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[Iris67]

I was prescribed a 3 day course for an uncomplicated UTI....it failed to work. I have been prescribed a further 7 day course and I have take 5.5 days worth. It is making me very ill and my symptoms have cleared up. I want to stop (GP will advise protocol - finish it all) and I can't find any info on the efficacy of 5 v 7 days of this horrible drug. Anyone have a view?

[Limpy]

I know this'll sound awful but really it is best to finish this course. Not to do so stands the risk of generating antibiotic resistance. It's possible that the 5.5 days you've managed may be enough but best check with somebody who knows. It might be worth speaking to a pharmacist and see what they say.

[Katejo]

I was prescribed a 3 day course for an uncomplicated UTI....it failed to work. I have been prescribed a further 7 day course and I have take 5.5 days worth. It is making me very ill and my symptoms have cleared up. I want to stop (GP will advise protocol - finish it all) and I can't find any info on the efficacy of 5 v 7 days of this horrible drug. Anyone have a view?

  A  urogynaecologist advised me that  all AB courses need to be at least 7 days. Anything shorter and the infection may not clear and could return.

[CLKD]

Was a fresh urine sample sent to a Lab for testing?  Otherwise ABs may not be necessary.

I would ask for appropriate treatment for vaginal atrophy.  Do read the 'bladder issues' and 'vaginal atrophy' threads 2 C whether your symptoms match: VA mimics urine infection-type symptoms really, really well!

When I have the 'need 2 P' feelings, I take 'nurofen' regularly as well as using 'ovestin' twice a week.  The pain relief relaxes the spincter.

[Taz2]

Nitrofurantoin has never worked for me whether 3, 5 or 7 days. I've always had to follow it up with 7 days of good old amoxicillin. I would still say finish the course though.

Taz x 

[CLKD]

I've rarely finished a course of ABs by mouth due to them making me very sick. 

[Limpy]

I've rarely finished a course of ABs by mouth due to them making me very sick.

No wonder resistance to ABs is on the rise - it was you! 

[Iris67]

These are really interesting comments - thanks 

I had a feeling that a 3 day course was not enough the first time around, and I also had a feeling that 'good old amoxicillin' was the one I should be having! I did have a lab test which confirmed infection and that I was on the 'right' drug which meant the subsequent 7 day course but who knows if it was fresh! Not quite sure what happens after it goes to the GP in terms of correct protocols. My GP used to be superb but they're a bit all over the place at the mo.

I was feeling so bad yesterday - very drowsy, sick, headache, fatigue and dizzy and probably did the worst thing...missed a day and feeling better today have started the last 1.5 days worth. CLKD I think I am in a similar boat to you.

I read some research papers on Nitrofurantoin and it appears there is quite a high failure rate for the 3 day course. They take a risk at our expense because the drugs are failing in more broad terms - resistance-wise. In fact the medical guidance for a simple, minor UTI is no antibiotics and just NSAIDS. I know the body can heal itself theoretically but if they go for ABs then it should be hefty, not a halfway house.

[Iris67]

Meant to add - the failure for 3 day Nitro - 15-20%. Might be useful for anyone in the same situation.

[CLKD]

AB resistance is due to over prescribing World Wide: expedically for urine 'infections' when ladies have VA 

[Dougalina]

Not finishing a course is not a good thing to do, it does contribute to AB resistance, which is why the instructions always say to finish the course.

Over prescribing is another reason.

D.

[CLKD]

I wonder how much recent research is done into 'AB resistance' if 1 doesn't finish a Course?  It was better that I didn't finish them as I would have thrown myself off a cliff, feeling so sick.    Of course, in hospital they could be given by drip avoiding the nausea.

[CLKD]

How do U feel Iris?

[Iris67]

Hi CLKD - thanks for asking - so far so good. Took last dose yesterday a.m. and no pain when weeing since. It's tricky because the menopause/prolapse causes so many weird feelings I get stressed every other minute! But no pain atm... fingers crossed. I was never one to suffer a UTI or thrush for that matter but post meno it's all falling apart. V depressing.

There are so many variables I think the research is fairly basic. And of course modern medicine doesn't do much in the way of 'preventative' because most of the time any underlying factors contributing to it are not clearly understood. If doctors concentrated on turbo-boosting our immunity many of these problems would be gone.

[CLKD]

The nearest to 'turbo boosting' my system would be in a Lambourghini - then I would need a toy boy to pull me out 

I find taking 'nurofen' regularly eases the need2P feelings.