Has been treated 6 x in the last 5 months. But tests come back negative after she has started antibiotics. She has a constant burning sensation in vaginal area plus her Dementia waxes and wanes. I'm not sure if I need to schedule a appointment with a gyno. Anybody else experience this with their parent?
TonyRovere, good for you advocating for your Mom!
RR
After the third time I grew suspicious and after investigating realized that the nursing home was not properly caring for her. It was so bad that the emergency room staff at the hospital gave me a picture of my mother's backside showing my that the catheter was not being cleaned and my mother was suffering from bed sores.
I was furious and immediately contacted the state Ombudsman's office to file a formal complaint and went to work finding another nursing home.
With a new resident and better staff, my mother's symptoms disappeared.
As far as what's going on with her "vaginal burning sensation", it is important to distinguish whether it is actually vaginal or urethral, which can be hard to do considering they are in the same general region. A urethral burning sensation will worsen during urination because urine is acidic and irritates any inflamed tissue that is present. Then it would be important to distinguish whether that burning with urination is felt near the urethral opening or further inside. There are other potential causes for "urethritis" other than urinary tract infection. Further history and examination would be required by her doctor to sort it out. On the other hand, if there is no burning felt with urination, it may be more of a vaginal irritation, which has its own set of potential causes and could be evaluated by a gynecologist.
The problem with trying to figure this out in an elder with dementia is that she may not be able to tell you where and when she feels the pain, but if you can elicit that difference out of her during one of her more lucid periods, that would be very helpful.
One thing for any elder with dementia and burning sensation, whether vaginal or urethral, you want to make sure hygeine down there is very good and that wiping is done front to back. Having leftover stool/urine residue can be quite irritating on its own.
If you have further questions about this topic, feel free to contact me directly.
Best wishes,
Vik Rajan, M.D.
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I look forward to reading Dr Rajan's article along with you.
Take care,
Carol
Best wishes,
Vik Rajan, M.D.