Resistant UTI, I don't know what else to do. She's getting ready to start a 3rd antibiotic. How do I keep dealing with these hallucinations?

I’m going through the same thing. My mom keeps getting recurring uti’s. Has dementia and has been having hallucinations and paranoia. She just accused me of helping people take her house because I wanted her to come and stay with me. 😢

That sounds incredibly exhausting, and doing it alone can feel overwhelming. UTIs in older adults can sometimes cause confusion or hallucinations, and it can take time for symptoms to settle even once treatment starts.

One thing that sometimes helps caregivers is keeping a simple daily log of medications, fluids, sleep, and when the hallucinations seem better or worse. That kind of information can be very helpful for the doctor if treatment needs to be adjusted.

Also, if you’re running on thin air, it may be worth asking the doctor or hospital social worker about short-term home health or respite support so you can get a break. Caregiving at this level is a lot for one person.

You’re clearly doing your best in a really difficult situation.

update : She is coming around a little more. We are 3 days in with the 5 day regimen. Praying for this to clear it up. I have been staying with her night and day, I had to come to my home and take care of a few things here. I lost my cat back in October so, it's just a matter of keeping an eye on things and my neighbors will too, I think. I didn't think I would miss my place this much but I am adjusting to how things are or maybe conditioned. lol
My goal is to be able to spend a night at my house if she can get back to her base. But mostly to just get better and take care of her ADLs. I don't have a lot of plans beyond that.
It gives me time to do some straightening and cleaning there, but I'm not pushing that either...steady as she goes. It has to work for both of us, right? Right!

the cranberry pills also helped

Take a look at her meds. Some cause urinary issues as a side effect.

Urinary issues are a side effect of C Memantine.

Mom had recurring UTI's for years. Once I took her off of the C Memantine the UTI's stopped.

It really was horrible.

My mom, 91, has had recurring UTIs for decades. At this point her Dr said that her bladder is colonized, meaning she will always test positive and that treatment will be based on symptoms. She became pretty incontinent over the last 5 years and is in Depends full time. She does not have any symptoms and it has been a long while since she had a flare that caused discomfort. I would definitely see a urologist to determine best next steps to manage her situation in case she is also in this situation. Cure isn’t always possible. I would also not assume that a UTI could be the only cause of her hallucinations.

I hope you can get some answers. I would insist on a doctor that deals especially with the elderly. It can make a world of difference.

All good answers... Just want to offer you hugs as a former caregiver I had a most special patient who used to get terrible hallucinations and back-to-back UTIs. I was not a live-in caregiver but I often had to sleep over. Her family lived out of state .It is very frightening for them as they believe what they see is real.
Stay on the doctor ... Push for more cultures and a possible change of antibiotic.. sometimes you can be put on the wrong one. Push fluids. Don't leave her alone.... If that means hiring overnight help or grabbing a good friend to give you some respite, I hope you can.
When washing up or showering, Don't use anything stronger than baby bath on her private parts... Use a squeeze bottle filled with plain warm water to rinse off. Take extra care to avoid any fecal contamination.
I went through a period myself when I just kept getting UTIs... They are more common in postmenopausal women.

The most challenging part of a UTI is keeping enough fluids moving through your system so you are not getting dehydrated. And making sure you finish the antibiotic all the way to the end of its dosage and course of treatment as prescribed unless your physician or practitioner tells you otherwise or you have an adverse reaction. They are very common. Best wishes. If you wan more information you can discuss it with a urologist or obstetric/ gynecologist.

She has had cultures done. She has 2 kinds of bacterial uti's.
But my concern is the hallucinations.
So far she's compliant with meds.
I wouldn't say she's near death at all.
Not to say I worry about this uti turning into sepsis.
I also worry will this effect her cognitively on down the road.
Lord only knows.
Thank you for your replies.
Ive been on the horn with her Dr's nurse and she has an appointment with her next week. They'll do another culture then.
I'm sorry if this is confusing.
Thank you all again.

My friends sister had been going through antibiotics for resistant UTI. Long story short she had bladder cancer.

I agree with others she needs a culture and please elevate her care to a Specialist.

Suggestions:

Call in hospice for an evaluation. Where I live, we don't need a doctor's order to talk with hospice about admission.

Ask her doctor for meds to treat her hallucinations.

And/or get a new doctor for her. The one she has seems unsupportive and possibly ignorant and uncaring. Find an eldercare/geriatric specialist who deals with the issues all the time.

Don't believe she can't be placed. Keep shopping doctors until you find one who agrees that she needs placement.

This is a drastic situation, and as her advocate, you may need to stand up and make a fuss until someone hears you, which seems not to be happening at present. I'm so sorry you're going through this.

Was a culture taken to determine the proper antibiotic? If not, that must be done.

If so, your mom may be approaching end of life now. My dad was having recurring UTIs when he was at end of life and none of the meds were working. The doctor at the hospital suggested hospice and we went that route, comfort care. Dad passed less than 3 weeks later.

I'm so sorry to hear about these difficulties you are facing with mom. God bless you and give you the strength to cope.

I had cellulitis over a year in 2025, and they tried 7 antibiotics and finally got it right after I insisted they take a culture in the 5th month, and letting the LAB figure it out!

My first 2 doctors didn't take a culture, and just guessed the many antibiotics. I'd take the 10 days worth, sort of get better, then my cellulitis would ramp back up and burn like a blow torch. I had to keep going back, until I finally insisted on a culture!

Mom needs a fresh culture taken to find out exactly what antibiotic will work and what is resistant to her UTI. Not those "pee strips" they may have used.

Time for another doctor, preferably a urologist. Mom may need IV antibiotics, like I did.

Tell your stubborn Mom you "don't believe the doctors" and want her to see a SPECIALIST. Get Mom thinking the same way:
"That doctor was full of it! They are guessing and you need a culture! Don't put up with their crap!" It could work. Good Luck!