took one dose of antibiotic when I should have. should I keep taking it?

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styoung.usenet@gmail.com - 02 Jan 2007 06:56 GMT

I've had a sinus infection or cold or something for the past two
months. I keep going back to my doctor, who has suggested various drugs
(sudafed, clairitin, guaifenesin, cough suppressants) but seemed
reluctant to perscribe antibiotics until he had exhausted all other
possibilities. He also suggested wiping polysporin on a q-tip, and
sticking it up my nose. This gave me a sneezing fit that lasted ten
minutes.

I was feeling fed up with him and was having a lot of trouble sleeping.
I happened to have 6 doses of Cipro lying around, which is enough for 3
days, so I figured I would just take that. I took one this morning.

Then I did some internet research, and found this group's FAQ. I get
the impression I should be irrigating my sinuses (among other things),
so I'll try that.

What should I do about the Cipro? The faq says it would take 2-6 weeks
of antibiotics to cure a sinus infection, and I only have 3 days worth
of my ill-gotten Cipro. Is it better to stop after half a day, or to
stop after 3 days? Or should I make a point of going and getting enough
antibiotics for a full two week course now that I've taken one dose?

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styoung.usenet@gmail.com - 02 Jan 2007 09:43 GMT

The subject line is missing a "not". It should read, "took one dose of
antibiotic when I shouldn't have. Should I keep taking it?"

> I've had a sinus infection or cold or something for the past two
> months. I keep going back to my doctor, who has suggested various drugs
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> stop after 3 days? Or should I make a point of going and getting enough
> antibiotics for a full two week course now that I've taken one dose?

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judy.n - 02 Jan 2007 13:31 GMT

Polysporin on a q-tip is not a great idea: it's based in a petroleum
base, and unsafe for use if it could be aspirated. The safe topical
nasal antibiotic is bactroban--it's base becomes essentially water.
Also, polysporin is triple antibiotic--neomycin, polymycin and
bacitracin-- and they are frequently topically sensitizing.

As you may know, there's been a push to withhold antibiotics, but after
two months, it seems like you've waited long enough.

3 days of cipro isn't like enough to make a profound difference, but
you could come clean with your MD--especially if you noticed that the
medication helped--and tell him it was a holiday weekend and you are at
your wit's end, and you found some relief with the antibiotic (if you
did) and could he prescribe a 14 day course for you.

Good luck. Ironically, if you went to an urgent visit, more than likely
you'd get antibiotics.
Judy

> The subject line is missing a "not". It should read, "took one dose of
> antibiotic when I shouldn't have. Should I keep taking it?"
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> > stop after 3 days? Or should I make a point of going and getting enough
> > antibiotics for a full two week course now that I've taken one dose?

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Steven L. - 03 Jan 2007 13:42 GMT

If at all possible, find another doctor who will be more responsive.
Any physician who would keep treating sinus symptoms for 2 months
without either trying long courses of antibiotics or investigating the
root cause (or both) is not a doctor I would continue to go to.

I would stop taking the Cipro for now, even though that's hard. It
might temporarily reduce (but not eliminate) the symptoms to the point
that when you see another doctor, he'll say "You seem fine to me" and
then you'll be right back where you started from.

What you need is an accurate diagnosis, not more pills. Find another
doctor.

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