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Hi everyone,


I've noticed lately that my grandmother has not been peeing like she used to. She is 91, bedridden with dementia.
I'm told by her doctor that the part of her brain that sends the signal that her bladder is full is deteriorating.
I really would prefer not to get a catheter just yet as the risk of infection is so high so she wears adult diapers and I change her frequently, I don't mind that.
I've taken to stimulating her with wet wipes when I see her stomach looking a little distended and it works but today I haven't had any success since this afternoon.
She has no fever, great appetite and her urine is a good colour so I doubt it's an infection.
Anyone ever dealt with this before? And is there anything else I can do that will stimulate her urination? 
I see tons of articles about incontinence but not this.
Someone suggested putting her hand or foot in some warm water, I'll try that but in the meantime anything you can suggest would be welcome.


Thank you in advance .

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The old trick when potty training a child was to turn on the faucet and the sound of running water would do the trick.

Since Grandma's in diapers, try taking a video of running water and play it next to her ear to see if that works.

Also, would pushing gently on her abdomen just above her pubic bone work?
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Hello thank you I will try that video trick , I have been pushing gently on her abdomen but it only works really well in the early morning hours. Thank you for your reply
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I think you're in over your head, frankly. Call the doctor and see what advice s/he has to give you on this matter. Putting off a catheter may be causing more issues than it's curing.

Good luck!
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My mom is only in bed, recliner, and wheelchair now, so she can't go the toilet and is in depends. She is retaining fluids. When they take the catheter out, she bloats up, so it goes back in. So far she has not gotten an infection. If she needs the catheter, it might be best for your grandmother now. I would go with the doctor's advice.
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the body is self healing ..I have an 86 year old grandfather...doctors told him the same 'its old age..it won't get better ' etc. Firstly change her water for drinking, food etc to only Distilled..no other. Second there is a herb called `Juniper Berry' that does & will strengthen the bladder nerve, giving your grandmother back a strong bladder control.. What I recommend (& what I gave my grandfather is 2 caps a day 3 times a day 10mins before meals of "Dr Christophers Bladder Formula caps"...Available on amazon
No caps on Sunday, so the body doesn't get a tolerance. The formula contains juniper berry & other herbs that are wholesome & harmless, no side effects. and won't interact badly with any other meds she may be taking.
Additionally I purchased some Juniper Berry essential oil. Had grandfather rub a few drops neat a. on the area below the umbilicus where bladder sits...b. on the lower spine...from L4 to the coccyx..This is where the motor nerve supply for the bladder arises
You would need to do this for your grandmother by the sounds...
You Will get a marked improvement...Grandfather got a marked improvement in the first few days...then it leveled off & slowly got better & better. It took 3 months total before he recovered full bladder control
Distilled WAter
body is over 80% water, so having steam distilled water is essential for the body to function well & be healthy
Booklet
"The Choice is Clear" by Dr Banik (avail Amazon again) will clarify the details.
Additionally if the bladder obstructs completely as you mentioned cayenne pepper will clear the blockage rapidly...with no harm...Cayenne equalizes the circulation throughout the body in minutes
If your grandmother is used to spicy foods she won't mind at all. If not, full fat yoghurt mixed with the cayenne powder & a enough distilled water to make it drinkable will reduce the heat
Start with an 1/8th tsp & plenty of yoghurt...build up to 1 tsp 3 times daily if needed. You can read about the wonderful benefits online
Caps of cayenne are only if she doesn't tolerate the cayenne yoghurt & dash of water drink before meals
Cayenne will improve circulation to the brain also, & help reduce the dementia
She must have been a wonderful Grandma for you to love her so deeply : )
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Thank you, Princessasa, I will look into everythjng you said here .
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Lanfen74: You could type in the following - https://underactivebladder.org There you could garner much information on the health topic. There exists an Underactive Bladder Foundation. Also the Lasix medication called Furosemide may work.
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Lanfen74 Oct 2021
Thank you.
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your kindness shines through your words :). The body doesn't like to be forced to any action...body will perform quite nicely with the nourishment provided by the herbs in the bladder caps. By the age of 50 enough fluids have gone through the kidneys & bladder to fill 3 railway tankers...think about that...the sodas, teas, coffee, alcohol, waters with inorganic minerals etc etc all hard on the urinary system.....yet the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters )are so small & delicate they can be torn in half easily with a fingernail..Think about it...its not surprising the organs get exhausted

