home remedy advice needed please

[Midnight12]

first off its TOTALLY MY fault as I brought it on myself however I do not want to and cannot go to a dr RIGHT NOW or within this week...or next week. HOWEVER come june I CAN.

SO....how can I help or solve or do something about my kidney issue? I KNOW its possible kidney infection or just waaay too much soda caused my kidneys to say eff you Lexia.

(in dealing with the stress of preparing for vacation, DD teething and the drama with step sis and all that I went to chugging sodas like booze to deal. And big cups of coffee once a day to stay up with Daughter when she had teething fits which in a sense is better than drinking actual alcohol, buuuut not when I knew what would happen)

One family member suggested alkaseltzer tablets, I'm already cutting out sodas totally and drinking lots of water and at LEAST one big glass of cranberry juice a day.
any other suggestions? or am I screwed and HAVE to go to a dr? the seltzer works I take it once or twice a day as directions say two tablets for four ounces of water. *shrugs* it at least helps with the pain

[trailerparkmedic]

I'd strongly suggest seeing a doctor. Infections are BAD. Do you have Minute Clinics or something similar in your area? They are little clinics in drugstores and grocery stores, staffed by PAs or Nurse Practitioners, so it's cheaper than seeing a real doctor. The times I've gone it's been pretty quick, too.

Is cost a concern? Think of this--it's cheaper to see someone now and get some oral antibiotics than to get sicker and end up in the hospital to get IV antibiotics, or to be facing kidney failure.

I am not a nurse/doctor/etc but I don't see how alkaseltzer or cranberry juice would help a kidney issue. I've heard of cranberry juice being used for UTIs, but that's an issue in your bladder, not kidneys. Alkaseltzer is a stomach remedy. Water might help filter stuff out but it's no substitute for a doctor.

[TheSHAD0W]

I second the motion. You need antibiotics, and you need the right type of antibiotic. Don't try to look it up over the net. Call around and see if there's a doc-in-the-box local to you that only takes cash, they're likely to be the best deal you can find.

[Jester]

If your current home remedies of flushing your system (water, cranberry juice, etc.) has not worked and you are still dealing with kidney issues, it's time to say adios to the home remedies and go see a doctor. Because it is obviously a bigger issue than something home remedies can cure.

Is cost a concern? Think of this--it's cheaper to see someone now and get some oral antibiotics than to get sicker and end up in the hospital to get IV antibiotics, or to be facing kidney failure.

I second, third, and fourth this motion, as it is one near and dear to me.
My father died from kidney disease at the relatively young age of 48. Potentially hereditary kidney disease, which means it may kill me as well. Kidney issues can be very serious. Drinking a shitload of sodas and coffee in and of itself should not cause you major problems with your kidneys, nor infections. If you are experiencing these, and the usual methods of flushing your system hasn't worked, don't fart around--it's time to go see a fucking doctor. Preferably before you need to go see the coroner.

[Food Lady]

I'm chiming in. Saving the money is not worth the health risk. Try to get a regular appt, though, as ER or urgent care will be more expensive. Please go; use a credit card or borrow money if you have to.

[MaggieTheCat]

I agree with everyone else. Kidney infections are bad news. Go see a dr.

Here is a home remedy if you think you get a UTI, BEFORE it creeps into the kidneys: D-Mannose. It's an all natural tablet (or powder) that contains the same (or similar) stuff that cranberry juice does that flushes out the system, except it's something like 50 or 100 times stronger than cranberry juice. You can buy it online, or at some healthfood stores. I get mine here: http://www.d-mannose.com/001-SFNT.html
1 to 2 tablets a day and I've never had UTI problems since I started taking them.

However, again, this is to help with UTIs...not kidney infections, which are much much worse and if left untreated, could result in the infection spreading elsewhere or kidney failure or other bad stuff.

Question though, what are your symptoms?

[dutifuldaughter]

A teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, or a little apple cider vinegar in water, will help relieve your symptoms long enough for you to get to a dr without wanting to kill yourself and others. Take it from one who is now on 10 days of antibiotics for what is likely the exact same thing. Yes, the stuff is right nasty to drink, but plug your nose and do it. It will help.

Good luck, fellow sufferer! Get to a clinic ASAP.

[Midnight12]

I'd strongly suggest seeing a doctor. Infections are BAD. Do you have Minute Clinics or something similar in your area?
Is cost a concern? Think of this--it's cheaper to see someone now and get some oral antibiotics than to get sicker and end up in the hospital to get IV antibiotics, or to be facing kidney failure.
.

no minute clinics in this small town. its an insurance change/coverage change. which will be done with or clarified by june,
was hoping that if it is a UTI at least something will get flushed out. its helping but i know i need to go to a dr
scheduling now. blargh

[Midnight12]

going to the dr's next week there is a walk in clinic...but they not open on sundays, so monday it is.