Dr. Kyra Marie Kilpela, MD

I (rarely) use the E.R. I've only used an E.R. twice in my life; once as baby with a high temp. which my father told me about recently and recently due to possible* kidney pain which I've read can be deadly. I've had UTIs on and off for years and from what I've read, can spread to a person's kidneys and that can* be deadly. I've heard a lot of people mention if you feel real pain in a possible kidney, you should go to the ER for that, so I did. I will say that I have experienced this severe pain a few times in my life. She said it was "not an emergency." She asked in a sarcastic way "Why-y-y would you wait to go to the ER if you've had this before??" When people make me feel uncomfortable, I usually don't know what to say. I told her because in the past I thought it might not be a big deal, and thought if I drink lots of water/cranberry juice it might go away because a nurse told me that it was just a "UTI" and I just need to drink lots of water(or Something to that effect.) I did not… mention this to her, but Drs do scare me a little, and in the past, didn't like the idea of going to the ER but that's just how I felt regardless if that sounds like the "truth" to her or anyone else or not. Anyway, a nurse in the past told me thats what I should do - drink plenty of water and cranberry juice and I'll be fine. So I figured I didn't need to go to a DR or ER at the time. After doing some research on my own, I figured recently I Should go to the E.R. for pain I felt in possibly a kidney. Anyway, I didnt understand at the time why she'd come off rude and sarcastic in her tone of voice, and give me such an uncomfortable smile, but when I left with my father to go home, I realized she probably assumed I wanted random drugs or was seeking random attention. For her information, I was not!!! I am a grown woman in her 30s. From my experience, most adult women over 30, care about their health and are not addicts (some Can be, but Most are not at that age.) Everyone I've met and known over 25 or 30 yrs old, have told me that they even "gave up smoking" for health reasons. Anyway, I never asked her, nor any of those other people for medication. I was just thankful she was willing to do a urine test, which based on her test, it was fine - thank God for a little positive news. Before I went to the E.R., ever since a (what I believe) UTI came back some days ago or whatever, I've been drinking lots of water, taking my vitamin C, and cranberry pills and maybe that has helped me w/ my urine. I dont know, I'm not a DR. so I'm guessing. Oh well. It's a shame because now I'm a bit weary if I should bother with any ER when I feel I'm experiencing an emergency.