What's your opinion on antibiotics?

[Babolat]

From this thread: http://www.loveshack.org/forums/mind-body-soul/physical-fitness-health-weight-management/446729-exercise-workout-bad-cold-not

 

I just got back from the dr, sure enough, I have a sinus infection, and he prescribed an antibiotic.

 

I recently came off a 6 week course of an antibiotic for another infection. I came off that about 2 weeks ago. I did not want to take it but the infection was not going away.

 

I have read the book "Never Be Sick Again", twice. I am convinced I should not be taking antibiotics, that my body can fight this, that by taking them I am messing up my cell function.

 

The one he prescribed, per my Google research, has not even been proven to help a sinus infection. So, I am staring at it, wondering if I should even take it.

 

Ironically, I had my annual physical 3 weeks ago, my dr put my on Flonase for allergies, then BAM, I get a sinus infection. I asked him how does one get a sinus infection, he said usually from allergies. Well, wasn't the Flonase for that?

 

Just seeking others experiences here.....

Edited December 5, 2013 by a LoveShack.org Moderator
Fixed title

[Shepp]

Still under the weather mate?

 

 

I know all the bad things about antibiotics - I know that viruses will become resistant and all that but I must confess, I don't think twice about taking them.

I just hate being ill so much id do anything to feel well again...and if that means popping antibiotics - give me the box Its like they say about Sudafed products "they just mask the symptoms etc" - I know its true but right or wrong, if I cant feel my symptoms that's good enough for me!!

 

I've never been given antibiotics for like flu symptoms before though! I've taken them for an adder bite, a spider bite, a cat bite (didn't realise id been bitten so much ) and they gave them me in hospital after I crashed my mtb to prevent infection - That last time, if id been more with it (I was on a lot of painkillers so I didn't even really know what they were giving me to take. They just gave me stuff and I took them.), would be the time where id of said 'no', I think giving tablets for something someone hasn't even got is ridiculous!! Especially mixing it with painkillers. I remember the nurse coming round with the little pot of meds I had to take and I pretended to be asleep cause I could of heaved at the though of taking more tablets!

[Babolat]

Still under the weather mate?

 

 

I know all the bad things about antibiotics - I know that viruses will become resistant and all that but I must confess, I don't think twice about taking them.

I just hate being ill so much id do anything to feel well again...and if that means popping antibiotics - give me the box Its like they say about Sudafed products "they just mask the symptoms etc" - I know its true but right or wrong, if I cant feel my symptoms that's good enough for me!!

 

I've never been given antibiotics for like flu symptoms before though! I've taken them for an adder bite, a spider bite, a cat bite (didn't realise id been bitten so much ) and they gave them me in hospital after I crashed my mtb to prevent infection - That last time, if id been more with it (I was on a lot of painkillers so I didn't even really know what they were giving me to take. They just gave me stuff and I took them.), would be the time where id of said 'no', I think giving tablets for something someone hasn't even got is ridiculous!! Especially mixing it with painkillers. I remember the nurse coming round with the little pot of meds I had to take and I pretended to be asleep cause I could of heaved at the though of taking more tablets!

 

I am like you, I want to get better, fast.

 

Though, I think, after doing a lot of reading/research, we are throwing our bodies out of balance with RXs, like antibioatics, and a healthy body can fight things like this. In fact, it's my belief that a healthy body will never catch something like this.

[MidwestUSA]

What antibiotic is it? I should be able to tell you if it's for upper respiratory/sinus.

 

Get yourself on an Echinacea/Goldenseal combo. It really boosts your immune system

 

As for my opinion, they are over prescribed, overused, abused (the people who stop taking them at the first sign of feeling better and save them 'for later'). We are raising generations of kids who will become antibiotic resistant, and be in a heap of trouble when they really need one to work.

Just MHO.

Edited December 5, 2013 by MidwestUSA

[Babolat]

What antibiotic is it? I should be able to tell you if it's for upper respiratory/sinus.

