Jump to content

Menu

Battling a UTI, starting our 4th course of antibiotics.


Recommended Posts

Ugh. DD 3 has had a UTI since 12/26. We took her to the ER on the 26th and she got an antibiotic.

 

10 days later we went back. Yet another UTI. More antibiotics. This time a 14 day course of antibiotics that still doesn't help. 4 days after finishing it we went to the pediatrician (Because we now recognize the symptom) and got another 10 day course of a new antibiotic that still doesn't help.

 

Today, 4 days after finishing the last batch of meds, she's got the symptoms again and now it's a 20 day course of meds with a check at the 10 day mark, then 10 more days of meds, another check urine test will happen at day 18 and then an ultrasound to make see what's going on.

 

Ugh. This is exhausting.

 

No baths, no juice, no perfume in the soaps, only liquid detergent, a wipe down and rinse at bedtime, and lots & lots of laundry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When the antibiotics aren't knocking it, it's probably time to take a look at the plumbing.

 

The pediatric urologist saved DD9's life. Not an exageration. When she was 3yo, we had been doing the escalating antibiotics program - more and stronger antibiotics for longer stints and she just kept getting UTI's again. And then they started being "stealthy" - she would get them and not show symptoms until all of a sudden DD would spike a super high fever and we'd be in the ER getting IV antibiotics. Finally, they admitted her to the pediatric ICU and we got hooked up with the ped. urologist. Some major tests later, he determined she has a type of reflux - urine backs up and infects the kidneys. But it was a close thing - we nearly lost her in the ICU a couple of times.

 

Not to scare you, but DD9 has only one working kidney at this point and it's only about 75%. The other was damaged by repeated UTIs that spread to the kidneys. She sees an awesome kidney doc who works with the urologist to keep her healthy.

 

I would say that if your child has had 3 UTIs in 3 months, it's time to check with the experts.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When the antibiotics aren't knocking it, it's probably time to take a look at the plumbing.

 

The pediatric urologist saved DD9's life. Not an exageration. When she was 3yo, we had been doing the escalating antibiotics program - more and stronger antibiotics for longer stints and she just kept getting UTI's again. And then they started being "stealthy" - she would get them and not show symptoms until all of a sudden DD would spike a super high fever and we'd be in the ER getting IV antibiotics. Finally, they admitted her to the pediatric ICU and we got hooked up with the ped. urologist. Some major tests later, he determined she has a type of reflux - urine backs up and infects the kidneys. But it was a close thing - we nearly lost her in the ICU a couple of times.

 

Not to scare you, but DD9 has only one working kidney at this point and it's only about 75%. The other was damaged by repeated UTIs that spread to the kidneys. She sees an awesome kidney doc who works with the urologist to keep her healthy.

 

I would say that if your child has had 3 UTIs in 3 months, it's time to check with the experts.

 

She's not had any fevers. That means we haven't let it get to the kidneys? Or am I just being naive in thinking this.

 

She's going to see the pediatric kidney dr. in 18 days. The pediatrician said that they'll do an ultrasound to check for reflux. The reason they're not doing it soon, he says, is because the UTI causes inflamation and reflux all on it's own and to do the test without the infection is more accurate. That's what the dr. said. Is that correct? What else should I be asking him to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

They need to culture the urine to see what bacteria are giving her the infection and if it will respond to the antibiotic.

 

Each time it's been cultured. It's e-coli. Each antibiotic she's been prescribed was supposed to be effective in killing that bacteria. Obviously it hasn't worked and that's frustrating.

 

The results of the culture from today's specimen is still in process. I'll get a call next on Monday or so from the ped.

 

The ped. said that the culture would recommend effective antibiotics and also let us know if this was resistant to anything yet.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had a UTI once I couldn't get rid of - turns out it was resistant to the antibiotics they gave me - they changed the antibiotics to sulpher pills and it was cleared up in two days never to return.

 

But I agree - at this stage I'd be getting them to check her out physically as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ask about exercises for helping your DD get her bladder empty when she pees. DD's doc gave us a list of the funniest things (have her sit backwards on the toilet, run upstairs after she pees then try peeing again) all designed to help her train her bladder to really get emptied. And setting a timer so she visited the bathroom every 30 minutes.

 

Also, we have had good luck with DD taking the chewable acidopholus tablets whenever she is on antibiotics. She says they taste good and they really help her avoid the tummy problems.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

:grouphug: Will she be seeing a pediatric urologist? I would definitely recommend this as a specialist can make a big difference. I would ask her doctor if cranberry juice is ok for her as well to drink at least daily if not more. Thge only thing I would want pure cranberry juice which is harder to find sometimes since it is often in mixes with mostly other juice. But again ask the doctor.

