This darn UTI

• By James-R
• Reply 3411419
• September 27, 2012 at 3:51 pm
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I had my cancer treatments 12 years ago and at that time developed a UTI.Ever since then I am either treating it with an antibiotic or getting ready to treat it because it's starting up again.I now understand that some [not all] of these infections are smart enough to be well shielded from medicines,When attacked by antibiotics,the microbes loose in the tract are destroyed but the remaining ones have shielded themselves in a biofilm that is not penetrable. So,after a short time,they begin to multiply again and an infection builds.It's a vicious cycle,bacteria vs the immune system and antibiotics.
Drink lots of water,force it down.Flush the system and dilute the bacteria.

• By debleerl
• Reply 3411569
• September 27, 2012 at 4:43 pm
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Part of the problem is the inability to absorb some medications particularly those antibiotics you take only once or twice a day. You are getting very little if any of those. Antibiotics by shot or IV will do the most good. Also, you may not be emptying your bladder completely; this happens if the bladder falls backward into the space previously occupied by the colon and rectum and/or you could have some nerve damage (temporary or permanent). Add these to the fact you are still recovering from surgery, so it's no wonder you are having trouble fighting the infection. The frequency of the UTI's will decrease and eventually go away. Meanwhile make sure you are getting an antibiotic that you are absorbing and dring plenty of fluids including blueberry juice.

HUGS,
Debbie

• By HappyS (Inactive)
• Reply 3412779
• September 28, 2012 at 5:11 am
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Hi Holly,

I'm allergic to certain antibiotics and the reaction is similar to UTI but extends to my throat and tongue. Specifically, I lose skin from tongue, mouth and inside penis. It was very sore. Cure was changing the antibiotic, huge doses of B12 and some liquid (can't remember the name) that I had to keep in my mouthy. Took about three weeks to get back to normal. The first time this happened I saw my local Doctor who observed "Your tounge looks like a piece of raw meat" "OK so what can I do?" "Drink water" Anyway got to a specialist who instantly recognised the problem. When I went into hospital last time I told them I was allergic and got a pitying smile - you guessed got the wrong antibiotics - specialist furious with staff but I suffered. Moral of the story - there are many variables but one certantity which is ASK a specialist and nag them.

It is possible to get infections on infection when the immune system is weak. Rest, fresh air, good food, yoghurt (live) and the right vitamins. Debbie is spot on about absorption so ask about that too.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3412909
• September 28, 2012 at 7:45 am
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Morning Holly...
Sorry you are having to deal with this UTI.... GLad to hear you are receiving shots for this.. is your Cipro liquid? I had to have liquid otherwise..it never obsorbed.. If it is not liquid.. request a new script from your dr. I was on a low dose antibiotic for over a year because of uti's ..
With our ostomy's and after surgery.. your body goes through a major shock.. from the surgery itself.. and because the fluids your body used to retain and pass through the kidney are now, more than likely making a direct route through the ileostomy. As your body heals and adjusts to the changes in your body, it will readjust to compensate for the changes.

Sips of liquids, frequently are best, rather than downing a glass of water or electrolyte replacement. If you can thicken up your ostomy output by eating foods that help with that or imodium.. it will allow for fluids to reach the kidney/bladder and flush out bacteria as it should. Cranberry juice is good to sip.... as well as eating yogurt.. Not only for infection.. but is a good idea to eat while you are on an antibiotic.. you need lots of the good live cultures which yogurt contains.

Good suggestions above....

Hope everything kicks in and you begin to feel lots better!! You are barely just a month out from your surgery.. It WILL get better!!!
hugs,
Mary

• By Hunt
• Reply 3412955
• September 28, 2012 at 8:19 am
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Hi Holly,

I used to keep getting UTI's and I asked the Dr. if cranberry juice would help. He said it would not cure a UTI, but it would help to keep from getting UTIs. I have a problem with drinking cranberry juice. I found some Cranberry gel caps and have been taking one every day. I have not had a UTI since then. The last one I had was 10 years ago. I do not miss them one bit.

Good luck, I hope you are able to get rid of your UTI and keep it from ever coming back.

Be good to you
Lois

• By alan41241
• Reply 3413051
• September 28, 2012 at 8:48 am
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What is a UTI?
Blessings,
Alan

• By tjane
• Reply 3413368
• September 28, 2012 at 10:29 am
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Alan it is a urinary tract infection. Or infection in the bladder.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3413476
• September 28, 2012 at 11:05 am
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Thanks, Terri. Some of the abbreviations I don't know. That was one of them. It took me forever to learn what btw meant. It's also the appreviation for between. Anyway, thanks again.
Blessings,
Alan

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3413504
• September 28, 2012 at 11:14 am
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I'm taking pill form of cipro. It doesn't come through whole, so I figured I was okay. I did question my doctor about the liquid form, and she said since I had my entire small intestine it would be alright. Said cipro is not enteric coated, so we just went with it. I don't know if I'm doing any better today honestly. Just came back from dr again, and had another shot. I will question them again tomorrow (different doc in the practice on Sat) when I go get my shot.

