UTIs
The dreaded UTI. The frequent urination, cloudy or dark urine, the constant urge to urinate, and blood in the urine. And the pain. Let's not forget about the pain. UTIs are very common for those with MS. My mom has chronic UTIs. She usually has one a month. She jokes that she was born with a UTI. Luckily, she has both a very good Primary doctor and Urologist who understands and listens to her. They understand the connection of UTIs and MS. Finding a good Urologist is just as important as finding a good Neurologist. He or she can make all the difference in the world in your treatment.
UTI's are common to the general population, even more so with the MS population. Typically, your primary doc or a Urologist will diagnose you. Blood work and/or a specimen sample will detect whether you have one or not. Typically, antibiotics are given, and after a few days to week, you should start to have some relief. I wish this the case for my mom. Her UTIs are chronic, painful, and can last up to a month. By the time she gets one, the next one is right around the corner waiting for her. She has a UTI as I am writing this and as you are reading this. She's taken every antibiotic possible for them. The problem with this is that she's allergic to just about every antibiotic. There are only 2 oral antibiotics she can take. She's had to get several IV infusions to combat them. Have you ever heard of a PICC line? A PICC line is a catheter that is inserted in the arm and is used for short-term or long-term intravenous antibiotics, nutrition, medication, or drawing blood. It can stay in for days to months. My mom has had several PICC lines due to her chronic UTIs.
Lets not forget to talk about cranberry juice. I understand that some people swear that by drinking cranberry juice it can help heal their UTI. If this works for you, great! I'm genuinely happy for you. But for the majority of people I know with MS, it's a waste of time. My favorite line from people who know nothing about my moms disease is "just drink cranberry juice". I've discussed this with other individuals in the MS community and they agree with me on how frustrating and irritating this statement is. Cranberry juice may work for you, but it doesn't for my mom. And that's great that it works for you. She's had chronic UTIs her whole life. At this point, what is cranberry juice going to do for her? Nothing. It might taste good and clench her thirst. That's about it.
UTI's are common to the general population, even more so with the MS population. Typically, your primary doc or a Urologist will diagnose you. Blood work and/or a specimen sample will detect whether you have one or not. Typically, antibiotics are given, and after a few days to week, you should start to have some relief. I wish this the case for my mom. Her UTIs are chronic, painful, and can last up to a month. By the time she gets one, the next one is right around the corner waiting for her. She has a UTI as I am writing this and as you are reading this. She's taken every antibiotic possible for them. The problem with this is that she's allergic to just about every antibiotic. There are only 2 oral antibiotics she can take. She's had to get several IV infusions to combat them. Have you ever heard of a PICC line? A PICC line is a catheter that is inserted in the arm and is used for short-term or long-term intravenous antibiotics, nutrition, medication, or drawing blood. It can stay in for days to months. My mom has had several PICC lines due to her chronic UTIs.
Lets not forget to talk about cranberry juice. I understand that some people swear that by drinking cranberry juice it can help heal their UTI. If this works for you, great! I'm genuinely happy for you. But for the majority of people I know with MS, it's a waste of time. My favorite line from people who know nothing about my moms disease is "just drink cranberry juice". I've discussed this with other individuals in the MS community and they agree with me on how frustrating and irritating this statement is. Cranberry juice may work for you, but it doesn't for my mom. And that's great that it works for you. She's had chronic UTIs her whole life. At this point, what is cranberry juice going to do for her? Nothing. It might taste good and clench her thirst. That's about it.
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