Taking penicillin in Poland

Hi all,

Since she arrived in Poland in September, my Turkish roommate has been suffering from terrible rheumatism, colds, and throat and bladder infections. She told me she's been taking penicillin every 20 days for the past 18 years of her life (she's 22), and that in order to prevent her condition from worstening, her doctor told her that she needs to continue taking these shots for the rest of her life. Now, I'm no medical expert, but I'm quite sure that penicillin is not the right drug for treating rheumatic disorders, and all the nurses at the various Polish clinics and hospitals I've taken her to have been shocked that she's even using the stuff. All have told me that Polish medicine has completely moved away from the use of penicillin, due to the dangerous side-effects, and that no doctor in any clinic or hospital will risk giving her the shot. Now it's starting to get colder, my roommate is becoming more and more ill, and I'm running out of ideas. I thought of taking her to a regular clinic to get a prescription for some Polish medication, but she insists on getting her penicillin.

I speak Polish fluently, so getting around and looking for clinics is not a problem, but I've only been living here for half a year and I'm just not familiar with the healthcare system (neither are any of my Polish friends). I just don't know what to do anymore. I'd like to find a doctor who'll be willing to give her the shot before things get worse. Can anyone offer me any advice?

Alicja

They may use antibiotics for the throat and bladder infections but not rheumatism, seems a very strange long term treatment in anycase. If the penicillin has not cleared up the infection after 18 years it sounds like an MRSA or a recurring issue due to low blood cell levels and/or a poor imune system.

One solution is to find out what other penicillin based medicine (antibiotics) such as amoxicillin could be used as a suitable treatment and fake an illness such as Broncitis in order to get the prescription, they would have to be in tablet form though over the counter.

Has she always and only been treated with penicillin? also what were the dosages per shot? how many shots in a course?

Im no medical expert either, but I do know one thing, its not good for your health to take penicillin for such a prolonged period of time, you simply build up a resistance to it (OR can vouch for this) and the drugs dont work.

As for her rheumatism, anti-Inflammatories will help along with pain killers - my mother has suffered for 20 years and I have it in my shoulder quite bad so I know a little bit about it.

Her bladder infections can be helped by drinking plenty of water and if she can get concentrated cranberry juice (trust me it works, i know) she will never have another one again (I know - 5 years a glass a day and nothing!!).

As for her colds, she needs to eat more garlic, this is the oldest and the best cure, especially in winter time, she can get the oderless capsuals.

Her throwt, tell her to gargle with salt water twice a day (another old remedy but works)

Im not surprised the doctors in Poland have been shocked, Ive never heard anything like it!

As a side note: I have an acute allergy to penicillin and suffer with 2 of your room mates problems, so there are ways around it. Actually 3 because I get septic tonsillitis ever few years and can get something other than penicillin

Feel free to PM me if you want more info

good old jewish solution :) :) :)
but it works

Go figure.

Stop the anti biotics and tell her to drink a fruit juice every morning and go for a walk.

Actually not only..do you see a Greek, Italian or Spaniard with a cold?

yes I have seen Greek or Spaniard with cold so? is that mean they use garlic?

what condition? If she's had a splenectomy, lifelong antibiotics are appropriate and necessary.


true, but...


such as? Penicillins are still saving thousands of lives in the UK, why should Poland be any different?


Probably because antibiotics are useless against viruses, and she may have a viral infection.


yup, Erythromycin is an alternative in Penicillin allergy.


Absolutely DO NOT do this until you find out EXACTLY WHY your friend needs a penicillin - it may be life-saving.

Hmm... Either there is some reason she really needs that or her doctors were idiots. Who were there ? Some village docs or proffesionals ? Does she have any medical documentation ?

Fair comment.

Any history of Sickle Cell Disease?

I am a medical student in Poland. I will try to explain something about this.

No doctor has told you that, I'm 100% sure! Penicillin (a group of antibotics) is not 1 drug, but a group of drugs. Some of the drugs in this group are very effective and safe ways to treat some infections.

----------------------------------------

For some people it's necessary to give penicillin (or another antibiotic) as prophylaxis. But her schedule and route of administration sounds strange. Prophylaxis is usually given orally.

You have get her whole medical history and present it to a doctor who can decide if antibiotic prophylaxis is needed or not.

Good Luck!