Not prescribed antibiotics due to period

[TippledPink]

I've just been to the pharmacy as I have a UTI and need antibiotics. Waited over 45 minutes to be seen, Pharmacist appeared as a very doddery older man, shoes on the wrong feet and everyone waiting were in shock about how he presented.

When I was finally seen, he said he could not prescribe me antibiotics as I am on my period and wanted a second opinion! I called 111 who laughed and couldn't believe why I was calling. They asked to speak to him and said they aren't health professionals and he is, therefore he needs to decide whether to prescribe or not. He said he wasn't willing to prescribe without a second opinion so I had to leave with nothing! 111 have said they will get a GP to call me back later.

Has anyone had this before where they have not been prescribed antibiotics due to being on their period? It's been a very frustrating morning!

What?! I’ve had maybe 75 courses and not once have I been asked that

this is what happens when practising medicine is outsourced to people who don't have such wide experience/training in diagnosis. Sounds like his medicine is probably a bit rusty, but if he's not sure what he's doing the safest thing is to get a second opinion (and looking at the UTI algorithm for pharmacies, there are several bail-out points that suggest getting GP advice rather than prescribing). Alternatively, perhaps he's been stung by something a bit more 'out there' diagnosis wise than a straightforward UTI and period before though and that's made him more cautious.

He told me he has never heard of someone having a UTI when on their period so he wanted a second opinion.

The way he presented I am amazed he could still practice as a pharmacist, he seemed a bit like older men I have come across in care homes, not really sure what he was saying or doing. He didn't prescribe antibiotics to the lady who went in front of me either, maybe he just didn't want to do any prescribing that day.

Next time I know to say I am not on my period!

sounds like he has insight to the fact he's not appropriately experienced to be doing the diagnosing. It may be frustrating when it turns out to be something simple and straightforward, but if he doesn't know what he's doing then getting a second opinion is the safest thing. If he is someone towards the end of his career as a pharmacist, I'd imagine he has very little interest in learning to be a cheap doctor and just wants to get on with doing what he's done perfectly safely for the last 30 years or so.

I've used this and it's a simple and easy process.

https://onlinedoctor.boots.com/services/cystitis?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtpLABhC7ARIsALBOCVqNFpfx6nDOb8skxIDmLclky3iaxhInL4qXhde98LP3KE2170Td9YcaAvUREALw_wcB

Thanks, I checked that already and it is closed until Tuesday.

Then don't ask me to wait 45 minutes if you don't want to be prescribing anything. Just say from the off I am not going to prescribe any medication and not waste everyone's time.

I'm assuming this was some kind of emergency place as its Easter Day, maybe they couldnt get anyone else to work the shift and thought a not very up to date pharmacist was better then none

Is there another place further away you could go to?

One person in front of me when they finally got their medication and paid for it, they asked how often they should be taking it, he said he didn't know. He looked at the box then said he had given her the wrong tablets and took another 15 minutes to sort it out!

111 are getting a GP to call me back. It's a regular pharmacy that was open. There is another one open at 2pm but I will just wait for 111 now.

Oh my God
The man is clearly not well

I'm so sorry this happened to you

I really hope 111 can get it sorted out quickly and I hope you feel better soon 💐

GP told me water infection was just peri to her - refused to examine me in anyway, dip urine.

someone directed me to those home test strips.

Once I got use to how they work, same morning walked into Boots, walked out with antibiotics to start then and there.
Refreshing the pharmacy didn’t bang on about peri and I really can’t remember if they asked about period.
I even paid for the prescription as I was so grateful for help.
Brought carton of cranberry juice and finished box no. 2 of the cranberry relief sachets.

Whilst Boots also left a record which I can see on patient app, it doesn’t display questions asked.