AIBU to stop taking these antibiotics? And ask for diagnosis ideas?

[WellErrr]

I’ve had annoying symptoms for months now. Nausea, unable to eat big meals/90% of foods, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, feeling full when I’m not, feeling v tired, feeling cold, weight loss from not being able to/being too scared to eat, blah blah.

Then earlier this week I had sudden one sided back pain and peeing every 45 mins or so. Went to the doc who dipped urine and said signs of upper UTI, so gave antibiotics and sent sample to the hospital.
Started antibiotics. Sample came back today but hospital said it was clear with no signs of bacterial infection. Which is strange as the pain started to fade a few hours after I started them and is now almost gone.

The antibiotics have given me stomach cramps, tiredness, general not-feeling-well-ness. Which is not much fun on top of the other stuff.

So as there’s no sign of infection, can I just stop taking them!?

And if it’s not an infection.....what is it!?

And what’s the other stuff? IBS? Diabetes? Stress?? I’m open to ideas!

No, you should never stop taking a course of antibiotics. Once you have started it’s extremely important you finish them to combat antibiotic resistance.

Was it like a band across your back?

I had a uti that tested positive with the dipstick but the sample sent off was clear.
They say to pay more attention to the dipstick as samples quite often come back clear.

Agree with the PP, it cause huge problems if you stop taking them before the course is finished. I've had antibiotics for a UTI before and the leaflet said to take them on a full stomach. I found that having a big glass of milk when I took them helped me with the stomach side effects, maybe you could try that?

Also I hope your other symptoms get diagnosed soon! Keep persisting

I think it can be difficult to grow some bacteria. Finish course and see how you feel after. Have you tried decent indigestion shit like omeprazole?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/ovarian-cyst/

Have you talked to your doctor about your other symptoms? Sorry to be blunt quite a few of these stand out to me as symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. I'm sure they are symptoms of lots of other things as well (like H Pylori/stomach ulcers) but your GP is the best person to speak to.

Sorry what todo but the latest guideline for prescribing antibiotics is that you take the tablets for two days then stop taking them if the symptoms have gone. Prolonged exposure to antibiotics actually results in antibiotic resistance.

We have always suspected that this is the case but the ‘experts’ at NICE call the shots. The cynic in me suspects that the arbitration length of the course results in a financial benefit for the drug companies rather than a medical benefit for the patient.

Shazkiwi has said everything I was attempting to say (including the h.pylori).

*arbitrary
Sorry in answer to op yes you need to go back to your GP the length of time you have been having symptoms needs further investigation

Was it like a band across your back?

No not really, it was lower down just on one side.

Thanks all. I’ll keep taking the antibiotics. I knew I should really :( at least I’m half way through them now.

I’ve also had gynae symptoms which I’ve just started the pill for (ovulation bleeding and pain, c section scar pain). Saw gynae recently who said it all sounded normal.

Had full bloods done this week (again). All normal, white cell count slightly low but it has been before. Still in normal range. Ditto blood pressure, usually bottom end of normal.
Everything else normal.

I think stress triggered it. Could it all be stress!?

Stomach ulcer was my first thought. Don't they use antibiotics for those? I had an ovarian cyst (very large one, lost my ovary) and I didn't have those symptoms although everyone's different of course.

Ah ok

Tight band across the back can be kidney (mine was like it after living on anti acids for ages - they can bugger your kidneys)

The stomach pain, nausea etc for me was adhesions from abdominal surgery.

Had abdo scan before Christmas (gall bladder etc), all fine.
Had pelvic ultrasound a year ago (similar symptoms) which was fine. Gynae I saw recently wouldn’t repeat the ultrasound because she said it all sounded normal. But I was only in there 5 mins really.

The stomach pain, nausea etc for me was adhesions from abdominal surgery.

This is what I think it could be - multiple c sections, the last one was traumatic due to uterine rupture. Lots of adhesions found each time.

I asked gynae about this but she said it could only be diagnosed through surgery, which would only make any scarring worse.

How were your adhesions diagnosed? Were they treated?

I had constant symptoms of UTIs which came back clear from the lab; I had all sorts of tests but I ended up with bladder damage. Then I moved house and got a new medical practice. First time of UTI they picked up a completely different bug which needed a different antibiotic. All cleared but the permanent damage to my waterworks.

So just because the sample came back clear doesn't mean you don't have a bug. I used to get all sorts of lower abdomen pain too.

I would absolutely go back, one of my lovely friends had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with stomach cancer at 34! :( Please demand answers if you’re still worried

Could it be kidney or gallstones??

I wish I hadn’t posted now :(
Thanks for the replies though.

I’ve been back and forth to the GP and various consultants. I have to repeat the whole thing every time and no one seems to read my notes. It’s all just exhausting and they (apart from the lovely ANP at our GP surgery) make me feel like a hypochondriac.