Confused about meds...

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so I got the spider bite checked out a week ago. They cultured it to make sure that there is no staph infection of any sort, and they never called back to let me know. But they treated it as such anyway, just in case. I'm on 2 pretty powerful antibiotics, mainly because staph infections, as the doc said, are normally very resistant. I finally called them today to find out whether or not it was staph, and it is not. The nurse said it is a normal infection, but still told me to keep taking both antibiotics??? It seems I shouldn't be taking the stronger one, seeing that it is not staph infection, but just a regular infection due to the open wound of the spider bite most likely.

Does anybody actually know about this and have advice as to what I should actually do? They have me on Cephalexin and Sulfameth/Trimethroprim. It seems to me that it would be logical that if it is not staph infection, I would not need the Sulfameth/Trimethroprim, and from what I gather about antibiotics, since these are both strong it could actually make me more prone to infections elsewhere if I continue to take both (not that it wouldn't be possibly making me more prone currently). Should I go with my own logical reasoning and drop the Sulfameth, but continue the Cephalexin? Or should I go with the nurse who is saying to continue the Sulfameth for an infection that I do not have? lol.

How much longer are you on the Sulfameth? I had to take that a couple of months ago, and it was a swine - light sensitivity really hit me. Anyway, the only reason I can think of to continue it is that, since you've started, you want to make sure that the infection you do have is completely cleared. If you stop the sulfameth, and the infection doesn't clear completely, then the infection will become more resistant to sulfameth. That's why they usually want you to complete courses of antibiotics regardless, because if you don't and the infection for some reason survives, you've just aided the advancement of an antibiotic resistant bacteria.

That's unfortunate that they prescribed an antibiotic for you which was unnecessary. A lot of bugs are getting resistant from overuse like that.

When you're taking an antibiotic, the first thing that happens is the least resistant bacteria die off in droves. That usually happens by about day 3. After that, you have only the resistant ones left, they may take another week to kill off. But since you've already started taking them, the problem with stopping now is that you're left with a system full of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which you don't really want multiplying in your system, or being passed along to others. So you're probably stuck with finishing off the prescription.

Eating yogurt after your prescription runs out is a good idea. Your system is meant to contain billions of bacteria, and that's the best way to ensure that they are beneficial ones, not just whatever random stuff you might happen to pick up.

hmmm... interesting. I think what confuses me most is that the doctor said something about if I do not have it, to stop taking the stronger of the 2. But I could have gotten that mixed up I suppose, as it has been a week. Yes, light sensitivity is HORRIBLE lately, lol. I have had to take migraine meds for 3 days now, and I'm pretty sure that is linked, as I have managed to stay clear of them for over 2 months now. Any glare I see has increased tremendously, and leaves my eyes watering and burning for hours. It's very difficult to drive that way, lol, and I've noticed I feel a lot weaker in sunlight lately. I'm unsure how related it is, but I can say it wasn't quite to the extreme that it is currently before taking it. I only have 3 days left of the stuff, so I suppose 3 days more won't hurt.

geek-thank you very much! Somebody mentioned yogurt the other day, but they didn't really tell me why they were talking about it, lol, so I kind of dismissed it. I will pick some up at the store tomorrow

lol, I wish the nurse would have just told me why I was to finish the prescription, as I am not very savvy when it comes to medical things. I only know what I am told

its probably just a percaution, when i thought i got a std, they gave me antibiotics to take anyways. it turned out i didnt get any std though

the test was very painful and i never want to go through that again. it was horrible

The reason why they advised you to eat yogurt is that it contains acidophilus bacteria, which is helpful bacteria that you want to be in your intestines. Helpful bacteria in your intestines help keep the yeast in your system in check. When you are on powerful antibiotics, it kills off even the helpful bacteria, so you could possibly get a yeast infection. You don't have to eat yogurt though, there are also acidophilus supplements you can take. I have personal experience with this, by the way. When I was 12 I had a ruptured appendix and I was on powerful intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks. I didn't take acidophilus (with everything going on we didn't think about it), and I ended up with the worst yeast infection the gynecologist had ever seen. So just to be on the safe side, everyone in my family always takes acidophilus when on an antibiotic, even the less powerful ones. After all, it won't hurt you, and it might help.

tyvm

lostinspace-I will definitely get some yogurt, and thanks for the detailed explanation of it-I've heard it helps prevent yeast infections, but for some reason didn't actually connect it with antibiotics

richard, yep, he put me on them before even getting the culture results, so it seems it was just preventative. It just sucks I was put on it before finding out, lol. Glad to hear you are fine by the way A lot of testing procedures can be quite awful >.<

Absolutely essential. In fact, get a probiotic supplement in addition to the yogurt and start loading yourself up. Your body really needs those good bacteria.