My mom has recurrent/chronic UTI's, constantly. Any advice?

My mom had reoccurring UTI’s as well, they were all caused by fecal matter and her PCP would give her the instructions about wiping, what to use to wipe etc. then she had several back to back. While we don’t actually know for sure since they never tested to see if it was cured after the course of antibiotics, I’m convinced it was the same infection. She would get better on the antibiotic and then a few days after the course was finished her behavior would change again (this is the only way we know or suspect UTI since she never feels it). She was sent to a urologist who put her on a heavier duty antibiotic and once it was done and her UTI cleared up she started Hiprex and D-Manose which has seemed to do the trick!

Not everyone is the same but it sounds like your mom (and you) could use a trip to A urologist who deals with elderly paitents.

I feel your pain! Since my Mom's stroke she has had recurring uti's which as you know are horrific for the elderly! I did it all, hydrate, cranberry juice, pills and finally her urologist prescribed a medication called methenamine. He said it makes bacteria impossible to grow in the bladder. He also said nothing was 100% but...It works! Knock on wood, Mom hasn't had a uti in a very long time! Like over a year! And as a preventative to avoid falls and in my Mom's case, seizures, when she gets her blood work done they also do a urine culture to check for a uti. This way we can get antibiotics fast if she should have one.
Best of luck to you!

They COMMONLY used to put such elders on a daily prophylactic dose of Cipro. Now you are lucky to get Cipro at ALL as some side effects that were exceptionally rare put it out of favor. Sadly this is seldom done anymore, and more sadly, this inability to empty the bladder makes these infections more frequent.

I had frequent bladder infections that often moved to my kidney, and was under threat of daily doses a bit more than a decade ago. It was recommended I try D-Mannose, one capsule daily. I had no faith in this as, as an RN, I don't really believe in supplements and vitamins without a very good reason. I tried it and I haven't had a single UTI in over a decade. Works much like cranberry but not acidic. Keeps bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Easy to take and if capsule too large to swallow break open and put in food. Very slight sweet to tasteless. Worth a try. Has worked for others I have recommended it to I would say 80% of the time. I use Source Natural, about 30.00 for 120 capsules on Amazon, but I suspect they are all much the same.

Take her to see a gyno-urologist.

She already has a urogynochologist so why are you asking us non physicians? Does she have diabetes? A permanent cath requires daily anticeptic practices als also can contribute to infections.Why go to the PCP to get antibotics? The urologist should already doing best practices? You can also ask for a second consult with a urologist.

My Mom’s doctor prescribed Hiprex to help acidify her urine. She also takes Azo capsules. She’s been doing this for a couple of years now. She went from having back to UTI’s for several years to having only one in two years.

Summernole, I don't suggest cranberry. Most is full of sugar and that's a no no for someone already having infection. Trader Joe has some without sugar but it isn't well tolerated. It's acidity is way too much for most elders. There are many things that do the same thing cranberry does and I am surprised, as she has a urologist, he hasn't suggested some to you. I would check on that. Glad that the cultures are being done. Sounds like you are doing all you can. Bladders for the elderly go all neurogenic and result is often frequent infections, sadly.

I've been told that just getting the urine more acidic will help. Therefore, eating oranges or any fruit high in vitamin C or taking vitamin C tablets will help. I augment my mother's meals with any high water fruit, e.g. watermelon, grapes, etc. My mother will not drink cranberry juice, however she will drink orange juice, mango juice, etc. She doesn't like the taste of water or coffee. However, she will drink tea. I try to pump her full of fluids.

She resists taking in all this fluid because it makes her go to the bathroom more often. For me, the Vitamin C tablet has worked the best.

Dear OP, some suggestions:
1) Watch really carefully to see how she is wiping her bottom after a bowel motion. If she wipes from back to front at any stage, she is transferring the (I think it’s) ecoli from the feces forward to where the bladder empties just by the vagina. She should be reaching behind her, not backwards between her legs. That will cause a fresh UTI. She might have started to do this because it’s actually an easier movement, but it’s a seriously bad move.
2) This could be one where drinking cranberry juice regularly could help. It’s not strong enough to cure anything, but it probably makes the bladder a bit more resistant.
3) Are you sure that her UTIs are being cultured and tested fully? I had one that didn’t clear up in spite of the antibiotic that the doctor prescribed immediately. When the full test came back from the lab, it was a different unusual infection, and cleared up with a different antibiotic.
4) To help her empty her bladder completely, she should sit on the toilet seat with her knees apart, lean forward to compress her stomach, and push.

I hope this helps a little bit. Yours with sympathy to both!

In addition to you finding the best Urologist possible to treat your mom and making sure she is drinking plenty of water, I think taking a look at her bathroom routine might be warranted. Lots of folks are suggesting drugs and drinks, but no one is talking about the dirty word of "cleanliness."

My mom does not remember to wipe, nor does she really know how when you remind her. Have you thought about installing a bidet onto her toilet? You can get one for about $100 and it's a relatively easy installation. I think if you have elderly folks who do not bathe frequently and have accidents in their pants and who don't wipe well or at all, I think flushing the area with water from a bidet might be helpful at keeping their bottoms clean. I don't know how involved you are when she uses the toilet, but you would more than likely need to be involved in the use of the bidet (pushing the button and helping her dry off) unless your mom is really high functioning. Making sure she is changing her underpants daily or several times a day if needed is also a good idea.

This is a hard one because they still want their privacy and you don't want to be insulting, but you also don't want them back in the hospital.