Meds question,scared! please help.-UTI.

[hellymelly]

I've been on antibiotics (trimethoprin) since Friday (for a UTI) Still feeling rough and not right so went back to the GP earlier and she felt I needed a different anti-b and has given me Macrodantin. I was just about to start them and read through the leaflet,but the possible side effects are really grim and frightening-permanent neurological damage,lung problems,extreme changes of mood amongst others. I know that side effects are usually not common ,but I'm fairly sensitive to medication,have ropey lungs at best and am generally depleted from years of breastfeeding (side effects more likely of you are anaemic or low in vit B).Honestly I wouldn't give my dd this unless she had a life threatening condition. However I feel horrible and just want the UTI to be sorted out, I'm worried that I do need a tailored antibiotic to shift this as its not responding to the trimethoprin. AAargh.Feel really stressed as not sure what to do-any advice welcome.

You can go back to your GP and ask for a culture. They can isolate the bug in the lab and look for the best antibiotic for you to take which will kill it off. Could you go back tomorrow and explain that you're worried about the side effects?

Don't know anything about this specific drug but do know that patient information leaflets can scare you to death! I don't think any of us would ever take even a Paracetamol if we read all the info about it! You are probably feeling more stressed than normal too as you are run down.

You have to remember most of those side-effects are very, very rare.

GPs always consider risks and whether they are likely to happen to you in light of your previous medical history so I would be inclined to take it personally.

Hope you feel better soon whatever you decide

They list all the side effects and yes that can scare the crap out of you even for 'simple' drugs such as painkillers.
I take regular medication that lists side effects of cancer (higher risk than I'd like why oh why do they list percentages) and death (amongst other things) BUT I know that the benefits of taking them far outweigh the risks of not taking them. If you are seriously worried or feel that your doc has missed a major contraindicator (obvious reason you shouldn't take this drug I.e you are allergic to one of the ingredients) then I wouldn't over think it. Untreated your infection could develop complications with other effects on your wider health so it's probably worth just getting rid of it. If you have any side effects report them or if serious seek immediate attention.

thanks.Thats kind of you.They did do a culture on Friday but it was inconclusive so I've given another one and the results won't be back until maybe Monday. I do always get a bit when I read the leaflets but this is much more alarming than the norm.The one I'm on has some listed but nothing that made me think I wouldn't take it. This one also presents the side effects as though they are not uncommon, rather than listing them by likelihood as some do. (common,possible,rare,very rare on my last lot for a chest infection.) I'm breast feeding too which makes me rather more worried,and I'm worried enough without that! I think I will have to go to the GP. I get chest infections at the drop of a hankie,and have to sing at a performance next week, so do not want to spend any more time this week sitting for an hour in a room full of terrible coughs as I've done twice in the last few days.
sorry am grumpy,feel rubbish and am and fed up!