Okay I recently had a UTI in which I was prescribed trimethoprim for 7 days. After taking for 3 days they didn't work so doctor changed them to nitrofurantoin for 7 days but he said I can stop taking them after 3 days if I felt better. Within 2 days my symptoms were almost gone and the doctor called me to confirm my test results saying it was the correct antibiotic. This doctor said to take them for 4-5days instead of stopping at 3 days. I just wanted to know would it be safe to stop taking them? I want to stop taking them as soon as possible as it's making my IBS worse Its the 4th day and my bladder is back to normal, I just want some advice as two doctors have said different things
Listen to your doctor because your test results would also tell him how many bacteria are in your urine.
Thanks for your reply! I just didnt know wheather to just take them for the 7 days I was perscribed (Before the test results came back) or What the doctor said after the test results saying I can stop on the 5th day.. I'm confused why I would be given 7 days if I didnt have too, anyways thanks again!
I am going to disagree, I would complete the course
Do you suggest the full 7days? or the 5days?
I think it is wrong for anyone who doesn't know you or hasn't seen your test results to disagree with your GP. Listen to him, he hasn't undertaken 10 years training to be a GP
I should have said at least 10 years training.
I was just talking from my experience, was told to stop and it hadn't completly gone. Was back to square one then. GP's aren't always right! Just my opinion
Thats what Im scared of happening
That's ok amanda and as a nurse I don't always agree with doctors but I have over 41 years experience of working in the NHS but I don't think it's right to tell patients to do something differently to what a GP has advised. Urine specimens are tested and examine how much bacteria is present in a specimen and then a doctor can make an informed a decision as to how long a patient needs to take an antibiotic. Common practice now is to prescribe the correct amount for an exact time because we are all at risk of becoming sensitive to antibiotics and that's why patients are told how long an antibiotic should be taken and it doesn't necessarily mean finish all,of the tablets a doctor has prescribed.
That was the response I was looking for! Thank you! Thats helped me out lots!
You're very welcome. Take care
I'm probably a bit late and you're hopefully sorted out by now, but I just wanted to add my thoughts. Trimethoprim and Nitrofurantoin are the two most common antibiotics given for UTIs, and the trick is for the GP to work out which one you need. As Matron said, you're always best to do what your GP says, and finish the course. What you don't want is for the UTI to carry on so that you need stronger antibiotics and you definitely don't want to be prescribed with Ciprofloxacin. This is a serious AB but is often given for persistent UTIs. It can permanently damage you - simple as that. Look for the threads on here under Quinolones or Fluoroquinolones or Cipro poisoning.