Hematuria

[Brandigirl]

Hi!

I am a 32 y/o female, full time student (NO HEALTH INSURANCE). Last Sunday, I experienced mild cramping, as if my period was going to start, only it had just ended. By tuesday, the pain was really bad and I had bright red blood in my urine. I went to an urgent care, where they had me pee in a cup, they didn't actually tell me what was wrong, but gave me antibiotics, but no pain killers, even though I did ask, they told me to use an over the counter medicine that turns my urine orange, I can't recall the name right now. Anyway, they said give it 48 hours and if the blood hasn't stopped to go see a specialist. Well, it stopped! But today, it has started up again, only my urine is slightly red, but the pain is getting worse again, it feels stingy and bruised, like I have been kicked in the crotch. Anyway, it does NOT hurt anymore or less when I urinate.
I, lacking insurance, can not afford the kind of money a specialist would cost me, and because I live in Oregon, my access to public assisted health care is by lottery, but they aren't accepting new adult applications anyway. I am not sure what this could be, if it is kidney stones I can suck it up and deal, but it bothers me that it is back yet again. Any advice about what this could be? Should I just go back to urgent care (much cheaper) or what? And yes, I know, I can't get diagnosed over the internet, I just want some prof. opinion... thank you so much!!!
Brandi

[RUPNOK]

Hi Brandi:
Most likely you have a kidney stone. It is difficult to say without an X ray how big it is and what are th chances of you passing it on your own. The most cost effectivee option would be to get a plain Xray of your abdomen and see if the stone is visible and if so the size. You could post that information on this forum and one of us could give you a more definite opinion.
Hope you get to feeling better!