What have you had antibiotics for recently?

[Cloud44]

On my second course of antibiotics in a couple of months, feeling a bit rubbish and sorry for myself. Has anyone else had to have antibiotics recently? Have they worked?!

Took four lots to get rid of a UTI, the third lot sent me a bit loopy 🤣

I had some for a sinus infection after suffering for 13 days. It was penicillin and it worked a treat!! My nose was nearly clear within 24 hours!

Did either of you feel rough on the ABs? Someone said it’s best to take them with yoghurt? Feeling down in the dumps - second lot of tonsilitis in two months

I did. I had diarrhoea throughout taking them, to the point I only just made the loo on occasions. They also made me feel sick and a bit low. But they worked so it was worth it. I took probiotics with them too, but I’m not sure if they made any difference.

Tonsilitis sucks. I used to get it a lot in my 20s for some reason and had to have relatively regular abs. Then it just stopped really and I haven’t needed any since until recently.

I been on them constantly for about two months now for various ailments. I feel bloody awful.

On my second lot for a Uti that's possibly got to my kidneys, feel a bit rubbish and worried they're not working tbh.

Tonsillitis, had to swap to another type as the first didn't work

Chest infection end March - mid April. Needed 2 courses. Since having covid twice, need 2 courses of antibiotics to clear CI. Prior to covid, I probably needed two courses probably once every 6-8 years.

Tonsillitis suffering GP here. Make sure you take a full 10 course if you’ve had an early second infection… Any time I’ve had ‘close together’ episodes (several weeks apart) it’s been because I took a short course and then neglected to finish. Hang in there… this too will pass.

Also, gargling with Chlorhexidine mouthwash daily is good at reducing occurrence or recurrence rates. We use it eg for patients on chemo to reduce infection risk when they are immune deficient.

This is of course assuming it’s a bacterial tonsillitis.

Is it Phenoxypen you are taking? They tend be be pretty well tolerated without too many side effects…

I've only ever had amoxicillin for a tooth infection. They always made me feel a bit weird but they did work!

Yes @Boomarang they have been prescribed for bacterial tonsilitis. In March I was given 5 days by the pharmacist then a few days later it came back and 111 prescribed 7 days. It seemed to have gone away but today it’s back. Where can you get that mouthwash from?

Two courses one was for tonsillitis and second for ear infection which turned out first one was ear infection that had travelled down and caused tonsillitis and then the second dose was because the first dose hadn't cleared up the ear infection.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/chlorhexidine/#:~:text=Chlorhexidine%20is%20an%20antiseptic%20and,mouth%20ulcers%20and%20gum%20disease

You can get this stuff in most supermarkets in the dental section… have linked info.

Thank you @Boomarang , do you think it’s come back because I had two short courses in March instead the one 10 day course? Sorry for the questions, im just concerned it’s going to keep coming back!

I'll have to look at that, I'm permanently neutropenic and my tonsils are my weak spot
Stomach of steel and no issues with getting tattoos etc but if someone with tonsillitis breathes near me...

Are antibiotics meant to make you feel bad?

Not me for many years, can’t remember what, probably tonsillitis as a teen but ds had some about 3 months ago for a chest infection which seemed to have no effect on him. He’d only taken antibiotics once before so he definitely hadn’t built up a tolerance!

I am currently on a 5 day course of penicillin for tonsillitis. Haven't had tonsillitis in about 14 years. I was in absolute agony and could barely swallow or talk. Thankfully, the antibiotics seem to be helping.

Not thought about it but not had any for many many years!

I haven't had any since I was a child and I wouldn't remember what it would be for.

I had two courses recently for a UTI. Prior to that a course in Jan for a chest infection and a course in November for a chest infection.
I had a course for a UTI in September/October too.

The joys of being on immunosuppressants in pregnancy!

I had a nasty bout of UTIs a few years ago, must have had about 10 in 8 months. GP told me to take a probiotic after a course of antibiotics and I always do that now. If you're prone to stomach issues after a course of antibiotics then it's worth a try - I get fewer side effects now.

I’ve brought some of the chlorhexidine mouthwash @Boomarang woukd you suggest using it whilst I’m on the antibiotics then continuing for a few weeks after?

You should avoid antibiotics for tonsillitis unless it doesn’t improve in a week or so. It’s much better to let your body fight it, less likely you’ll get it again. Antibiotics are awful for your gut health. I would only take them as a last resort.

The doctors have always said to me if it’s bacterial (with white spots) antibiotics are needed @Peonies12 ?

Haven't had them for year, then in the last year I've had two ear infections that just go worse and worse. And most recently a skin infection inside my nose - painful, crusty sores in my nostrils. And I think this is happening again 🙄I don't seem to be able to fight anything off atm. I keep wondering if it's because I've had covid 4 times (I work in a school) but the Dr hasn't mentioned it as a possiblity.