To have never realised why people don't finish their antibiotics?

[WhoWants2Know]

Every time I hear antibiotics discussed, it's always with the warning that "You must keep taking them until they're finished, even if you start to feel better." Otherwise super germs, etc.

I always thought it was strange that they have to keep emphasising that point, and wondered why someone wouldn't just follow the doctor's instructions.

But then I never really needed antibiotics much... Until now. And they're actually bloody awful, aren't they?

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy about not being dead or in pain. But the cure involves feeling like I swallowed drain cleaner for a fortnight.

@deadlanguage

"I’ve never had any problems with antibiotics per se but I’m rubbish at taking medications in general because you’re usually meant to take them with food and every so many hours but I’m so chaotic (suspected adhd - total lack of daily routine) that I don’t eat to the schedule and end up not taking them"

Can you set alarms so you don't miss doses and keep something snacky like cereal bars, lunch packs of cakes or buiscuits and so in with the meds? Its unusual to have to eat a full meal with with the take with food meds, just mustn't have them on a completely empty stomach.

I haven't been on ABs often, maybe three times but I remember the GP prescribing Amoxicillin for an ear infection and after the first dose, I began to hallucinate. I remember watching the clock move around the wall and I couldn't walk in a straight line, so I switched to another type of AB. I was surprised because I thought Amoxicillin was a pretty tame AB which doctors tend to dish out more often than stronger ones.

If anyone is getting guaranteed thrush with antibiotics, it very likely to be penicillin based, with the worst culprit being amoxicillin.

After this happened to me a few too many times, I now ask for a non penicillin based antibiotic and no doctor or dentist has ever refused. Some don't question it, and those that do are happy once I've said why.

If I'm ill enough for antibiotics them I'm too ill to get raging crotch rot to go with it.

Absolutely. I've had ABs twice and both had horrendous side effects. Yes to PP Metronidazole was the worst!

I've had numerous antibiotics over the years and never noticed any side effects at all. I thought people stopped taking them because they felt better, didn't feel they needed them any longer and ignored the medical advice.

@DoorWasAJar thanks for the info. Interesting, especially the poultry/pork stuff.
I do actually finish the course, but I pay mightily for it. I will however try live yogurt next time.
Haven't needed any for years now but I do tend to suffer through stuff that I know could well need antibiotics. I'd rather suffer weeks longer than see a dr anyways, add in antibiotics and I'm definitely not seeing the dr.

After antibiotics take Live yogurt must be full fat, to get past stomach acid, dont buy the expensive drinks unless you cant get anything else down. cabbage and green veg good too.

Could you be allergic?

I'm on Doxycycline at the moment. 2 days left to go. Knocking me for six

I won’t take antibiotics without also taking Optibac…

I was on oral antibiotics for about 3 years straight for cystic acne, then I had to have 3 rounds of metronidazole for surgery and infections and it absolutely ruined my gut bacteria for years (but they do not care about this). I get asthma exacerbations and agree with my GP to always try steroids first to try avoid antibiotics but didn’t avoid it this time. IBS flare up is back

I was on some strung ones a few years ago and they really upset my stomach and I had to
Plan my meals around them as they had to get taken in an empty stomach. Halfway through the course I got norovirus and couldn’t keep anything down. So I had to have a few days gap.

Talking clarithromycin with milk helps the side effects ime.

@godmum56 yeah I should try that. I’m meant to take a bed 2x a day that can give you stomach issues so I’m always a bit wary about taking it with a snack! But the side effect is no appetite so I often only eat once a day, combined with the adhd which means I’m eating a banana standing in the middle of the room instead of at the table where the meds are and then forget them 🤦‍♀️

Med, not bed*
Although not eating properly has made me anaemic so I’d like to be in bed!

I know people who can’t have ones that contain penicillin as they give them thrush but I have had antibiotics mostly from the dentist and once from the gp but I took the full course.

I cannot take penicillin or any penicillin related antibiotic, so have to take others

Anything erythromycin related - so synthetic makes me feel so dreadful

I do finish the course though

@CaptainPovey

I cannot take penicillin or any penicillin related antibiotic, so have to take others

Anything erythromycin related - so synthetic makes me feel so dreadful

I do finish the course though

Because I am highly allergic

Antibiotics are wonderful things I dont ask for them but when I have been prescribed them I have taken them They are the wonder of modern medicine However they ought to be used carefully and you must finish the course for effectiveness.

nitrofurantoin.
never, ever again.

they shoved me on these 7 years ago for a bladder infection that it turned out i didnt even have.
Let's just say i couldnt get to the loo in time...explosive is an understatement.

Amoxicillin was much kinder and i hardly noticed it.

Many years ago, I was prescribed Clarythomicin. It made my gums swell and they were extremely painful. It is the only time I have not completed a course of antibiotics and my parents were very concerned but a doctor told me that I had done the right thing on this occasion. It was obviously an allergic reaction. I would normally complete the course.

I think you are right antibiotics clear your system of good bacteria and leave you feeling washed out. Have live yogurt or prebiotic drinks. I hope you feel better soon

@monkeysox

Metronidazole. Work of the devil

Indeed

They give me an upset stomach without fail.

I had a reaction to intravenous metronidazole. I was given it for pancreatitis and it affected my vision, everything was blurred even with my glasses. The worst part was no one would believe me with one nurse telling me it was because I was upset! To bloody right, I couldn't see properly! I now say I'm allergic as it's easier than trying to explain. When I told a dentist what happened he said 'but that's what we prescribe for dental issues'. No one questions allergies.