Am I normal?

[isitnormalorabnormal]

was talking to a friend and somehow ended up on this topic and she was horrified and said it wasn’t normal. Just thought I’d ask on her for perspective as if assumed it was!

I’ve had lots of infections recently. Since the start of 2021 I’ve had around 15-20 (maybe more, im too tired to count properly!) different antibiotic prescriptions. It’s for different things- tooth abscesses/infections, skin infections, ear infections, sinusitis, uti infections, BV. I’ve also had various fungal infections some of which required strong treatment with fungal tablets. I’m usually either coming down with an infection, actively infected with something or recovering from an infection. it’s very rare im totally fine tbh.

nobody has ever flagged the high amount of prescriptions but my friend was horrified and said it’s much more than she’s ever had in her lifetime. The GPS at my practice don’t hand out antibiotics like sweets either- they prefer to watch and wait where possible but each infection has become bad enough that it absolutely required antibiotics or fungal tablets.

is this normal or should I be slightly worried? My hygiene is good, I never rewear clothes or towels, im very fussy about my teeth and my dentist said he couldn’t understand how I ended up with infections as my teeth were completely fine hygiene wise. I’ve had multiple FBC and my immune system is normal , for some reason bugs just seem to love me🤢 Interestingly I rarely seem to come down with viral infections, I seem to be more prone to bacteria and fungal.

is this normal?! Also slightly concerned that the doctors will consider me a frequent flyer like my friend said they will!

I would want a diabetes screening, it's known for causing dental issues. Also for celiac disease, as that leeches the calcium from your bones (pre diagnosis), and for osteoporosis as well. Have you had your thyroid checked?
There are different dental bacteria, some people are prone to the ones that causes cavities, others to the ones that causes gum disease, others to the kinds that cause root infections, but alongside the other problems it does sound like there may be a wider underlying health issue

Make an appointment with your GP and write down a list and timeline of all your infections and dental work the last 2 years. Explain you've had nothing like this previously. You must feel utterly shite OP and run down. I have ME and fibromyalgia, last year I had recurring sinusitis and an ear infection and was given repeated antibiotics, they stopped working because of overuse. Hope you get to the bottom of it.

Had antibiotics once in last 30 years, after major operation wound infection.

My sister is a morbidly obese smoker with a heart condition approaching 40 and this is her reality. Despite frequent tests she's never been diabetic. That would be my first question. She improved with prescription strength vitamin d and probiotics.

Do you smoke?

Are your acting well? 21 is a fairly low BMI, are you a constant dieter? Low fat/low carb/vegan? Removing food groups or living on caffeine?

21 is bang in the middle for BMI, not exceptionally low.

Well everyone is different but that sounds like a huge amount of infections and antibiotics. I'm surprised your GP hasn't flagged it up.
I'm 50 and can't actually remember the last time I had antibiotics. Maybe 20 years ago.

I agree not exceptionally low, but low enough that some people would excessively diet to maintain it

That does seem to he a huge number of antibiotics to have in a short period. I usually get struck by tonsillitis once a year when really run down, and usually require antibiotics. More than once a year and I'd be worried.

I wonder if perhaps the fact that your treatment is split between thr dentist and the doctor means neither of them has flagged it up? Definitely go to your GP and set out all the treatment you've had, and don't be fobbed off

This is not normal at all. Your body should be able to fight off infection. Are you having any other symptoms? Tiredness, breathlessness? any odd bruising?

I'd go to the GP and ask for full bloods to be done. Something doesn't sound right here.

Definitely not normal. It's been at least 10 years since I needed antibiotics, if not longer. What's your diet like?

I’m 37 and not had antibiotics in my adult life.

Not normal for me , I've never had a sickness but and the last time I was sick was 10 years ago and that was just a fluey thing . Haven't had Covid either ( tough wood)

Kids are barely poorly either ..

Some people do seem to be more 'sickly ' than others

I'll add I haven't had antibiotics for 20 years and that was only after childbirth and as a precaution after a episiotomy

No, thats not normal.Have you had your HbA1c checked. It's possible you have type 2 diabetes which makes it harder to shake off infections. UTIs and thrush are common as are skin complaints. Are you extra tired, are you thinking you might need (a change of) glasses? Are you limiting drinksxat night coz youre getting up for a wee? All signs.
If you had gestational diabetes, family members have it and you're fat (especially round the middle) that ups your chances as does being black/brown.
How's your mental health? Ask for an appointment with your Practice Nurse. In my experience PNs tend to take a more holistic view.

Do you realise how bad antibiotics are for your gut bacteria?

I have to be honest I would ask if you are taking AB's unncessarily - I recently had a throat infection and the GP gave me a prescription and said 'I would really advise you wait and see if it goes away as it is not good to take ABs' - so I waited and the very painful infection did clear.

That's an insane amount to take over 2 years. either you are massively over reacting to your infections or there is something underlying that is not bieng treated.

Yes that's a hell of a lot. I've had antibiotics maybe once in five years.

Most I've needed them was 4 times in one year for recurrent tonsilitis at uni.

I haven’t had any antibiotics since IV ones after a bad 4th degree tear after birthing my son, and I don’t remember when I had them before that, maybe once in my early twenties for a uti.
so twice in 20 years.
I think your GP needs to do some further investigations as to why so many bacterial/fungal infections in such a short space of time.

That's not normal. Have you talked to your gp about it?

I'm 54 and haven't had any antibiotics in the last 15 years or so. Probably had about 5 lots in my life.

Have you considered your sexual health? I don't know one person (1, she's a virgin) who has never had unprotected sex.
Remember too, blood born viruses can be transmitted through needles inc tattoos, earpiecings (often on holiday).
This isntvintended to panic you. Even the most serious conditions can be managed well now with early intervention and ongoing treatment and people go on to live normal lives.

Are they all so serious that you need antibiotics or do you rush to push for antibiotics quite quickly?
For things like skin infections, sinusitis and uti’s antibiotics shouldn’t always be the first port of call. Plenty of times your body gets little infections like this and can fight them off no bother.

I was always getting infections and then was diagnosed with a Vit D deficiency. Got that sorted, changed my diet and 12 months later very healthy. Even then, I didn’t have quite as many infections as you.

you need to get bloods done for everything.

I thought I was quite susceptible to infection but you have had more antibiotics in two years than I have had in almost 40 years of life OP.
How could you think this was anywhere near normal?
Instead of taking antibiotics constantly did you not think to ask for blood tests? I just can't get my head around you taking antibiotics so frequently and not being concerned about an underlying cause.

That doesn't sound normal for a healthy person. I am 45 and have had antibiotics exactly twice in my life. Once for a urinary tract infection I couldn't seem to shift so my GP gave me two days worth of anti biotics as a precaution and once for an infected wisdom tooth that developed in to necrotising gingivitis. Both cleared up after a very short course of anti biotics.

I did- I put it in my OP! I’ve had several full blood counts and it’s all come back normal