Kidney Infection

[MsPrim]

For the first time ever I had a kidney infection back on 22 November.

I Was sick for two weeks before I went to see the out of hours GP. He prescribed me with Antibiotics for a week. After the 7 days I went back to my GP and he again prescribed me another 7 days of antibiotics as the infection was still present.

After the 7 days I returned to my GP and the infection had gone but he told me I had pus in my urine and asked if I had thrush. I said no as I haven't. So he prescribed medication for thrush for 7 days even though I know I didn't have it.

The thing is I still have pain on my left side where my kidney is, I have a funny sensation down below, my urine is smelly but not cloudy and I am urinating often and I feel sick on and off with an occasional headache.

Is the kidney infection back again?

 

[Alisonjane10]

If you're still symptomatic, then it suggests you have a recurring urinary tract infection. It would make sense to be reviewed by your GP or a doctor/nurse practitioner at an NHS walk in centre. It's important to get infections treat asap to prevent further complications. Just because an infection is common doesn't mean it's without risk. So please do get treatment & advice. Whoever you decide to go & see, it would be useful if you could take a urine sample with you. In the mean time, increase your fluid intake...water, tea or SF fruit squash only. I hope you feel better soon. Best wishes.

 

[MsPrim]

Thank you Alisonjane10

I will see the out of hours doctor tomorrow - felt sick last night and literally had to drop everything and go to bed and then today I again felt sick on and off. For me the nausea is the worst symptom.

Sorry if this is too much information but my bowel motions have been affected since I had the first infection.

I just feel yucky all the time.

I hope this isn't a common occurrence as I will crack up

Merry Christmas Alisonjane10 and thanks for the reply.

Are kidney infections common for people with diabetes?

 

[Mep]

I have had problems with recurring uti's myself. The question I'd like to ask is did your doc put you on the exact same antibiotic the 2nd time? If so, it may have not been sufficient to kill off the bacteria. In my experience (I was hospitalised 3 times late last year with 3 different kidney infections) they need to have you on a stronger antibiotic and for a longer period for kidney infections. It isn't usually treated the same way as an infection in your bladder where they just give you a 5 day course and say come back for another test a week after you've finished them. I've had 2x bladder infections this month already and I possibly have another one. It is hard for me to tell because I have ongoing uti symptoms from a chronic bladder condition. But for me I notice an increase in pain level and retention which tends to indicate an infection for me. Also my sugar levels tend to be higher when I have an infection (which they have been the last 2 days on me... so not happy). I am going to get a urinalysis done in a couple of days because I only just finished a course of antibiotics on Wednesday. But if you can, get back to your doc asap because it sounds to me like they've not given you sufficient antibiotic treatment. When this happens to me I wind up in hospital because my body doesn't cope. I hope you're ok and can avoid the hospital. But here my GP tells me if one antibiotic doesn't do the job, they will try another one recommended by the lab.

 

[MsPrim]

Hi Mep - thanks for the reply

Yes the doctor gave me the same dose of the same antibiotic second time around.

I just know that I still have the infection- I am just not myself.

With my bowels I would normally go at least once a day but since I got this kidney infection I would go after 3/4 days and I would be constipated and an hour later I would have the runs and then the cycle continues - I don't know what do about this either.

My blood sugar levels have been quite good except before bed where they get high and I am more thirsty then normal - more infection related I feel.

I will be going to the out of hours doctor so hopefully I will get sorted soon.

I hope you get sorted too Mep - it's not nice feeling so rotten all the time.

 

[Mep]

Hi Mep - thanks for the reply

Yes the doctor gave me the same dose of the same antibiotic second time around.

I just know that I still have the infection- I am just not myself.

With my bowels I would normally go at least once a day but since I got this kidney infection I would go after 3/4 days and I would be constipated and an hour later I would have the runs and then the cycle continues - I don't know what do about this either.

My blood sugar levels have been quite good except before bed where they get high and I am more thirsty then normal - more infection related I feel.

I will be going to the out of hours doctor so hopefully I will get sorted soon.

I hope you get sorted too Mep - it's not nice feeling so rotten all the time.

I'm glad to hear you're going to go to the after-hours doc. thanks, yeh it's horrible being sick all the time that's for sure.

 

[Mep]

Did you get to the doc at all msprim? I hope you're doing ok.

I'm still not feeling too good and going to get a urinalysis test done tomorrow. I've been getting fluctuating high BP and sinus tachycardia which normally only happens when my body is fighting something.

 

[MsPrim]

Did you get to the doc at all msprim? I hope you're doing ok.

I'm still not feeling too good and going to get a urinalysis test done tomorrow. I've been getting fluctuating high BP and sinus tachycardia which normally only happens when my body is fighting something.

I went to the doctors and the preliminary urine test was very high in nitrites so I have been given a 7 day course of antibiotics for the infection and I have to return to my GP once I have finished the course.

They also sent urine and blood samples to the hospital lab.

They recommended to my GP to refer me to a specialist which deals with kidneys - a nephrologist I think

But at least now I will get sorted once and for all. I still feel rotten though.

I'm sorry you're still feeling awful - it's not nice and especially at this time of year when we are supposed to be enjoying ourselves.

 

[Mep]

I went to the doctors and the preliminary urine test was very high in nitrites so I have been given a 7 day course of antibiotics for the infection and I have to return to my GP once I have finished the course.

They also sent urine and blood samples to the hospital lab.

They recommended to my GP to refer me to a specialist which deals with kidneys - a nephrologist I think

But at least now I will get sorted once and for all. I still feel rotten though.

I'm sorry you're still feeling awful - it's not nice and especially at this time of year when we are supposed to be enjoying ourselves.

Oh good... glad they're put you straight on antibiotics and you're going to be investigated further.

Yes, I see a urologist here who deals with kidney problems as well. I've got a bladder condition. But to date I'm on to my 3rd urologist and not having a lot of help because all 3 of them seem to have different opinions on what is wrong and what treatment I should be having. It is very frustrating. Meanwhile it seems I'm starting to get recurring infections again.