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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 When it’s out of date, it goes in the bin to be replaced by a new one.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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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

So, I've looked on the NHS website, having previously only heard about pharmacists offering this service in tv ads. It looks like the UTI's are a specific issue in those over 64, ie if I'd gone with sinusitis, he could have helped. The pharmacist said 'we are licensed to prescribe for 16-64 only' but he didn't clarify that was only UTIs. I understand now. At least this might highlight to anybody who didn't know. This is the list online:
Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
shingles (aged 18 years and over)

I 100% agree in retrospect I should have called 111 earlier from the store, it was irresponsible and stupid. I thought they'd say go to A&E and after my last visit, where I sat for 15 hours solid waiting to be seen, I simply couldn't face it. Plus the temp didn't get bad until much later by which time the I felt so ill I wasn't myself. Lame excuse but that's it, and a lesson learned.

I was googling how to prevent it and found info on D-Manose Catterygirl. I've found it at Holland and Barrett. Thank you for the advice and assurance it helps.

Were these perhaps prescription meds he normally has prepared by that pharmacy regularly Aveline?

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.

You are right Oldnproud and I was refused Chloraphenicol for conjunctivitis at Boots because of my age

If I remember correctly, there is a similar age limit (or possibly even younger, maybe 60?) on buying thrush treatments without prescription.

I knew about this rule. Such a shame as we don't want to bother our Go unnecessarily. I went to my local pharmacy and asked the pharmacist if he could look in my ears as they were very itchy inside. He said unfortunately they had been told they couldn't do it for an adult only those under a certain age. I asked the nurse at the GPs when I went for my annual checkup as it was in a few days. She said she hadnt heard of that rule but I've just looked on the NHS site and unfortunately, he is correct.

Glad you got help bluebell, I had a nasty sore throat

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

Yes I did know this. It is in the NHS information page.
But why didn't you ring 111 as advised by the pharmacist esp as you mentioned sepsis possibly.
That would have got you what you needed before nightfall.

Luluaugust I had antibiotics for a poisonous toe off the pharmacist and I m 80 it’s just that urine infections can be more complex in older woman

They won’t prescribe for water infections in older women you have to see or have contact through email with a GP
They can prescribe any age for other things though but urine infections can be more problematic for older women

The pharmacist was doing it correctly Sasta

I find this is a problem even if you just want to check any minor problem. I am always told to go to the GP.

Thank you for the information snd so sorry you had to go through it all. I’m 73!

I had a UTI last year and my local pharmacist checked my records and prescribed anti biopics, great Swift and efficient service.

Whilst visiting Cornwall earlier this year I had a UTI and the pharmacist said he could only prescribe for under 64 (I’m not) I had to ring 111 and they could give me a phone call in 12 hours time or I could go to the Minor Injuries unit.

I went to MIU waited 4 hours and received the prescription. I really don’t know how the system works.

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 knew about this age restriction for UTIs as I was directed to my surgery by the pharmacist a few years ago. There is a reason for it but I will have to check what it is.

Just checked. Pharmacists can prescribe for the over 65s but it depends on their individual qualifications.