Urinary Tract Infection - Grand Rapids,MI

I'm really surprised that your doctor hasn't had you come into the office to collect a urine sample - it's impossible to determine if it's a UTI vs. bladder infection without the culture, and the antibiotics approved to treat each are slightly different.

Different antibiotics take different amounts of time to build-up to therapeutic strength in your body depending on several factors such as how frequently you take it, the strength, etc. Ask your pharmacist about some of the products recommended.

People will tell you cranberry juice, but it's only effective in preventing UTIs and has to be 100% juice which is really hard to find.

Good luck! I hope you get relief soon.

Unfortunately I have quite a bit of experience with UTIs. You should be seen by the doctor and they should test a urine sample and send out a culture to see which bacteria it is. Usually the symptoms subside within 24-48 hrs once you're on antibiotics but make sure you take them all so you don't get a recurrence. While you're waiting for your prescription, you can go to the grocery or drug store and buy AZO Standard pills- http://www.azoproducts.com/products/azo_standard -over the counter. They help reduce the frequent urge and also numb some of the discomfort. Make sure you're drinking lots of fluid so that you can flush out the bacteria during the day and I would recommend that you take the evening antibiotic right before bed so the medicine will sit in your bladder overnight. I hope you're feeling better soon.

Your Doctor should have had you come into the office.
Not over the phone just dispensing meds.

Oh, what a pain! But something that's helped me and my daughter with UTIs before is drinking cranberry juice and lots of water. It seems to help flush out the bacteria, and the symptoms start to go away pretty quickly. My doctor even said the cranberry juice can help prevent further infections. In fact more than once when I felt like I might be coming down with one, I drank lots of juice and it went away. It's worth a try, anyway. Good luck!

About 24 hours, in my experience. Are you drinking lots of cranberry juice? That always helps me. Sorry :(

You can get some "numbing pills" from the drugstore over the counter. I cannot remember what they are called, but they turn your urine bright pumpkin orange. You used to need a script for them but now you can just buy them. WELL worth the money :) A pharmacist will know the name.

I am on meds now. Ciprofloxin, I think it is. It took about 24hrs, or two doses worth. I have had UTI since I was a kid, about twice a year. The symptoms are unmistakable so no doubt you know when you have one. No reason to go in to the doc for a simple urine sample to confirm. I just call in. Save money on the 45 min trip to the doc and the co-pay. They are just going to tell you what you already know. Docs don't require you to come in the office for everything anymore. In the meantime I use AZO, Uristat, or Cystex (not sure on that one, but it's close) I also use cranberry supplements and drink cranberry juice, look for the highest concentrate. All over the counter and work to eliminate the pain but only for a few days. If the antibiotic doesn't work after finishing prescription then go to the doc.

I'm hoping you called, left a message and are waiting for the doctor to call you back -hopefully NOT with a prescription but to ask you to come in!

I've had numerous UTIs and bladder infections, catheters, etc. If yours is treatable with an antibiotic, then you will probably feel relief within 24 hours. Is is just burning when you pee or do you feel like you have to pee all the time or are not peeing it all out?

I still think you should actually see a doctor and give a urine sample.

In my case, I got better soon after the first dose, and much better within 24 hours. I was surprised how quick the antibiotics worked...

It usually takes a day to feel better but make sure you drink plenty water and cranberry juice!

I heard that making tea from corn silk is wonderful for UTI's and bladder infections as it's a natural diuretic.
You use the silk, the strands just under the husks and boil it to make tea. It's supposed to taste really good, like S. corn.
It was a show about homeopathic herbs and remedies and the corn silk I remembered because it seemed so easy to do. And we love corn anyway.
You can look it up or google it.
There was another thing that they mentioned as well that I can't remember off the top of my head, but corn silk is certainly easy to come by. As much as we love corn, I never thought of making tea from the silk, but apparently it's very good for you.

Just something to keep in mind.
Best wishes. UTI's are miserable.
I'm a little surprised your doctor would give you something without you peeing in a cup first in case it was something else, but I hope you get to feeling better soon and do look up the corn silk thing.

Take care!