100 – Sepsis, UTIs & quadruple amputation: Kim’s story

Kim Smith went on a family holiday to Spain with a UTI and woke up nine weeks later having lost all four limbs to sepsis.Twice missed by Spanish doctors, Kim's kidney pain and uncontrollable shivering escalated so fast she doesn't remember being flown home. She tells Dr Louise Newson what actually happened, from the misdiagnosis to being told all four limbs would need amputating, and how she's rebuilt her life since as a quadruple amputee and sepsis awareness advocate.Louise and Kim discuss the sepsis warning signs so often missed, why kidney pain and sudden shivering are red flags, and how around 30% of sepsis cases start as a urine infection. They also cover why vaginal hormones significantly cut UTI frequency and severity and are safe for almost everyone, including women who've had breast cancer, yet are still rarely prescribed.Kim shares her three take-home tips on sepsis before the episode ends.Follow Kim: @kims2ndchance Let’s connect👉 Track your symptoms andunderstand hormones, download the Balance app: https://bit.ly/4yZty5A👉 More from Dr LouiseNewson: https://linkin.bio/drlouisenewson