My Mom has had constant UTIs for many years. She will get off one antibiotic, then a few days later, another UTI. Any suggestions?

Do you assist with her toileting, or does she clean herself? Either way, make sure all wiping and cleanup is done front-to-back, and use baby wipes for both urine and BM cleaning. If she's wearing incontinence underwear, frequent changes are mandatory.

I also made sure my mother drank plenty of water to keep things moving. The easiest way for me to keep track was to line up four 8-oz. bottles of water on her little desk every morning, but I had to keep reminding her to "guzzle up" throughout the day. She hated it, but I kept on her, and as a result she suffered only one UTI in the 12 years she was in my home.

Has the doc done a culture of the urine? That will determine the type of infection and determine the antibiotic for best treatment.

Get appointment with a urologist. There are some urologist that specialize in female plumbing.

D-mannose was like a miracle for me personally. I was getting upwards of four UTIs a year no matter what I did, and many went into kidney. This was a decade ago. I have no UTI for the decade after taking one D-mannose a day. The capsules are big, but tasteless to slightly sweet if you break open and dump in a drink, east ti take. I use the Source Natural product from Amazon, about 120 capsules for 30.00 so it is certainly worth a try.

Unfortunately our story seems the same as yours. My Aunt lives in a Nursing Home and gets frequent UTI's and we can usually can tell by what she says that the dementia is increasing which means the UTI is coming back and it is very upsetting that they will not test her for it unless she has a temperature. We did get them to put her on a daily low dose antibiotic which works pretty good for her. You have the problem of resistance to the drug but I personally would rather try to keep a handle on it and not let it get so bad and wait for a temperature which means a much wider spread infection.

My 90-year-old mother had a long history of UTIs. Even with some dementia she was aware of wiping front to back. Her doctor finally put her on a low-dose of antibiotics and then she got a UTI on the antibiotics. At that point he heard my request and went ahead and prescribed d-mannose daily for her in her care home. You don’t need a prescription for it, I got mine online in a powder form and they mixed it with some juice every day. But without the prescription I couldn’t get the aids to give it to her every day. For the last five years of her life she was UTI free. I swear by d-mannose. It is only a simple sugar that has the unique ability to stick to the inside of the bladder by keeping bacteria from adhering to it.Usually a teaspoon a day is enough to keep the UTIs away. Best of luck!

Hopefully the urine tests are cultures AND you wait at least 3 days after completing the course of antibiotics. The culture determines the exact type of bacteria and therefore narrows the choices of antibiotics to one more specific for that bacteria.

I had a urologist tell me that if I were to get recurring UTIs, like 3 in a row, then it would be at least a 6 month course of antibiotics. Thankfully it never got that bad!

My mother was one to have multiple UTIs every year. I wasn't involved in her care at that time (she was much younger and self-sufficient), so I don't know if testing was done or if they just Rxed antibiotics. She finally went to the urologist and was Dxed with Interstitial Cystitis. This condition can cause symptoms that might mimic UTIs, painful urination, etc.

Ensure she gets sufficient hydration (avoid over-hydration, that has it's own issues - mom did that too!) One problem that can lead to multiple UTIs is not voiding completely:

"If the bladder cannot be completely emptied, so-called residual urine remains. Since the rinsing of the bladder is impaired, germs can easily settle on the inner wall of the bladder and cause infections. This encourages as well the formation of urinary stones."
Source: https://www.uromed.eu

Mom was given some type of catheters to use each time she went, to get rid of the remainder. Special foods to eat/not eat as well. Not a good choice for someone with dementia. Unfortunately as we get older, once most of the urine is voided, the "urge" isn't there and it's too easy to end up with left over urine in the bladder. Funny that she finally got sick of all of it and just stopped with the catheter things and the diet. For whatever reason, the UTIs and/or IC seemed to subside as well. She didn't have another UTI or complaints for a long time - first UTI in MC resulted in sun-downing, the only time she ever experienced that! Subsequent UTIs (1-2) after that presented as night time bed wetting (soaking!!!)

So, if/when the next one occurs, get a urine culture. If it shows up again after treatment, consult with a urologist. If it truly is bacterial, she may have to stay on the antibiotics longer. If it isn't, it may be Interstitial Cystitis (or some other bladder condition.)

First find out if she has a pessary inside her that you are not aware of. They need to be taken out and cleaned every three months. At 94 moms gynecologist finally removed hers. Apparently after wearing for a long time your bladder will stay in place. A pessary will cause UTI’s if not cleaned properly. My mom her last two years was on a low dose antibiotic daily. This was a life saver for her and me. Mom used to get UTI’s monthly. One actually hospitalized her with Sepsis. Best of luck to you finding a solution.

Hi Hatethis
Have your mother been checked out by a urologist to see if her bladder is completely emptying? Also, have you tried getting her to drink something like cran grape juice? Anyway, just a few suggestions. God bless you and hope you find something that works, because UTI'S are terrible.

Uqora! Google it. My 87 yr. old mother has had frequent UTIs and she’s been taking this for 4 months and hasn’t had one since taking this. She is taking 2 pills every day of the “ Control” and so far it’s working!

