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I Have Been Taking Antibiotics Since Early August. It Started
Question: I have been taking antibiotics since early August. It started with an UTI and then a day later I had allergy symptoms so took an allergy pills. I do have a tendency to spring and fall allergies. Then the next day I had a sore throat where it was some difficulty to swallow some foods. So I got a prescription ( amoxicillin) for ten days. After I had completed the prescription the symptoms came back (sore throat, low energy, slight headache). So it has been repeated total of 5 times, and the last two being doxyscycline hyalite. They sent blood work for mono and that was negative. The pharmacist is concerned about the amount of antibiotics.
Brief Answer:
prolonged use of antibiotics with non-specific symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Gann, and welcome to Ask A Doctor. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Let's go back to your UTI. Do you still have symptoms(burning, pain while urinating, frequency)?
Have you given the doctor a follow-up urine specimen
after completing the treatment for UTI? Do you know the results?
I agree with your pharmacist regarding the length of time you have been taking antibiotics. Not only do antibiotics have side effects, but you are taking them without having a diagnosis.
For example, low energy can be from:
-anemia
-depression
-inadequate sleep
-kidney disease
-hay fever(nasal allergies)
With your episodes of sore throat, was your throat
cultured? The culture would be to determine if your sore throat is from the Strep germ. If the culture were negative for Strep, you would not need to take an antibiotic.
I don't have the impression that when you see the doctor you get a full examination. I feel strongly this is what you need. A doctor who can spend time with you to discuss your symptoms in more detail.
Do you have additional questions? I will gladly help.
Arnold Zedd, MD
prolonged use of antibiotics with non-specific symptoms
Detailed Answer:
Hello Ms. Gann, and welcome to Ask A Doctor. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Let's go back to your UTI. Do you still have symptoms(burning, pain while urinating, frequency)?
Have you given the doctor a follow-up urine specimen
after completing the treatment for UTI? Do you know the results?
I agree with your pharmacist regarding the length of time you have been taking antibiotics. Not only do antibiotics have side effects, but you are taking them without having a diagnosis.
For example, low energy can be from:
-anemia
-depression
-inadequate sleep
-kidney disease
-hay fever(nasal allergies)
With your episodes of sore throat, was your throat
cultured? The culture would be to determine if your sore throat is from the Strep germ. If the culture were negative for Strep, you would not need to take an antibiotic.
I don't have the impression that when you see the doctor you get a full examination. I feel strongly this is what you need. A doctor who can spend time with you to discuss your symptoms in more detail.
Do you have additional questions? I will gladly help.
Arnold Zedd, MD
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Answered by
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