I am sick, and without any insurance or a job... I have recently been notified to see a probation officer for unrelated reason but feel like I can't even leave my house. I need to see the doctor, but do not want to go, for reasons you can see. If I have a friend who has antibiotics and will give to me to help me feel better, should I still not take them for fear I will be breaking my probation?? Can anyone shed any light for me on this situation?

It's illegal to give and/or take prescription drugs that have not been described to you. Aside from that, it's a bad idea from a medical perspective. To start with, you should never take a prescription drug without a dr's advice because different antibiotics work better for certain infections. You also don't know what doses you need. Usually when you're prescribed antibiotics, you're supposed to take all of them (so your friend probably still needs them even if he or she is feeling better). And if you haven't been to the dr, you don't even know what you're sick with and if its even something that you need antibiotics for. It's easy to misdiagnose yourself and taking antibiotics when you don't need them isn't going to help you.

And no, I can't see the reasons for you not wanting to see a dr. if you have no money but obviously have internet access, look online to see if you can find clinics in your area. There are places that help people with no money and insurance. You just have to do some looking around to find them. This is your health you're talking about here.

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Originally Posted by justcurious55

if you haven't been to the dr, you don't even know what you're sick with and if its even something that you need antibiotics for.

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Justy is correct. Do NOT take a prescription med that was not prescribed for you. And don't diagnose yourself. Last summer, I diagnosed myself and was wrong and ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL! Don't make that mistake! Make sure your PO knows you are sick and have to see a doctor -- then GO to one! Even better, go to the ER. They will not turn you away because you have no insurance or job, and will give you what you need to get well. You will probably have to wait a bit to see an ER doctor, since you don't need critical care.

Taking medication that was not prescribed to you can result in felony charges for the person who gave it to you. Do you want them in trouble as well?

Antibiotics can cure illnesses, but each antibiotic works on a different bacteria. The antibiotic your friend has may not help you. They are also weight based. So, the difference on your weight versus your friends will make the antibiotic either too strong for you and will cause a reaction, or too weak and will not make you better.