I wonder if it's a lot of sitting without getting up and just moving around even a little bit. I think older people tend to sit way too much! Perhaps, trying to get the patient up at least every hour to walk for about five minutes.

I would first recommend an appointment with a Urologist for a complete workup. It may show an anatomical cause. Have her increase water intake, flavored
if she prefers, but at least 8 glasses to flush bladder. Encourage her to urinate when needed and to not hold it, and change panties if wet. Switch her bath soap to one without fragrance, hypoallergenic, and launder her undergarments with fragrance free detergent. UTI's can be very dangerous if advanced. Constant intake of antibiotics is not good for anyone.

My 90 yr. old mom just got out of the hospital with a serious kidney and blood infection probably brought on by her constant uti’s as well. They have advised us to ask her doctor about low dose daily antibiotics. I have not heard about d-mannose. It is worth trying first? I wonder if it is strong enough.

Have you tried Cipro? I have to self-cath 3 times per day and I had the same problem with UTIs.

have mom take a Pro-Biotic supplement every day.
My mom went through the same thing.
we used Nature's Way Probiotic Pearls for Womens vaginal and digestive health.
But a less expensive one may work just as well.

My mom experienced the same thing. In fact, if she acted out of character (based on her new norm) then we had her tested. She eventually had extensive testing and they found that her muscles were weak and her bladder was naturally tipped such that she was never able to fully empty it. I'm sure the diaper didn't help! Some antibiotics were so bad that she'd cry at just the thought of having to take them. I wish I had a good answer. It's absolutely miserable for them. I'd suggest getting educated on the testing that labs do. She can have a UTI but they call it negative if it isn't so bad yet. (It's been a while since I had to know this so I'm afraid I can't give you the details. ) Then you have to test 3-5 days later. Good luck!

For my mom a daily probiotic and a cranberry supplement has seemed to extend the time between infections. We try to encourage the water but she drinks very little. Sister and I repeatedly talk about changing positions while on the toilet to empty her bladder better.
We only know she has an infection primarily by her extreme change in mood,
urine order very strong and cloudy. She never has pain and I suspect she has pelvic nerve damage from four large babies delivered. I have no other ideas.

Use a gentle non fragrant body wash and laundry detergent.

A cranberry pill called Ellura has been a huge help to my husband, and I can't image why it wouldn't work for women--though you could ask the company or your pharmacist. I used to have what felt like UTIs one after another and was given antibiotics one after another. Then my GYN recommended Vagifem (Yuvifem generic). It absolutely solved the problem because what I was feeling all the time were symptoms of--but not actually--UTIs. I haven't had a UTI for many years now.

My mom had frequent asymptomatic UTIs. When she was admitted to the ER after her most recent fall (and a temp of 101) numerous tests were done. It was determined that she had a “very large” kidney stone that was, more than likely, the cause of the UTIs and sepsis. Due to her age (96) and other medical reasons, surgery was not an option. Admitted to hospice, mom was under comfort care for 9 days until her death. With previous UTIs, mom was put on antibiotics; cranberry juice did help at times. Yes, with each UTI her late onset dementia also noticeably worsened. Unfortunately, mom’s scenario has no answers for you...but it does give a very brief overview of her experiences.

My mom's gyno recommended Vagifem and a probiotic called rePhresh. No more UTIs.

Didn't read all the posts but just need to say...antibiotics are not effective if used longterm. You need a culture. The only way they can find out what bacteria they are dealing with. The last one my Mom had she was hospitalized. They catherized her to get all the urine in her bladder. She had IV antibiotics. She was put on cranberry tablets and a probiotic. Probiotic more because of the antibiotics. But it was continued at her NH as were the tablets.

It has been mentioned on the forum that maybe the type of incontinence supplies being used is the problem. The materials used, the fragrance. Me, I can't use Kotex products. I switched to cotton briefs years ago. Years ago my daughter was getting UTIs. We cut out bubble baths, started using cotton undies. Found out it was the colored toilet paper I was using. Note: u haven't seen colored toilet paper for years. Should not be using any powder ot feminine sprays either.

Its hard as we get older but you have to completely void. I wondered why the aides would leave my MIL on the toilet a little longer. Maybe its so they void completely. Keep as clean as possible. I always used Huggies wipes on Mom. Big and thick. Lots of water intake.

My MIL, 92, had repeated UTIs for years. About 2 years ago, she was awaiting a heart procedure and it kept being put off due to the UTIs, one resulting in sepsis. We got her to a Urogynecologist, who put her on a regimen of 1) daily low-dose antibiotic (Trimethoprim), 2) oral probiotic (Culturelle brand) daily, 3) estrogen creme inserted just inside the vagina 3x/week at bedtime, 4) 2000 mg Vitamin C daily (2x 500 mg chewables at breakfast and lunch), 5) As much hydration as she can tolerate, which is a balancing act due to her congestive heart failure. She finally had the heart valve replacement which made a huge difference in her energy level, and she was without UTI for quite awhile.