Edited by priscilla
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are those used externally? Where do you get it.

 

Internally. Your pediatrician will probably never have heard of any of them, unless he is also interested in natural medicine. Google d-mannose and oil of oregano and you will find a wealth of information. They can all be purchased at the health food store or on the internet.

 

If it makes you feel any better, I give d-mannose and oil of oregano to my kids. The d-mannose is sweet like sugar; the oil of organo is spicy but they'd rather take it than be sick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is she drinking diet sodas or other diet food/drink? Aspartame/nutrasweet gives me the symptoms of a UTI.

 

Best wishes

 

Laura

 

No, we don't even drink juice here. So it's kind of a treat for her to get the Cranberry juice (no sugar) her doctor's asking us to feed her. Milk and water are the daily norm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it is e-coli are you sure that she is wiping correctly and thoroughly and not reinfecting herself.

 

This is a hard one. She's 3. She's not always telling me when she goes --when it's not extremely painful -- I've watched her and it is front-to-back. I've started wiping her down daily before bedtime with a wipe and putting on her fresh undies.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can I give this to a 3 year old? I wonder what her pediatrician would say if I asked him about it.

 

He would tell you that if you wish to treat your own child's medical condition then you can be responsible for the outcome....It is beyond inappropriate advice especially with the severe problems she has had. How exhausting and scary but that is no reason to abandon sound science and medicine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

She's not had any fevers. That means we haven't let it get to the kidneys? Or am I just being naive in thinking this.

 

She's going to see the pediatric kidney dr. in 18 days. The pediatrician said that they'll do an ultrasound to check for reflux. The reason they're not doing it soon, he says, is because the UTI causes inflamation and reflux all on it's own and to do the test without the infection is more accurate. That's what the dr. said. Is that correct? What else should I be asking him to do.

She definately needs to be checked for reflux! It is better that there not be infection if possible for a the test. They'll need to do more than an ultrasound. They should do another test called VCUG. It requires being catherized for X-rays and is a uncomfortable. If you want more info on reflux check out www.vurinfo.com

 

My dd just had surgery in Jan. to correct her VUR. I really hope it's not that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

She's not had any fevers. That means we haven't let it get to the kidneys? Or am I just being naive in thinking this.

 

She's going to see the pediatric kidney dr. in 18 days. The pediatrician said that they'll do an ultrasound to check for reflux. The reason they're not doing it soon, he says, is because the UTI causes inflamation and reflux all on it's own and to do the test without the infection is more accurate. That's what the dr. said. Is that correct? What else should I be asking him to do.

 

Do make sure you see a pediatric urologist, regular urologists don't often understand when and how to treat children. Yes, you can have very severe kidney reflux without having a fever or even all of the normal UTI symptoms. The next step after ultrasounds are VCUGs. There are a variety of potential solutions to repeat UTIs and reflux and they involve a sorting a variety factors including severity, age, medical history and responsiveness to other treatments.

 

In the mean time-hang in there :grouphug:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

She's not had any fevers. That means we haven't let it get to the kidneys? Or am I just being naive in thinking this.

 

She's going to see the pediatric kidney dr. in 18 days. The pediatrician said that they'll do an ultrasound to check for reflux. The reason they're not doing it soon, he says, is because the UTI causes inflamation and reflux all on it's own and to do the test without the infection is more accurate. That's what the dr. said. Is that correct? What else should I be asking him to do.

Yes, that is correct.

Infected urine refluxing into the kidneys damages the kidneys, for this reason infections in reflux kids and possible reflux kids must be aggressively managed. DD was on prophalactic antibiotics to prevent infection. You may need this to keep your DD infection free until you can have the VCUG

 

She definately needs to be checked for reflux! It is better that there not be infection if possible for a the test. They'll need to do more than an ultrasound. They should do another test called VCUG. It requires being catherized for X-rays and is a uncomfortable. If you want more info on reflux check out www.vurinfo.com

 

My dd just had surgery in Jan. to correct her VUR. I really hope it's not that.

Yes. The Ultrasound can only check for kidney damage already present, damage from the current infections will take up to 6 months to show. A VCUG is very important.

 

Do make sure you see a pediatric urologist, regular urologists don't often understand when and how to treat children. Yes, you can have very severe kidney reflux without having a fever or even all of the normal UTI symptoms. The next step after ultrasounds are VCUGs. There are a variety of potential solutions to repeat UTIs and reflux and they involve a sorting a variety factors including severity, age, medical history and responsiveness to other treatments.

