Is 3 days AB enough for a UTI?

Back in 2019, I had on-going UTI;s. Could only get to see a nurse at GP practice. she originally gave me 3 days ab's. Over next six weeks I had six different ab's prescribed by her. Spent one Saturday evening in local A&E I felt so ill., another Saturday evening at emergency out of hours GP doctor. At no time in that six weeks did If feel well. Sent letter demanding a referral to urologist, and once there it was discovered I had a growth in the bladder. At that point everything happened quickly and three weeks later that was removed. Have to have a yearly photo check up at hospital OP's to see if it has re-grown but no UTI's since then. I drink plenty and use twice a week an HRT pessary.

I've never heard of just a 3 day course of antibiotics for UTIs or anything.

I hope the extra five days work and get on top of the infection, Liz46, if not do persist.

I've had UTIs quite often, over the years. 3 day's supply never got rid of it, and I always had to have an extra prescription. The last time was a few weeks ago, and I had NITROFURANTOIN 100mg, once daily. I told the GP I'd need more than 3 days of it, but she said 3 days would be sufficient. It wasn't, and because the course ended on a Friday, I had to then have another 7 days' worth the following Monday.

Only personal anecdote, but every single person I know who has had three days of antibiotics has then required a further course. My medic dd almost always prescribes a five/seven day course for her patients.

Liz what a lovely thing to say thank you..

EkwaNimtee you must go back. You don't want kidney infections. Felt like I was being cut in half each time I had one and going to the loo was so painful made me shout. But funny enough never past any blood.

Liz46 your surgery sounds like ours no personal contact I hope your extra AB sort your problem out.

3 days is not long enough! I had a UTI just before going abroad last year and had just finished my 3 day's supply. Luckily my DDiL had some similar ones with her so let me take hers and they worked. I had to forgo alcohol and coffee for the rest of the stay.

I now have an oestrogen cream to apply which seems to prevent the UTIs. Good luck Liz . It's such a horrid thing to suffer from.

Whiff that was a useful and interesting post, thank you. I have been suffering like you did for the past year. Time to get back to the surgery who have been withholding antibiotics this time, though I am equally wary of taking so many as they do kill of your good bugs as well.
Liz46, thanks for your OP, I hope you are now sorted and are feeling better.

Well, the surgery have made a liar out of me. I sent in a patchs and a GP phoned me! She is prescribing another 5 days AB and sending me for a scan.

3 days is standard, with additional course if it does not work.

3 d

You have my sympathy - I had UTIs almost constantly a few years ago (78 now) and, reluctantly, I was on lots of antibiotics (mainly Nitrofurantoin, which gave me terrible headaches). We then moved house and I had a new GP who suggested I start on low dosage HRT for the UTIs. I was reluctant as I have never taken HRT, but equally I was so fed up with feeling under par. I’ve now been on low dosage HRT (pessaries) for some time and no UTIs. I drink lots of water and I also take DMannose tablets - 2 daily. Good luck!

Apologies, that should read an additional 3 days.

The antibiotic you were prescribed is the recommended one liz. A note in Februsry 2023 confirms a 3 day prescription for women but a 7 day course for me.

Just looked at current NICE guidelines. If I’ve interpreted them correctly current guidance is for an initial 3 day course of AB’s followed by an additional 4 days if symptoms remain.

Fortunately I’ve not had a urine infection for years, when I did it was always a 7 day prescription, it seems guidance has changed. A recent GP practice meeting included the information that AB’s are not now routinely prescribed for more than 5 days for any condition. Whether guidance or a decision for my GP practice wasn’t clear.

Going back to your dilemma liz, it’s definitely worth persevering. Hope you get a helpful response.

Kittylester - go back? We don’t see GPs but have computer messages or phone calls with nurses. When I took my sample in, I could see that the receptionists were run ragged. Our practice is the second worst in the area and we do need to change but it is a bit difficult at the moment.
Whiff, it was Nitrofurantoin that they gave me. If they had given me more than 3 days, I think I would be ok. You gave me some very good advice a few years ago and I haven’t forgotten x

I have loads of utis and usually get 4 days worth of abs. It does take me a few days longer to feel completely better but, if you are still getting up in the night, I would go back.

Can you change practices?

Liz46 how many days did they give you for antibiotics for? If it was only for 3 days then the UTI hasn't gone you need a 7 day course of antibiotics. Also UTIs can turn into kidney infections. I am talking from personal experience. Few years ago I had 8 months of recurring UTIs and kidney infections. I had 16 courses of antibiotics. Urine dip tests didn't show I had an infection only blood tests did. My GP had my urine tested and found only 2 antibiotics work on me. They are
Cefalexin 500mg 3 times a day for 7 days
And
Nitrofurantoin 100mg capsules twice a day for 7 days.

I saw an urologist who thinks I just had a bad infection that took lot of antibiotics to clear up. Ultra sound on my bladder and kidneys with a full and empty bladder showed both where healthy.

I usually drink 8-10 drinks a day when I kept on having the infections I upped my drinks to 12-14 a days. Which resulted in me lowering my sodium levels and folic acid levels to much. Had to have 3 month course of folic acid tablets..GP told me to stick to 8-10 drinks no more.

A nurse gave me a good tip . When on the toilet make sure your knees and hips are in line that way you empty your bladder and bowel completely. As I have an ease toilet looks like a normal toilet just taller because of disability. I put my feet on a toddler step to make sure my hips and knees are in line . Had my first UTI months ago in 2 years. My GP surgery is very good just phoned them and told them I had an UTI and which antibiotics work and needed 7 day course . Because I know what I am talking about they sent the prescription to the pharmacy and my tablets delivered few hours later.

Phone your GP as soon as they open also ask for a blood test for the reasons I have already said what happened to me. And ask for 7 day course of antibiotics.

Thank you. I’ll send a patchs in an hour’s time.

Our surgery is bad and I dread getting older and needing their help. When I went in last week, a lady in front of me was trying to get help for an 85 year old lady and it just wasn’t happening.

Just reread your title NO 3 days s not enough. I used to need a ten day course

Water infection (of which I used to have many) usually responds quickly to antibiotics but can take longer to completely get rid of especially if it’s been hanging around for a while without you realising it you may need a longer course of treatment I used to drink water with bicarbonate regularly during the day Now you are on your second lot of antibiotics it should be gradually easing off be patient but keep and eye o things and ring if anything gets worse

I’d be getting back in touch with your surgery liz. Although I’ve no idea about current treatment protocols it seems unreasonable you are still in such discomfort. It can do no harm to seek advice.