Another UTI

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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Toronto, Canada
Just finished the last courses of antibiotics about a week ago (2 different ones as Mum had 2 different UTIs) and of course now Mum has another UTI. This is explanation enough for her increased agitation, I think.

And I got a call this morning from the home, saying Mum had grabbed a knife & was waving it around at the PCW. My response - "Better move the cutlery out of the way in the future". She's back on the Epival and I refuse to budge any further on her meds (haven't told them that yet, though :D - it's on a "need to know" basis & they don't need to know what I'm thinking.

The specialist nurse from the Geriatric Mental Health Centre was in again yesterday. She is absolutely wonderful, understands Mum, understands the disease, knows how homes like nice placid residents & will overmedicate to get them and she's completely on my wavelength. I want to put her in a little niche & light candles in front of her!!

It's a wait & see game again. I think I'm finally resigning myself to the fact that Mum will be lively and demonic to the bitter end.
 

connie

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Mar 7, 2004
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Frinton-on-Sea
Oh dear Joanne, the rollercoaster never stops, does it.

This is explanation enough for her increased agitation, I think.
I am glad that you can accept just what these wretched Utis can do to your poor mum. Pleased too that the specialist nurse is on your wavelength.

Do hope that they/you manage to get on top of this latest infection. Maybe then mum will be a little calmer.;)

Take care, love n'hugs
 

Grannie G

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Apr 3, 2006
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Kent
Dear Joanne

Do these infections ever clear completely once there is a tendency to succumb to them. Do you feel your mother will get one after another or do you see the time when she might be infection free?

It must be so comforting for your mother to have a mental health nurse you trust. Some consolation.

Love xx
 

gigi

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Nov 16, 2007
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Hello Joanne...

These UTIs seem to be relentless..

Does your mum get enough to drink? Is her hygiene cared for properly?

I want to put her in a little niche & light candles in front of her!!

I'd feel the same if there was someone who was "with me" when faced with what you're facing..it's great you have some support from a professional.

ove gigi xx
 

fearful fiona

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Apr 19, 2007
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London
Hello Joanne,

My Mum wanders in and out of UTIs all the time, and has one at the moment. She is so confused at the moment, she thinks she is in France for some reason!

However, she has now clocked up two weeks in the new care home and I'm really pleased with what they're doing for her. I read her notes today and am really impressed. The nurses/carers are beginning to feel like family.

Sadly Mum is not so happy and wants to go home, but I know this is par for the course so I just have to go along with it.

Over and out.
 

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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Toronto, Canada
Yes Gigi, these UTIs are relentless. Mum has had many in the last few years. She is kept clean and I believe is properly hydrated. I'm afraid in the lottery of UTIs, Mum got the "Give her lots & constantly" card.

They are considering using antibiotics as a daily prophylactic. I'm going to tell them to keep Mum on this course for twice the normal length of time. I had an infected gum socket last year & insisted I get a renewal on my antibiotic. It worked. I think that's what we'll need to do in Mum's case. It may not work in the end though. But I think it's worth a shot.

Just call me Dr. Jo.:)

I wish I could clone Sandy the specialist dementia nurse and send her to everyone here who needs her. She's really good at putting up with me ranting & raving, so you can imagine how terrific she is.
 

Skye

Registered User
Aug 29, 2006
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SW Scotland
Hi Joanne.

Your mum and my John seem to be on a constant cycle of infections/antibiotics/infections. I think once people with dementia get the bugs into their system they never go completely. That's what I was told anyway.

John doesn't get aggressive any more, he hasn't the strength, but you just wonder how long they can continue to fight off the bugs.

I hope it's not long before your mum is feeling better. I think you're right not to let her be coshed.

Love,
 

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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Toronto, Canada
Yes, Hazel, it certainly seems to be a cycle. After the last course of antibiotics, they checked her urine again. There were some bacteria in it but quote "not enough to give her more antibiotics" unquote. Obviously, there were enough to kickstart the whole cycle again.

So I've got a call in as I want them to consider doubling the length of time of this course. Maybe that would buy us a few months free of infection. I can only hope.

I think once people with dementia get the bugs into their system they never go completely. That's what I was told anyway.

I suspect that's the case but I intend to give the double course a shot or go down fighting.
 

gigi

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Nov 16, 2007
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Hello Jo..

I wish I could clone Sandy the specialist dementia nurse and send her to everyone here who needs her

A hair from her head would do....:D

Then all we need is a DNA specialist..with a lab....:cool:

Surely someone out there knows someone........;)

Seriously Jo..like Hazel has said...it seems to be a trait with certain sufferers...
But I agree zonking her will not help...

love gigi xx
 

Skye

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Aug 29, 2006
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SW Scotland
I suspect that's the case but I intend to give the double course a shot or go down fighting.

Been there, done that, the bugs still won!

That's not to say it won't work for your mum. Good luck!:)

Love,
 

citybythesea

Registered User
Mar 23, 2008
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coast of texas
Those uti's can be real pains in our lives and our loved ones. Once mom was at the point that we had to change over to real diapers and not the pull up type I fought them constantly.

