Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => This 'n' That => Topic started by: honeybun on August 16, 2013, 07:13:21 PM
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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
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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?
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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
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Try 2 Actimel a day.
Is she getting a man friend in?
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Good God I hope not.
I would draw the line at that.
;D ;D
Honeyb
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Oh well, must have been the sponges then ;D
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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
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She has been on Vagifem for three years now that's why I can't understand why this is happening so often.
Honeyb
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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.
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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.
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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 :hug:
ariadne xx
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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. ;)
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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 :hug:
ariadne xx
Ha ha! Great minds!! ;D
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;D
ariadne xx
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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.
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Cranberry juice has been proven to have no special properties ;) - it was a fad a few years ago ::)
I would give Mum some wipes in a packet with the words "These are new on the Market, I find them really useful" ...... also, does your Mum use panty liners because these can cause irritation and infection if not changed often enough.
Like a cat which gets too old to lick itself behind the neck and shoulder blades, maybe your Mum is stiff in the shoulders or worried about leaning forwards to wipe properly. I know that many Indian ladies always have a special flannel for bottom use ;) which they use after each visit rather than loo paper. Another suggestion perhaps?
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I know people who take cranberry tablets and say they really help. Must be worth a try, the yoghurt obviously isn't working. They sell them in all the supermarkets.
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Of course they sell them in all types of shops - they believed the hype too ::) - they won't do any harm but I can't stand the taste :sick02: but one needs to be aware that the 'properties' originally recommended as not as stated .........
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Cranberry tablets have helped to reduce discomfort for me, as has pure Cranberry juice (vile tasting) :-\
I also know people (men) who have had prostrate surgery and getting bladder problems post surgery, have been recommended to use cranberry tablets by the hospital.
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Not sure if cranberry juice was a fad CLKD as it still works for many. I used the tablets last year after bout of cystitis and they were very good. I think HB herself used cranberry juice to help her.
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It may well help. ::) if one can get over the taste :-\
How is your mum today?
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I have used it and found it very good but it was the pure stuff from the health shop. Mother won't take it as it upsets her already sensitive stomach.
She spent today with my sister and just drank two cups of tea the whole day.
Going to try to figure out a way to get more fluids into her somehow as I think this is a big factor.
Honeyb
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Lollies? Ice-cream. Fresh fruit particularly melon or mangoes.
Fruits that can be prepared and stored on a plate in slices in the fridge: or from a tin, i.e. peaches with ice-cream? Sorbets? Milk shakes? Guiness?
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Cranberry juice has been proven to have no special properties ;) - it was a fad a few years ago ::)
I would give Mum some wipes in a packet with the words "These are new on the Market, I find them really useful" ...... also, does your Mum use panty liners because these can cause irritation and infection if not changed often enough.
Like a cat which gets too old to lick itself behind the neck and shoulder blades, maybe your Mum is stiff in the shoulders or worried about leaning forwards to wipe properly. I know that many Indian ladies always have a special flannel for bottom use ;) which they use after each visit rather than loo paper. Another suggestion perhaps?
I think you're a bit out of touch CLKD. Current thinking is that cranberry juice DOES help with things like cystitis and UTI's. My friend is a "Modern Matron" and has been a nurse all her working life. She was telling me that they are also using cranberry juice to keep catheters and other similar stuff clean because of its special properties.
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What's special I wonder? I wonder what Ben has on the topic ;)
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As I understand it the likes of Ocean Spray is pretty useless as if you look at the actual amount of juice it is very small.
On the other hand the pure juice is excellent. It is very strong but you have to read the instructions carefully because for it to work the amount of juice to water has to be quite precise.
I think Ocean Sprays claims were found to be false and they had to remove adverts stating it was a cure for bladder problems.
I had cystitis which refuse to go. I had no infection so the GP would not give me ABs. The pure cranberry juice did the trick.
So I agree with PF, it does work if you you use right stuff.
Honeyb
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Honeyb
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:thankyou: Honeybun. That's what was in the back of my mind ::)
How's your Mum today?
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She is ok thanks CLKD.
Being her usual happy cheery self this morning. ???
I actually think I need to take some of my own advice as my bladder is feeling a bit uncertain tonight. Got a bit of pain with it. Sample into the GP in the morning I think. Off for a large drink of water.
Honeyb
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Oh poor you
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Regulars may remember my Mum (89) questioning whether she is really entitled to her blue badge a few weeks ago. I took her out today and now she is questioning whether she should be paying for her prescriptions!!! ;D
I told her that once you are 60 you get free prescriptions and it won't be that long before I'll be getting them. Then she showed me a cutting about some benefit fraudster claiming all sorts of benefits while he had a bank account with £78,000 in it and he wasn't even disabled.
She hasn't got anywhere near that in the bank by the way!
She says "but I get my winter heating allowance." I explained that all pensioners get that but I swear she doesn't believe me. ::)
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Oh bless. My mother has not got a clue about her money anymore. Sis and I make sure she gets what she is entitled to. I often wonder what happens to elderly people who don't have anyone to help with the money and bills.
They could be very vulnerable.
Mother has yet another UTI. She is going to the GP this week. Something not right.
Honeyb
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My mum has been having urine infections for several years and always has a course of antibiotics in reserve. Unfortunately just one of many health issues. I don't think she drinks enough. She says it is a common health problem at her age (86)
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Could be AV ......... which of course is 'down there and not to be spoken about'. Could you ask the GPs concerned to give a course of pessaries as well as telling the Mums to drink plenty? That way it won't be you making the suggestion but it may help ease bladder symptoms.
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Mother has been on Vagifem for three years now.
I suspect it's self inflicted in some way or another.
Honeyb
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Perhaps she doesn't 'use' enough of the product? Either not enough each time or only when she remembers ::)
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Does she get constipated Honeybun - this link says that constipation is often a cause in elderly people because it stops the bladder from emptying properly http://www.patient.co.uk/health/urine-infection-in-older-people http://www.patient.co.uk/health/urine-infection-in-older-people
Taz x
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No she has the opposite problem Taz. I sometimes think her toilet habits are the problem.It's not exactly something I can tell her though. She is just old and done.
We have given her moist toilet wipes and discouraged the use of face cloths and sponges. Not much else we can do.
Honeyb
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I know my Mum is careful with personal hygiene. Poor lady has to cope with bowel incontinence night and day at times, which may play a part. She has a supportive GP and my Dad. All I can do is listen when she finds it too much.
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JJ - is there an incontinence nurse attached to the Practice for support and advice on the new products available?