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I had cellulitis 2 months in my toe and went to the pharmacist. And he prescribed 5 day course of antibiotics. I am 67.

Last year I spoke to the nurse at my surgery as I had thrush, the only time I'd ever had it other than once when I was pregnant, but I knew the symptoms. She told me to go to the pharmacy and ask for something or other, but I tried three different pharmacies and they each said the same - not to over 60s without a prescription - I was 63! The nurse had no idea of this rule!

Sasta thank you for highlighting this age group . I know for a fact this service was set up years ago here in Scotland mainly for young children and if the pharmacist couldn’t treat a certain condition they they would refer the child on to see a doctor but I was unaware it only goes up to age 64. What a load of rubbish your pharmacist could have at least been more sympathetic and given you better and immediate advise to alleviate your condition until you could see a doctor, I think I’ll be lobbying for change here to increase this age limit. Take care

Ladies a preventative measure I found out years ago to prevent a UTI is to double void when you pee, ie have your pee then shoogle or shake around or stand up and p again this gets rid of any undue urine left in the bladder Try it, nothing ventured nothing gained.

I reckon it is high time these bits and pieces of health advice issued by the various healthcare quangos/government stopped regarding those “'over 60” as a different species and gave clear, concise messages out about these services- such as they are.
I presume though that these think pharmacy soundbite messages are really meant to reduce GP appointments in the working/prescription paying population.

All the same if you are sure you have a UTI then there should be some temporary relief available to buy without the pharmacist breaking any rules.

Catterygirl

A GP gave me antibiotics for a UTI infection about 10 years ago and warned me that it wouldn’t clear it completely. He told me to purchase D-Manose. I did and keep renewing it in the medicine cupboard just in case. When it’s out of date, it goes in the bin to be replaced by a new one. A little expensive as it’s not available on the NHS. Never had a UTI since. Best advice ever. I have advised so many friends to try it and they have repeated UTIs but because it’s not available on the NHS they are too scared to try buying online. I understand but my GP practically begged me to buy it.

Excellent advice. However as it is a sugar and can raise blood sugar (which will also encourage the bacteria) it is not suitable for diabetics.

A different problem but I have sinusitis. I’ve been struggling with it for 3 weeks. The hot weather hasn’t helped. I called the GP surgery at 8am but was told that sinusitis is now dealt with at the pharmacy although the one attached to the surgery doesn’t provide this service. I went to another pharmacy who does. They offered me a nasal spray which I declined as I’ve already tried that. I asked for antibiotics and he said no. I went to another nearby pharmacy. Had a quick chat with a very kind pharmacist and have just come home with antibiotics!

Whiff

I had cellulitis 2 months in my toe and went to the pharmacist. And he prescribed 5 day course of antibiotics. I am 67.

I realised, after posting that it is only the UTIs that the pharmacist can't help over 64s with Whiff. I posted the list of what they can do further up.

It’s only UTIs and thrush that they cannot prescribe for in the over 65s

I found this out the hard way when I got a UTI at the weekend

Yes, this happened to me last year. I thought i had a UTI , but because i was 71, they said they couldnt help. I had to go to the doctors and got antibiotics, but getting an appointment is the problem.

I couldn’t purchase Canestan at the Tesco pharmacy as when asked my age they said the age restriction that this post is about - and said I’d have to see my Gp…I purchased on Amazon as I’ve suffered Thrush for years and knew the symptoms and recovered the same as previously …

Thank you, I wasn’t aware of the age restrictions. Infections can be quite scary, glad you have recovered.

My local pharmacy won't allow women 60 and over to buy Canesten in any form in case your thrush is a sign of something more serious, you have to see your Gp. I came home and ordered it from Amazon 🙄🙄

Is that UK wide or just England?

Patsy70

Thank you for this information Sasta. I recently called into my surgery to ask for a ‘health check’, as it was a few years since I’d had one. I was told that I wasn’t eligible as I’m over 74! I consider it discrimination against older people.

I had my first health check a year or so ago, never been invited for one before and was told then that because of my age I wouldn't be invited again!

Chemist also can't sell Canestan to over 64s. I was advised to pick some up off the shelf and take to another counter! Go figure!

Hi, I think this is just for the UTI prescription. I had a bout of thrush some months ago and tried to get canestan pessaries and was told the same. I don't think it applies to other forms of illness. I just went to another chemist and said it was for my daughter! took it - no problem

BlueBelle

I totally agree Welbeck why would you take that chance Sasta when you had been advised to ring 111
You were lucky to get the antibiotics so quickly from your GP the next morning you should have taken the pharmacists advice and rung 111

Had a nasty fall and rather than bother the ambulance service, I called 111 to see where I could go for help. Took them 40 minutes to answer and then told me they would hang up unless I could tell them my location postcode!!

Niece called them and they told her she would get a doctor call back within 4 hours - 3 days later still nothing. She took herself to A&E (on the advice of the ambulance driver who came out when she called 999)

Excellent idea pointing that out as most would probably find out the same way you did!

Yes that happened to me away from home and looking after my young grandchildren. Consequently when I finally reached home a week later I was on antibiotics for a month. I couldn’t clear it.

Thanks very much for the heads up regarding the age limit. I'm not a stranger to UTIs. In a mature woman there could be all sorts of reasons - fistula, prolapse . The infection, if left untreated, can go to your kidneys and yes, sepsis is possible. I don't love taking antibiotics and have been able to cut down my bouts of infection using other methods - including Ovestin, a cream inserted in the vagina to replace hormones which can cause the UTI. I knew none of this before my first mature UTI. Oh the pain! Hard to explain it to a GP - especially a guy. I drink three times the water I used to. I take cranberry extract tablets; more concentrated than juice although the jury is still out on cranberry. I take a high strength probiotic to improve the gut balance.
Most important tip I have is - get a "just in case" prescription of antibiotics from your GP in case you are afflicted on holiday or can't get to the GP etc. First, try a few sachets of potassium citrate (like Cystopurin) and/or a few glasses of water with paracetamol. I find it can help stave off a threatening infection. I hope it's okay that I wandered off the main topic but this might help someone.

I had a UTI last week and was given antibiotics from the pharmacist. I'm 66 and live in Scotland.

I had a similar experience locally. I went to see our pharmacy with ear ache, only to be told that they can only treat children with ear ache and I would need a GP appointment. No reason given.

Brought thrush cream and internal thrush cream with my online boots order no problem..

I did buy the cream and soft gel pessary from boots store last year . Big mistake the pessary is large and brown wouldn't stay in the holder in the end had to put it in myself . I would say it's only for women who had vaginal deliveries and regular intercourse . Had c sections and been widowed for 21.5 years . If you use this make sure you put a liner in your pants and I couldn't get the brown stain out of my knickers.