• By amt52
• Reply 3413638
• September 28, 2012 at 11:59 am
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Ha! Poor Alan, language is so different these days. My kids have to teach me all of it. I didn't know 'btw', or 'lmao'/'lol', etc. I think they do it to keep us old-timers un-informed! But we are humble enough to innocently ask,"what does that mean".
In response to the original post, re-read what debleerl had to say. She must be a nurse or something--so knowledgeable (sp) about our bodies! With no colon, and very little sm intestine, my other organs have 'shifted', and press on my bladder, for ineffective emptying. they know me now, and go right to IV antibiotics when I have infection. Your "shots" should do the trick, you're absorbing 100% that way. Praying for quick relief for you:)

• By alan41241
• Reply 3413685
• September 28, 2012 at 12:17 pm
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Yes, amt52, I'm from the old school when we wrote letters long hand and there were no abbreviations allowed. I guess, the only thing I can say in my own defense is I'm computer stupid. As long as everything works, I'm fine. Let something go wrong and I have no idea what to do.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3413966 · In reply to 3413685 by alan41241
• September 28, 2012 at 2:03 pm
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Hi Alan, Boy it sure sounds as though you got a fungal infection when you took antibiotics. (NOt an allergy) There is a ONE dose pill called "Diflucan" which when taken (ONE time) at the start of your antibiotic keeps the fungal stuff from happening. I also used to get private area and tongue totally raw , every time I needed an antibiotic. One of my docs finally suggested this pill and it worked great. . HRComacho, ask your doc if you can take ditropan (which is over the counter now, called Urinary relief, It makes you pee orange, but is a pain killer for the bladder. Lasts about 4 hours and is not an antibiotic. I did not cut this in half or crush since the orange pee told me all I needed to know about it working. This plus your cipro I hope works for you.

• By Mare5785
• Reply 3415223
• September 28, 2012 at 11:24 pm
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Yes Cookielin.... Ditropan certainly makes the urine orange!! It also stains the toilet seat..lol.. never to be removed...
Tiny little pill.. but very effective after a cystoscopy!!

Hope you are feeling much better Holly!

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3416104
• September 29, 2012 at 11:03 am
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Went back to the doctor today and got another shoot. He told me to crush my cipro and have me another liquid antibiotic Ceftin. I go back Tuesday for a follow up. It's the same bacteria I had in the hospital! Klebsiella pneumonia. He said if this doesn't work, gonna out me on home health care and iv antibiotics and send me to an infectious disease dr. Prayers needed guys ! Lots of them. Just want to feel better and get to really healing. I do know when I go back for follow up with my surgeon she and i are going to have one hell of a chat!

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3416153
• September 29, 2012 at 11:17 am
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Sorry about shall the misspellings...I'm posting from my phone, and couldn't see what I was posting.

• By alan41241
• Reply 3416193
• September 29, 2012 at 11:29 am
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Prayer coming from this computer. I hope all goes well.
Blessings,
Alan

• By Cookielin
• Reply 3416341 · In reply to 3416104 by hrcamacho
• September 29, 2012 at 12:12 pm
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HRComacho. So sorry this UTI is so stubborn. They do say to drink cranberry juice, but I also found "Cranberry pills" Over the counter in the womans section of your pharmacy. Supposedly they offer a higher dose of cranberry then just drinking a ton of the juice which is not always something I can do. Along with your antibiotics. These uTI,s are very stubborn at times. I hope the news meds help.

• By debleerl
• Reply 3422933
• October 1, 2012 at 8:56 pm
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Hugs and prayers Holly. Feel better soon.

Amt, thenks for the compliment; but I'm not a nurse although I've always had a strong interest in the medical field. I've lived with my ileostomy coming up on 30 years; in addition to personal experience, I've done a lot of research in that time. I started researching in a College library a few years after my surgery. I read medical journals, Merk manuals and anything else I could find on the subject. Then along came the internet. The best medical information comes from the National Institute of Health, and the Mayo Clinic. WebMd is ok but I only go there last as their site uses more laymen's terminology. There are nurses here and I really appreciate their posts since they speak from having experience with many patients.

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3423008
• October 1, 2012 at 9:24 pm
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I agree debleerl....I too have researched A LOT. My mom is a nurse, and with all my illnesses as a child I started to take an active role, and wanted to know exactly what the dr's were talking about. I read medical journals for fun! I started nursing school and received my CNA, but was unable to finish. Maybe someday I'll go back. We'll see.

• By hrcamacho
• Reply 3423012
• October 1, 2012 at 9:25 pm
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Dr called today and said that the culture they did on Saturday came back clean! He wants me to have another done tomorrow to make sure the pyridium didn't cause a false negative. I'm so keeping my fingers crossed. I feel better today than I have since this whole thing began. I just hope this nasty bug is gone. God is good :)

Holly