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General health

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Original poster

Alternatives to Anti-biotics?

60 replies

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 20:46

My dd has just been diagnosed with a urine infection that I suspect she's had for a while. The doc has prescribed the usual anti-biotics. Trouble is I hate using them and will avoid them if at all possible. She's only had one course when she had bronchilitis at 14 months. Is there an alternative to using them?

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bundle · 11/01/2006 21:33

the paed i spoke to said that she often sees vulvovaginitis which has been labelled as urinary infection, so it's important to get it right. sorry about the money situation, it sounds a nightmare being given the runaround by the drs.

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:33

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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foxinsocks · 11/01/2006 21:36

I'm in no way medical and picnickel is far better placed to give advice but I really think the only way you will know is by having a sample done.

My dd is the same age as yours and has sensitive skin etc. and we often get these sore vagina flare ups but having said that, this is the age when they are starting to wipe themselves and get into all sorts of pickles about getting it right (wiping front to back etc.) so it's probably worth getting a sample done for your peace of mind!

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:37

Now I'm analying all the symptoms she might have! She said she had tummy ache the other day, but she didn't want to go to school on that day, and today she said she had a sore throat, but she's been doing a lot of running around and panting heavily because of it, and there's a frost.

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Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:37

I think I shall get a sample and go in tomorrow morning with it. Do I need to take her or do I just plonk the sample on their desk?

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NotQuiteCockney · 11/01/2006 21:38

Dunno about the cold back. If it's in her kidneys, rather than just her bladder, then that's a really bad sign.

You can flush out a urine infection by a) lots of water, b) lots of peeing (duh) and c) lots of vitamin C. Cranberry juice is good, but anything with lots of vitamin C, as your body just pees out the excess.

I would probably give the anti-Bs if your DD seems unwell.

To avoid UTIs, absolutely avoid bubble bath etc. Make sure she always drinks lots of water.

bundle · 11/01/2006 21:40

please don't worry rhubarb!

picnikel · 11/01/2006 21:41

Oh b*gger, wish I could pop over & sort out your poor dd, this is awful trying to help over the net .

If it was me I would get a sample and dipstick it for blood, protein & leukocytes and send it to the lab. If the dipstick was positive I'd start antibiotics, usually trimethoprim, while I was waiting for the lab result which usually takes 2-3 days. If the dipstick was negative and the history was a wee bit vague I'd send the sample to the lab but NOT give antibiotics in the meantime. Hope that makes sense.

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:41

I am bloody worrying! Worrying lots!
What if she has a kidney infection hence the cold back? How shit would I feel then? Dh is saying "give her the abs!" but they are so strong and what if the dr is wrong and I'm giving her abs for nothing? He could well be wrong! Just wish I knew a bit more about the French Health system!

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Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:43

Where do I get a dipstick from? And what is dipstick in French? I could be insulting them if I choose the wrong word!

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picnikel · 11/01/2006 21:43

LOL, I'd plonk it on his desk! Someone presented me with a jamjar full of shit once .

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:44

picnikel, I am so grateful for your help, I really am, you must be sick to death of diagnosing people in your spare time!

What do you think of the cold back? Is it her kidneys?

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picnikel · 11/01/2006 21:45

Sorry, x-post. Please don't worry, it sounds like it can wait till tomorrow at least. Don't know the French for dipstick - it's called urinalysis as well.

picnikel · 11/01/2006 21:48

Kidney infection tends to cause pain in the side below the bottom of your ribs. Difficult to know with the cold back as kids can be terribly vague - in general if she has a kidney infection she'd have a fever and be pretty unwell.

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 21:51

Ok, feeling a bit calmer about the kidney infection! Am just sterilising a pot for her to pee in then will take it to the lab myself for tests, cut out the bloody useless doctors! Don't know if they will do this without a doctors note, but I can try and explain in my limited French. If not I'll just have to take it to another doctor, not going back to the same one.

