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General health

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Original poster

Antibiotics for 3 months

8 replies

PepperPot3 · 05/12/2005 19:22

My dd (7) has had recurrent tonsillitis for 3 years and is on the waiting list to have them removed. The drs always know why I am taking her as we are there so often!
Anyway, when she last had it the dr prescribed antibiotics for 3 months twice a day. He said that this would prevent it from coming back as at the moment it is about once a month. He also said that if the date came through for the op and she had it then they would not operate so it was best to keep it away. When we went to the chemists they couldn't believe how many bottles they had to provide - ten in total- they have given it to me in powder form and I have to make it up with water as needed.
My question is that is it safe to be on antibiotics for this long? My dh mentioned it to a different dr when he went and this dr said it could 'do more harm than good'.
Do I keep her on it or go back to the drs and question them? Any advice appreciated. TIA.

OP posts:

WigWamBam · 05/12/2005 19:39

Did you not question it with the GP who prescribed the three months worth? Could you ring him and ask whether it it's true that it would do more harm than good?

It appears to me from your post that the GP is trying to keep your dd from getting infected again so that she can have her surgery as soon as possible, and from that point of view maybe it's just a case of balancing the undoubted benefits that having the surgery will bring against any possible disadvantage that such a long period on anti-biotics might have.

HappyMumof2TurtleDoves · 05/12/2005 19:41

they must be low dose antibiotics, are they? I know when dd was getting recurrent ear infections, the consultant was considering putting her on a low dose for 3 months, do you know which ones she is on?
I would ring your GP back tomorrow, and talk to him about it, tbh

Elf1981 · 05/12/2005 19:44

Make sure your DD drinks lots of probiotic things. Antibiotics can upset the natural bacteria in the tummy, gets rid of the bad but also kills some good. So drinking pro-biotics is supposed to help level that out.
I always get thrush in the throat when I have anti-biotics but started drinking pro-biotics yoghurts on the last course and I was fine.
I feel v sorry for you DD by the way, I had terrible tonsillitis as well when I was younger, had them removed about the same age as your DD, used to get an attack every three weeks or so. Hope the op date comes through quickly.

LIZS · 05/12/2005 19:47

I have heard of this before. I guess if it prevents her getting a flare up then she'll be ready for the op whenever the appointment comes through, it would prevent her discomfort and risk of any secondary infections which may occur, in ears for example, and enable her to attend school whereas a bout might have prevented her doing so.

We've had them in powder form when they have needed to last more than one bottle, although never such a long course. Try to get her to take probitoics whilst she is taking them to help avert a gippy tummy.

Hope the appointment comes through soon.

HarkTheHerpesAIMSMUMsings · 05/12/2005 20:00

My DD was on a low does antibiotic, co amoxyclav, for 3 months, for constant ear infections, and it made a huge difference. hers was given post surgery though.

Original poster

PepperPot3 · 05/12/2005 20:12

My dd loves those probiotic drinks so will stock up on those. I cant wait for het to have the op as she gets this so often and misses so much school and I hate seeing her so miserable.
I didn't question the dr as it didn't really occur to me at the time - it was only afterwards when I thought about it and the other drs comments that put questions in our heads. My 2yr old ds was also jumping all over me at the time so I was finding it hard to concentrate! It is nice to know that other people have had similar prescriptions. She is on 10ml of amoxicillan a day. Just be nice if all drs had the same opinions and didn't confuse you all the time!

OP posts:

KateF · 05/12/2005 20:19

My dd1 was on antibiotics for 6 months after several urine infections, to protect her kidneys. It's only done after careful consideration and I would trust your GP on this one. I gave dd the probiotic yogurt drinks and her tummy was fine.

elastamum · 05/12/2005 20:20

Our DS1 had a kidney problem and was on Antibiotics for 3 years. It didnt do him any harm and the risk from the infection returning was much much worse

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