To not take the antibiotics I've been prescribed?

[lomplanter]

I have tonsillitis. Tonsils are swollen, red, covered in white patches. I haven't taken any antibiotics yet, but have used throat spray.

I went through a phase of regularly getting it, and was hospitalised once in 2021. But the last time I had it was around three years ago now.

I went to the pharmacist and under the new service he gave me some antibiotics and throat spray. He examined me etc.

I attended because earlier, I felt pretty unwell. Hot, aching, fatigued, nauseous, and just generally shit. Along with the throat pain (definitely bearable). I had definitely over exerted myself prior.

I feel much better better now, still not amazing but not horrendous. I can cope with the pain of swelling.

I really don't want to take them unnecessarily and fuck up my gut microbiome/health.

DP thinks I'm being ridiculous, and should just take them. I feel like I shouldn't? Maybe I should wait?

AIBU?

I had tonsillitis recently and it was fecking dreadful. It might be worse tomorrow then you'll wish you'd taken them. Stop being so ridiculous it's fine to take prescribed antibiotics for tonsillitis / strep.

Out of interest which probiotics do you take on daily Pen V? Thank you!

I know someone who had tonsillitis, couldn't swallow the antibiotics. 2 days later he had a trip in the back of an ambulance, blue lights and siren with a quinsey. That wasn't much fun at all. Take the pills

Take them OP. And follow the instructions very carefully. Also avoid alcohol during treatment.

I would and I am one of those people who avoids medication, even paracetamol I'd have to have an absolutely serious headache make me take a tablet.
Last time I had antibiotics I was probably around 6 years old, but if I was to be prescribed these in your situation, I wouldn't hesitate to take them. Eat some plain yoghurt to re-balance your tummy if needed.

If you were an adult in my house I'd say your choice to take them or not.

No way would I be entertaining any complaining from you though!!

Take them as prescribed by the professional that prescribed them. If you leave it you are risking all sorts of complications including conjunctivitis, quinsy, sepsis….. Honestly, why do people bother going to see someone if they’re just going to ignore what they say. The stupidity of the general public shouldn’t shock me anymore really but….🤦🏽‍♀️

Get the prescription ordered but just put them in the cupboard in case you suddenly need them. I have got over tonsilitis a couple of times and strep throat once last year without them. It takes 2 years to fully get your gut biome back and I really need to keep mine intact! If you can fight it yourself, then do. If it gets any worse - take them.

Absolutely do not do this! If you decide not to take them, that’s entirely your choice but if you do choose to take them, please take them as prescribed. As PP mentioned coatings to protect the oesophagus, there are also different forms of release in medication which breaking a tablet can interfere with.

What a ridiculous thing to do! Give your head a big wobble please!

A bacteria infection can lead to Sepsis

But hay, listen to people on the internet

If you don’t get the tonsillitis sorted it can lead to kidney damage. Sounds odd, but it’s a thing.

Hi OP, I’ve previously quite regularly been unwell with tonsillitis too and know the misery, however last time I got it I got antibiotics but then started to feel slight improvement so waited. I didn’t end up taking the antibiotics and recovered fine without (think this was a milder bout as it usually floors me) but like you I don’t like to take them unnecessarily due to effecting gut biom and I often end up with thrush too 🙄 so yeah I’d say good out if you can.

The important thing is you either take the full course as prescribed or not at all. It’s fine to wait a few days if you’re feeling better and see if things continue to improve on their own. But if you do start the course make sure you complete it fully.

Oh my god, this is so stupid. Drug doses are based on actual clinical trials, you being 'quite slim' does not mean you need a reduced dose of antibiotics. In the unlikely event you are the size of a literal child, your doctor will prescribe the required dose, you do not need to self-adjust. And in the unlikely event this is the case, you definitely don't need to 'spread them out' over a longer course. By 'very poorly' I assume you mean you get the shits. It's common, it does not mean the dose is too high. You giving yourself a subtherapeutic dose increases the risk of resistant bugs.

Fml we're all doomed. It's not Putin that'll end us, it's the general public.

I had tonsillitis as a child. It developed into blood poisoning and i ended up in hospital. Take the antibiotics.

The pharmacist PGD to dispense antibiotics usually works on a scoring system called “FeverPain” - which estimates the probability of the infection being bacterial caused by Strep. The OP obviously scored highly, or they wouldn’t have dispensed them.

Threads like this explain why Brexit happened

Shit like this is why medical advice threads should not be allowed on MN.

You've been prescribed medication by a professional. If you want a second opinion, ask a doctor, not randoms on the internet.

I'd wait a day or two, that's what the GP always tells me to do in case it's just viral. People underestimate the dangers of unnecessary antibiotics. You're used to tonsillitis too so I think you're best placed to know how you feel.

Goodness what a mixture of advice. Drs don’t prescribe antibiotics for viral anything including tonsillitis. I’m guessing the white patches are puss and you have bacterial tonsillitis so are at risk of a serious infection like sepsis without the antibiotics.

Sorry I forgot to add you are at risk of infection and your tonsils swelling further and blocking your airways.

Take the antibiotics, or choose to be stupid and do what teenage DD did: refuse to take antibiotics so that the infection embeds in your tonsils, becomes chronic and ultimately you’ll end up needing to have them removed

Trust me OP, a few days of potential diarrhoea and nausea from antibiotics is nothing compared to tonsillectomy recovery

This is up there with the most batshit and stupid ‘advice’ I’ve ever seen on MN. The dosage will have been based on your weight, what you’re experiencing (when actually taking the correct dosage) is just the regular side effects of antibiotics. Unpleasant but necessary

audh it's not silly advice to take less than the standard dose. I understand that medication is averaged to what an average sized man needs. So an eight stone woman (me) can't tolerate the full dose of anything. I have to take less and spread it out.

It's much better to hold off taking them than not finish the course. If you're feeling better then don't. If it gets worse then do. I personally would take them as they are prescribed but you certainly don't have to.