Mom in ALF with Alzheimer’s. Has been in pull-up incontinence briefs now all the time last 7-8 months. Constant problem with UTIs like every 4-6 weeks. Impossible to get a sample, so every time caregiver calls me it’s back to ER again for catheter. She ends up in hospital 2-5 days each time and gets better, but keeps coming back!
I have talked to her primary several times about a long term low dose antibiotic but they are afraid of resistance. Cranberry capsules and juice has not helped. This last one was bad; Mom couldn’t even stand up and was very lethargic and out of it. Anyone else have to fight with doctors about this? I think more stressful back and forth to ER and having them running catscans, xrays, catheters, and not eating well in hospital worse than risking restistance?!
If the doctor's only answer is to send her to ER each time and then prescribe antibiotics, when clearly this is a chronic issue, find a new doctor.
Fit my mom with chronic it is, the solution was a probiotic called rePhresh and a vaginal cream. These docs are called genitourologists, I believe.
First, don't use cranberry juice it has sugar. I would continue the cranberry tablet and maybe a probiotic. Probiotics are used with antibiotics to prevent yeast infections. Mom used both even after antibiotics were done.
The elderly have a hard time completely voiding. Let Mom sit on toilet a little longer. Have AL change her as soon as possible or ask that she still be taken to the bathroom every two hours.
When in the hospital, make sure a culture is done to make sure what bacteria is causing the problem. Hospitals tend to start with a broad spectrum antibiotic. This was not good for my Mom. She was given one with penicillin and she was sensitive to it. She did a 180. They changed her antibiotic and she perked back up.
Your Mom may be allergic to the brand of pull up you are using. Change brands and see what happens. I personally can't use Kotex products.
And water, make sure she is drinking water.
I found that she was wearing the Depends too long as she stated that it was very difficult for her to get them on and off. Also, she would "see" that they depends was not used and she would reuse them (gross). She also would not drink enough water.
I finally got her to a Urologist. He was able to culture the bacteria causing the issue and prescribe a specific antibiotic to resolve. He also prescribed a preventative low dose antibiotic. The Urologist resolve the UTI and she's only had one recurrence since.
If the Dr won't prescribe the low dose, I'd seek another opinion. I'd also suggest a Urologist.
She never has any symptoms except once her Urine had a stronger odor. 2 days before this crash we were at her primary for bloodwork and she was walking fine and eating well. It is scary how sudden she went from generally ok to totally out of it from Wed afternoon to Friday night.
So stressful to bring her to hospital, but primary doesn’t do catheters, nor the assisted living facility. I just need to switch her primary to different doctor. Read something somewhere about low dose of trimethiprimsulfa (TMS) I know spelling is off. I will try 1 last time with this doctor, but if not helpful need to go to urologist or elsewhere...
UTI’s happen to all ages but very bad with the elderly as you know.
Bad with small children too because they don’t understand. Poor kids. When my daughter was two years old she started screaming on the toilet. Scared me so I took her to pediatrician that told me it was normal. Yeah right, normal to scream on the toilet?
Last time I ever took her to that pediatrician. I bypassed him and went directly to a urologist that detected the UTI. Antibiotics were given and in a week’s time it was completely gone and she no longer screamed on the toilet. He said she needed to drink more water and not keep on her wet bathing suit too long.
I do get how you are trying to avoid having your mother taken to the ER, catheter, strange people, pain, etc. My LO would get so scared when take there from her MC. She didn't understand and would cry aloud and keep repeating, I'm scared! I'm scared! It was like torture to her. After several of these visits for this and a couple other things, her doctor suggested that she be evaluated for Hospice. She was and they now treat her with antibiotics when she has symptoms. The hospice nurse sees her once a week. (She can do the test, if necessar). Plus, she has a Hospice aid several days a week, so, with this additional attention, she hasn't had any more UTIs. But, if she does, she won't have to go anywhere for tests, but, she will be treated.
There is supposed to be a way to test the urine from the patient by using their diaper, but, I'm not sure how that works.
Also, my mom has a terrible time with recurring UTIs. She finally saw a Urologist who said that he would put her on a daily antibiotic, but, you have to accept the risks. If you accept the risks, it might be something to consider, considering that she has this terminal illness (dementia).