Also if you rub some of the juniper ess oil into the reflex points on the feet for the bladder (google a reflexology chart for bladder/kidney points). Some drops of the juniper oil on a warm compress & apply to the lower spine &/or abdomen when her bladder is not cooperating. Hot moist compresses are the most penetrating
Cold causes contraction. Moist warmth brings relation of the muscles (the bladder is made of smooth muscle.
Let us know how your Grandmother ..and you..are progressing : )
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Lanfen74 Oct 2021
Thank you once again , so kind of you.
Mama is doing better and going on her own 4 out of 6 times so that's not too shabby.
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I am not an RN, so would be calling for medical advice. Some Doctor clinics have a practice nurse, or community nurse who could visit to assess, advise & treat.

I applaud you for your love & dedicated care. Just remember to build a circle of carers, different people are needed at different times of the journey.

Are you involved with Hospice?
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Hi ,
we have a part time nurse who is here every other day . I noticed a bit of white discharge this evening so I have called mama's doctor who will have a look at her tomorrow.
Thank you for your kind words , I am doing my best looking after mama here at home .
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Sometimes running water can stimulate people to urinate. Sometimes, a gentle pushing type massage belly button height - push in and down - will help her to urinate., It is called crede and you can learn to do this watching videos or asking a nurse to show you how.

Start looking at videos that will teach you how to catheterize females. You will probably need this in the future.
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Hello , yes thank you I've tried that and it works very well. The Dr came to see her yesterday and she does have a bladder infection and is on antibiotics . We will get results on what bacteria it is on Monday for sure.
In the meantime your method works well and I've seen two videos so far on how to insert a catheter so thanks very much !

L
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Most people as they age don't drink as much as they use to so therefore the urine output is less.
Start charting her urine input.
Im glad to hear you are not going to catherize her as it is very painful and she'd have to go thru the pain every 30 days and end up with UTI's a lot.
My 96 yr old Dad had to be cathrized because of an enlarged prostate and he couldn't pee at all and too old for an operation and him going thru that every 30 days saddens me as he has dementia and telling them to stop hurting him, so sad and he gets a UTI every other month and then has to take antibiotics but he can't swallow the pills so we have to mash them and put in applesauce and the taste is so disgusting and bitter.
Whenever You think her tummy is full of urine, if she's able to sir in a tub with warm water, let her urinate right in the water.. also if she's able to sit in a shower chair in the shower with warm water Showering down will make you pee.. if neither of above is possible to do,, I find putting a nice warm damp cloth on the lower back and lower abdomen will help her to urinate.
Remember to keep Tract of her intake.

Also, if you have her on pills for constipation, they can make her dehydrated.
If you need her to drink more, try using a straw.
Prayers
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Hello,
Mama's water intake is excellent as I make sure she drinks water all day throughout the day . I use a 60ml syringe and I can usually get her to drink three to four of those each time I give her water.
She has dysphagia so drinking from a glass or cup is too risky.
Everything I keep charted , her meds , the times she receives them , her food and her water . So far getting her to drink is not an issue at all.
The Dr came and she does have an infection so she's on antibiotics for now and I've been able to get her to go as well as she did go a few times on her own so that's great . Thank goodness she isn't constipated.
She's totally bedridden and cannot get up or walk at all I'm afraid. We tried, but I do give her physio every day just to keep her muscles working .
I make sure to wipe her front to back and I change her as soon as her diaper is wet so I'm hoping the drugs will resolve this and that she can keep urinating without help. Until then I'll keep helping her .
Thank you for your reply .
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I have heard of this and there is a simple answer - have the doctors discuss giving her Lasix or Furosemide - this is a water pill which makes it impossible to hold. She will release it - I assure you. Nothing else is going to work, I assure you.
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Lanfen74 Sep 2021
Thank you very much! , I will mention it to her doctor . Xxx
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