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This is so frustrating and dangerous. We have a fit-in appointment with another NP this afternoon as DH’s primary PA is not available.
I understand the need for him to be seen again, but a full work up including blood work was done after the last UTI to see if underlying cause could be determined; it wasn’t. The last two were the same organism so I am assuming this one will be as well.
I understand this is unusual in men and it’s important to determine why it continues to happen, but by UTI #3, I don’t understand why he can’t just go to our local affiliated lab and pee in a cup and get started on the ABX that worked the last 2 times. He doesn’t get the usual symptoms and I understand that is typical in the elderly so catching things early is difficult. I also know that jumping on it too early for culture growth is useless.
Obviously a pattern is establishing and I would think getting him started on meds as soon as possible would be better than waiting.
So, questions: does D-mannose or other supplement work for men? It does for me. Should I press for permission to make a quick trip to the lab for a C & S next time so we can avoid the several hour wait and long trip in with a sick husband to see a different NP every time? What do you do?

He should be seeing a urologist if this is ongoing. My Mom was on cranberry tablets and a probiotic which seemed to keep her from having more. UTIs in men are serious and can become septic.
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Peasuep Oct 17, 2024
That’s why I’m getting so frustrated with this back and forth and wait, wait, wait. DH’s dad died of sepsis although not from UTI and that has me really worried every time this happens.

No one has ever recommended any form of preventative but you can bet this time I’m going to ask.
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Peasuep, does your husband stay hydrated? Honestly I would give him half cranberry and half water to drink a few times a day see if that helps, for prevention, not for cure or to replace meds or doctors.

But it wouldn't hurt anything.

Being younger, if I feel a UTI coming on I flush my body for days with water and cranberry juice. And it works for me anyways.

It should be the unsweetened cranberry juice, good brand too. Ocean spray.

Just to reiterate, by no means do I mean not to see a urologist. That's utmost important.
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Peasuep Oct 17, 2024
Thanks Nacy. If we can get through this one you can bet I’ll try anything. D-mannose has been a lifesaver for me when plain cranberry juice wasn’t enough. But it was my hairdresser that recommended it! The doctors just kept waiting for me to get sick and then suffer in that miserable condition for an appointment and antibiotic. Ridiculous!
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D-mannose works for me. And would work for a male in that its mode of action is simply to stop the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. It's a simple supplement. May or may not work for him, and worth a try. I use Source Natural Amazon, about 34.00 for 120 capsules. They are large so for any swallow problems just empty capsule on food. It is actually tasty.

That may not be the answer.
Be certain microscopic is being done here, because you are correct this is a bit unusual in men. The bacteria may not all be being killed if he isn't taking the antibiotic regularly and ALL of them. He may be STRENGTHENING the bacteria by it being either the wrong antibiotic or not taking all of it.

Good luck, P.
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Peasuep Oct 17, 2024
I’ll run it by the NP this afternoon. For me, D-mannose is magic. Didn’t know you could sprinkle them on food. Excellent tip as swallowing can sometimes be a problem.
I will also ask about micro. I know his primary is concerned about this and it’s all in his chart so maybe this will spur a sooner appointment than his regularly scheduled one in March (!) We’re really careful about taking the ABX as directed.
Thanks, Alva.
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D Mannose and/or cranberry pills. Also see if any prescription meds have side effects of urinary issues. Mom was on CMementine and got recurrent UTI's. Once I discontinued the med, they stopped.

My boyfriend got a UTI in his late 50's. It was extremely painful. They never determined a cause. He now chugs cranberry juice to help prevent them.
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Been there with my DH. If they don’t find out what is causing the UTIs, they will only get worse till the antibiotics don’t work anymore. My DH is down to the only antibiotic that will work. We don’t know what will happen then. His UTI is caused by a kidney stone which they cant or won’t operate. Good luck.
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Peasuep Oct 25, 2024
Anna, that’s interesting. DH did have a kidney stone years ago and had it broken up (lithotripsy??) He had been on medication to keep stones from forming for many years but was removed from that a year ago because they became contraindicated due to his current health. He has had no pain at all, but I will bring it up to his pcp. Thank you!
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Peasuep: After having a repeat U.T.I. after my first one, I began taking Myrbetriq and also a daily cranberry tab. Even after being in an SNF for a separate reason for one month, I had no reoccurrence when I was more likely to have one.
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UPDATE:
We finally have internet after almost a week! Thank you all for your responses. DH has been on Keflex (same drug but a higher dose than last time) for almost a week and physical symptoms have disappeared but mental symptoms persist. It was a rocky road - a lot of emotional upset, sleep disruption (more than usual) and today he thinks I am his sister. I am not alarmed, just sad and resigned.
Another week, another sample, and we’ll be able to tell if the antibiotics weren’t strong enough or not prescribed for long enough each time to knock out the bugs, or if we need to look deeper for something else going on. Thank you for your support.
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Anxietynacy Oct 23, 2024
Peasuep, glad your back, I hope hubby's cognitive changes get better. So sorry, thats got to be so hard.

I did some caregiving for elders with Alzheimer's, the one thing that hit me was, they may forget exactly who you are, but the heart never forgets!

I spent 24-48 hours with this one lady, if when someone came to relieve me that she didn't know her anxiety would go up, a lot, but when one of her regular girls came in, she would look at them , and say who are you, but her whole demener was relaxed and welcoming. Nothing like the ones she didn't know.

So just remember, the heart never forgets! 😥

I'm so glad you found us, to share your journey with us.
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UPDATE 2: no growth on the culture. I can’t believe it. Now I AM a little alarmed.
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Anxietynacy Oct 24, 2024
I'm sure you are, any sinuses issues, my mom was really out of it after she got antibiotics for sinus, she went back to her normal self.
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Nacy, no sinus infections but you bring up another issue - maybe it’s the antibiotic that is causing DH’s bizarre behavior. It’s obviously not infection this time although it looked like it on the initial dip.
I do know I can’t seem to get him to wake up in the morning since he’s been on it……
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Anxietynacy Oct 24, 2024
That's always possible, even if they say it's not possible, doesn't mean it's not, everyones body reacts differently. Any other med changes, or meds that don't mix with each other.

You could ask the pharmacist, they always seem to know the most.
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If it was me having the problem, I'd do a telemedicine appointment and ask about a Ivermectin or Hydroxychloroquine prescription.
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ANOTHER UPDATE:

@annanell brought up kidney stone and I replied down the thread that that is an intriguing possibility this time, due to negative culture growth and DH’s history of uric acid stones and gout - both of which have been controlled with medication up until we moved and changed pcps. I’ve sent a message to the np. Thanks again annanell.
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