 

In the mean time-hang in there :grouphug:

Yes, I had very severe reflux as a child, it was not picked up until I was 4 years old by which time I had kidney damage. I believe my only symptom was failure to thrive. I had immediate surgery to correct the issue. Fortunately my kidneys have healed, but the damage I had may still cause issues as I get older.

 

Fortunately DD, while having bilateral Gr 3 reflux, is infection and kidney-damage free. She is still under a ped uro for regular check ups.

Edited by keptwoman
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the follow up with the peds. urologist. In addition to the inner plumbing, they might need to check her outer stuff as well as I had a foster daughter who had some slight malformations that made her very prone to infections.

 

The VCUG is NOT fun but VERY necessary. If you need this done, I HIGHLY suggest a children's hospital do the test---even if you have to drive a few hours to find one, or at least a bigger hospital with a very good peds. team.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have treated UTIs with d-mannose. I would ask your dr if there is any reason not to take it daily given what she is experiencing. When I researched it I learned it was a simple sugar with no side effects other than grabbing ecoli and washing it out of the bladder -- quite safe. My son's urologist had no problem with us giving it to him daily.

 

However, even if this or something else clears her current UTI, I would also see the pediatric urologist and find out what is causing the problem. Repeated UTIs and the kidneys are not something to mess around with.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He would tell you that if you wish to treat your own child's medical condition then you can be responsible for the outcome....It is beyond inappropriate advice especially with the severe problems she has had. How exhausting and scary but that is no reason to abandon sound science and medicine.

 

If you read my post, I did tell her to take the child to a pediatric urologist. Speaking as someone who has had chronic UTIs for 20 years, I find your response beyond inappropriate.

 

ETA: What is up with people lately? Is it the moon?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
When the antibiotics aren't knocking it, it's probably time to take a look at the plumbing.

 

I would say that if your child has had 3 UTIs in 3 months, it's time to check with the experts.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

I had chronic UTI's as a child. No ultrasounds back then so they had to knock we out to check it out. Since I was so young I'm not sure exactly what the problem was, but I believe it was due to urine pooling in the vagina. The bottom line was I kept reinfecting myself. They surgically fixed it when I was 6 and I have NEVER had a UTI since (46 years!)

 

Mary

Edited by Mary in VA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the follow up with the peds. urologist. In addition to the inner plumbing, they might need to check her outer stuff as well as I had a foster daughter who had some slight malformations that made her very prone to infections.

 

The VCUG is NOT fun but VERY necessary. If you need this done, I HIGHLY suggest a children's hospital do the test---even if you have to drive a few hours to find one, or at least a bigger hospital with a very good peds. team.

 

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

 

I have treated UTIs with d-mannose. I would ask your dr if there is any reason not to take it daily given what she is experiencing. When I researched it I learned it was a simple sugar with no side effects other than grabbing ecoli and washing it out of the bladder -- quite safe. My son's urologist had no problem with us giving it to him daily.

 

However, even if this or something else clears her current UTI, I would also see the pediatric urologist and find out what is causing the problem. Repeated UTIs and the kidneys are not something to mess around with.

 

:iagree: with all this. I believe the D-mannose specifically deals with e-coli.

 

I use this one http://www.amazon.com/D-Mannose-with-CranActin-60-Capsules/dp/B0011FT8OM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1298997418&sr=8-3 from the local vitamin store. I can practically feel it working, i.e., the sensation that a UTI is coming on goes away the same day.

 

I don't know whether these particular capsules are yucky tasting if opened up, assuming your child does not swallow pills. But, I also recall seeing a D-mannose powder at the vitamin store - let me see... sure enough, there it is... http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_16?url=search-alias%3Dhpc&field-keywords=d-mannose+powder&sprefix=d-mannose+powder

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Each time it's been cultured. It's e-coli. Each antibiotic she's been prescribed was supposed to be effective in killing that bacteria. Obviously it hasn't worked and that's frustrating.

 

The results of the culture from today's specimen is still in process. I'll get a call next on Monday or so from the ped.

 

The ped. said that the culture would recommend effective antibiotics and also let us know if this was resistant to anything yet.

 

since it's already been cultured and she's still getting sick, I most definitely think you need to take her to a pediatric urologist. There may be a structural abnormality or something that can be easily fixed with them. Sometimes just holding the urine too long, too, will cause it to back up and cause infections. Is your dd making sure she's emptying her bladder each time she goes, and does she urinate as soon as she feels she has to? HOlding it in is very, very bad. At this point, though, I'd be very concerned at the amounts of antibiotics it's taking to treat this infection and would definitely consult a specialist.

