Should I take the antibiotics?

[belfie]

6 weeks ago I had gastro bad enough to put me in hossie on a drip. Then 4 weeks ago I got a cold, and it's just persisted and persisted. Not really bad but just enough to make me feel tired and crappy all the time. Finally I'm feeling worse again, so went to the doc today. I keep getting sinusy headaches, feeling exhausted and horrible persistent dry cough which has really worsened the last day or two.

He listens to my chest and says well it's not a chest infection but you might as well take some antibiotics anyway, rest etc. Wouldn't even give me a medical certificate for work tomorrow...so dunno how I'm supposed to rest for the other days of the week running around after my 20m.o.! I'm not sure if I should take the antibiotics, but I'm also wondering why he didn't bother checking my ears, throat etc?? Surely there's other things he could check in a PG woman who complains of feeling crap for weeks on end?!?!?! I know I feel like crap, so maybe the antibiotics can't hurt (apparently they're safe in PG), but I'm so p'd off at doctors just saying oh rest, but no medical certificate! Grrrrrr. Plus I'd told my obs the same thing on Tues and he didn't give a crap either! (do I need to find a female doc? haha). I guess I should probably just call in sick to work tomorrow but I've had sooo much time of work I guess I just wanted some validation. I don't think I should be feeling THIS crap at this stage of my PG.

Ok rant over. Would you take the antibiotics?
Thanks for listening
Belfie

[didispunk]

Yup and I did during this pregnancy, i felt totally fine knowing that they were Class A and totally safe..
make sure you are ok!! So you can grow healhty baby!!

[Michelle71]

Nope. Not because they aren't safe but because they are not needed unless there is a bacterial infection to be treated. Giving them *just because* is not a good enough reason for them to be prescribed. It increases your chances of developing thrush and an upset tummy among other things. I would (personally) call in sick tomorrow and see another doctor for a proper check. If it is viral, there is not much to do except rest, eat well and drink plenty of water. If it is bacterial then, definitely, take the antibiotics Your immune system is challenged during pregnancy so, unfortunately, you are likely to be sick for longer than you usually would. Even more of a challenge when you have another little person to look after as well.

[*Beema*]

I wouldn't take them, I am a firm believer that AB's are for specific bacterial infections where normal treatment doesn't work. We have been offered them a couple of times with DD each hospital visit, as she has had bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and she had ear infections at the same time, but they weren't that bad and they said we can give them and she will be feeling better in 36 hours or not and 48 hours and she will be feeling better, so we never bothered, we want to save them for when theya re really needed.

Can you get another opinion? TO check you more thoroughly?
Take care of yourself and I hope you get some releif soon xxoo

[Schmickers]

I agree with Michelle. They won't hurt the baby, but the symptoms you are describing sound very viral to me. 99% of ear nose and throat problems are. Which means the antibiotics won't work, and will probably give you thrush, diarrhoea, and make you feel generally that little bit crappier.

[belfie]

Thanks for all the responses & well wishes, it all helps

Well I'm tempted to go get another opinion tomorrow - as I agree that taking antibiotics unnecessarily is silly.
The thing that puzzles me... would it still be viral after 4 weeks? Or is it just a new cold meshing into the old cold? Or can you get a throat infection? Cos that's kinda what it feels like... that it's all down my throat (as well as just feeling generally crap). So annoyed I didn't make him check my throat... or would they just say it's viral if it's in your throat anyway?

[black_rose]

Sounds like what I have a horrible dry cough and a sore throat, my gp has told me to put up with it (in a nicer way!) because it's viral.

[*Beema*]

DH has a nasty bacterial infection in his throat at the moment and he is on AB's for that, the Dr told him off for leaving it for so long, but it really wasn't that bad until the night before he went in.

He can't swallow with put quite a bit of pain and is limited eating as he can't swallow anything coarse or rough, he feels very crap too DD and I have had it and are both at the end of it now but he got it a lot worse. I would definitely get another opinion I still can't believe that they didn't check your ears, throat????

[Michelle71]

Most tonsilitis is viral as opposed to bacterial and so are most throat *infections*. If there is no pus it is a virus (generally speaking). My viral symptoms (especially when pregnant ) seem to drag on - particularly the cough part which usually lasts for 6 weeks at least. A second opinion sounds like a good idea.

[belfie]

I still can't believe that they didn't check your ears, throat????

Lol I'm still kicking myself for not turning my brain on at the time and asking the same question! He spat me out so fast I didn't start thinking till afterwards!

[belfie]

Well I went back and got a second opinion from one of my regular drs (same clinic). was HEAPS better. Checked heart, lungs, ears, throat, glands, sinuses, blood pressure! Told me to take the week off and also convinced me to take the AB's as much because of the range of symptoms and how long it's been going on. Also did range of blood tests to check in case it's related to anything else (thyroid, random BSL, folate etc). Much better! Interestingly woke up at 3am with thumping earache too and still feeling crap this morning - so DS is at family daycare, and mummy is gonna be lazy!!!

Thanks again!

[*Beema*]

So glad you got another opinion, wow this Dr sounds like the complete opposite

Have a lovely lazy day, and hope they kick in soon and it is much better to take them if the Dr gives you a genuine reason for taking them, not just "because"

Hope you are feeling much better very soon xxoo