My mum has just finished her (either 4th or 5th) course of antibiotics and the UTI has finally cleared up but she has been ill most of the weekend with continuous diarrhoea and lower abdominal pain - it hurts to touch the area below her belly button from hip to hip.
She can't get out of bed other than to go to the bathroom.
Is this anything to do with the combination of antibiotics and her prescribed medication, Leflunomide etc?
Does she need to up the steroids whist she is so incapacitated - I have read that that is often the case. Currently 20mg Pred and 10mg Leflunomide.
Also wondered if her infection could have spread from the bladder?
I am waiting to hear back from the rheumatologist but it could be days till I hear from her.
Written by
Jeromekjerome
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Call the GP - and when/if they are useless try 999. That isn't normal and needs urgent medical advice. Though it is a common effect of leflunomide - and if it were me I'd stop it and see if that helps though it does build up in the body and so it takes a while for the level to fall.
I think that all your theories have merit. It is likely to be in the side effects of all the medicine your mother has been prescribed ( diarrhoea). I hope the infection hasn’t spread. I would talk to her GP, it is well within a GP’s remit to treat this. 4-5 courses of antibiotics is an awful lot. I got cystitis symptoms without infection. It was Adcal and Pred I think. I would want advice before I upped the dose. It is not clear whether it would hurt or heal to my mind. She may have picked up a bug - then a little more Pred would make sense. Plenty of fluids obv. I hope she recovers soon.
A big problem we have at the moment is the GP practice is full of new/temporary doctors who have no knowledge of my Mum's situation, everytime she gets to speak with one of them their absolute ignorance of her condition is infuriating and even after it has been explained again they tend to be patronising and unhelpful.
My mum is very articulate, patient and well informed so I have no idea why they treat her like a 'little old lady' who doesn't know what's best for herself.
In other words, ringing the GP is very off-putting, the one good one is impossible to get hold of
I really know that feeling. I think women in general get patronised. I do call it out now, I mean if not now, when?
It does take a lot of energy I know, but I also know that you can stand up for both of you and you need a bit of basic medical advice before you can talk to your Rheumatologist. The tummy pain maybe strain or it maybe something that needs attention. Steal yourself, it might be better than nothing. I suppose a pharmacist could be useful on the side effects of medication. A stool sample to identify the infection? X
Update is she did get to speak to a doctor and he was a good one, wanted to help, very knowledge etc (thank god) luck of the draw at that place. He agreed with the pharmacist about possible colitis and has requested a stool sample for testing. Recommended lots of water and to eat whatever feels right (follow her appetite) in the mean time.
Right well, totally useless - I rang the GP, couldn't get a call back today as they are 'inundated'- and, obviously - nothing from the rheumatologist either. I have to ring back at 8am to arrange a phone call
pro has said speak to 999 or maybe doctors on call. You need this sorted and quickly not in a few days when you might see her gp . Love to you both. YBB
Then call 111 and say you need to speak to a doctor. Tell them what you have told us, including the attitude of the GPs and the state she is in.
Not knowing your mother's situation is excusable. Being patronising is not. They look at her age and gender and make appalling assumptions. And I would tell them so.
ok- I spoke to her pharmacist who was very helpful. He told me to ring the GP surgery back and tell them he advised me to get a doctor to call her today- his main concern was the size of the area where she feels pain and wanted the GP to look into the possibility of Colitis, especially after more than 2 courses of antibiotics back to back.
I rang back the GP receptionists and with the new element of 'pharmacist advice' was able to confirm a call back at 5.30 today.
I had c.dif after antibiotics once. I'd also be worried about adrenal problems if the diahorrea is preventing absorbtion of steroids, might need emergency cortisone.
Though to be fair, oral pred that isn't enteric coated is absorbed from the stomach within an hour or so. It might be more of a concern with enteric coated pred which is absorbed from lower down the GI tract where intestinal hurry would have a greater effect.
Good - it occurred to me later it COULD have been C diff after all those antibiotics. Hope your practice feels suitably apologetic for not seeing her ...
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leflunomide and diarrhoea 
Diarrhoea
Prednisolone and diarrhoea 
omeprazole And diarrhoea 
Prednisone causes reduction pain not PMR