 

I've had numerous UTI's without fevers. I did have one kidney infection and that caused a fever and chills which took weeks to go away. I also had to use a couple of different antibiotics to kill that one off.

 

(I still see you) ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm so glad you are taking her to a pediatric urologist. My oldest went through this when she was around 3.5. She had a renal US and a VCUG. It wasn't nearly as bad as we feared. She did have reflux and a bladder the size of an 8 year old! And after months of voiding training and a maintenance course of antibiotics, she was better. And thank God she has never had another UTI.

 

Keep us updated! :grouphug:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...
Guest StateofConfusionMom

HI. I just joined this forum group bc of your posting......our dd had similar problems........4 months of back to back UTI.......she'd finish meds 10 days, and on day 11, another UTI.....fevers as high as 105, ER visits.......finally the special ultrasound........IF UNDER 8, Sedate.......but what I really wanted to know, is how is your child doing? Did you have the test done? I am trying to get more info on anyone who has had to go the deflux route with their child........

Link to comment
Share on other sites

since it's already been cultured and she's still getting sick, I most definitely think you need to take her to a pediatric urologist. There may be a structural abnormality or something that can be easily fixed with them. Sometimes just holding the urine too long, too, will cause it to back up and cause infections. Is your dd making sure she's emptying her bladder each time she goes, and does she urinate as soon as she feels she has to? HOlding it in is very, very bad. At this point, though, I'd be very concerned at the amounts of antibiotics it's taking to treat this infection and would definitely consult a specialist.

 

I've had numerous UTI's without fevers. I did have one kidney infection and that caused a fever and chills which took weeks to go away. I also had to use a couple of different antibiotics to kill that one off.

 

(I still see you) ;)

 

 

why is this on here? These aren't my words and I didn't type them.:confused:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest submarines
oh what the heck. I guess there should be a No Posting While Tired rule.:tongue_smilie:

 

Do you still stand by your advice, though? ;)

 

:grouphug:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest submarines
I do! I was going to quote and agree to it all when I noticed my picture on the top!!!

 

Ok, I may have dug my hole so deep now that I just may be able to touch China.:lol::lol::lol:

 

Congratulations. You are sane. :thumbup1: :lol:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ugh. DD 3 has had a UTI since 12/26. We took her to the ER on the 26th and she got an antibiotic.

 

10 days later we went back. Yet another UTI. More antibiotics. This time a 14 day course of antibiotics that still doesn't help. 4 days after finishing it we went to the pediatrician (Because we now recognize the symptom) and got another 10 day course of a new antibiotic that still doesn't help.

 

Today, 4 days after finishing the last batch of meds, she's got the symptoms again and now it's a 20 day course of meds with a check at the 10 day mark, then 10 more days of meds, another check urine test will happen at day 18 and then an ultrasound to make see what's going on.

 

Ugh. This is exhausting.

 

No baths, no juice, no perfume in the soaps, only liquid detergent, a wipe down and rinse at bedtime, and lots & lots of laundry.

 

Have they done a culture? If not ask for one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been a long-term sufferer of UTIs and it all started for me at age 3, so I feel your pain. I'd add cranberry pills to her diet. You can get them in capsule form and sprinkle the powder in something else, like peanut butter or yogurt.

 

One suggestion that has helped me tremendously is to try to flush the infection out, along with all of the other strategies. A natural inclination when it hurts is to stop drinking very much, when really, the opposite needs to happen. Keep giving her water every hour--regardless of any other liquids taken, LOTS of water must be had. The goal is to not allow the bacteria to have the time to reproduce. The cranberry juice and pills at the same time help the bacteria to not stick to the walls, so they are easier to flush out.

 

Some kids have less thirst than others--I know because I was one of those kids, and still am. I need to remind myself to drink, because I could go all day without and not care. I believe that played a role, as well as some cheap bubble bath. :glare:

 

I also recommend taking probiotics.

 

This, along with the other basic measures you're taking, like careful cleaning, no soaps/scents, etc. made it possible for me to get off of the antibiotic rollercoaster FOR GOOD. Once I got diligent about it (because they had decided to put me on low dose antibiotics for half a year, and I didn't want to do that) I got rid of them. I haven't had one in around a decade now. If I ever feel so much as a twinge, I get drinking :D and pop some cranberry. I used to get them a minimum of once or twice a year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

after all of this can we have an update? How is your dd?

 

Sorry for the hijack. It was totally unintentional.:lol:

 

Update on DD:

 

She went from June to November without a UTI.

