How do you know if there is a urinary trac... - PSP Association
How do you know if there is a urinary tract infection? Hubby does not have fever but is falling more and dr said to look for dark urine.
My mother, 84, had a significant decline in all aspects of PSP. I had a urine culture done and she had a UTI. After weeks of Cipro she has regained the mobility she lost, her appetite increased, and she is awake during the daytime. I had no idea how a UTI can have such an impact on a person. She was not running a temp but did have darker urine and there was sediment in her cath line. I learned that UTI's can cause physical and psychological problems. Please consider asking the doctor to order a urine test.
Oh my, I never would have imagined him getting a UTI and what dramatic effects it might have. The increased falling was just out of the blue, and the dr thought it might be the muscle relaxants at first. He said if it did not stop he would order the urine test. Thank you so much for letting me know about the temp, also. I called again today and had to go to the dr's office and get a urine kit. I already have it back at the office---marked urgent by the staff. Think good thoughts for him!
hi
i get utis about twice a year in the form of cystitis -v painful
the urine is a darker colour and it becomes impossiibel to pass much
i know it si different 4 men but a urine tes tshould b done anyway
i am 66 and was dxd 2010
lol Jilll
a HUG
Jill, thanks for the quick response. I give him carbonated water with cherry juice as a natural anti-oxidant, and he loves it. So I couldn't see much color change, but in the morning when I quizzed him about anything feeling different he said it was harder to pass his urine. So that's a big clue, just like you mentioned. (Hubby is 67, diagnosed 2011. I tired to put his pic on my profile thing so everyone could see what a healthy looking guy he looks still looks like. I'll get my computer to work it one of these days).
As soon as Frank has a change in his behaviour pattern, becoming agitated and extremely bad tampered, high temperature. I ask for them to test his urine, we had an upsetting scare with him at the week-end, Dr put him on antibiotics and he has become the Frank that we know! I think all of the carers agree on the issue of urine testing. Get the Dr back.
Thanks, kay1. Hubby didn't really act differently but those falls were terrible! He had no temp, and the color was hard to tell, but when he said he had a hard time going I called the dr back and had him tested. I am so glad for carers who share this information.
I agree with all the others. If he is more confused than usual, perhaps is running a temperature, sweating, having difficulty passing urine and then only passing small amounts, frequency of passing urine and pain when passing urine then he could well have a urine infection. Not necessarily all of the symptoms together, but any one of these should put you on the alert. Is it feasible to take a specimin into the surgery for the nurse to test on site. This may show up protein which could indicate if there is an infection straight away.
The other thing to watch out for is a low grade chest infection.which would make him less able than usual.
Hope you can get it sorted,
Teena2
teena, I am now understanding that you can have the uti without all of the symptoms. They marked his specimen urgent, so I am waiting with the phone. Thanks, again for your helpful info. I am really getting worried, though.
Same as everyone above! Even if there is no high temp, changes in behavior especially irritability and figeting can be a signal. The quick test is the safest bet!
Thanks, Jeff. Yes, I learned my lesson not to rely on no temp for signs of something! It was just the sudden falling that took us by surprise but later he admitted that it was harder to go when I asked him about urine issues. Scary.
In the States I buy the UTI kits at the Drug Store. You can test the urine yourself and they are reliable. Ask the Pharmacy if you cannot find it in the store.
Never heard of this, ileen. Good to know. The dr ordered one, so I just did what he asked, but this is good info for the future. He doesn't wear adult diapers or anything. I get him (or help him) up at night to go, so I was shocked that he'd have an infection. Poor guy, all he needs. I'm still hoping not, but we will need to know why the sudden crashes to the floor anyway. Thanks, again for the tip.
You are welcome. UTI's occur in people with PSP because the disease affects the functionality of the bladder itself. Even though my husband would get up several times a night to go, his bladder was not emptying out totally so an infection can occur when the bladder or urinary track still has urine in it. At least that is how I understood the doctor when he explained it to me.
The results of the urine test panel came back negative. Relieved, but now I am wondering what might have triggered the sudden falling episodes (5 times in 2 days). He seems steadier today, though. At least now I know what to look for with UTI's. And the dr did say it was good to check because UTI's are common in PSP. Thanks again to everyone for helping.
Hi Rosemarie - glad to hear that there is no infection --but - -you may want to chart his output - -retaining urine is also common in PSP and it is very dangerous.
thanks, dlera, he uses a urinal so that will not be a problem except to get there before he dumps it flushes. Sometimes it seems like I should know these things but they come up so quickly I can't keep up. thanks again.
I buy the test strips on line , comes with instructions to monitor
