Cystitis

[Caran]

Did you know that over sixties are not allowed to buy medication for this? I called at the chemists this morning to buy some medication as I have done before.
I was asked how old I was. When I said 71 the assistant said I cannot sell it to you. The laws have been changed. You must make an appointment with your doctor. I said ok three weeks next Tuesday, what am I supposed to do about the pain in the meantime, she told me to buy some cranberry juice! How ridiculous is this, why can over sixties not buy it, anyone know?

[gness]

When did this come in, Caran? I always take some on holiday...just in case and bought some a few weeks ago.
We'll be like the kids hanging about the off licence looking for an adult to buy drink.....we'll have to hang around outside the chemist looking for a kid to buy us some Cysteme....☺

[Caran]

gness I don't know when, she said recently. I think it is disgusting.

[naomi24]

There has to be a valid reason. When you make the appointment ask your GP and report back.

[gness]

It is....especially if you can't get a quick GP appointment....you'll be climbing the walls....
Can someone get some for you?

[Toxophilus]

I keep a pack in my cupboard - if it goes beyond the sell by date I then have bought more. I was not aware of an age limit - it defies belief. I am over 80 and I feel sure if I went to my chemist I would be able to get some. I think you are being 'done'. T

[Caran]

Oh is away tonight so I suggested on his way home tomorrow he calls in a chemist and asks for some, he has to say he has a much younger wife, he is 76 so I hope they believe him, that's if he remembers to do it,

[ChillDoubt]

Cystitis - When to refer
•
First time sufferers
•
Children under 16 - cystitis less common in this ag
e group and if sexually active then
there are some tricky ethical issues
•
Men - rarely suffer with cystitis so consider other
problems such as prostate
•
Diabetics - cystitis may indicate poor diabetic con
trol
•
Heart conditions - they should avoid potassium or s
odium containing preparations
except under medical supervision
•
Pregnancy - cystitis can lead to kidney problems. T
his is rare but kidney infection can
sometimes lead to miscarriage
•
Women over 60
•
People with blood pressure
•
People taking other medication
•
Symptoms have returned within 14 days of last attac
k.
•
Women who get cystitis frequently (more than three
times in 12 months or twice in
six months)
•
Presence of worrying symptoms such as fever, blood
in the urine, vomiting or severe
backache

From this link:

http://www.dispensingdoctor.org/docs/cystitisma_1.pdf

Looks like it may be protocol for many.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Go to a supermarket and buy some Cystemme or any similar product off the shelf.
If you know it's cystitis, why do you need a GP appointment?

You may be asking for something that is only prescribed. There are plenty of unprescribed and quite cheap relief products available to you.
Scrap the chemist, chuck it in your trolley#

[choux]

Especially if one has 'blood pressure'?

I suppose if one doesn't then cystitis will not be a problem anyway ☺

[shaneystar2]

Have you got any bicarbonate of soda in the house ?
Stir a teaspoonful of bicarb into half a pint of water and drink it. Repeat this several times over the next few hours – this will dilute your urine, reduce acidity and help to flush out germs until you can get something from the chemist.

[Caran]

I have bought cystemme before from the chemist. Didn't realise I could get it from a supermarket. Will give that a go tomorrow. Thanks for that tip shaneystar will try that too.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

Caran any of the supermarket relief products will contain sodium citrate.
Get one of these and it will be no different to anything a chemist will offer.
That said, if it's still there in a week go to your GP...NOT Sqad. Ibuprofen is not the cure this time.

[starone]

How ridiculous - but if you are getting recurrent episodes of this very distressing condition it may be that it needs to be examined for an underlying cause. This happened to me - fortunately there was nothing else wrong. The professor at the hospital prescribed antibiotics and suggested I drink 2 glasses of cranberry juice every day and eat natural yoghurt. I followed his advice and have never had it since (thank goodness and knock on wood.) Don't know if this will help you. I eat at least 2 tablespoonsful of natural yoghurt every day (0% fat) - I do not like it very much but I persevere because the alternative is so painful.

[boxtops]

It must be a newish rule then, I bought some proprietary cystitis relief from Boots only a few months back....

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

starone I had a similar period of recurring cystitis, to the point where my GP joked that I was late this year in getting it.
There was no underlying cause, I'm just prone to it.
I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate cranberries. Words are not sufficient and I've only heard yoghurt suggested for thrush.
Most of the over the counter relief remedies are now cranberry flavoured because fashion dictates it, but the same medicines used to be lemon flavoured.

[ummmm]

Boxy...you don't look 60!

[ChillDoubt]

Given your age, the info from my link means you fall within the parameters of 'when to refer'.
I'd suggest you err on the side of caution and visit your GP as Mojo advises, just to eliminate any underlying problem.

[Mamyalynne]

If a GP appointment is 3 weeks away, you sure need something to tide you over.

[Caran]

I haven't had a bout of this for over twelve months. Didn't have it when I got up this morning, it came on suddenly.

[gness]

You need something quick for this and waiting even days, not weeks, for a GP appointment is agony....it'll be acceptable as long as we can have a same day appointment.....but I'll still have my just in case ones....one way or another.....☺