This keeps getting stranger...

KTMom91

Well-Known Member
Quick update...diagnosis'd with a kidney infection on Thursday at Urgent Care, went to ER on Sunday, diagnosis of gallstones, need gallbladder removed. But the phone call from the Urgent Care doctor this evening was the weirdest. He called to follow up, I told him about my ER visit, and he wanted me to know that when they cultured my urine, they found E. coli. I thought that was in raw meat...and wouldn't I have food poisoning and be throwing up if I had that? And how did it get there?

I can't get my referral to the surgeon until the main office opens tomorrow. Will they even be able to operate if I have E. coli? I need to make a list of questions. I'm so confused right now.
 

gcvmom

Here we go again!
E. coli is in fecal matter. You could have gotten it from yourself just by wiping.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli

That could explain how you got the kidney infection.

But dang, gallstones too?! You poor thing!

They should be able to clear up the infection with antibiotics, but they may have you wait on the surgery for a week or so (unless, of course, you've ruptured your gall bladder).

Gosh, what a lot to have thrown at you at once!

(((HUGS!)))
 
K

Kjs

Guest
Nothing to offer regarding e-coli or kidney infection. That is awful. but I did have my gall bladder removed. After years of severe pain and years of a zillion tests that always came back normal, it was a fluke that it was caught.

Immediately after the gall bladder was removed there was such instant relief. Pressure and pain was gone. It was amazing. Unfortunately I came down with a fever and a slight infection and had to stay another day.

Hope you are feeling better.
 

Steely

Active Member
Girl, I feel, feel, your pain. I have a kidney infection right now. E-Coli is in feces and can cause a bladder infection like gvc said. So no worries there except antibiotics. It is when e-coli is ingested there is a big worry.

I have had 3 surgeries for kidney stones - and it stinks. Never gall stones. To have both - oh lordy - they better be giving you some major pain medications. So sorry.:sick:

Let us know how it goes.
 

Hound dog

Nana's are Beautiful
You've got the double whammy going on. Kidney infection and gallstones. OUCH!!

22 and some odd years ago........I was having the worst year of my life with my kidneys. In and out of hospital like a yoyo, one surgery after another. So I get this pain under my right lower ribs. Not horrendous....cuz in my opinion kidney pain has the other beat 1000 to 1, but it did drive me crazy enough that I went to see fam doctor cuz it wouldn't go away. Fam doctor said gallstones, vairfied by ultrasound. Found myself back in hospital once again for surgery (fun not) but thinking at least it was no biggy.

5 days following the surgery, doctor comes in and asks me if I'm ready to go home. I said sure but while the incision didn't hurt.......the pain that had sent me to the doctor had never gone away, even after the sugery. So I asked if they could double check the kidney before I left.

One IVP (kidney xray) later I found myself absolutely not going home and on death's doorstep. The pain was my kidney (3X it's normal size) not the gallbladder. And yeah.......ya don't wanna know what happened after that.

Double whammies are the mega pits. Make sure to take your antibiotics. And wipe from front to back always. (to avoid ecoli again) Drink plenty of water. And I hope all goes well with the gallbladder sugery for you.

They'll do the sugery as long as you don't have a fever. Not sure if the infection will affect it. Be sure to ask the surgeon. You don't want to get there on day of operation to find out they won't do it.

(((hugs)))
 

Marguerite

Active Member
There can be other bugs causing kidney and bladder infections, but E. coli infection, usually from faeces, is a common cause. As has been said often, it's poor design - women's bodies have the playground too close to the waste disposal facility! Men have an extra 7" of protection.

Don't let the type of bug worry you - it is one of those things very difficult to prevent. Having gallstones as well probably doesn't help; they hurt a lot as well, a fait bit of your pain could well have been referred pain from your gall bladder.

I mentioned prevention - there are some good tips on how to prevent a urinary tract infection (Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)) especially one caused by E. coli:

1) The first and most important rule is to empty your bladder within fifteen minutes of having sex. When you have sex, the various movements can actually push bacteria up into the urethra and into the bladder. It's like getting an ear of barley or wheat and inserting it into your sleeve at the wrist, stalk first. You swing your arm, you try and shake it out, but all this does is make the wheat move up your arm. Within minutes it is up at the shoulder.

2) Next important step - when you wipe after going to the toilet, wipe from front to the back. Do you utmost to keep the areas separate in your personal hygiene. If you have recurring problems you may need to up the ante with personal hygiene and carefully wash yourself (and then dry yourself) after using the toilet.

3) Drink at least 2 litres of water a day (that's a bit over 3 pints). And that's water, not sugary or salty fluids. You need to keep osmosis in mind and avoid water with other stuff in it that will slow down osmosis.

4) Take cranberry in some form, regularly. Research indicates that cranberry taken regularly actually 'tans' the bladder wall and helps protect it form bacterial invasion. The bugs can't get a grip. That's what my kidney specialist tells me, anyway.

As for the gall bladder, I can't help you there except to offer sympathy and to tell you what you probably already know - avoid fatty food. But chances are, even the mention of a greasy pork chop and friedeggs is aggravating your pain so I will shut up now.

Hang in there, I hope the docs can fix you up.

Marg
 
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