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Why is it so hard to get antibiotics?

49 replies

1wokeuplikethis · 21/10/2017 17:44

Have had an awful day. Suffered terrible tonsillitis all my life until finally having the bastards removed last year. All good, not so much as a sore throat until now.

When I get tonsillitis not only is it bacterial huge lumps of pus but also sends my pelvis unbearably sore and causes me to writhe in agony for hours/days. My kids have both had tonsillitis last week & were given antibiotics no problem.

My throat felt sore last night, then very quickly it hurt to swallow, my pelvis was agony, I spent the night squirming and sobbing in pain and didn't get any sleep.
This morning I went to the dreaded walk in centre. The nurse confirmed I have ulcers down my throat (actually look exactly the same as when I had tonsils covered in pus) but said she couldn't give me antibiotics and I'd need to ride it out.
I burst into tears because I am in agony and know my body and know I need antibiotics. Couldn't bare the thought of writhing around until Monday when I'll have to go to the Drs again anyway because I definitely need antibiotics.

Because I made such a fuss, the nurse did a blood test to test for bacteria and a urine sample. 40mins later she confirmed I have high markers for bacteria and she can give me a prescription for antibiotics.

I am grateful for that but absolutely fuming it took so long and such a hoo har and me basically chucking my dignity out the window to get the poxy prescription. Not to mention spending 4hrs there in agony and then driving around for another hour to find a pharmacy that is open to get my antibiotics all while feeling deathly.

Why is it so hard to get antibiotics? It was the walk in centre so she is not my dr (who knows my history and is very sympathetic & also knows I've been to see him with the poorly kids 3 times in the last week) so she is following guidance but it's a disgrace.

If I had the energy I'd be raving.
And how have i got a bacterial throats infection without sodding tonsils?!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 21/10/2017 19:01

Yes because I have a rare immune disorder! I’m not taking them for fun. Confused

You’re picking holes in what I am saying. I have said if people really need antibiotics then they will get them.

NotThereEileen · 21/10/2017 19:02

Raindrops there aren't any 'new ones' most in the pipeline are based on old ones. I don't think people realise how much trouble we're in.

Sparklefloof · 21/10/2017 19:04

Abra1d, I believe efforts are being made to reduce antibiotic use in those countries. However if they aren't, it doesn't mean we should follow suit.

Vancomycin was one of the main choices of drug to treat MRSA. There is now a strain of MRSA resistant to vancomycin that originated in India I believe. Antibiotic resistance doesn't only mean more people dying from common illnesses. It also makes having surgery a lot more risky, even minor routine ops like having your tonsils out Grin

Redglitter · 21/10/2017 19:10

I have a medical condition where I have to take low dose anti biotics long term. The doctor changes them every 3 months to try and prevent a resistance. Every couple of months I have a flare up and need stronger ones. There's already one type which doesn't work and I'm worried I'll build up a resistance to the ones that do. Thankfully im very lucky and I just need to phone my practise and say I need a course of strong ones and I get them straight away. I know that's not the norm

I dread to think how I'd manage if anti biotics became ineffective

Memememeandyou · 21/10/2017 19:11

I agree. We are in a lot of trouble and all of our own making. I’m actually more scared about the likely collapse of the nhs alongside an antibiotic apocalypse than I am anything else.

1966gettingold · 21/10/2017 19:31

70% of antibiotics is used in the food chain , that’s where the big problem lies.

PurplePillowCase · 21/10/2017 19:45

1966
it's being monitored in europe and getting better
but overuse in vetinary care doesn't mean we should overuse it as well...

1wokeuplikethis · 21/10/2017 20:26

Can I please say, no of course I do not want to contribute to an antibiotic apocalypse. But also, am I really doing that if I am literally writhing and squirming in pain? That I know my body well enough to know what I need? That I have a 1 and 4 year old to care for? Of course they can watch extra telly, they can also watch me sobbing and delirious. That's not on.

