[craiglou]

Hey gang, I'm writing because my partner Craig who is a 4/5 complete (for seven years now) is having recurring, almost consecutive Urinary Tract Infections. Needless to say, it's not a good thing but, more to the point, this has only been happening for the last year or so. For the first six years of paralysis he averaged two a year and then that changed.

Craig wears a leg bag and Texas cath. We catherize once daily in the a.m. We use the French catheters for a week, cleaning them daily with soap and water and storing them in an envelope. As far as we can figure nothing has changed.

Any thoughts on this? Lucy

[nomis]

Even though you've checked your procedures, scrutinize them again and improve to a ridiculous level. Check general hygiene of environment (bathroom, bedroom, w/chr cushion, etc)

Otherwise, rely on professional medical help. If your current doctor isn't coming up with the solution you need to consider going elsewhere for the appropriate knowledge. With repeated infections, are they being totally eliminated after treatment, and what's the state of his immunity?
Get medical help.

[john S.]

craiglou, on Jul 7 2007, 06:12 PM, said:

Hey gang, I'm writing because my partner Craig who is a 4/5 complete (for seven years now) is having recurring, almost consecutive UTI's. Needless to say, it's not a good thing but, more to the point, this has only been happening for the last year or so. For the first six years of paralysis he averaged two a year and then that changed.

Craig wears a leg bag and Texas cath. We catherize once daily in the a.m. We use the French catheters for a week, cleaning them daily with soap and water and storing them in an envelope. As far as we can figure nothing has changed.

Any thoughts on this? Lucy

When was last IVP. Sounds like stones but thats a guess. Ask his doctor about using anti infectives. d-Mannose and Mandelamine come to mind. On a personal level, you might be sharing a bug.
You are using what is called a clean technique. This doesn't stop bacteria. If he isn't showing really bad signs of infection, many doctors might prefer letting his body deal with the infection. It isn't real pleasent but it helps avoid drug resistant bugs.
If he is having a fever and sweats then ask the doctor for a broad spectrum anti biotic untill you can get there. Always use a new cath and sterile gkloves to catch the urine sample if that is all the doctor needs.
you can get urine test strips and do a lot of your own lab work. They are sold online and at your Rx. Be sure to read carefully and understand what you are looking at.
I wish you both the best.
john

[Texaswheelz]

Why only cath once a day and only use one a week? I'm not to fond of using 1 more then once.

[john S.]

Texaswheelz, on Sep 22 2007, 10:46 PM, said:

Why only cath once a day and only use one a week? I'm not to fond of using 1 more then once.

I'm not a big fan of intermittant catheterization. If you can afford it, use a new one each time and see if that helps. Be sure his bladder is fully empty. You can sterilize the red caths in the microwave by the way. Keep a chart of how much urine is emptied with the cath. and note any sediment or blood. If his bladder only empties 70cc's or less, you may be able to go longer between caths. Ask your doctor about credaeing to cause a bladder spasm. credae,, tapping on bladder area of abdomen to cause a spasm that empties the bladder. Drugs like ditropan make this impossible.

The reason your cathing each day is so his bladder doesn't hold too much urine. This can cause AD and the high blood pressure can cause a stroke or heart attack. If he doesn't hold much residual urine the doctor may agree to every other day. If residuals stay small, every 3 days, then once a week. If you chart his output your doctor will have data to make this decision with.

I haven't catheterized in years. last time I did there was only 15cc's.
I'm a C-5 but I can move my left wrist. Therefore I'm incomplete. (stupid terminology)
hope that is helpfull info. don't be afraid to ask q's. Doctors don't always explain things well.

john

[Texaswheelz]

Yea, I know that, which is why I was asking, most people that I know use a new cath each time and cath 4-8 times a day. Although here in Tx. medicare only pays for 4 a month(one a week), but if you have documented UTI's, they will pay for as many as needed. I know some one that gets 300 a month paid for.

[greg]

Texaswheelz, on Sep 22 2007, 11:41 PM, said:

Yea, I know that, which is why I was asking, most people that I know use a new cath each time and cath 4-8 times a day. Although here in Tx. medicare only pays for 4 a month(one a week), but if you have documented UTI's, they will pay for as many as needed. I know some one that gets 300 a month paid for.

I had the same problem once, I always cleaned the cath after use. The doctor advised me to clean them again, before each use. I just hold the cath in my hand, squirt dawn dish soap on it and a little water. Then rub between your hands and then rinse and use. I boil the cath every once in awhile. I have used them for years, with few infections.

[dave420atya]

I got one constantly also, I use a new one every time and am very careful to keep it sterile. I think i got stones but can't afford the test I need . I got blood and sediment ,had it for months I'm ignoring it and it will probably kill me . What can I do ? I don't want to go this way. I used a touchless closed system that cost about $8. 4 times a day ,,about $600. a month and it still comes right back. Now I'm getting a little worried. It's been going on for a year. I drink only water but not enugh some times. It has got to be stones.( I think)

Dave uti atya

[Susi]

Reading all the replies, I must wonder how clean is soap and water. We were advised with intermittant cathetirization to empty bladder at least 4x a day. You have to dring at least 2-3l of water a day. Its hard in the beginning but you do get used to it. As to cleanliness, catheter should be housed in a glass tube with a sterile solution in it. We use hibiscrub, sterile soap solution. Gloves should be worn, before inserting catheter for emptying. UTI's are usually a sign of hygiene. I am on a constant daily anti-biotic tablet to avoid UTI. In the 5yrs of permanent indwelling catheter, I have had NO UTI's at all. For awhile maybe go onto indwelling catheter until problem ceases. IMO this is better in the long run.

Good luck

[Kwag_Myers]

I cath four-five times a day. I've had one infection, followed by a kidney infection a couple weeks later. After my Urinary Tract Infection, I started putting my cath tube in a bowl of water and microwaving for 10 minutes.

Yeah, it's a big time thing, but that was the worst hospital stay of my life. After a few weeks, you get used to the process (I try to win a game of solitaire before the microwave goes off).

Anyway, I've only been "in the club" for a few months, but so far, no more infections.

[Edtezky]

I cath 5-6 times a day and i used to get a UTi every month. What you have to do is stay off the PILLS. Do not take any uti antibiotics such as ciprio or levaquin. Stay off it and drink LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER/Cranbary Juice. IF you are peeing irregular, foli cath your self and pull off a leg bag for a week wile drinking lot of water. Then take it out when your urin is normal again. You have to build your immunity in your bladder so you can fight anything that gets inside. Good luck, it work for me i hope it works for you guys.