Sadly I never got a chance to try it on the wife.
my mom had many recurring UTIs at her memory care and was hospitalized with sepsis- she made a slow recovery and is now immobile- since then, we use a lanolin based protectant and she takes an OTC cranberry, d-mannose and probiotic supplement daily
The upside ...we won the battle. The culprit in my book-DIAPERS-they are just EVIL and are collectors of kooties esp with the elder doesn't shower every day or two. GET RID OF THEM and have the accidents without the bugs being given a nice dark moist environment to grow in.
Push the water, push the cranberry juice and Orange juice. Also garlic and honey are natural antibiotics, try to get some of both into her diet daily. CLEANLINESS, ditch the diapers, maybe try a panty pad/thick kotex instead. Or even a puppy piddle pad on the bed that can be more easily changed with COTTON undies. DO NOT do the low dose or any dose antibiotic because of resistance. Your doc is right on that one.
My mom had this issue and the urologist was able to manage and stop the infections.
Mind you she has always been mobile up to Sat. morning when she went in hospital; no walkers etc. She still can’t standup or walk! Now they are keeping her until can decide on skilled nursing facility for rehab. I hope she can get her mobility back soon. I have read other posts on here about sepsis and some said mobility never returned!?
Scary stuff; hoping in time will improve back to where she was. I will look into the D-mannose.
Also does UTI have urine odor, I did test but showed only a trace. Not sure if palliative care would help either, then the assessment investigations gets mom all upset too. She won't drink enough water says I drank alot! I take her to bathroom so not to leave wet diaper, only it's soaked in morning. The dementia started since Dr put her on xarelto in Sept, hair loss, muscle aches, dementia but now on baby aspirin. Thank God but still has issues. Constant talking to me, questions, very scared, can't leave her alone. Nasty at night, talks in sleep, or pulls diaper off, I get no sleep am very cranky and disgusted. Thx for listening, I kno I complain alot but its so hard, don't think I can do it anymore but have no choice.
The answer is to get to the root cause of the UTIs and solve that problem and/or provide nutritional supplements that help address the issue.
My dad has been living with UTI for over 2 years...and no antibiotics (due to allergies and diarrhea from it).
We let go, and he's still here regardless...it's part of the aging process.
Eventually the drugs don't work, there's nothing to do, except enjoy the time we have left.
its been diagnosed as an enterocele, a cystocele, and a rectocele depending on what doc i see.
No to be gross but im sure i feel my bowel when i wash because i can feel poop.
I am, quite honestly, too lazy to use a pessary even if it would work and am fortunate still able to keep track of things so change pads as necessary. So far ive been able to avoid a uti even with slight bowel discharge.
I think what happens is that all our insides get pushed around together outside and we end up with utis and have to be able to keep track with what goes on. If we cant keep track we’re “done for”.
it seems that most docs are trained to look for cures not for causes and problems return over and over.
im certainly not saying that we shouldnt keep hydrated and eat things that help us, tho, too.
It's a lot of work, made me very unpopular with the staff, (is it private CGs or a facility? Facility may not cooperate; I had private CGs). This is what I wound up doing:
Regulate having her changed every two hours. Some caregivers will be lazy and say, "I checked and she was dry" - when in fact, they didn't check properly and she was wet. So, make it a rule & stick with it. Second, when she's changed, the brief will be the evidence if she was wet or not. If not, use wipees to clean and re-brief. If wet, have her WASHED, dried, and re-briefed. Balmex too, if there's any red spots. This will not be welcomed by the staff but until they start taking regular good care of her, this will be the rule. Once they get it through their heads that you mean business, they'll be better about her care. Then & only then, may you relax - a little bit.
I have gotten rid of my own UTI's by doing this, but not its recommended. It was "in a pinch" and I was young. But now, if I get a little inkling that I might be starting to have one, it has prevented the full blown problem. Every time you pee, you must do this. Doesn't take long to correct the problem.
And of of course, antibiotics when needed. God bless & hugs.
a doctor told me, the more times my aunt enters the hospital, the weaker she will be. Otherwords, it does take a toll on the elders. Do try to keep them out of hospital. Ask about PALLIATIVE CARE. Palliative care, they will have a nurse check her vitals at home, and perhaps they can catch the UTIs sooner and help her in her own room rather than dragging her to ER FOR ANOTHER UTI. You want tokeep mom out of hospital as much as possible, it does take a mental and physical toll. It's stressful