The blood test was a last resort because I was completely spent. Lo and behold it shows bacteria and I now have a very short course of antibiotics, one I've not had before, also I am allergic to penicillin which really limits what I can take.
I am scared about resistance, and no I don't think sod everyone else, how rude. But I clearly need them and perhaps as a pp said a more personal approach should be taken with individual patients rather than following guidelines

I don't know. I hope that makes sense. I feel fucking shit.

OP posts:
Otterturk · 21/10/2017 21:27

Never found it hard

PickAChew · 21/10/2017 21:34

The cynic in me thinks it’s more about saving the nhs money.

The most basic antibiotics cost pennies, so far less than the cost of taking swabs, doing blood tests etc.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/10/2017 21:52

You went to a walk in and expected a personal approach. People who don't need antibiotics and painkillers are REALLY REALLY insistent as well. So the HCPs have to take a harder line. Blame the drug-seekers, not the HCPs.

ozymandiusking · 21/10/2017 22:00

If the EU had wanted to do something really useful, instead of messing about with light bulbs and changing the power of vacuum cleaners, they should have stopped countries like Spain from selling antibiotics over the counter years ago.
I also agree that the use of antibiotics in the food chain are a huge problem.

RaindropsAndSparkles · 21/10/2017 22:01

What on earth does that mean MrsTP
My GP couldn't fit me in mid week. Made me an apt at a "Hub I wasn't nearly as such as the op. The GP I saw gave me a just in case prescription. No difficulty, no hastle, just efficiency and mutual respect.

NotThereEileen · 21/10/2017 22:02

Everybody thinks they 'know themself ' and need antibiotics.

An on the spot blood test would not show bacteria. Do you mean urine test?

NikiBabe · 21/10/2017 22:04

Because most of the time the body recovers from minor infections by itself.

Unless you have a life threatening infection where antibiotics are mandatory, the body can fight off chest infections on it's own. Not pleasant no, but Id rather that then set back medicine to the dark ages by over use of antibiotics.

Toffeelatteplease · 21/10/2017 22:05

Everytime ive waited for anitbiotics the infection has got worse and proven to be a hell of a lot harder to shift, meaning I'm more likely to need multiple courses.

Or it doesnt clear properly so I'm mostly well but go back down with it again monthly requiring multiple doses again.

Get in there quick and I clear in quick with one, France they gave a higher dose for shorter, logically that's got to be better.

Bacterial tonsillitis has never just cleared up before borderline hospilation level dehydration for me

Toffeelatteplease · 21/10/2017 22:08

Unless you have a life threatening infection where antibiotics are mandatory, the body can fight off chest infections on it's own.

This is crap. Speaking as someone who has on multiple occasions tried and ended up on multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids.

MrsTerryPratchett · 21/10/2017 22:08

What on earth does that mean MrsTP I know that sounded rude. What I mean is that a walk in clinic has a snap shot. Your GP really knows you. Walk ins often have very determined people seeking different kinds of drugs. All of them are convinced they need them. The OPs doctor would know that isn't the case in her case but a walk in won't.

SeaToSki · 21/10/2017 22:18

If you look at the reasearch, much of it points to the fact that it is overuse of antibiotics in domestic animal populations that is driving general antibiotic resistance, not overuse in humans.

www.fao.org/fileadmin/user_upload/animalwelfare/antibiotics_in_animal_farming.pdf

Its just sad that people who would reliably take the entire course of antibiotics, for a baterial infection that is causing them great distress are finding it difficult to access useful and effective medicine in the UK

Memememeandyou · 21/10/2017 23:12

Also op did you say you were given a short course? It’s 10days for bacterial tonsillitis if you do need antibiotics.

NotThereEileen · 21/10/2017 23:22

Meme guidelines have changed recently to shorter courses.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 21/10/2017 23:27

The one time I battled through without antibiotics for a sore throat on advice by my GP,I ended up with Quinsy and was bollocked by the OOH doctor who visited me as I couldn't get out of bed! I was ill for 3 weeks,it was awful.

1966gettingold · 22/10/2017 07:43

Fleming quoted ( can’t find the exact quote ) in layman’s terms “ that the stupid man shall UNDERDOSE the antibiotic , for to SHORTER time , and cause resistance “but put far better than that.

