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?!
1. Symptoms for UTI in patients who have any dementia are varied. Our mother had one, but rather than complaining of pain, she went off the rails, generally later afternoon or early evening. Often this would happen at night and even worse on a weekend, when the doctor was not available. Lorazipam was used to calm her until we could get it tested and treated (symptoms/lorazipam did continue for a while after starting antibiotics.) Also note, many many years ago the only sign of a UTI for me was the result of a regular urine test for a physical. I had NO symptoms whatsoever!
2. Keeping hydrated IS important, however beware that being OVER-hydrated is an issue as well. The old standby of 64oz (morphed into 8 8oz glasses/day) INCLUDES fluids from ANY source (foods have fluids, as well as coffee, tea, other beverages.) SO, please do not encourage TOO many fluids - this washes electrolytes out of your system, and can lead to confusion or even more serious issues. If the person is eating a normal, healthy diet, 8 8oz glasses is really way too much!
3. Any doctor saying they want to avoid resistance by not giving long term antibiotics has no idea what they are doing! One should consult with a specialist, a urologist or the like. When I had a repeat UTI, that doctor told me if I had another, he WOULD put me on long term antibiotics. Resistance occurs when the current course does not treat ALL the bacteria, which results in the strongest of the critters surviving and reproducing (same result as not completing the full course of antibiotics, which many people have done, which leads to things like MRSA.) Culturing the urine sample is also VERY important, especially when the antibiotics didn't treat it completely. Some antibiotics are broad spectrum and may not be the best choice for the current infection (certainly not this case, when they finally determined it was MRSA!) Fine tuning treatment by culturing is the best, so they use the most appropriate antibiotic for the bacteria causing the infection. If need be, long term treatment should be the option used as well, to ensure the infection is treated fully.
Hopefully OP's mom is feeling better and maybe back to some semblance of her old self. Hospital (and probably any other care facility) stays are likely to throw anyone with dementia for a loop. Certainly surgery can do this, but being "moved" about leads to more confusion and possible setbacks. This poor woman has been moved multiple times (ER trips, scans, hospital, care facility), so it likely resulted in a setback, just like surgery might. MRSA doesn't help either. Hopefully she will be well monitored after she is declared "cured".
that the UTI has cleared after treatment, by having another professionally conducted, wherein the urine is collected carefully and if the patient has dementia, that may mean 2 people assist so as to ensure the urine sample is clean, not polluted by inadequately-wiped bottom, etc. Then be sure the person is getting hydrated, ideally by drinking about half her weight (say 120 lbs) in ounces of water daily (60 oz or about 5 12-oz bottles ). SEE THE UROLOGIST to rule out pelvic floor issues and other potential physiological problems that might contribute. Then CONSIDER TOPICAL ESTROGEN because post menopausal women experience drying and cracking that can lead to infection, and the hormone works for many to minimize that as a cause. My parents' doctor finally put both of them on prophylactic antibiotics and they've not had another UTI in a year. This is supposedly normal in Europe. It sure beats constant craziness and hospitalization and all the resultant disorientation and struggle and further mental decline. Once we got a handle on it with water and prophylactic antibiotics, the mental decline stopped and they have enjoyed many hours. Here is the link https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/home/consultations/treatments-for-recurrent-uti-in-elderly-patients/
Once the infection is cleared up, you can resume by taking 1-2 oz of colloidal silver daily to ward off any recurrence.
No you will not turn blue. My family takes 1-2 oz daily, which keeps us out of the dr.s office. I use in for all my pets and in my Berkeley water filters. The uses are endless. NASA even adds it to their water supply, that’s how good it is.
I have a generator and make my own, if you buy it it can get pricey.
Colloidal silver is nature’s antibotic and with any antibiotics you will need to replenish your gut bacteria by using a daily probiotic. Good gut health is the key to a healthy immune system.
Also you can put colloidal silver in a spray bottle and keep germs at bay with a few sprays, especially the genital areas.
Hope this helps?
FYI your doctors will poo poo this remedy because Big Harma can’t make money off of it.
Also, bathroom habits are of course important. Mom may have been wiping badly. Always have her wipe front to back after a BM, and don’t bring paper back “to look”. Do a few times. “Wipe back and drop” we remind her.
The doctor can order a home health nurse to come and do an in and out catheter to get a sample. They did that for us one time. Also they did put my mom on a probiotic which has helped slow them down as well.
So sorry for your stress!! I totally understand!
Mom was in the same boat. Recurrent UTIs and moderate incontinence. (UTI averaged one every 4-6 weeks). Primary sent her to urologist.
After cystoscopy determined bladder spasms, which was causing the incontinence, which in turn along with dehydration (man it’s tough to get her to drink water) and improper cleaning (she is determined to do it herself) were causing her UTIs.
She has now been on a low dose macrobid that she takes once at night. That with pushing water (I try to make it into a game for her) and giving her some extra tips on “keeping extra clean” as I tell her, she hasn’t had a UTI in 4 months now. I know it’s not that long..but it’s a start!
UTIs in the older folks are no joke. My mom presents with no other symptoms than dementia.
We are in the process of neuropsych testing to determine exactly what brain disease she has... so there always is some delirium and hallucination with the disease.
But when that ramps up, I know it’s time to call the doctor to get a sample cup.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestion...I’m definitely going to look into D – mannose as I would like to get her off the antibiotic sooner than later but for now it seems to be the only thing that’s helping.
Good luck to you and I hope you find your answers and mom gets some relief.
All I can say is thank God for this group. You guys are invaluable with your plethora of knowledge, insight and experience.
I have lurked for months now...Learning so much as I take on this new role and chapter of my life.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.