Should I stop the antibiotics?

[tigwig]

I have had a sore throat and ear ache since last Sat which got worse and worse. By Tues I was in so much pain I eventually went to the docs (I put it off before as I have only had antibiotics a few weeks before and wanted to avoid having them again so soon) and was told it was bacterial tonsilitis. I was prescribed some antibiotics (eurethromycin) and solpadol for the pain after I requested it. Since taking the med I have felt very sick, hardly been eating and had mild stomach cramps. I only took the strong pain relief on an evening and not through the day as it made me feel dizzy. I have no idea which med is making me feel like this so today I have had nothing but the antibiotics. I still have a mild sore throat and ear ache but feel better in myself and am beginning to eat again. Now I have worse stomach cramps and think its the antibiotics! If I stop them though I'm worried I will get ill again.

[boxtops]

No, you shouldn't stop any anitbiotic in mid-course, you should always finish them off. I do agree though, some do that to me - erythromycin in particular goes straight through me. The doc will be there today (despite the strike) if it's urgent.

[sue11]

Boxtops has given the sensible answer! However I had a similar situation when I suffered from a severe kidney infection. Antibiotics seemed to clear most of it but I was suffering from stomach cramps and a slight fever and I stopped taking the antibiotics before I had finished the course. As soon as I did this, the stomach cramps stopped and I felt completely fine. If you think that most of the infection has cleared you are probably okay to stop them, but to be on the safe side you could phone NHS direct who are normally pretty helpful with things like this.
Hope you feel better soon, I have also suffered with an ear infection it was horrible so I can sympathise with how bad you must have been feeling!
Sue

[rowanwitch]

So you have only taken them for 2 days if I have read your post correctly nowhere near long enough but if they are making you feel really rubbish phone your GP practice and talk to one of the doctors as they might be able to prescribe something different

[Sqad]

Well, sorry to be swimming in the wrong direction, but Erythromycin has a bad reputation for side effects and i would stop them.

The earache is nothing to do with infection in the ear, but referred pain from your tonsillitis.

Keep on with the analgesics.

[Sqad]

P.S In the vast majority of cases of bacterial tonsillitis, antibiotics are not required and certainly Erythromycin wouldn't be my antibiotic of choice.

[tigwig]

Right I have spoken to surgery and they told me to go in so I've got an appointment even when they're striking lol. I am classed as allergic to penicillin as I had a mystery rash when taking it 33yrs ago so I've never been given it since. Just to clear up the ear infection bit, I realise they hurt because of the tonsilitis and its not a seperate infection. However I was on the same antibioitics less than a month ago because of another infection I had which means I have had 2 seperate courses of med very close together which makes me wonder if thats why I am having a bad reaction now?

[tigwig]

The doc agrees with you Sqad. Told me to stop taking them and prescribed some throat spray for the pain (if needed).

[Sqad]

Thanks for the feedback.