Why Does Age Matter?

I have vagifem on prescription but have been sold canesten over the counter recently without query, and I am well over 60!
Ha Ha must be my youthful appearance…….

I used to buy Canestan for cystitis, which is not a prescription medicine, but it should not be used by over 60s. During treatment for prolapse I discovered that the reason is that vaginal atrophy is common in older women and treating that solves the cystitis/thrush/UTU problems.
I now get Ovestin on prescription for atrophy.

Cranberry juice works for me, used to suffer dreadfully with cystitis but never again since discovering this remedy.

Shinamae

I went to boots today to try to get antibiotics for UTI. I was told the cut-off point is 65 and to ring my surgery which I did and I’m still waiting for a callback from them. 🤷‍♀️

I’m nearly 72

I went to boots today to try to get antibiotics for UTI. I was told the cut-off point is 65 and to ring my surgery which I did and I’m still waiting for a callback from them. 🤷‍♀️

madeleine45

I agree with much that has been said , but to go back to the age thing. There is a problem round here with the mirrors. I know that I am about 26, slimish with copper coloured long hair, and dashing around doing many things and for other people too. However as I go around the area now all the shops with mirrored doors or reflections in their windows seem to have someone else on view, with white hair, walking slowly with a bad back and never runs at all. No idea who they are, but I ignore them and carry on. Remember the alternative to growing older is not a good choice. so join me in annoying all men in government by carrying on breathing and therefore getting my miniscule pension, No doubt they howpe that by denying me the winter fuel payment, I shall either die of starvation or freezing. well tough luck I plan to keep breathing until at least 103. Besides I have my birthday to look forward to in July when I shall be 80 and get an increase in my pension. I am already planning to save the 25pence up for 13 or so weeks and providing it doesnt go up in price I shall be able to buy a coffee!!!!!! I live by do as you would be done by, try to treat everyone with respect, and help out in any way I can. I cant afford to pay for the fuel now so do have to ask people to pay for that but I am happy to take people to hospital or to somewhere or something that is difficult to get to, but it is good to feel that I give as well as take. Dont let the beggars get you down. Of course when I hear the rubbish that Donald Trump or Putin or Boris Johnson or Farage, it is very warming as the volcano within feels so annoyed with them so a quick burst of heat and thank you idiots for a little warmth! So join me today in the resolve to keep breathing for as long as possible and upset the politicians who no doubt hoped we old pensioners would die quickly and they could save yet more money by not paying the pensions, Fight on folks and you are winning every day you wake up and take a deep breath!!

I get you re not recognising the person you see in the mirror as yourself - yep...I've not recognised myself for some time and am not happy with the person I see in the mirror masquerading as me LOL.

Saw your comment re wanting a long life and I've heard a noticeable number of people saying that by now and there's a woman here I very occasionally encounter ITRW who says she's got every intention of reaching her 100th birthday if she can!!!!

Each to their own - but even if I went back to recognising the person I catch a glimpse of in the mirror. So I was back to attractive again and no health problems (as the only ones I had at that age were to do with being that age one way or the other) I'd still not want a long life.

Me - I'm very conscious I'm halfway through my retirement now - 12 years down and an estimated 11 to go before I reach "average age for British women - 83 years". My first reaction on moving to this area (ie West Wales) and spotting how many people have death notices stating they got to their 90's was "I'm moving back to my home city at once. Agh! I don't want a long life - I never have".

So - why do people want a long life? It thoroughly puzzles me and I don't understand it. Also - does it make a difference to how long a life they want if they do have a belief system of some description or don't? Maybe I'm quite okay with the thought of an average lifespan - and a shorter one would be even better imo because I do have a belief system and so I'm thinking "It'll be WAY better in Heaven than here. No more problems - no money problems, no health problems, no wars, no criminals, no sexist type of men!"

Anyone else that also wants a long life = Why do you feel that way and do you have a belief system of some description that has influenced that?

StephLP

Thank you all for your comments. I rang 111 and a Doctor rang back within the hour. He said if things were no better by this morning to contact my surgery and he would put notes on my record. Rang the surgery today, given an Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointment and he prescribed a 3 day course of antibiotics. The dip test did show something to do with white blood tests and he has sent it off for further tests in case I need a different antibiotic.

If the antibiotic doesn’t work make sure you get a different one. I remember, when I used to get frequent UTI’s being prescribed an antibiotic and being so upset that it didn’t work. I managed to get an emergency appointment with my doctor and the antibiotic he then gave me worked straight away. I now take d mannose straight away if I feel uncomfortable. Looking back the UTI’s were because of vaginal atrophy.

StephLP

You can buy something over the counter to relieve the symptoms for a while until you can get a prescription from your GP. Thats what I have to do. I get it at least once a year.
I have bought the stuff from Sainsburys and Boots before.

