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J9, i need your help! & any others too!

Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
ok i have a bit of a dilemma. for about 10 days ive had a really bad sore throat, i was off all last week with one thing and another, and thats been there all the time. i finally went to the docs today (felt too ill last week and h8 em) and he told me i had toncilitis. hes given me all these antibiotics to take 4 times a day, 30 mins before food. basically i have 3 concerns:

1) its a hassle organising my tablets and times of meals, i tend to snack!

2) i coudl get resistant to them and if i get like bacterial meningitis or something like that in the future, antibiotics might not be as effective

3) a more immediate problem, im on the pill. and after prising the info out of my doc, he told me i have to use "other methods" until afterwards. which is a slight prob as my boyf cant use condoms as ive said before, and what else is there?? and im seeing him this weekend and i havent seen him since before i was ill, which was a while ago, and we're so used to having the pill and not having to worry about it and so it would be really difficult to sleep in the same bed and be totally civilised!!

so basically, i was wondering, how did you make that tea tree mouthwash you said you used? it was for toncillitis wasnt it? i have a small bottle of tea tree oil from superdrug, althogh its dilute, not sure how much by, its one of those little green bottles you get. would that do? i could get hold of some more, its just that i really dont wanna take these pills and i would prefer to do it the natural way. how long did it takae you to get over it?

id appreciate your help!!!

(and any other helpful peeps too of course <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

thanks,

GFM

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Girl-From-Mars:


    2) i coudl get resistant to them and if i get like bacterial meningitis or something like that in the future, antibiotics might not be as effective


    You can't get resistant to antibiotics, you know. The problem is that some bacteria can get resistant to the antibiotics. So don't worry about meningitis - different bacteria and different drugs involved.

    Also, docs almost never hand out antibiotics for sore throats because most of them are caused by viruses. Antibiotics don't work on viruses. So I guess your doc thinks it's fairly serious. Maybe you should just take the pills.

    If you do take the pills, remember to finish the course - that's one thing that definitely makes bacteria more likely to become resistant.

    Hope you get well soon!

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hi there,

    Just a quick note about the pill not working. If the condom problem is an allergy, most big chemists sell special allergy condoms. If it is the size/shape of the condom that is the problem, try a condom such as Durex Gold or Durex Comfort, which are specially shaped.

    Otherwise, the simplest solution is just to avoid penetrative sex for a week. If you're really ill you probably won't feel like it anyway. <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If u got antibiotics from the doctor TAKE THEM!!!

    I get soo much shit about it from my mum cos she works at the doctors.

    Antibiotics r not given out all the time now they're only given out where they need... follow the exact instructions on the packet n they'll kill the bugs if not they wont kill the bugs and then immunities happen.

    U really got to take them if u've got them. If u dont want them n havnt taken n e, take them back to the doctors and tell him. If u've started the course u GOT to finish it!

    Otherwise it wont just b u who becomes resistant it's the whole bacteria strain n n e 1 who catches it from u. which will happen, without killing it totally with antibiotics, even if u get over it then they'll b more resisitant too.
  • Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
    I havent started taking them yet, i know about them becomign resistant. i do A level biology and we've talked about it, i knew the bacteria became resistant and not me, i just had a momentary lapse in my confusion! but t hanks for your advice everyone.

    and yes, i know about sore throats being caused by viruses, he just had a quick look and said there were a couple of bacterial white spots and it was prob caused by a virus and the bacteria just took over.

    i dont feel ill anymore, just my throat sore, i was ill all last week but feel a lot better now apart from the sore throat and a bit of a cough. and karla, it wasnt actually an allergy on the times weve tried them, i think its more psychological. and before peopel tell me about it being a usual excuse of blokes, its not, we've been together for over a year and hes just not like that, he definitely didnt force me to go on the pill, it was totally my idea, and we have tried using condoms about 4 or so times,a nd the same thing happened each time. i guess if there are no alternatives to the pesky bugs, ill just have to take the pills and try the condoms again..........

    quite ironic you're giving health advice about prescripton drugs daze...! <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/wink.gif"&gt;
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Is it simply that your boyfriend finds putting the buggers on a real turn off - I know I had the same problem, practice and you get used to it.

    If it's the size, shape or feel then like Karla said, try some different varieties - it really does make a difference.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Sorry I'm late!!

    Anyway, as I was saying before my computer rudely crashed.

    I agree with Daze, if you have been prescribed antibiotics, then it is best to take them. I would never advise anyone not to take what the doctor had prescribed.

    I prefer to stay away from anti-biotics, but if they had been prescribed I would have taken them. I didn't actually go to the doctor last time I had toncilitis. I started using the tea-tree mouth wash as soon as I noticed the tell tale white spots on the toncills.

    Here are my opinions, but I'll put my mouthwash recipe at the bottom.

    1) When I (or any member of our family) are prescribed anti-biotics I always do a search on the net.

    I find out as much I can, especially contra-indications (sp), dietry instructions, contraceptive advice.

    If the instructions say "to be taken 30 minutes before meals" it may mean that you take them on an empty stomach? You should ring the pharmacist or your GP & ask them why. Their answer might give you a little lee-way.

    2) As RedEd saiys, it's the bacteria that become immune. If you start the course, you have to finish it even if your throat gets better. This is the most common known reason for multi-resistant staphs. The short dose of anti-biotics is almost like a vaccine to the bacteria!