 

But last week we saw it starting again, smelly pee & painful potty time.

 

Sigh, she's back on medications.

 

Still don't know why these are happening.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have been a long-term sufferer of UTIs and it all started for me at age 3, so I feel your pain. I'd add cranberry pills to her diet. You can get them in capsule form and sprinkle the powder in something else, like peanut butter or yogurt.

 

One suggestion that has helped me tremendously is to try to flush the infection out, along with all of the other strategies. A natural inclination when it hurts is to stop drinking very much, when really, the opposite needs to happen. Keep giving her water every hour--regardless of any other liquids taken, LOTS of water must be had. The goal is to not allow the bacteria to have the time to reproduce. The cranberry juice and pills at the same time help the bacteria to not stick to the walls, so they are easier to flush out.

 

Some kids have less thirst than others--I know because I was one of those kids, and still am. I need to remind myself to drink, because I could go all day without and not care. I believe that played a role, as well as some cheap bubble bath. :glare:

 

I also recommend taking probiotics.

 

This, along with the other basic measures you're taking, like careful cleaning, no soaps/scents, etc. made it possible for me to get off of the antibiotic rollercoaster FOR GOOD. Once I got diligent about it (because they had decided to put me on low dose antibiotics for half a year, and I didn't want to do that) I got rid of them. I haven't had one in around a decade now. If I ever feel so much as a twinge, I get drinking :D and pop some cranberry. I used to get them a minimum of once or twice a year.

 

Update on DD:

 

She went from June to November without a UTI.

 

But last week we saw it starting again, smelly pee & painful potty time.

 

Sigh, she's back on medications.

 

Still don't know why these are happening.

 

I was also a long time sufferer. I had my first UTI at a very young age. After marriage it got to the point that I'd have them once per year, and the pain level was horrific. When we moved out to the country and I had my first one here and after hours, I started to drink cranberry juice daily. I buy the plain juice, unsweetened, but cranberry pills will be fine also. At THE first sign of an issue, I douse myself with cranberry juice. It's ALWAYS in the house. In our 15 years of being in our house, I had treatment for only that one UTI. I did have an infection a year or two back, but that was determined to be a kidney infection. I'm also quite certain I passed a stone.

 

If your dd was seen by a urologist and has no structural issues, I really think you'll notice a drastic improvement if she if adequately hydrated and if she can either drink cranberry juice or take the pills, even if only sprinkled on something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was also a long time sufferer. I had my first UTI at a very young age. After marriage it got to the point that I'd have them once per year, and the pain level was horrific. When we moved out to the country and I had my first one here and after hours, I started to drink cranberry juice daily. I buy the plain juice, unsweetened, but cranberry pills will be fine also. At THE first sign of an issue, I douse myself with cranberry juice. It's ALWAYS in the house. In our 15 years of being in our house, I had treatment for only that one UTI. I did have an infection a year or two back, but that was determined to be a kidney infection. I'm also quite certain I passed a stone.

 

If your dd was seen by a urologist and has no structural issues, I really think you'll notice a drastic improvement if she if adequately hydrated and if she can either drink cranberry juice or take the pills, even if only sprinkled on something.

duly noted. I will give this a try. She's feeling better again so hopefully we can avoid from now on. Daily cranberry. Showers only. No perfumed soaps.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this a bladder, kidney, or what? is the test cultured, or is it based on pain?

 

have you tried cranberry juice? there are also many pill forms in the health food store. It changes surface of the tissues so bacteria can't stick to it. drink lots of water.

 

ETA: since you have done so many antibiotics - make sure to replace the acidophilus in your system that antibiotics have killed. greek yogurt or a supplement can make a difference too.

Edited by gardenmom5
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is this a bladder, kidney, or what? is the test cultured, or is it based on pain?

 

have you tried cranberry juice? there are also many pill forms in the health food store. It changes surface of the tissues so bacteria can't stick to it. drink lots of water.

 

ETA: since you have done so many antibiotics - make sure to replace the acidophilus in your system that antibiotics have killed. greek yogurt or a supplement can make a difference too.

 

No, the infection hasn't ever gotten up to her kidney's. The culture is of the urine. And they pick an antibiotic that will be most effective. We have tried it, but she was already in so much pain and they were suspecting deformities that we gave up on it. I think I need to do the cranberry juice daily as a preventative--sort of like we did with the small dose of antibiotic for 5 months each night before bedtime.

 

I'm thinking of making my own cranberry juice so I know for sure it's pure. I'll use fresh cranberries and purified water. She loves greek yogurt --and plain yogurt with a teaspoon or two of agave in it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...