Now resistance comes from using antibiotics unnecessarily....and also from the ridiculous prophalatic treatment of UTIs generally in women , this is what causes resistance as you are giving the bugs a taster all the time which allows them to change and grow stronger and this has a huge effect on the wider community, sooooo many ladies on prophalatic treatment and children.

Also the 3 day course of antibiotic treatment for UTIs is absolutely crazy ( better off with none ) because a vast majority of ladies keep getting what they think is a new infection, but it’s the original one that has not been kiilled off effectively the first time round and then becomes resistant , the 3 day course is and will cause huge problems....A higher longer does would hit the bug on the head straight away , in most cases .what they did years ago , the average women had two weeks of antibiotics for a UTI with far less reacurrance , the UTI ends up becoming a bio-film that is near on impossible to kill off , air has become very smart and learnt how to deal with low does / prophalatic antibiotics.

Also it is now known , evidence is coming through from around the world that UTI testing is inaccurate, and 50% are missed in labs.

Re the food chain this is a huge problem ( wether monitored or not ) farmers can also buy over the net , and antibiotics are also sprayed on fruit and veg ( example blueberries) , antibiotics in the animals water / injected etc is then got into the farmers environment, he takes it home into his house , the animals waste is put into the land and off into the waterways , antibiotics are everywhere ,
Your farmed fish antibiotics ....all for the want of cheap food .....until food costs what it should nothing will change ......we have most definitely used antibiotics inappropriately in the past coughs/ colds but also underused them for to short a time at to low dose as Fleming predicted and this is what causes resistance, of which now I fear it is almost to late.

One of the biggest problems in care homes for the ladies is almost constant UTIs , UTIs can also mimic dementia, and some specialists are now giving not 3 but ONE day of antibiotics. Don’t need to be Fleming to realise what that’s doing .

Don’t underestimate what you are eating , wether a meat eater or not , source your food well and ask questions where it’s come from , a chicken should not cost under £5.00 , that cheap it is obvious corners will be cut and the quickest, cheapest way of doing so is drugs and that includes antibiotics.

Also the OP could have got “ Quincy “, problem is we have gone the other way with antibiotics, and the short courses / prophalatic are the biggest worry / cause of resistance.

In twenty years time that cut in the garden may very well kill us , need to get our own immune systems working and that comes from what we eat / environmental and there’s the irony because so much of what we eat is full of chemicals .

It’s why I source all my food from start to finish , it’s expensive but we cut back a lot elsewhere. The animals do still get antibiotics, but not routinely across the board but when necessary, however I
barely eat meat anymore anyway , the worlds population is beyond coping with and trying to feed us all is a massive task , and in doing so it’s making us ill “ we are what we eat “ in the summer my organic local strawberries lasted 24 hours , the Asda ones nearly 3 weeks in the fridge , loaves of bread can last a very long time now ....none of this is good it’s really bad.

No I’m not some puritanical person ,
rose tinted , most definitely not wealthy person .....just a realist.

So avoid antibiotics at all costs , but when needed they need to be prescribed correctly and that is not necessarily for the shortest lowest dose.

Also another problem is because GPs etc are almost terrified of prescribing antibiotics, it’s very easy to buy them off the net , which is even crazier .

1wokeuplikethis · 22/10/2017 09:15

Yes I was given a short 5 day course. I've always had 10 days before & know I will prob have to go back to dr this week. But I was in too much pain/too distressed and just thankful to have a prescription, also in a conundrum of where to get the prescription from on a Saturday. Didn't want to spend a minute longer in there.

To pp, I can assure you it was a blood test to check for bacteria & that showed 'markers'. I had a urine test to check for a UTI.

3 antibiotics in and feeling awful this morn. The blisters/ulcers/pus shite has extended to my tongue & roof of mouth. Throat infections affect me so badly I can well envisage being hospitalised if I tried to 'fight it off' and I did my bit for the antibiotic crisis by having my tonsils removed last year. Therefore I've had this one course of ab's instead of 5+ each year.

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