 

Get yourself on an Echinacea/Goldenseal combo. It really boosts your immune system

 

As for my opinion, they are over prescribed, overused, abused (the people who stop taking them at the first sign of feeling better and save them 'for later'). We are raising generations of kids who will become antibiotic resistant, and be in a heap of trouble when they really need one to work.

Just MHO.

Amoxicillin

 

I've done some research on it, and, there is no real data that supports it even works for a sinus infection.

 

I am not going to take it, ride it out another week and see if my body can take care of itself.

 

I take very high quality supplements, I eat 80% organic, work out, eat close to raw food as much as I can, get plenty of sleep, so, I am wondering how I even got this thing. I was on Cipro for 6 weeks recently, wondering if that wacked my cells/system out.

[MidwestUSA]

Cipro might have done it. Yea, amoxicillin is one commonly used for sinus/URI. Not sure what percentage of cases are cured.

 

Resort to it if you run a fever. Don't believe one word of the 'it's bacterial if your snot is green' stuff. A bunch of BS. Orange juice, and sweat it out in hot baths. Lots of fluid intake. That's what I would do. Hope you feel better soon!

 

 

I want to hear about Shepp's adder bite!

[Babolat]

Cipro might have done it. Yea, amoxicillin is one commonly used for sinus/URI. Not sure what percentage of cases are cured.

 

Resort to it if you run a fever. Don't believe one word of the 'it's bacterial if your snot is green' stuff. A bunch of BS. Orange juice, and sweat it out in hot baths. Lots of fluid intake. That's what I would do. Hope you feel better soon!

 

No fever yet. It's Christmas Party season, I want to feel good, but, oh well.

 

Drinking a ton of water...wearing the carpet down to the bathroom at work!

 

Doubling up on my Vitamin C and Multi-Vitamin too. Drinking hot tea too...

[Shepp]

I want to hear about Shepp's adder bite!

 

Not very interesting really - I was trying to get a Frisbee out of some brambles, thought I just stabbed my leg on some thorns. Wasn't till the next day when it swolled up and I was like....hmm so maybe that wasn't a thorn

 

The cat one was worse!! That cat was crazy - sheesh!

[carhill]

I was on Cipro for 6 weeks recently, wondering if that wacked my cells/system out.

 

Sounds odd to take an antimicrobal for that long. I recall using Cipro a few years ago to break a serious sinus infection, as it's tough to get good coverage there due to blood supply in the infected area, but it was the normal ten day routine and, oddly, my right hip started bothering me right after that. Never had a joint pain in my lifetime. Still have it and felt it this morning. Read up on antimicrobals at the time and I guess they can eat at body parts too.

 

I'm currently getting over what it appears you have and agree with MidwestUSA on suggested treatment. I did run a fever but it broke yesterday, which is normal for me. Her method has worked nearly flawlessly over the decades for myself and, absent that one round of Cipro, I've never taken an antimicrobal for anything. IMO, a person who watches their health like you do and promotes a strong immune system can weather a lot of challenges, especially little ones like colds and flu. Stick to the 'old-fashioned' methods unless conditions worsen and don't resolve. Save the antimicrobals for serious life-threatening conditions/surgeries/injuries where bacterial infection is a threat. Good luck.

[Babolat]

Sounds odd to take an antimicrobal for that long. I recall using Cipro a few years ago to break a serious sinus infection, as it's tough to get good coverage there due to blood supply in the infected area, but it was the normal ten day routine and, oddly, my right hip started bothering me right after that. Never had a joint pain in my lifetime. Still have it and felt it this morning. Read up on antimicrobals at the time and I guess they can eat at body parts too.

 

I'm currently getting over what it appears you have and agree with MidwestUSA on suggested treatment. I did run a fever but it broke yesterday, which is normal for me. Her method has worked nearly flawlessly over the decades for myself and, absent that one round of Cipro, I've never taken an antimicrobal for anything. IMO, a person who watches their health like you do and promotes a strong immune system can weather a lot of challenges, especially little ones like colds and flu. Stick to the 'old-fashioned' methods unless conditions worsen and don't resolve. Save the antimicrobals for serious life-threatening conditions/surgeries/injuries where bacterial infection is a threat. Good luck.

