Severe Side Pain After Starting Antibiotics for UTI: Should I Head to the ER?
A 24-year-old female with a history of Crohn's disease in remission is currently on Humira. Last month, she was hospitalized due to a dental infection but has since made a full recovery. Her urine culture tested positive last Saturday, prompting her to begin a course of cephalexin that same afternoon. She has been diligent about taking her medication and hasn’t missed any doses. Since Sunday, she has experienced mild to moderate pain in her right side and back, which she has managed using Tylenol. At 3 AM, she has been awake for about an hour and is now dealing with more intense side pain. She took Tylenol two and a half hours ago and recently added ibuprofen, hoping it will alleviate her discomfort. Although she understands that Advil isn't recommended for her Crohn's, the pain level is becoming overwhelming, estimated around 6 to 7 out of 10. Despite the discomfort, she notes this pain isn’t as severe as what she has experienced during a bowel obstruction or appendicitis. Currently, she is not running a fever and hasn't vomited, though she is starting to feel slightly nauseous and is experiencing some abdominal cramps, which could possibly be a reaction to the ibuprofen. She is debating whether to visit the emergency room immediately or wait to return to urgent care when it opens at 8 AM, which is just under five hours away. Is it necessary to seek urgent care now, or can she hold out until morning?
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 8:20:37 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about severe pain after starting antibiotics, especially given your medical history. Let's clarify your situation: you have recently begun taking cephalexin for a urinary tract infection (UTI), and you're experiencing increasing pain in your side, along with mild nausea and cramping. This pain has escalated to around 6 to 7 out of 10, making you wonder whether to seek emergency care.
Explanation
The pain you're experiencing on your right side could be related to a few factors, including:
- Kidney irritation or infection (especially as you're currently treating a UTI).
- Possible side effects from the medication affecting your digestive system.
- Your Crohn's disease history, which may influence your body's response.
Given that your pain is escalating and you're starting to feel slightly nauseous, it’s important to monitor your condition closely. The absence of a fever is reassuring, but given your description of the pain and your history, it would be safest to err on the side of caution.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your pain level, nausea, and any other symptoms. If they worsen, it may be necessary to seek immediate help.
-
Hydration: Make sure to stay hydrated, as this can help your body cope better with any potential issues.
-
Pain Management: Since ibuprofen is not recommended for your Crohn's disease, try to stick with Tylenol for pain relief, but be aware that if you continue to experience increasing pain, it might not be enough.
-
Emergency Evaluation: If your pain escalates beyond what you've described (more than a level 7), or if you start experiencing fever, severe nausea, vomiting, or changes in urination, it is wise to head to the emergency room without delay.
-
Wait Until Morning: If the pain stabilizes or improves and you feel comfortable, you can manage until urgent care opens. However, if you're feeling unsure or uncomfortable as the night progresses, it's better to play it safe and seek emergency care earlier.
Listening to your body is key. If you're finding it difficult to cope with your current pain level, don’t hesitate to seek care; your well-being is the priority.
Related Questions
Tragic Situation Surrounding a Benadryl Overdose
Hello everyone. I’m reaching out because my younger sister, who was just 14 years old, tragically ended her life last night using Benadryl. I’m here seeking insight into her situation, and while I don’t need condolences, I appreciate any expressions of sympathy that may come my way. What I truly seek is raw, unfiltered information about what she may have experienced. Details: (I lack medical knowledge, so this information may not be crucial) - Female, age 14 - Height approximately 5'5" (give or take) and weight around 105-115 pounds (this is an educated estimate) - Took between 160-180 tablets, totaling around 4-4.5 grams (this estimate is based on my recent purchase of the bottle and her typical usage for sleep) My questions are as follows: (Feel free to share any other thoughts as well) How much time did she have after ingesting the medication? What might her last moments have been like? Was her passing calm, or was it filled with hallucinations or confusion? Did she experience seizures, or did she simply fall asleep? These are the difficult questions that I find hard to research myself. I hope that this discussion can provide clarity for anyone who might find themselves in a similar situation someday. I’m immensely grateful for any help in advance. As I post this, I’ ll be going to bed soon and may not respond to comments unless they hold significant questions related to my inquiries, though I might reconsider that later on.
