, good luck!

Catrin, glad you're on the mend... and glad it was bladder and not kidneys.

[withm]

My first thought is that this might be related somewhat to this
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=52739&highlight=crossfit

[Catrin]

My first thought is that this might be related somewhat to this
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=52739&highlight=crossfit

How can a staff infection be related to Rhabdo & cross-fit? I don't "cross-fit" anyway, as much as I would love to my shoulder won't allow it. We do old-fashioned strength and conditioning work, and while he does push us, he doesn't push us too hard.

[emily_in_nc]

Glad it's "just" a bladder infection, Catrin! Too bad they didn't give you that bladder anesthesizing med in the meantime, then. Usually they'll do that immediately. It may even be available OTC now. Anyone know? The stuff that turns your pee bright orange but helps so much with pain until the antibiotics can do their job. I used to know the name but haven't had a bladder infection for a decade or so, so have forgotten.

[Catrin]

From what he told me it wouldn't have helped. My entire abdomen was royally pissed off and the inflammation was too bad. They have extended the Cipro for a full 10 days to be safe. The dr at urgent care really thought it was diverticulitis and was noticeably surprised at the urine test results. Very thankful she was wrong! My symptoms certainly wasn't the usual, I had a lot of them in my 20s and they were very different. I guess it matters where the infection settles.

[GLC1968]

Glad it's "just" a bladder infection, Catrin! Too bad they didn't give you that bladder anesthesizing med in the meantime, then. Usually they'll do that immediately. It may even be available OTC now. Anyone know? The stuff that turns your pee bright orange but helps so much with pain until the antibiotics can do their job. I used to know the name but haven't had a bladder infection for a decade or so, so have forgotten.

Uristat? It is available over the counter. My husband got it for me once a few years back when I was miserable because the pharmacist recommended it. Worked like a charm!

Glad to hear that you are on the mend, Catrin!

[Catrin]

I certainly wish I had known about it, even if my dr told me yesterday it wouldn't have been much help. I sincerely hope and pray that I never experience anything like that again - it ranked right up there with major abdominal surgery the old fashioned way - though thankfully only 24 hours until the Cipro started kicking in.

[Melalvai]

Once and only once, I tried to wait out a UTI over the weekend so that I wouldn't have to go to the ER. (This was before they had Urgent Care.) To make matters worse, it was a holiday weekend (Memorial Day). I ended up with a kidney infection and expensive antibiotics that cost as much as the ER co-pay would have cost.

[Catrin]

Once and only once, I tried to wait out a UTI over the weekend so that I wouldn't have to go to the ER. (This was before they had Urgent Care.) To make matters worse, it was a holiday weekend (Memorial Day). I ended up with a kidney infection and expensive antibiotics that cost as much as the ER co-pay would have cost.

YOUCH Melalvai! I was trying to wait out the Urgent Care since I've not spent anything toward my deductible this year but am very glad I gave in Saturday morning - the writing on the wall was plain. I am SO thankful that Cipro is now a very cheap generic!

[emily_in_nc]

Wow, I've never had a UTI like that -- mine have all been localized to my bladder. So sorry you had such an awful one, but glad that was "all" it was and that you are on the mend!

[Catrin]

Wow, I've never had a UTI like that -- mine have all been localized to my bladder. So sorry you had such an awful one, but glad that was "all" it was and that you are on the mend!

Be very, very glad...it gave me a new definition of pain. The urgent care doc thought it was something very different, so glad she was wrong!

[emily_in_nc]

Finally googled it: Pyridium is the medication I was thinking of. It has always knocked out terrible UTI pain for me when I used to get 'em:

http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/rxlist_view_comments.asp?drug=pyridium&questionid=fdb5661_pem

[soprano]

I seem to average about one infection a year, and pyridium never does much of anything for me. I get better results from drinking lots of water. Hard to do, when peeing hurts, but the more I drink, the less it hurts to pee. So weird.

PSA: Don't screw around with bladder infections. My grandmother died from one. It's not pretty.