I agree with much that has been said , but to go back to the age thing. There is a problem round here with the mirrors. I know that I am about 26, slimish with copper coloured long hair, and dashing around doing many things and for other people too. However as I go around the area now all the shops with mirrored doors or reflections in their windows seem to have someone else on view, with white hair, walking slowly with a bad back and never runs at all. No idea who they are, but I ignore them and carry on. Remember the alternative to growing older is not a good choice. so join me in annoying all men in government by carrying on breathing and therefore getting my miniscule pension, No doubt they howpe that by denying me the winter fuel payment, I shall either die of starvation or freezing. well tough luck I plan to keep breathing until at least 103. Besides I have my birthday to look forward to in July when I shall be 80 and get an increase in my pension. I am already planning to save the 25pence up for 13 or so weeks and providing it doesnt go up in price I shall be able to buy a coffee!!!!!! I live by do as you would be done by, try to treat everyone with respect, and help out in any way I can. I cant afford to pay for the fuel now so do have to ask people to pay for that but I am happy to take people to hospital or to somewhere or something that is difficult to get to, but it is good to feel that I give as well as take. Dont let the beggars get you down. Of course when I hear the rubbish that Donald Trump or Putin or Boris Johnson or Farage, it is very warming as the volcano within feels so annoyed with them so a quick burst of heat and thank you idiots for a little warmth! So join me today in the resolve to keep breathing for as long as possible and upset the politicians who no doubt hoped we old pensioners would die quickly and they could save yet more money by not paying the pensions, Fight on folks and you are winning every day you wake up and take a deep breath!!

Thank you all for your comments. I rang 111 and a Doctor rang back within the hour. He said if things were no better by this morning to contact my surgery and he would put notes on my record. Rang the surgery today, given an Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointment and he prescribed a 3 day course of antibiotics. The dip test did show something to do with white blood tests and he has sent it off for further tests in case I need a different antibiotic.

knspol

On the few occasions I've suffered with this I've always used sachets bought over the counter but can't remember the name, they worked very well. Good luck.

Cystocalm from SAVERS, much cheaper than other branded cystitis relief sachets but exactly the same ingredients.
And very effective

Cystitis - Non Prescription Medication
Potassium Citrate Mixture 200ml. Effective Cystitis Relief. ...
Cystopurin Cystitis Relief Sachets – 6 Sachets. Helps Relieve Symptoms Associated With Cystitis. ...
Cystocalm Cystitis Relief – 6 Sachets. ...
Aqua-Ban Tablets – 30 Tablets. ...
Canesoasis Cystitis Relief Sachets – 6 Sachets.

Its a lottery ever getting through to the gp and as for an appointment don't hold your breathe.

On the few occasions I've suffered with this I've always used sachets bought over the counter but can't remember the name, they worked very well. Good luck.

I tried getting antibiotics from the pharmacy last year only to be told that at 69 I was too old. On their advice I called the GP.........."'no appointments available, sorry" was the receptionists response. She did advise me to call NHS 111 as the suspected ear 'infection' was compromising my balance.

I call NHS 111 and received a call back from a Doctor who immediately made me an appointment at the local Urgent Care Centre. On arrival, the waiting room was heaving and a sign on the notice board said 'waiting time up to 4 hours for walk-ins'. My bum had hardly touched the seat when I was called through, examined and given a prescription.

Amazing service by NHS 111 and Urgent Care but the look on the faces of all those in the waiting room was priceless. The point I am trying to make here is, follow the right channels and you do get seen.

This happened to me recently, the pharmacist couldn't prescribe but she could contact my GP's and request a phone call for me.. That then involved a trip to the GP, urine sample and eventually an antibiotic prescription..

I presented at the GP numerous times with UTIs, eventually she sent me to a urogenital specialist who said I had vaginal atrophy. I was prescribed vaginal estrogen and have never looked back , no UTIs since using it.

Also, if you are not already using it, vaginal estrogen helps prevent cystitis by restoring vaginal pH balance, reducing harmful bacteria and improving vaginal tissue health. All of which help lower the risk of infections.

NannyC1

MayBee70 a bladder shreds cells all the time so blood could be present on a test strip and not be indicative of anything serious!

The test strips show the amount of blood on a scale, though, so a miniscule amount wouldn’t necessarily show that there’s an infection. I always kept some in my medicine cupboard when I went through a phase of having UTI’s.

I have had the same thing happen for UTI I was 68 at the time can't understand it

MayBee70 a bladder shreds cells all the time so blood could be present on a test strip and not be indicative of anything serious!

Having worked in a pharmacy I can answer your question. At that age it can be other thing that mascaraed as cystitis or even thrush. There is a reason for it.

I buy them online from sweetcures. They post them very quickly because they know how desperate people are to start using them.

I take d mannose if I feel that I’m coming down with cystitis. You can get it from Holland and Barrett or online from But I do think you need to see a doctor. If you can’t get an appointment I’d take a urine sample to the doctors and insist that someone tests it. Do it in the morning because sometimes they get sent away. You can also buy test strips from a chemist or online to check if blood is present.

What are the sachets in supermarkets?