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.