Difficulty obtaining antibiotics for teenager's uti

[gandalf456]

I have found this recently. My daughter tends to get utis and every time I take her to the gp with symptoms, they refuse to prescribe antibiotics- either because the dip test doesn't work or the sample comes back clear or contaminated.

Yesterday, I got emergency appointment. Dip test was inconclusive because she had a period which contaminated sample. Gp said she didn't think she had actual infection as no temp, no tummy pain but she still had raging burning when peeing.

This happened before and I went back 3x and it was 2 weeks before they'd prescribe anything and she was in tears frequently and was acting unwell.

Anyway, today, out of hours ended up prescribing and she is much better already.

I know they are worried about antibiotic resistance and wondered if this is new protocol but surely it's equally bad to have people suffering.

Gp said it's not safe to prescribe blind, although I would dispute that since she did have symptoms

about safe online pharmacies

Guidance supports waiting for sensitivity results prior to prescribing for UTI's as long as symptoms are not severe. This ensures that a. There is a bacterial infection and b. The right antibiotic is prescribed. However if she has infections very regularly then a low dose antibiotic is sometimes given daily as a preventative measure but only once other reasons for UTI's have been ruled out such as structural/anatomical issues, personal hygiene, sexual activity etc. It is frustrating but ultimately in your daughter's best interest. If she is under 16 your area might consider referral to a specialist for further review.

Is she showering after every poo? Drinking enough water? Wiping front to back? Changing her pads / tampons often enough? I think you need to start asking her some tough questions - not all GP surgeries prescribe low dose antibiotics and there’s always the risk that next time she won’t be given antibiotics.

Is she showering after every poo?

Sorry, what? HTH is she supposed to do that? What if the urge strikes when she's not at home, for starters?

Better question, does she make sure the tissue is clean before she leaves the toilet after a bowel movement? And, if sexually active, is she going for a wee after sex? I'd mention it even if you think she's not, and also mention in passing where she could get checked for STIs if she were sexually active and that she wouldn't need to tell you but if course you wouldn't judge if that were the case.

I used to have regular UTI’s from sine I was teenager and decided I couldn’t be taking antibiotics so often.

I now take D Mannose whenever I get the signs of infection and I’ve been doing that for the last 3 years and haven’t been back to doctors for UTI since.

they are available in high street health shops and online including amazon so very easy to find.

If her urine sometimes comes back clear for infection but she’s getting pain when she goes for a wee then she should consider an STI check (GP can give her a simple self swab to do) as chlamydia can cause the same symptoms and can cause complications if not treated. Apologies if this is your definitely not sexually active 13 yo but OP wasn’t clear about age.

How old is your DD and is she sexually active? I used to get recurrent UTI's from when I was 18. I got a referral to a consultant urologist, who after investigations said some women are just prone to them (sensitive urethra), and proscribed low dose ABs (trimethoprim) on days when I had sex. Trimethroprim isn't on of the AB's that we seem to develop resistance to (20 years ago he'd had patients on it for over 20 years with no resistance).

I took them for 10 years with no issues, then had to stop when we were TTC - they switched me to low dose nitrofurantonin, but it made me feel so sick that I stopped taking it, and actually seemed to have 'grown out' of the UTIs, as I haven't had a full-blown one since. I'm acutely aware of the beginning symptoms though, and if it ever feels even slightly that I'm getting one I vastly up my water intake and take cranberry extract (not juice, the amount of sugar in it counteracts any benefit!).

Have if the ABs made a massive difference to my quality of life - I have endometriosis and have had a natural but difficult labour so am no stranger to pain, but UTIs (and the resulting kidney infections) have been the most painful experiences of my life!

On the other hand, I do think that so many years of ABs completely messed up my gut biome - if I had to do it again I would still take them, but would carefully supplement with high dose probiotics.

Does she drink enough water? I drink loads of water and have never ever had a UTI.

Regular UTIs aren’t normal so you need to investigate WHY this is happening rather than reaching for antibiotics to fix the issue. Hygiene, water intake, cranberry/urine acidifiers etc are all helpful. Plus anti inflammatories and plenty of water can be effective if she does get an attack. If she definitely has an infection then a longer course of antibiotics may be needed but her lifestyle/hygiene needs to be reviewed too

If she keeps getting them it means either she isn't practicing good hygiene (wiping front to back) or it's not clearing up fully, dd had 5 in a row up to a month apart. With dd they ended up giving it antibiotics followed by 2 weeks worth and touch wood it hasn't returned

Dd is 14. She's not sexually active (still says it's gross). She has ocd (diagnosed) so fairly obsessive about hygiene. She drinks a lot but does suffer from constipation despite eating a healthy diet.

She was referred at 6 and scanned for possible reflux (her dad had it young and gad to have an operation. He also gets kidney stones) but it was normal.

Op - I always had excellent hygiene and wasn’t sexually active when my attacks were at its worse too

Just wondering if there is an nhs drive to wait and see with regards to infection? A friend of mine recently had an ear infection to which the doctor said wasn't infected but she went on holiday and it got much worse. She ended up with a hefty bill. Dr there said was definitely infected

Try her on d mannose Google it. Order from sweet cures.

It may prevent them coming back.

Thanks- worth a try

High concentrate cranberry supplements from Holland and barratt seemed to help me. They are taken every day as a preventative method.

D mannose has been amazing for me

Another vote for D- mannose here, it’s incredible and has changed my life after constant UTIs since the age of about 17.

I’m up in Scotland and the NHS offer free antibiotics without prescription to treat uncomplicated UTIs, ( trimethoprim) you just need to pop in to speak to pharmacist and fill out questionnaire. No dips required- it’s a super service. Sadly I had to always take nirofurantoin, but I’ve not had to take any in many many months. I hope your daughter gets it all sorted- recurrent UTIs are soul destroying. Please do try the Dmannose, I take the capsules every day. I wish I’d known about it sooner. X

Xx

Candida? There’s various types. I sometimes get it after having catheters. No stomach pain, no temp unless missed for a few weeks but burning when peeing. Bloods show an infection of some type and swap confirm it.

And yes to cranberry.

Is she showering after every poo

I've NEVER heard of anyone showering after every poo. Hows that even practical? Do people genuinely do this?

I would be asking for a referral to Paeds for further investigations if this is an ongoing problem. After 3 uti’s my younger daughter was referred for a renal ultrasound.

Just wondering if there is an nhs drive to wait and see with regards to infection?

yes there is.
most infections, bacterial or viral. are self limiting (go away on their own).

is your dc cleaning herself too much? using soap to wash the sensitive parts instead of just water?

I have had lots of issues getting antibiotics for utis too from NHS. Got very ill from not having them treated, ended up in hospital on once occasion where they then gave me 14 days antibiotics. Another time was lucky had private insurance through work and saw a private doctor who found uti but a rare one when NHS had said I had none and refused antibiotics and gave me 14 days antibiotics. Could have hugged him. Always got better on antibiotics after 48 hours. Ended up losing my job as I was needing too much time off with illness and seeing doctors far more times than I should have had to.

Husband had ear infection refused antibiotics 4 times by NHS and left with problems for 2 months. Then went to France they gave him antibiotics and he got better but left with permanent hearing loss. I sometimes use online just out of sheer desperation.