"Fantastic, caring and professional staff."

My story is related to others submitted recently and relates to problems following an elective procedure. The problems were self-induced as I failed to recognise the symptoms of a urinary tract infection that caused cystitis and potentially other problems had it not been rectified quickly.

Substantial pain whilst attempting to pass urine eventually became so hard to bear that I went to my local pharmacy. Me being a man my pharmacist explained she was unable to prescribe antibiotics - had I been a woman she could have helped. She referred me to The Vale Minor Injuries Unit in Alexandria and the duty doctor there diagnosed the cystitis and prescribed antibiotics. Luckily the MIU wasn't busy at the time I attended so they were able to see me but be aware you should obtain an appointment through NHS 111 prior to attending.

Despite being on antibiotics there was no sign of an improvement in my condition a few days later and my local GP surgery sent out a nurse practitioner to assess me, and she prescribed a stronger antibiotic. Overnight that night I had a major bleed in my sleep that blocked my urinary tract and I woke in severe pain from fluid retention.

I called NHS 111 and their clinician said I had to attend the A&E Department at RAH Paisley. My neighbour is away on holiday so I called all the local taxi firms and none of those that answered the phone had taxis available so I called NHS 111 again and they arranged for an ambulance and told me to call 999 if my condition or anything else changed. I eventually contacted another neighbour who kindly agreed to take me to the RAH so I called 999 ambulance and they explained the ambulance was almost at my house.

The ambulance and neighbour arrived at the same time but as I was in severe pain I elected to go in the ambulance, which I'm glad I did. The ambulance crew were fantastic and very observant as my colour and manner were apparently giving them some concern.

On arrival at A&E they were expecting me and after only a very brief wait I was taken in for assessment. Due to the pain I was clearly in they dispensed with an ECG and a doctor came in to say he was going to fit a catheter as quickly as possible. I was given a pain killer and after a short wait the catheter was installed and the relief from pain was instantaneous. My concern throughout had been cystitis getting backed up into my kidneys with far more serious consequences. After a brief rest to allow the effects of the pain killer to wear off I was able to return home.

Lesson for me is to be more aware of the symptoms of a UTI. I'd been warned after my elective procedure it was a real possibility and had been given verbal and written advice on what to look for. Sadly I expected that whatever other symptoms to look for, I would always have a temperature and that didn't happen. As a result I wrongly thought I didn't have a UTI and my symptoms were merely due to the original procedure.

However, despite my stupidity at every step the NHS has been fantastic. I'll be having the catheter removed at the end of June and rest assured I'll be extremely aware of what my body is telling me after that.

For now I'd just like to record my heartfelt thanks to NHS 111, the MIU at The Vale in Alexandria, the Nurse Practitioner from my GP's surgery, the ambulance crew and A&E at the RAH Paisley - you were all fantastic, caring and professional.