SCI nurse-UTI's and antibiotics

Flyarmy64 · 06-06-2005, 12:46 PM

After I gave my last urine sample at the hospital after I had some indications of a UTI, my nurse called me and informed me that I did indeed have a urinary tract infection including 2 different kinds of "bugs." She told me that these were the same "two bugs" that I had three prior occasions. The problem that I had before with these "bugs" was that the only oral antibiotics that would treat both of these was sulfa drugs, which I am allergic to, so the only antibiotics that would treat the UTI had to be injected. What she informed me of next however was my worst fear. She told me that the "bugs" had already built of a resistance to that antibiotics, and that I would have to take IV antibiotics at the hospital for a few days.

At this point I asked her if there is anything else I can do to possibly get rid of the infection without taking antibiotics so that they do not become immune to the last antibiotics that will work on them. She told me that my doctor (who is also quadriplegic) thought I should try taking 1000 mg of vitamin C three times daily which should make my bladder more acidic and hostile to the "bugs." She also told me to drink plenty of cranberry juice, or cranberry pills daily, and to drink a lot of water.

It's been about 2 weeks and it seems that my UTI is better, but is probably still present. I have been taking 3000 mg of vitamin C and 120 mg of CranActin daily. Do you think that these vitamins should help, and do you had any other ideas as I must do something besides taking antibiotics when I get a UTI as I am only 28 and the bugs are already immune to 1 of the two antibiotics that will kill them. This is really scary!

Also FYI,
I have a suprapubic catheter
change my catheter once a month
change catheter bags(both leg, and regular) once a week
clean my catheter bags with 1/2 bleach, 1/2 water solution once a day

Any ideas?

C4/5 incomplete

SCI-Nurse · 06-06-2005, 04:35 PM

Do you really have a UTI (fever, chills, elevated white count in your blood, flank pain, AD, etc. etc.) or just a positive culture? The former should be treated, the latter is colonization and should not be treated except under several uncommon circumstances.

Over-treatment of urine cultures is the main cause of resistant strains of bacteria colonizing the urine of people with SCI, especially those with indwelling catheters, who are chronically colonized 100% of the time.

Studies indicate that the use of vitamin C and cranberry capsules are not effective in either preventing or treating UTI in people with SCI, but many people swear by them for prevention, and they are relatively harmless, so worth a try. If you have e. coli as one of your bugs, you might also consider the use of D-Mannose.

Other than this, drinking at least 3 quarts of water daily, avoiding caffeine and anything with a lot of sugar (sodas, juices, etc.) is a good idea.

Here is a resource you can print out and discuss with your physician about this topic:

Prevention and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Paralyzed Persons

(KLD)

06-06-2005, 12:46 PM	#1
Flyarmy64 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: MO USA Posts: 209	SCI nurse-UTI's and antibiotics After I gave my last urine sample at the hospital after I had some indications of a UTI, my nurse called me and informed me that I did indeed have a urinary tract infection including 2 different kinds of "bugs." She told me that these were the same "two bugs" that I had three prior occasions. The problem that I had before with these "bugs" was that the only oral antibiotics that would treat both of these was sulfa drugs, which I am allergic to, so the only antibiotics that would treat the UTI had to be injected. What she informed me of next however was my worst fear. She told me that the "bugs" had already built of a resistance to that antibiotics, and that I would have to take IV antibiotics at the hospital for a few days. At this point I asked her if there is anything else I can do to possibly get rid of the infection without taking antibiotics so that they do not become immune to the last antibiotics that will work on them. She told me that my doctor (who is also quadriplegic) thought I should try taking 1000 mg of vitamin C three times daily which should make my bladder more acidic and hostile to the "bugs." She also told me to drink plenty of cranberry juice, or cranberry pills daily, and to drink a lot of water. It's been about 2 weeks and it seems that my UTI is better, but is probably still present. I have been taking 3000 mg of vitamin C and 120 mg of CranActin daily. Do you think that these vitamins should help, and do you had any other ideas as I must do something besides taking antibiotics when I get a UTI as I am only 28 and the bugs are already immune to 1 of the two antibiotics that will kill them. This is really scary! Also FYI, I have a suprapubic catheter change my catheter once a month change catheter bags(both leg, and regular) once a week clean my catheter bags with 1/2 bleach, 1/2 water solution once a day Any ideas? C4/5 incomplete

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06-06-2005, 04:35 PM	#2
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,361	Do you really have a UTI (fever, chills, elevated white count in your blood, flank pain, AD, etc. etc.) or just a positive culture? The former should be treated, the latter is colonization and should not be treated except under several uncommon circumstances. Over-treatment of urine cultures is the main cause of resistant strains of bacteria colonizing the urine of people with SCI, especially those with indwelling catheters, who are chronically colonized 100% of the time. Studies indicate that the use of vitamin C and cranberry capsules are not effective in either preventing or treating UTI in people with SCI, but many people swear by them for prevention, and they are relatively harmless, so worth a try. If you have e. coli as one of your bugs, you might also consider the use of D-Mannose. Other than this, drinking at least 3 quarts of water daily, avoiding caffeine and anything with a lot of sugar (sodas, juices, etc.) is a good idea. Here is a resource you can print out and discuss with your physician about this topic: Prevention and Management of Urinary Tract Infections in Paralyzed Persons (KLD)