Concerns About Measles Exposure After Outbreak at Work
We have not experienced any symptoms, and both of us received our vaccinations during childhood. Recently, one of our coworkers was identified as the initial case of measles within the state and has since been hospitalized. The workplace is a smaller manufacturing facility, employing around 30 people, many of whom are unvaccinated. Given this situation, do we need to take any specific actions? Is it still possible for us to transmit the virus despite being vaccinated? We are uncertain about the necessary safety measures to adopt. Our employer hasn't communicated anything regarding the outbreak; we only learned about it when we saw our workplace mentioned in the news.
Persistent Low-Grade Fever: Seeking Insights
Greetings everyone, I am reaching out in hopes that someone may provide insight into my situation. I am a 41-year-old female, weighing 185 pounds and standing 5 feet 2 inches tall. My current medications include Trintellix, prescribed for my depression, a low-dose statin for cholesterol management, and a multivitamin. Eight months ago, I experienced a challenging second pregnancy, which involved gestational diabetes and postpartum preeclampsia; however, those concerns are now resolved, and aside from this issue, my overall health remains stable. For the past two months, I've been experiencing a daily temperature fluctuating from 99°F to 100.2°F, which is unusual for me as my normal body temperature is typically around 98.2°F. Recently, I've had multiple atypical infections and tend to catch various illnesses from my son, who is in daycare. It’s noteworthy that I tend to contract infections even when my husband remains unaffected. In the last six months, I've required antibiotics on four occasions for ear infections, including one for a dental infection and several associated with the onset of these persistent fevers, aimed at addressing a possible general infection. Blood tests examining autoimmune markers, thyroid function, iron levels, and other general indicators have all returned normal results, with the exception of Epstein Barr, which confirmed I have been exposed and developed considerable antibodies. Dental infections have been ruled out as well. Apart from frequent illnesses and recurring ear infections, I have no additional symptoms to report. With my postpartum period at eight months now, my next steps involve consulting with specialists in infectious diseases and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) worries. I am open to any suggestions or thoughts on potential avenues for further investigation regarding my ongoing fever. Thank you for your help!
Scaly Rash Emerging Near Cat Bite
I am a 30-year-old female, and I recently noticed a small, red rash that is raised and scaly around a bite I received on my calf from a fully vaccinated indoor cat. This rash is not warm, swollen, painful, or itchy and emerged roughly a week after the incident. The outline of the rash is distinctly defined, resembling a diamond shape, and is approximately the size of my thumbprint. I have a history of eczema from my childhood, and I have also been diagnosed with combined symptoms of Lupus and Scleroderma, in addition to mucous membrane pemphigoid; however, all of these conditions are currently well managed. The rash does not appear to be infected, and I’ve come across information suggesting that skin injuries can lead to the development of autoimmune sores in the same area. What might be the cause of this rash?
Racing Heart, High Fever, and Dizziness: All Tests Negative
Age 25, male. No prior health concerns, not on any medication, no known allergies, and no history of substance abuse. I do drink alcohol occasionally. This morning around 4 AM, I awoke to an alarming sensation of my heart racing. Upon attempting to rise from bed, I immediately felt dizzy and unstable, so I quickly sat back down, just managing to avoid fainting. It was then I decided to call emergency services. The ambulance team and the emergency room staff conducted a full examination, which included checking my vital signs, an EKG, and blood sugar levels, but they found little of concern. They performed additional tests including a blood panel and a chest x-ray, both of which yielded normal results. However, the hospital did note that I had a fever of 103 degrees. They administered IV fluids along with Toradol, which effectively lowered both my fever and heart rate. Although they suspected my elevated pulse rate was linked to the fever, they could not ascertain the initial cause of the fever itself. I was advised to take Ibuprofen, stay hydrated, and to return if I experienced dizziness again or if my fever persisted after three days. Throughout this ordeal, I have not exhibited any typical signs of illness, such as nausea, vomiting, a cough, sore throat, or nasal congestion. I am curious about what might have caused such a sudden spike in my temperature and heart rate.