She has again become less active and the UTIs are back. We keep sterile specimen cups on hand and her doctor made a standing order for urine cultures at the lab, so when her symptoms are pretty much unmistakable, weakness and urge without ability to void, we collect a sample and take it to the lab so she doesn't have to physically travel 45 minutes to get there. There is a particularly tenacious bacteria, a Pseudomonas, which is only sensitive to a few antibiotics , most of which she is allergic to. That's the one she gets most often, of course. So we have also added D-Mannose 500 mg 2x daily, and the Dr considered adding Hiprex daily or every other but the pharmacist said her kidney function is too low to tolerate that drug.

We have gotten quite an education on UTIs in the elderly. The first lesson was that symptoms are not the same as in a younger person. Second, hydration is essential, and if the pt doesn't like water, give diluted juice or add a small amount of flavor, and push those fluids! No caffeine, it dehydrates! Make sure the lab does cultures so they know what bacteria they are dealing with and what Rx will kill it. It takes a few days longer for the Dx but you are not giving useless antibiotics in the meantime. I personally think a bidet would be useful (though MIL is very fastidious and knows which way to wipe), but installing one in her tiny bathroom could be problematic, so I gave her an small, empty dishwashing liquid squeeze bottle that she fills and uses after a bowel movement. Just be sure to keep an eye on it to make sure she's not keeping water in it all the time, as it will grow algae, or something with a cloudy appearance.

Sorry this post is so long, but there is a lot of info to share, and I think it probably takes a combination, and to find just the right mix for a particular patient. Good luck!

UTIs are the worst pain I have ever felt. I, too was suffering from them for years and had tried everything. Then on my of my visits to my heart doctor I mentioned how miserable I was with the anticipation of getting one and she recommended that I try Vitamin C time release 500 mg twice a day. This was over a year ago and so far I have been UTI free. She said at my age (80) and due to the aging process UTIs become more prevalent in some people. Whatever the reason, I am keeping my supply of Vitamin C stocked up.

Hatethis....
Get your poor mom Off the antibiotics! They will do more harm than good.
Instead, get her taking D-Mannose....a health supplement, in capsule form....also feed her food with fresh garlic, and, if she can swallow another capsule every day, you can make up your own capsule filled with oregano oil, but be very, very careful with this oil as it's Potent. It will kill every pathogen, fungus, bacteria, virus, any parasite....but, avoid getting this potent oil on your skin or hers, or in the eyes, anywhere but inside the capsule, which will be delivered via water to the stomach.
These things will clear up her repeating UTI's....but, she'll need to keep taking the D-Mannose supplements, ok.
May God be with you and your precious mother....Happy Mother's Day! 💖💖💖

Imho, overuse of antibiotics will actually do more harm than good. No wonder the infection stays with her "for many years." Try cranberry capsules.

I myself have been fighting UTI's since I was a kid...certain foods are a trigger...I take Triple Cranberry Softgels by Nature's Bounty...take them all day long with lots of water and it flushes it out...too many antibiotics isn't good and may lead to yeast infections...You can't overdose on the Cranberry pills...stay away from sugary juices or sodas as they feed an infection.

Make sure she is drinking alot of fluids. Smoothies help. Cranberry pills are highly effective. You can buy them at any store that sells vitamins.

If you haven't been to a urologist, go see one. My mom got a medicine that finally resolved her issues. Tamsulosin. I think it also has another name, but it escapes my mind at the moment. It dilatates the tube coming out of bladder to allow better emptying of the bladder. Worked for her.

UTI definitely causes dementia like symptoms, confusion, angry outbursts - behavior not normal for the patient. If your mom still has UTI after a round of antibiotics, those pills are not clearing it up. Just relieving it for a brief period. And antibiotics that don't fix the problem have to be stronger to kill surviving bacterias.

My 81 yr old mom experience the same scenario over the last year. Finally was able to see a urologist and had multiple super large infected kidney stones! After a series of lithotripsy treatments, she’s finally UTI free.

Yes, we've had the same problem - UTIs continually for over two years. After going to a male urologist for years, we finally found a female gyno-urologist that specializes in female urinary track problems. After an initial dose of strong antibiotics and AZO for the pain, she suggested the following on an on-going basis: 1) 1/2 gr of Hippurate; 2) 250mg of cephalexin; 3) of course, extra consumption of water and/or cranberry juice; 4) elimination of all typical papers and pads that are 'scented' (these have chemicals in them that are harm for people with low immunity levels); 5) substitute those with natural papers/pads made with bamboo which you can purchase online. This comprehensive approach eliminated the urinary track infections for good. Hope it helps!

Best option yet is one I've been using myself for 30 years: Apple Cider Vinegar. I'm now 72, used to get UTI's all the time. I take 2 Tbsp. daily, 1 Tbsp. in water after breakfast and 1 Tbsp. in water before bed. Any amount of water is fine if the taste is unpleasant. The ACV should be Organic, "with the Mother" (pulp). Bragg's is best brand, or Trader Joe's. Doctors don't suggest this remedy since Big Pharma has too many remedies to sell (NONE of which help for long~!) This is "grandma medicine" -- cheap, available and actually WORKS~!