Recurring UTIs

[wontrememberthis]

Hello friends,

Seeking advice to support my dad with advanced PC.

Good news, he just finished Pluvicto (6 rounds) and his PSAs are below 1.

Bad news, he has literally had one UTI after another for about 18 months. After being hospitalized multiple times for them, the doctors started testing him proactively. Every time he gets tested, he has one. Every time he has one, they put him on Cipro. Then the cycle repeats. At this point, I'm more concerned about the UTIs than the PC.

He has a urostomy bag because the PC had spread to his bladder and caused damage there. He's also down to one kidney for the same reason.

I'm reading that recurring UTIs are often caused by the cycle of antibiotics. medicine.wustl.edu/news/rec... However, with his weak system, when he gets them, they obviously have to get him on antibiotics quickly.

Question 1: Is it worth getting him into a urologist who specializes in recurring UTIs? We could get into Boston if needed. If so, if anyone has any doctor recs, I'll take them.

Question 2: I've seen folks finding success on a low dose of amoxicillin (250mg) daily as a preventative to avoid the hard core drugs like Cipro. Any insights there?

Question 3: Is this the best HU community to ask this question?

Question 4: What other questions should I be asking?

Thanks so much.

[Bkraus1]

If he had radiation to that area, he could have a fistula. He should get evaluated with a urologist.

[wontrememberthis in reply to Bkraus1]

hi he’s had multiple CT and PET scans and nothing like that has showed up

[j-o-h-n]

Is your dear dad circumcised? If not, that could be the cause of his UTIs....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[wontrememberthis in reply to j-o-h-n]

Yes he is this only started the past couple years so seems like an internal problem reaped to the cancer

[spencoid2]

I was having recurring UTIs for a couple of years. Got rid of one and then got another. Culture showed that the right antibiotic was being used but I just getting them over and over and over.

My primary prescribed methanamine hyperate along with vitamin C to acidify urine and this greatly reduced the number of UTIs. However my insurance pretty much stopped paying for methanamine so I plan to quit. I am in the hospital due to a pathological fracture and did not being the methanamine or vit c with me. $150 will buy a lot of cranberry juice. If you do get the methanamine be sure to take it twice a day with 500 mg of vit C at the same time.

If they identify the type of bacteria it can be determined if it came from external contamination. Usually if it is from external sources it is a bacterium found in shit, I forget the name? Is he catheterizing? Be sure to not contaminate the catheter and pre treat with povodine. If using intermittent self cath you are not running urine through through to keep the urinary tract clean.

Pure unsweetened cranberry and or sour cherry, not sweetened juice or nectar

[spencoid2 in reply to spencoid2]

Also if not circumcised you need to keep the area sparkling clean. Also cipro might not be the right antibiotic. Amoxicillin is the first choice if cultures and sensitivities have not been done. Try to avoid more broad spectrum drugs unless indicated.

Also it is not necessary to treat every infection that shows in a dip ore sediment test. I only ask for treatment if things get really bad. I have 13 mm of calcification at the bottom of my bladder and an extremely thick bladder wall and urgency at 250 ml. If you are not voiding completely you might need to self cath. After trying to void completely, self cath and see how much remains. You can also use a bladder scanner like the one I have.

I just had cystoscopy and a CT scan which showed the calcification. I believe the whole mess was started due to radiation cystitis.

[wontrememberthis in reply to spencoid2]

Cultures are always done and it is always the same bacteria and they claim cipro is the right med for it

[wontrememberthis in reply to spencoid2]

Thank you I am going to ask about this option!!!

[Vynbal]

You can also try D-Mannose.