 

I did not want to be on the Cipro that long, but the infection I had would not go away. I started at 2 weeks, no better, than 4, no better, after 6 all was good. For this particular type of infection the Dr said this was not unusual.

 

And yes, I am experiencing new joint pain I have never had before. I really wish the Dr would have told me this prior. I would have gone off it after 4 weeks.

[Phoe]

Me and antibiotics do not get along. They screw up my system so badly.

[carhill]

I did not want to be on the Cipro that long, but the infection I had would not go away. I started at 2 weeks, no better, than 4, no better, after 6 all was good. For this particular type of infection the Dr said this was not unusual.

 

And yes, I am experiencing new joint pain I have never had before. I really wish the Dr would have told me this prior. I would have gone off it after 4 weeks.

OP, IMO, if you just came off six weeks of a heavy duty drug like Cipro, and have experienced joint pain uncharacteristic in your experience, I'd get a second opinion before taking another round. Try alternative treatment regimes. In my case, I found the combination of sinus lavage with warm saline and the Cipro, which my doctor had suggested, worked great.

 

Lastly, if you find you appear to have recurring sinus infections, it might be worth some imaging to check for structural issues which may be promoting them. My exW had such infections for years and finally, around the time we got married, she got the structural issues diagnosed and had surgery. It was miserable to recuperate from (I was her carer) but it solved the problem, and I don't recall her having a serious sinus infection during our M at all. Colds and flu resolved as normal. Headaches went away. She said she felt like a new person and could breathe better besides.

 

In the current environment of relatively rushed medical treatment in many markets, I'd suggest caution. An educated patient is a good patient for a good practitioner. Good luck.

[melell]

Honestly, I am aware of all the negatives, and I know why they shouldn't be 'abused', but if I need them I will take them, and take them hard.

 

If I can avoid them I will, but when there is an infection bad enough then I won't even consider not taking them.

 

I once got an infection for an insect bite, and decided to avoid meds and let me immune system do it's thing. BIG MISTAKE. Sometimes we really do need them..

 

If I have low level ongoing infections, sinus etc I will water fast- nothing but water. It seems to clear things up that have been bothering me for months.

[soccerrprp]

This thread further underlines the problem with antibiotic use. Some of you are being prescribed antibiotics to treat viral disorders. Antibiotics DO NOTHING for viral disorders! They are for bacterial disorders. But, doctors routinely prescribed them for such ailments b/c the general public are not aware and seem to "feel" better being prescribed something than be told, "just let your body take care of it." I'm not talking about serious viral disorders.

 

Antibiotics are helpful when used properly, but ALWAYS toxic. The level of toxicity is dependent on the drug, but they are not completely safe and some, like cipro, are more toxic to the body. Long term use can do some serious damage to the body.

 

Unfortunately, you are taking some chances if you try to let your body fights things off. This is especially true if the bacterial strain is virulent, persistent. B/c of decades of misuse on the part of the medical world, consumer industry and patients, more and strains are becoming more difficult to combat and with a few, impossible to fight with what we have today.

 

I never take antibiotics. I haven't needed to, but I know that in time, I'll catch something that my body won't simply fight off w/o some help.

 

Just use it judiciously. If a doctor tells you have a viral disorder and prescribes antibiotics, he's patronizing you, over-prescribing or a hack. If you do, use as prescribed.

 

Babolat,

 

Did he do a culture? How does he know to prescribe an antibiotic? It most likely is bacterial in nature, but viruses and fungi also cause sinus issues.

[dichotomy]

Love them.

[gaius]

Once they stopped coming in pink liquid form and tasting like bubble gum I stopped taking them.

[Babolat]

Babolat,

 

Did he do a culture? How does he know to prescribe an antibiotic? It most likely is bacterial in nature, but viruses and fungi also cause sinus issues.