Her doctor was nice enough to explain that the added heat down there along with just the most minute bacteria would keep them in a constant cycle. She spent several months on a profilactic dose of macrobid along with cranberry juice to keep them at bay. Once in awhile her dr. would pull the macrobid and give her a much stronger antibiotic that would knock it out totally and we would go back to macrobid and cranberry juice and within 6 weeks we were back at a uti. I can remember there being several weeks in there where he had me leave her bare bottomed. (Diaper on but not closed up) This did seem to work but he would get confounded on the weekends when he was not on call as the oncall DR. would change things up (If I chose to listen to them....most of the time I didn't as her dr. and I both agreed that treating an AD patient is totally different from a "healthy" adult.)

Sorry, if I'm long winded...just wanted to let you know what I went thru and that we're all routing for you!


HUGS

Nancy
 

Canadian Joanne

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Apr 8, 2005
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Toronto, Canada
Barb,

UTI infection's, more prevelent in nursing homes?
Just wondered.

I think it's more due to the fact that people in nursing homes are further along in their disease progress. It was once explained to me that an AD patient's brain signals "Bladder empty" when actually it isn't empty. Stale urine sits in the bladder, bacteria have a great time & we're off to the UTI again.

Been there, done that, the bugs still won!

Hazel, I'm sure you're right. BUT, being stubborn and desperate, I'm giving it a go anyways.:D:D Who knows? Maybe Mum will be the one in a million. I can only hope. And hope I do and will, until it's over.
 

citybythesea

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Mar 23, 2008
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coast of texas
Joanne, I do have another angle for you.....have they given her so many antibiotics she has become resistant? If this is the case there may be a few "little known" high dollar antibiotics she can use.


Here in the US parents, dr.'s etc...are quick to use antibiotics and there are strains that have become resistant. Being resistant doesn't necesarily mean that a drug will not cure it, but it may take a muvh longer course of time.


HUGS

Nancy
 

lesmisralbles

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Nov 23, 2007
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Hi Joanne
I try to make sure Ron drink's lot's of fluid. And now he is on water tablet's, (swollen ankles).
I remind him every hour or so during the day to go to the loo.
During the night he wear's a sheath. And I am very hygenic with his body part's. Am I missing anything ?
Barb X
 

Margarita

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Feb 17, 2006
10,824
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london
My response - "Better move the cutlery out of the way in the future"

Good! Am glad you said that good on you :) , also adding you should use plastic cutlery for my mother .

They could put her on a table on her own with a care worker sitting with her , if they don't want her garbing another people metal cutlery .

I think it's more due to the fact that people in nursing homes are further along in their disease progress. It was once explained to me that an AD patient's brain signals "Bladder empty" when actually it isn't empty. Stale urine sits in the bladder, bacteria have a great time & we're off to the UTI again.

That a good theory or is it a fact ? My mother still uses the toilet, has never had an UTI yet , even thought she does have a pad on, also soaking them .

Someone one further along with pads on all day night , must be swimming in urine below , no matter how much the pad soak it up. so stale urine must be left in the bladder .

Just a thought ask them how many time they change her during the day ?.
 
Last edited:

hendy

Registered User
Feb 20, 2008
506
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West Yorkshire
Dear Joanne
Sorry to read about your mums latest battle with UTI's You'd think the medics would be able to sort things once and for all for her. I dont have that much direct experience of UTI's but I do of antibiotics, dad had IV for pneumonia, but they knocked out his good bugs in his intestines and he contracted C Diff.I think if they know which bug is causing the problem they can prescribe a specific antibiotic to kill it, without causing further damage.
I would follow everybody else's advice about being hydrated etc.(it sounds like your are doing anyway) Hygiene must be more of a problem for ladies than gents (?)and it must be made worse by using pads. Was your mum prone to UTI's before dementia?
Your dementia nurse sounds like a 'beacon of light' perhaps she could come over here and teach some of ours how to do it!

I absolutely agree about not knockng mum out on heavy medication, they will just have to get better at nursing her properly(getting rid of UTI would make a good start!)
take care
hendy
 

candymostdandy@

Registered User
May 12, 2006
81
0
west sussex
Hi Joanne

After numerous UTI's and trips to hospital last year mum's GP put her on a low dosage long course of antibiotics, this did help for a while until mum started suffering from , a bright red, cracked sore tongue apparently a common side effect of long term use.

I also want to say that UTI's are not confined to care homes, mum lives with me, is showered every morning, and washed before going to bed at night, and gets as much fluid into her as possible, and we live from one UTI to another...
 

May

Registered User
Oct 15, 2005
627
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Yorkshire
Sorry to hear that the dreaded uti's are haunting your Mum Joanne, they're the very devil to get rid of. My Mum's last one took an extended course of antibiotics to get rid of it.:(


I want to put her in a little niche & light candles in front of her!!

I have visions of your specialist nurse in a halo and blue gown...:D Isn't it a good feeling when you actually get a professional batting on your team.;)

Barb

I don't think uti's are more prevelant in nursing homes, my Mum used to get them when she was at home too, although we were very particular about her hygiene. Her nursing home seems very aware, and don't just change pads 'on rota, on time' but check residents as and when necessary, something I was very pleased about.
 

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