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picnikel · 11/01/2006 21:56

Good luck, sounds a good plan.

joanna4 · 11/01/2006 22:00

My dd has just got over a kiddney infection you are lucky you were given anti biotics at all.My dd was told it was just this virus i was made to feel like a paranoid mum.In end my persistance paid off and we got anti biotics it has been just awful.Kidney scan in 2 weeks time will be more settled after that.

Original poster

Rhubarb · 11/01/2006 22:07

It's not that I am ungrateful Joanna4, but would you give your child medication that she did not need? I'm guessing that your dd must have been quite ill with her infection and I would have been as worried and frustrated as you have been, but my dd is not ill, which is why I'm questioning the prescription. I would never do anything to make her worse in any way, I just don't want to give her something, especially abs, if they are unnecessary.

Hope your dd is better now.

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getbakainyourjimjams · 11/01/2006 22:18

Get a urine sample- they can do a very quick test using a dip stick (like diabetics used to use- dip it in the sample- they should have the testing sticks at the surgery- that gives an idea of whether there is an infection and takes 1 minute to do) If you give antibs feed her up with probiotics as well. You do have to be careful with urine infections, but it doesn't take long to get a sample tested. IN the meantime give her lots of water to drink.

monkeytrousers · 11/01/2006 23:02

If doc has advised then do it is what I'd say - for what its worth. Geekgirls post on Wednesday, 11 January, 2006 9:01:28 PM say it all..

Tortington · 11/01/2006 23:11

i would give the medication to my kids just in case. its not going to do her any long term damage but conversly it could save some vital organs and make her feel better quickly.

mZebra · 12/01/2006 00:35

Cranberry juice, anyone? LIDL's is best (highest %).
Get her wee frequently.
There is something else you can get from a chemist, but they may not approve it for children.

I'm really anti-antiB; I'm the person on MN who keeps saying you don't need antibiotics to clear conjunctivitus. But my DD has also had UTIs which were awful; very high temps, kind of scary, really. So I guess given the very broadbrush diagnositic technique used by your GP, I'd go for the cranberry juice & frequent wee's and keep an eye on her while you wait for the wee sample to be tested (can't believe they didn't take one... is her wee cloudy? That's a strong sign).

Original poster

Rhubarb · 12/01/2006 10:43

I got a wee sample from her this morning and deciding to cut out the middle man, I took it to the lab myself. They have agreed to test it without a doctor's note, but I have to get a different sample in one of their pots, apparently my pot wasn't good enough even though I sterilised it! I also have to wipe her bum first with this little sterile pad.

I will hold off on the abs until I get a result. My reasoning is that she has had this complaint for a few months, but without any other symptoms. Now if it was a urine infection, surely she would be ill by now?

They would never use such a simple thing as a dipstick in France, if they can do things the hard way they will. Honestly, don't come to France for treatment!

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Gloworm · 12/01/2006 11:19

while you are waiting on results you could try echinacea, it boosts the immune system and helps body fight off infection, helps with bacteria/virus/and fungi.
Bioforce is a good brand and should be easily available in france.

Childrens probiotics can also help, especiakkt if she uses antibiotics (they will help replace the good bacteria that the AB's kill off). they come in a tasteless powder you add to drink/food.

both of these can be used together until such times as she is better. I would also continue to use them once a day after she is better to hopefully help prevent recurring problems.

both can also be used alongside antibiotics if/when you use them, although she must take the probiotics at a different time of day from antibiotics.
(BTW I am a nutritionist and have a health shop if you want any other alternative advice.)

how long do you have to wait on the test results?

Original poster

Rhubarb · 12/01/2006 11:37

Thanks Gloworm, will take the urine in tomorrow morning (can't do anything now, she's at school) so that means Monday at the earliest.

They have lots of alternative health shops here in France. You imagine all the green crosses are pharmacists, but many offer alternative health products so I'll have no probs getting the other stuff. However it is very expensive here too! I'm just imagining our money dwindling more and more! We're really stuck this month.

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