 

Nope, asked me a lot of questions, checked my ears, my nose, listened to my breathing then said "You have a sinus infection".

 

I got the antibiotics, though I am not taking them.

 

Using the Nedi Pot, steams, Mucinex DM and started Sudafed yesterday. Feeling a lot better today.

[Babolat]

OP, IMO, if you just came off six weeks of a heavy duty drug like Cipro, and have experienced joint pain uncharacteristic in your experience.

 

It may not have been six weeks, it was 1 bottle then 2 refills. My best guess is 30 days. It was for prostititis. Only "cure" is antibiotics. They still do not know the true source of prostititis, 50% of men will get it though. Mine would not go away on it's own after 3+ months of trying. He tried 1 round of Cipro, I still had symptons, did a 2nd round, better but he wanted one more round to make sure "we" got it. We did.

 

I saw an ortho for the new pain on the top of both of my hands. I talked to him about the Cipro, he said "maybe", he will never know. They started hurting one day after Mountain Biking, about 3 weeks into the Cipro, which I do regularly. Now I cannot do a bicep curl in the gym, it hurs to even pull my seat belt across my chest and wash my hair.

 

I then talked to the Dr who prescribed the Cipro to tell him about my hand pain, and he said "Yes, we are starting to see side effects like this with Cipro". I wish he would have told me prior! He said their are alternatives should I get this again.

 

The hands are getting better, slowly. I did Yoga last night and they are both tender this morning, but not as bad as a few weeks ago.

 

I'm pissed about the Cipro as I am working hard on my diet. I have cut out Milk, White Flour, slowy cutting out sugar, and I eat 80%+ organic foods, and as close to raw food as I can. I take high quality supplements and I take care of my body. Then this darn antibiotic!

Edited December 6, 2013 by Babolat

[Eternal Sunshine]

I love them.

 

I recently had strep throat and felt like I was going to die. Fever, chills, couldn't swallow, weak, nauseated. Got some antibiotics and within 48 hours I was back to the gym.

 

I had no problem taking them because strep is a bacteria and can turn nasty if left untreated. But if I have normal cold/flu I usually do nothing and it goes away. It all depends how sick I feel. On average I don't take antibiotics more than once a year..

[MidwestUSA]

Once they stopped coming in pink liquid form and tasting like bubble gum I stopped taking them.

 

Oh yes! Combined with the delightful orange baby aspirin. It's a wonder we all lived!

 

Babo: it's indeed odd that he kept you on Cipro rather than switching to a different Abx. That would have been my course of action; not everything works the same for everyone.

[Babolat]

Oh yes! Combined with the delightful orange baby aspirin. It's a wonder we all lived!

 

Babo: it's indeed odd that he kept you on Cipro rather than switching to a different Abx. That would have been my course of action; not everything works the same for everyone.

 

Are you a Dr? Or, did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

[Babolat]

I love them.

 

I recently had strep throat and felt like I was going to die. Fever, chills, couldn't swallow, weak, nauseated. Got some antibiotics and within 48 hours I was back to the gym.

 

I had no problem taking them because strep is a bacteria and can turn nasty if left untreated. But if I have normal cold/flu I usually do nothing and it goes away. It all depends how sick I feel. On average I don't take antibiotics more than once a year..

 

I use to get strep throat all the time as a kid. It was like an annual event for me then.

 

I am trying as hard as I can to keep any and all meds out of this body!

[MidwestUSA]

Are you a Dr? Or, did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

 

Just a nurse who likes to play doctor!

[Babolat]

Just a nurse who likes to play doctor!

 

A bet hubby likes that on role playing night! I couldn't resist!

[thefooloftheyear]

I have never taken an antibiotic in my life(at least my adult life)...I dont think I have ever had the flu and if I get a cold, they never last more than 48 hrs or so...

 

I havent had a cold in probably 3 years-and I have a stress filled life and am around sick people all the time..I cant say that its because I dont "treat" colds, but whatever I am doing seems to be working fine, so *shrug*...

 

YMMV

 

TFY