Quick question for the GPs, pls

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Stumpy Jun 2011 1:44pm, 3 Jun 2011 12,705 posts	0 Stumpy why does she think the antib's are too strong and what makes her think they shouldn't be taken with the other meds? if the ulcer is infected, she needs to take something for it. as the GPs would be able to say with far more assurance, it's very common for a patient of advancing years to be on multiple meds. i hope you manage to get it resolved. xxx
JohnnyO Jun 2011 1:45pm, 3 Jun 2011 8,814 posts	0 JohnnyO If the statins were causing muscle problems then it is not unreasonable to stop them. Stopping antibiotics for a documented infection is not wise. They are almost certainly not 'too strong'. The terminology used to describe drugs to patients is often simplified by doctors. This leads patients to worry that they are taking 'strong' medication where they are actually taking 'broad spectrum' medication or 'medication with a high bioavailability and good tissue penetrance'. The hospital doctor should and probably did make sure there weren't any potential interactions, but pharmacy would definitely have checked before dispensing. The GP will also be aware.
HellsBells Jun 2011 1:49pm, 3 Jun 2011 7,937 posts	0 HellsBells there is a potential interaction between erythromycin and statins that people tend to forget about, but our computer prescribing system flags it up if you try to generate an erythro script for a patient on statins, and if she's not taking the statins anyway then it's not an issue to be honest it sounds as though the prescribing is perfectly reasonable and that there's more of a communication issue
PaulaMc Jun 2011 1:49pm, 3 Jun 2011 1,334 posts	0 PaulaMc thanks guys, that's helpful MiL is very bloody minded hipps, and an ex-nurse (although many many moons ago) and she's convinced she knows best! the thing that's bothering us right now is the level of confusion she's experiencing, particularly in the night/early mornings, sometimes verging on hallucinations and causing FiL and SiL a lot of grief. SiL seems to think it might be the strong anti-bs, but as MiL hasn't taken them for almost a week I can't see how it can be. i'm hoping that having the blood tests on monday will help to reassure her that she is being checked thoroughly and she'll calm down a bit. she also has a muscle examination scheduled for tuesday to see if there is any actual damage or if it's just wastage. sad to see a vibrant woman reduced to her current state so quickly (just six months), but we're hopeful that she'll turn a corner soon.
JohnnyO Jun 2011 1:51pm, 3 Jun 2011 8,815 posts	0 JohnnyO Very few antibiotics can cause confusion, as far as I recall. (All my patients are unconscious though). Hope you get her sorted out.
plodding hippo Jun 2011 2:00pm, 3 Jun 2011 34,625 posts	0 plodding hippo except for ciprofloxacin Johnny but unlikely to be the anti bs is she has been off them a week Id be more inclined to blame the painkillers Or uncontrolled infection
JohnnyO Jun 2011 2:03pm, 3 Jun 2011 8,820 posts	0 JohnnyO I'd blame the anaesthetist. Most people do.
Stumpy Jun 2011 2:06pm, 3 Jun 2011 12,706 posts	0 Stumpy LOL, Johnny has she got a fever? as hipps says, the infection could be the problem causing confusion.
plodding hippo Jun 2011 2:06pm, 3 Jun 2011 34,626 posts	0 plodding hippo she hasnt seen one yet! Paula, that sounds dire, so I do hope she is under a good hozzie specialist