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Chronic bladder infections
My mom has frequent bladder infections. Allergic to penicillin. Any tips?
Re: Chronic bladder infections
I've read a fascinating interview with Dr Jonathan Wright (MD and anthropologist, Harvard and U of Michigan educated) about bladder infections. Apparently 9 out of 10 bladder infections are caused by the common E. coli bacterium.
E. coli clings to the inner lining of the bladder, sticking to molecules of a simple sugar called D-mannose that is found sparingly in the cells that line the bladder. He gives his patients 3-5 g of D-mannose every 3-4 hours. Very little of the mannose is metabolized and the rest is flushed out through the kidneys. The bacteria detach themselves from the bladder wall, grab onto the swirls of mannose and are rinsed away when the bladder is emptied.
Dr. Wright does caution that if there is no improvement in symptoms in 24 hours, it is best to revert to regular antibiotics.
E. coli clings to the inner lining of the bladder, sticking to molecules of a simple sugar called D-mannose that is found sparingly in the cells that line the bladder. He gives his patients 3-5 g of D-mannose every 3-4 hours. Very little of the mannose is metabolized and the rest is flushed out through the kidneys. The bacteria detach themselves from the bladder wall, grab onto the swirls of mannose and are rinsed away when the bladder is emptied.
Dr. Wright does caution that if there is no improvement in symptoms in 24 hours, it is best to revert to regular antibiotics.
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Spanish Mary - Name: Spanish Mary
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self, MGUS
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 59
Re: Chronic bladder infections
Hi Kays' daughter, I am sorry to hear of your mother having frequent UTI's (urinary tract infections). It seems that when we have a lowered immune system due to having myeloma itself, or from being on chemotherapies, infections can occur.
Is she having urine cultures done to determine the type of bacteria found in the infection? Most UTI's are caused by gram negative bacteria (such as E. coli). Some antibiotics that are used for that , which are not based on penicillin, are Septra (Bactrim; sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim), Macrodantin (Macrobid; nitrofurantoin) and Cipro (ciprofloxacin).
I think that as myeloma patients we always need to report on infections to our myeloma oncologist. We have a worry about renal infections as well, i.e. kidney function, which could be related to bladder infections. Is your mother getting routine blood tests for kidney function, such as the creatinine function, at her check ups? (She probably is.)
Is she having urine cultures done to determine the type of bacteria found in the infection? Most UTI's are caused by gram negative bacteria (such as E. coli). Some antibiotics that are used for that , which are not based on penicillin, are Septra (Bactrim; sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim), Macrodantin (Macrobid; nitrofurantoin) and Cipro (ciprofloxacin).
I think that as myeloma patients we always need to report on infections to our myeloma oncologist. We have a worry about renal infections as well, i.e. kidney function, which could be related to bladder infections. Is your mother getting routine blood tests for kidney function, such as the creatinine function, at her check ups? (She probably is.)
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Chronic bladder infections
It's important to recolonize the system with helpful bacteria that gets destroyed when taking antibiotics. I usually make sure that I'm eating yogurt with live bacteria in it. Others eat things with probiotics or take probiotic supplements on a regular basis.
I've never been given any of the cillin antibiotics when I've had a UTI. I usually am prescribed Bactrim. Your mother's doctor should know what to prescribe.
Nancy in Phila
I've never been given any of the cillin antibiotics when I've had a UTI. I usually am prescribed Bactrim. Your mother's doctor should know what to prescribe.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
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