Can I take these antibiotics? Cystitis and desperate!!

[QueenBean]

On Monday to Wednesday I was off sick with a bug, I was vommitting a lot. I went back to work today but took a few hours off to see the GP in the middle of the day.

I was being sick fairly frequently and not much liquid was getting through my system, so as a result, I now have cystitis. I could actually cry at this after such a miserable start to the week. Since this morning, I have taken 5 sachets of the cystitis powder and some painkillers, and it has steadily got worse through the day. I am so annoyed for not mentioning it to the doctor earlier but it wasn't too bad then.

I have got a whole day of meetings tomorrow which have been pushed back from the early part of the week so I cannot cancel them to go to the doctor.

I was given some amoxicillin about 4 months ago by the doctor for a chest infection (they also gave me oral steroids to try first, which worked so I never took the antibiotics).

On the side of the box it says that amoxicillin is used to treat UTIs. Can I just take them for this? I appreciate that this isn't the ideal situation but I cannot get to the doctor tomorrow and am in quite a bit of pain already!

Yes - i phoned 111 at 6pm on Tuesday with UTI symptoms. The call handler asked me: 'what have you done so far to help yourself?'
And
'Why did you wait so long before seeking medical attention?' And I think I blethered about full time job, mother of three, been hoping to get through on ibuprofen and sachets.

After that call I thought 'cheeky sod it's none of his business.'

But I was seem by the loveliest OOH GP and despatched with antibiotics by 7pm. Fantastic service.

I guess the NHS is only as good as the people who work in it.

I'm still shocked they didn't refer you op.

I have actually never ever been able to get an appointment with my gp. Ever. They only have appointments 3 weeks in advance and those "on the day" which you have to call at 8.30 or 2.30, but I've called in the past for over an hour, 80 or so callbacks, always engaged and then finally you get though to someone and they tell you to try again the next day. No over the phone consultations.

I have got private healthcare through work and can see a doctor on the day usually which is good at least - have an appt for mid-morning today

and trying not to wet myself currently

Queen bean that's terrible

I know, but it's just luck of the draw really isn't it? I do think the NHS is amazing and really grateful for it

But I'm also really fortunate to get private medical through work which is just so much better, much more thorough and so obviously less squeezed

You can get Prescription for trimethoprim online. in UK from proper licensed GPs. Superdrug do it, and Lloyd's chemist and Dr Fox website. Need to fill out a questionnaire.

Is about £20 though.

I second what Seeline said. If you have had cystitis a few times (which unfortunately doesn't go halfway to describing me) my experience is that a doctor will prescribe you ABs over the phone. You just go along to the pharmacy to pick them up - saves the doctor time, saves you time. Might not be doing much for the population's general resistance to ABs but hell, if you know what is wrong and what will cure it.....

Try speaking to your gp by phone. Thry may well give you the right antibiotics by phone for a simple uti.

You could take the Amox but only a minority of UTI bacteria are sensitive to it.