    3) Well, you've got a few solutions - just don't go for penetration, there's plenty else you can do.

    Or, have you tried the femidom. You could get one now & practice using it, or you could just get one & have fun practicing together <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

    I think you'd be too late to get a cap or a diaphragm, but you can always ring up the practice & find out.


    For the tea-tree mouth wash you need to start with pure essential oil. Shouldn't cost more than £2.75 that's the highest price I've seen it.

    I've never used pre-diluted oils, you never know exactly what concentration you've got, or exactly what the carrier oil consists of.

    Check first to make sure you don't have an allergy (unless you already know). You could use the diluted oil for this, just put a bit on your skin. If you use neat oil, just wipe a cotton wool bud that has a drop or two on, over a small patch of skin. Check it for a few hours.

    anyway - boil some water & in a jug (or something like it) that can take boiling water, put a good table spoon of honey & 4 or 5 drops of pure essential tea-tree oil. Pour on about a pint of water stirring all the time. The water should be boiled, but only needs to be warm enough to melt & dissolve the honey. leave it to cool for a while & add enough lemon juice to balance the honey.

    Stir it well & gargle every now & then. DO NOT SWALLOW THE MOUTHWASH.

    You can keep it in the fridge, I have no idea for how long, I usually make fresh roughly every three days just to be on the safe side, but I expect that the tea-tree would allow you to keep it longer. Always mix it well b4 you gargle or you might get all the oil one go (it floats).

    I can't remember how long it took last time, but I remember saying, if it doesn't go by ** days, then I'm going to see the doctor.

    So, why not use both the anti-biotics, as they have been prescribed, and the tea-tree.

    I hope you enjoy your weekend, whatever you do.

    <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;
    j9


    [This message has been edited by j9j9 (edited 06-12-2000).]
  • Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
    thanks for replying very comprehensively J9!

    firstly, JB, yeah it is that, its kind of soul destroying when that happens and sort of ruins the night and we both get kind of quiet and upset. which would you recommend?? i cant remember what we tried last time, mates something or other i think, from a machine!

    I'll ring up the pharmacy tomorrow J9, or this NHS direct phone line that give advice confidentially, which can be helpful. i wouldnt have gone to the docs, although it was getting a bit of a pain having a sore throat for 10 days.. and im sure you know what parents are like! well i dont think ill bother with the femidom, i can imagine that wouldnt be much fun either! i guess we can survive for the weekend *big sigh*...

    also, we dont have any honey, would syrup do?!?! lol.. i could try that. maybe if i get some pure tea tree oil tomorrow (im not allergic) then i could try that for a few days, and then i could just take the antibiotics anyway, maybe on saturday or sunday.. at least we'd have friday night! hehe... i'll have to take a great big supply of all the drugs and stuff i need to take!

    but thank you for your advice, i will see what i can do about the tea tree and dont worry, i wont stop the antibiotics half way through! <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    yup, syrup will do, it's just to mask the flavour of the tea-tree really. Don't put either the honey or lemon if you can take it.

    If your not going to use honey, the best way to get the oil to mix in well is to dissolve it in a teaspoon of vodka or milk before you put it in the water, but if you use milk, don't keep it for more than that day.

    I always dissolve oils into a medium like that b4 putting them in the bath too. It stops the oil from floating & coming in direct contact with the skin.

    j9
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hmmm... to be honest we didn't find any we preferred _that_ much - we tend to do the same as you because she's on the pill and we've never slept with anyone else. We tend to use Durex, and we've tried most of them <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; Can't remember which off hand will ask my gf tomorrow (she's in France, so it's an hour later there). Could try the ones Karla said above, or the femidom like j9 suggested. You don't get much variety from machines, so if you're shy buying them just put them in with other stuff when you go shopping.

    If u use the femidom you'll have to practise with that a bit at first, can be fiddly (equally can be fun, get him to put it in). We've generally found we both prefer the feel of the femidom as well.

    Best thing is just to practice together so you can do it quickly and painlessly when needed. <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; Good luck.
  • Girl-From-MarsGirl-From-Mars Posts: 2,822 Boards Guru
    Ok J9, i'll ring up the chemist tomorrow about the food thing, then i'll do the tea tree thing too and see how it goes for a day or two then prob take the anti b's anyway. lol i could get drunk too if i use it with vodka! nah i wouldnt swallow it, i dont like vodka that much (was made to drink shots of it for my 18th!)

    yeah its the same with us JB, first boyfriend/girlfriend so once i got the courage to talk to my mum about the pill, we gave up on the condoms! actually, he got given a talk about health today and got given a condom! might come in handy... i'll get him to get some tomorrow, i got the last lot and i do have to take the pill every day, his turn!! i bought a pregnancy test for my m8 once coz she was too embarrassed, so if i had to buy condoms it wouldnt be so bad. but id appreciate it if you found out which ones were best, think we'll give femidom a miss, bit more expensive and as you say, fiddly, and we wont be using them the rest of the time.

    but thanks for everyone's advice <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; everyone's so helpful and at least a few people always seem to have exactly the right info (usually J9!). glad i found this place! <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Originally posted by Girl-From-Mars:

    but thanks for everyone's advice <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt; everyone's so helpful and at least a few people always seem to have exactly the right info. glad i found this place! <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

    Well, we try, don't we guys. <IMG alt="image" alt="image" SRC="http://www.thesite.org/ubb/smile.gif"&gt;

    j9

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