She started being more "off" than her usual level of dementia so I suggested rehab test her for a UTI. 2 days later, they took the sample. 2 days later, got the positive results and next day started her on Marcrobid. Now, I think she has been treated for 4 days and she is still asking for dead people (brother, parents), telling me all about a "gala" she will be going to, etc. This is very far away from her normal, pre-UTI behavior.
I'm wondering if this means the meds are not touching the UTI. I have talked with the staff. One told me she thinks they usually do another pee test after the course of treatment which is usually 5-7 days. Ugh. She's so confused and doesn't know what to do with herself. Her short term memory is completely gone so telling her to just relax and not worry about anything, etc. does not work, of course. It might calm her in the moment, but doesn't last.
She did have another UTI, not too long ago, I guess mid/late April.
Any experience with something like this?
Really, Rehab is not a hospital. If Mom is not responding I would ask that she be taken to the hospital where a culture will be done and maybe given the antibiotic by IV. If she is sensitive or allergic to penicillin, tell them that. This was a problem we had with Mom.
Once the infection is cleared up I would ask for her to be given a probiotic and cranberry tablets.
The Urine needed to be cultured so that sensitivity to antibiotics could be ascertained. Ask the doctor if both a U/A and a CULTURE were done and ask what sensitivities show. Let him/her know that macrobid isn't doing the job. Doing HALF the job is worse than nothing because it allows the strongest bacteria to survive.
Meanwhile Geaton is correct. D-Mannose....order overnight on Amazon. I used Source Natural Brand and have for many years. My frequent UTIs gone now for over a decade. Works like cranberrry in that it doesn't allow bacteria to attach to the wall of the bladder. It is large pills. But they are good tasking to open capsule and pour in any food or drink. Sweet tasting. About 30.00 for 120 and she should be on once daily to prevent in future.
Good luck, again.
I tried to combat it with OTC meds, cranberry and lots of water, in addition to upping my d-Mannose dose, but after a week I ended up calling my healthcare providers consulting nurse service. She instructed me to submit a sample for a UA (which I intended to request anyway) and prescribed the antibiotic Ceftin. They did a UA with culture and the Ceftin was a match for the bacteria present. I may be over the infection now but because I let it go for so long (my bad!), I may need another round. I'll definitely stay on the d-Mannose.
If this med is not working, keep an eye out for signs of sepsis:
Change in mental status.
Fast, shallow breathing.
Sweating for no clear reason.
Feeling lightheaded.
Shivering, fever
Symptoms specific to the type of infection, such as painful urination from a urinary tract infection.
When my Aunt got sepsis (at 103) from an infected cat bite, it affected her brain and manifested in her vision: her vision processing was completely turned upside down (not to be confused with vertigo). The floor was the ceiling and the ceiling was the floor. It eventually returned to normal. So, be aware of any "weird" things such as that.
Wishing you success in getting your Mom the proper speedy treatment!
Remember, once your Mom is clear of the UTI you should consider the maintenance D-mannose if she isn't already on it. It really does cut down on the number of UTIs.
Thanks for your response.
Mom may have some hospital delirium going on, meaning her confusion is very ramped up for the duration of her stay in rehab. I saw it with my mother. Then she was put on a Scopolamine patch to treat her vertigo (at my request 🙄) and while it helped with the vertigo, it made her dementia so bad, she was seeing mice running around on the floor! Is mom taking any other new meds?
Good luck with all this, I know how hard the whole situation tends to be.
I'm going in to visit soon and if she has not improved in the last 24 hours, I'm going to ask the nurse to reach out to the doctor for a new pee test to see if the med is working or not.
Thanks!