Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

woodsprite

(12,473 posts)
6. I have them frequently. Dr. said I'm a "trifecta" patient since I
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 04:16 PM
Jun 27

have kidney stones, a permanent ureteral stent due to radiation treatment for endo cancer (constricts the ureter), and I'm diabetic. I've had 9 infections in the last 10 months, mainly Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Aerococcus Urinae. Both are considered rather rare and are frequently transmitted through hospital procedures (stent replacement probably for me). They treat the AU with Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) and the PA with Ciprofloxacin.

I cannot seem to shake them! I was good for 3 months this last stent exchange, and boom, last week I came down with PA again. I was up to go to the bathroom every 2 hours last night. I have a urologist, a primary care doc, an GYN/Onco, and as of last month, a UroGynocologist who recommended I see a Infectious Disease dr. My primary care doc said that UroGynocologists know female plumbing better than regular uros. When I did see the Infect. Disease Doc a few weeks ago, she suggested that I have an ultrasound to see if I still have a lingering kidney stone. Kidney stones can harbor bacteria that can colonize, which means building a bacterial film around or on something like a kidney stone or a stent. She said the other options to try would be changing my stent more frequently (every 3-5mo instead of every 5-8 months). I could also go on a med called "Methenamine" which is a drug that acidifies your urine and acts as a urinary tract antiseptic and antibacterial. It also aids in keeping kidney stones at bay. Considering my recurrent cancer, I'm not sure I want to try it unless it's a last resort option. It's a very small dose, but it converts to formaldehyde in your urine. I have to ask more questions and do more research on the history of it's use. Unfortunately, I didn't have neuropathy in my hands/feet until I went through chemo, and now every single course of Cipro seems to make it just a bit worse, so I may end up taking the Methenamine if it will get me away from the Cipro.

In looking up how to spell Methenamine, I found out that it can also be administered as a renal irrigation solution. If I don't end up having a kidney stone, I may ask my uro if he would think it helpful to flush my bladder/kidneys with a dose of that med the next time I have a stent exchange (July 24). He already does IV antibiotics (Cipro) during the procedure and sends me home on 7 days Nitrofurantoin post procedure. On the other hand, it's an older drug so there may be some reason he hasn't recommended it to me.

That's probably WAY too much info for you and sorry to write a novel. Just sharing what I've found out through experience, various doctors, and research. I find knowing more information helps to formulate questions when I have my appointments.

I wish you the best in figuring this out.

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

An elderly lady I worked with had chronic UTI's and she started takes cranberry tablets everyday kimbutgar Jun 27 #1
Is your glucose high? SheltieLover Jun 27 #2
I don't know. I will call my primary care docs office. They keep all my test records when I go to specialists for care CTyankee Jun 28 #11
I'll try to find article for you SheltieLover Jun 28 #12
found a useful video on UTIs in the elderly. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 27 #3
My tip: If you have a bm, don't flush until after you stand up. marybourg Jun 27 #4
And then put the lid to the toilet down before flushing. That microscopic spray of bacteria goes everywhere. Marie Marie Jun 27 #5
I have them frequently. Dr. said I'm a "trifecta" patient since I woodsprite Jun 27 #6
D-Mannose is helpful flamingdem Jun 27 #7
Thank you! I'll put it on my list of remedies to order. I'm going all out to get this gone! CTyankee Jun 27 #8
I 've had IC and have tried everything womanofthehills Jul 3 #17
It turned out I was not fully emptying my bladder cyclonefence Jun 27 #9
I had a middle school friend who got those same instructions because she was wetting the bed Iris Jun 27 #10
Link to article on Type 2 diabetes & UTIs SheltieLover Jun 28 #13
I forgot to say cyclonefence Jun 28 #14
I carry a large bottle of water around with me, even when I go room to room in my house and when I go out shopping. CTyankee Jul 4 #22
Post removed Post removed Jun 29 #15
Wow. A drug dealer right here on DU. Scrivener7 Jun 29 #16
Another help is natural bi identical hormone cream womanofthehills Jul 3 #18
Thanks. Maybe I can obtain the hormone cream if it doesn't require a prescription. CTyankee Jul 3 #19
You don't need a prescription womanofthehills Jul 3 #20
Marshmallow Root womanofthehills Jul 3 #21
Latest Discussions»Support Forums»Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support»Chronic UTIs in elderly w...»Reply #6