So it depends. I had a lot of tests done (the benefit of private medical insurance) to rule out any underlying conditions which it did. My kidney infections were caused by incredibly aggressive urinary tract infections that weren't treated quickly enough or with inadequate, resistant antibiotics so spread to my kidneys. And my god you know the difference. Feverish, sick, you feel like you're dying! Cystitis is utterly miserable and can be agony but it's very different to kidney infections. Both urologists and a gynaecologist that I saw said some people are simply unlucky and get lots of UTI bouts for no real reason. Like some people get coughs and colds or stomach bugs (which I hardly ever get - UTIs seem to be my thing!). So I have to drink 2 litres of water a day every single day of my life without exception. Any drink with caffeine (coke, coffee) or alcohol does not qualify. For every alcoholic drink I have I must have an equal amount of water (in addition to my 2l). Every time I have sex (or the ahem, the equivalent ... Think rabbit .... TMI soz) I have to go for a wee straight after. If I exercise I have to drink more than my 2l. Following those appts, I have been given very good, non resistant antibiotics and am allowed to self diagnose now. I've had enough infections to recognise immediately what it is and mine are always severe. So I take 1 antibiotic the second I feel the symptoms coming on. Usually that's it and gets it. If it doesn't I switch to my other antibiotics which always gets what the first ones havent. GPs hate this approach but they really have little idea about antibiotics that's why they're so bloody resistant now. If neither of my tablets work I have to go to the surgery and get very very strong ones that are not often prescribed (to prevent resistance). All the doctors agree water is absolutely vital in clearing up any UTI or kidney infection. 2l rule goes out the window and you drink as much as you can (obvs not 20l but you get the gist). None of them believe in cranberry. They say there is some evidence it receives the discomfort when wee'ing but that's the most it does and there's very little evidence it works at all. I still take them though! Painkillers help they say to relieve pain. But really if it's mild you'll flush it out with water, and if it's more severe it's only going with antibiotics. If your friend really is getting kidney infections completely independently of UTIs (ie it's not spread from there) I would say it absolutely needs to be investigated. I would push aggressively for it. If it stems from UTIs I can only suggest following the advice I was given and push for a referral to see if she can get antibiotics to self prescribe, but they can't be abused so doc would have to trust her ;-) I've only had 3 in the last 18m so have seen a big improvement. Omg - essay!! Sorry Hershey!!!!!!