[wontrememberthis in reply to Vynbal]

Yeah he won’t try it because his doctor told him he doesn’t like non FDA approved supplements 🫠

[spencoid2 in reply to wontrememberthis]

I am ordering t right now. Methanamine is approved because it is $180 (full price for 90 days) instead of $20 or so.

from chat so it has to be true !!!

how does d mannosehelp treat utis

ChatGPT

D-mannose is a type of sugar that is used as a natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Here's how it helps:

1. Preventing Bacterial Adherence:

E. coli bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. These bacteria have tiny hair-like projections called fimbriae, which they use to attach to the walls of the urinary tract, allowing them to colonize and cause infection.

D-mannose works by binding to these fimbriae, effectively coating the E. coli bacteria and preventing them from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.

2. Flushing Out Bacteria:

Once D-mannose binds to the bacteria, it makes them more likely to be flushed out of the urinary tract during urination, rather than sticking to the urinary tract lining and causing infection.

3. Natural and Gentle:

Unlike antibiotics, which kill both harmful and beneficial bacteria, D-mannose works by simply preventing bacterial adherence, making it a gentler option that doesn't disrupt the balance of the body's microbiome.

4. Safety:

D-mannose is generally considered safe and is a popular over-the-counter supplement for UTI prevention, especially for those prone to recurrent infections. It is not an antibiotic, so it does not contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Usage:

Prophylactic Use: Some people take D-mannose regularly to prevent recurrent UTIs.

Acute Use: It can also be taken at the onset of UTI symptoms to help reduce the severity and duration of the infection.

Limitations:

Effectiveness: While D-mannose can be effective against UTIs caused by E. coli, it may not work for UTIs caused by other types of bacteria.

Consultation with Healthcare Provider: It's important to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, especially if symptoms persist, as untreated UTIs can lead to more serious kidney infections.

In summary, D-mannose helps treat and prevent UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls, thereby aiding in their elimination from the body during urination.

how does cranberry juice helputis

ChatGPT

Cranberry juice is a popular natural remedy for preventing and managing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Here's how it helps:

1. Preventing Bacterial Adhesion:

The primary way cranberry juice helps prevent UTIs is by inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract walls. Specifically, cranberry juice contains compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs), which prevent bacteria, particularly E. coli (the most common cause of UTIs), from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract.

When bacteria can't adhere to the urinary tract walls, they are more easily flushed out of the body during urination, reducing the likelihood of an infection taking hold.

2. Increasing Urine Acidity:

Cranberry juice is slightly acidic, and while the effect on urine acidity might be minimal, the overall acidic environment can help make the urinary tract less hospitable for bacterial growth.

3. Acting as a Diuretic:

Cranberry juice can have a mild diuretic effect, meaning it increases urine production. This can help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract more effectively, reducing the risk of infection.

4. Rich in Antioxidants:

Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which help boost the immune system. A stronger immune response can help the body fight off infections more effectively.

Effectiveness and Limitations:

Prevention vs. Treatment: Cranberry juice is more effective at preventing UTIs than treating an active infection. For active infections, antibiotics are usually required.

Not a Cure-All: Cranberry juice doesn't work for everyone, and its effectiveness can vary depending on the individual's body and the specific strain of bacteria.

Concentration Matters: Pure cranberry juice is more effective than cranberry juice cocktails, which are often diluted with water and sweetened with sugar. Cranberry supplements, which concentrate the active compounds, can be an alternative.

Usage:

Preventive Measure: Drinking cranberry juice regularly or taking cranberry supplements may help reduce the frequency of UTIs, especially for those prone to recurrent infections.

Complementary to Medical Treatment: While cranberry juice can be a helpful preventive measure, it's not a substitute for medical treatment. Anyone with UTI symptoms should consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

In summary, cranberry juice helps prevent UTIs primarily by inhibiting bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls, making it easier for the body to flush them out. However, it is more of a preventive measure than a treatment for active infections.

[Explorer08]

My urologist recommended D-Mannose.

[Maxone73]

D-mannose worked like charm once in the past, also cranberry juice is good, but it's mainly packed with....d-mannose

the fact is you should know what caused UTI because d-mannose work only for e.coli

[FrostGyre]

What does he drink?