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[honeybun]

My mum has yet another urine infection. It's just one after another. She seems to be on anti biotics almost constantly. We have her on d-mannose and also Vagifem. She assures me she drinks lots of water.
She is not unwell and her only problem is running to the loo a bit and it being a bit nippy.

What can sis and I do. I feel that all the ABs are not good for her. She also takes a good pro biotic.

Any thoughts ladies.......She is 91 (on Tuesday) so is really very very old.


Honeyb
X

[Limpy]

Agree ABs tend to have downsides.

Is it definitely a UTI?

Perhaps use more than 1 probiotic?
I usually use Actimel which work for me but, when I had some Yakult on the same day that really helped bowel things, assume it's the different strains of bacteria, so perhaps .........

Assume she's using 100% cotton knickers?

[honeybun]

Yes cotton knicks....I wash them. 

She takes Actimel as well as a pro biotic.
We put a urine sample in on Monday....results back today that says she has an infection.

I just don't get why it's happening so often. I have removed all sponges that she used to use in the shower. I don't allow wet toilet wipes. Apart from that I don't know what to do. I try to impress on her not to mess about cleaning that area but it's like waiding through treacle. There is so much she does not understand anymore.
Could this be self inflicted?

Honeyb
X

[Limpy]

Try 2 Actimel a day.

Is she getting a man friend in?

[honeybun]

Good God I hope not.

I would draw the line at that.


  




Honeyb
X

[Limpy]

Oh well, must have been the sponges then     

[ariadne]

HB, could your Mum have vaginal atrophy that could be causing recurrent UTI's?  I can't remember if you have mentioned Vagifem or similar as one of the medications your Mum takes.

ariadne xx

[honeybun]

She has been on Vagifem for three years now that's why I can't understand why this is happening so often.


Honeyb
X

[CLKD]

She perhaps needs a different sort of assistance, I have pessaries Ovestin?

If there is an infection then maybe she needs assistance with toileting habits? is she wiping properly?  I use Andrex wet wipes and surprisingly, they are MUCH better than those I tried years ago which made me very dry and itchy.  They are 'cotton soft' apparently  ....... I would suggest that she tries those for 3/5 days to see if the issue improves.

[Pennyfarthing]

Hiya Honeybun.  As you know, I have an elderly Mum too (89).

I know for sure that my Mum doesn't drink enough fluids - I monitor her when she stays at mine.  Sometimes we get to lunchtime and I remind her that she hasn't had a drink since she got up and she'll say "oh but I had that big cup of tea at 7 o'clock."   They don't want to drink more because they then need the loo more and that's just a palarver.

You could try your Mum on Cranberry juice - that's very good for urine infections/cystitis.  Also buy her some live natural yoghourt and suggest she has a good tablespoon full each day on her cereal or fruit.

[ariadne]

I am thinking the same as you CLKD - I hit "post" and saw a new post had been made but I decided to post anyway.



Is she actually using the Vagifem - I mean it can't be easy when you are 91 - I sometimes struggle myself 

Other than that - and I hope this isn't TMI - bacteria can be transferred when wiping "back to front" and I'm just wondering if your Mum can manage to wipe herself OK. That does sound an awful thing to suggest and I do apologise - but it could be a possibility. I don't know how you could know or what you could do about it anyway though.

I do feel for you 

ariadne xx

[Pennyfarthing]

Hiya Honeybun.  As you know, I have an elderly Mum too (89).

I know for sure that my Mum doesn't drink enough fluids - I monitor her when she stays at mine.  Sometimes we get to lunchtime and I remind her that she hasn't had a drink since she got up and she'll say "oh but I had that big cup of tea at 7 o'clock."   They don't want to drink more because they then need the loo more and that's just a palarver.

You could try your Mum on Cranberry juice - that's very good for urine infections/cystitis.  Also buy her some live natural yoghourt and suggest she has a good tablespoon full each day on her cereal or fruit.

You could also remind her to wipe from front to back.

[Pennyfarthing]

I am thinking the same as you CLKD - I hit "post" and saw a new post had been made but I decided to post anyway.



Is she actually using the Vagifem - I mean it can't be easy when you are 91 - I sometimes struggle myself 

Other than that - and I hope this isn't TMI - bacteria can be transferred when wiping "back to front" and I'm just wondering if your Mum can manage to wipe herself OK. That does sound an awful thing to suggest and I do apologise - but it could be a possibility. I don't know how you could know or what you could do about it anyway though.

I do feel for you 

ariadne xx

Ha ha!  Great minds!!

[ariadne]

 

ariadne xx

[littleminnie]

How about Cranberry tablets, if she takes them whilst you are there you would at least know she was having them. If you got the the juice, she might not drink enough of it to do her any good.