UTI

[Guest guest]

What does the doctor usually prescribe for a UTI in LBD patients?

Gladys

[Guest guest]

Dear Gladys,

My mom has near-constant UTIs. The kind of bacteria causing the infection

determines what antibiotic is used. There are literally hundreds of kinds of

bacteria that can cause infection, and no anti-B works on everything. Once the

microbiology test determines there is bacteria present, tests called " culture

and sensitivity " (C & S) are done. This determines which bacteria are present, in

what amounts, and which anti-Bs would work. Sometimes doctors start a patient on

an anti-B rather than waiting for the C & S, and can then change the med if

needed. But the C & S must be done to be sure. Some anti-Bs are not helpful for

some people; some people are allergic to some anti-Bs (for example, penicillin

allergies are pretty common); and some anti-Bs are actually bad for some people

(two examples: Macrodantin is often used to treat certain UTIs, but is harmful

for people who have impaired renal function and the quinalone family of anti-Bs

is often avoided in people with dementia or

psych illnesses, because, while many anti-Bs may increase confusion, the

quinalones seem to do so quite intensely).

The MD needs to check not only the C & S, but also get blood work to determine

the creatinine level to be sure the person is not renally impaired; check the

anti-B is not contraindicated with other meds the patient is on; etc.

Hope this isn't too much info. It doesn't happen with everyone, but don't be

surprised if the person with LBD seems to " get worse " even while the anti-B is

working. Infections are very hard on the demented, elderly and other compromised

people - and often so are anti-Bs. That's not a reason not to take them - I just

wasn't prepared.

Hope all goes well. Please keep us posted.

Lin

Gladys Stefany wrote:

What does the doctor usually prescribe for a UTI in LBD patients?

Gladys

[Guest guest]

Gladys, You're very welcome. Please let us know what you learn. Thinking of you

.. . .

Lin

Gladys Stefany wrote:

Thanks, Lin I'll be calling the doctor in the morning.

Gladys

-- Re: UTI

Dear Gladys,

My mom has near-constant UTIs. The kind of bacteria causing the infection

determines what antibiotic is used. There are literally hundreds of kinds of

bacteria that can cause infection, and no anti-B works on everything. Once

the microbiology test determines there is bacteria present, tests called

culture and sensitivity " (C & S) are done. This determines which bacteria are

present, in what amounts, and which anti-Bs would work. Sometimes doctors

start a patient on an anti-B rather than waiting for the C & S, and can then

change the med if needed. But the C & S must be done to be sure. Some anti-Bs

are not helpful for some people; some people are allergic to some anti-Bs

(for example, penicillin allergies are pretty common); and some anti-Bs are

actually bad for some people (two examples: Macrodantin is often used to

treat certain UTIs, but is harmful for people who have impaired renal

function and the quinalone family of anti-Bs is often avoided in people with

dementia or

psych illnesses, because, while many anti-Bs may increase confusion, the

quinalones seem to do so quite intensely).

The MD needs to check not only the C & S, but also get blood work to

determine the creatinine level to be sure the person is not renally impaired

check the anti-B is not contraindicated with other meds the patient is on;

etc.

Hope this isn't too much info. It doesn't happen with everyone, but don't

be surprised if the person with LBD seems to " get worse " even while the

anti-B is working. Infections are very hard on the demented, elderly and

other compromised people - and often so are anti-Bs. That's not a reason not

to take them - I just wasn't prepared.

Hope all goes well. Please keep us posted.

Lin

Gladys Stefany wrote:

What does the doctor usually prescribe for a UTI in LBD patients?

Gladys

[Guest guest]

Jan,

Sorry to hear about Jim and another UTI. You have been struggling for so long

with that and a NEW aide yet. Seems like with all the work you do, they could

keep the same aide with him. Unless his leaves. Guess there isn't much you can

do about that.

Lots of good thoughts the anti_Bs work.

Hugs,

Donna R

Caregave for Mom (after I brought her from WI to MI) for 3 years and 4th year in

a nh.

She was almost 89 when she died in '02. No dx other than mine.

UTI

Jim has another UTI, I picked up on it last Thursday. He didn't have the usual

behaviors yet like the punching and aggressiveness that I usually can tell he

has a UTI, but his diaper was a very brownish color like a dried blood color

when he urinated and when I went into the bathroom to toilet him, I saw it and I

was very upset that they let his diaper once again get so wet and that I knew he

held onto it as long as he could before letting it go. It turned out he has a

new CNA and they, at the nh, never communicated to the new CNA, that she must

get Jim on a toilet. She was suprised that he had weight bearing when she saw me

in the bathroom with him. Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Back to square one.

I requested a urine test on Thursday and the results just came back today. What

the heck takes them so long at the lab the nh goes through? If I take Jim

straight to ER, we know right that night. I should have taken him to ER, but it

always turns out to be an 8 hour day, so I decided to request at the nh for a

test to be given. I know the weekend was also a factor in it for taking so long.

Still I can take him to ER on a weekend and have the results within the day. Of

course now, Jim is punching and aggressive, so the medication came just on time.

Jim was put on a new antibiotic that he has never had. He has been given Cipro

and Septra before, but this time he was given Keflex Aka Cephalexin 3Xs a day

for 10 days.

Plus Lactinex to help protect him from C-diff after being on antibiotics so many

times they said.

Has anyone's LO taken Keflex or Lactinex and how was it for

them?.............Jan

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