Infection??

[crafty3699]

How do you know if you have an infection? I have an indiana pouch now since 6-07 sometimes my urine is really dark then it looks like normal urine, I do try to drink alot of water I don't understand..can you use a dip stick to check for infection or does it have to be cultured?
Thanks for all of your support and help
ann

[sb]

For me the first clue is the smell. Befor any of the other symptom the smell changes. I can't really describe it, but you'll eventually pick up on this.

The second symptom is pain in my lower back. I have some reflux into my kidneys so the infection shows here.

If I let this go, eventually I'll have a fever followed by blood in the urine.

I've not used the dip stick method. My parents tried this back in the 1970's but didn't have much luck with it. Perhaps the new dip-sticks are better?

Until you are able to self-diagnose having an infection I'd suggest that you stop by your doctor to have a urine culture. I would suspect that while you're becoming adjusted to the pouch you'll probably have infections. My first years with an Indian Pouch (starting in 1991) I had frequent infections, maybe once every 6 weeks or so. After a while I worked out a system to avoid this.

[squid56]

I agree about the smell! My urine also gets really junky looking and I tend to see more blood in it. I will get nausea, feel generally unwell and when I get really bad I get shaking chills and a high fever. Then I call the dr and usually I have to get admitted to teh hospital.

[sb]

Oh I had forgotten about nausea! Yes, I get this too, but only if things get really bad. Do try to get to your doctor before things are this bad!

I've not been admitted for an infection, usually after two days of Cirpo the symptoms are gone and after 10 days I'm finished with treatment.

Take care,

[jpotts]

For me, it is a a feeling of irritation just short of pain in my pouch area. It hurts to cath and it is very full of mucous and I often leak. The smell and the kidney pain ususally come along in about 3 days. Have you been flushing or irrigating? I know people on here get sick of me asking that but based on my experience it truly makes a huge difference. If I go for more than 3 days without flushing with saline I have so much mucous I often have to pull out the cath shake the mucous out and start again. I would definitely make a habit of calling your doc at the first sign of infection until you get used to knowing what to look for. The first year it is expected you will get recurring infections and it is best to treat asap.

[blueslover]

I get pain in my oouch area escpecially when it is full , as well as a more thicker mucusa and sometimes a smell in my urine. Then I know it is time to go get a UA!
Eva

[DebbieD]

For me I notice the Way the Urine Looks and the Outputof Urine. Also the Smell. If your Back Hurts, Nausea, Chills, Fever. Maybe just cannot get Comfortable. But I would Call the Dr. to get the Urine Checked to Make sure. I have Ileo-conduit and 4 revisions and Right Kidney Removed from IC.

Hugs
DebbieD

[Ant]

This might sound strang but to me the smell is like butterd popcorn but in a bad way, Anyone else think thats kinda the smell.

[kenneth55]

SB how did you solve the infection problem. what is your system. I have to get antibiotics every 2 or 3 months, I am afraid to become immune to antibiotics

[sb]

Hi Kenneth,

I've had a few people write me about the system that I use. I've already PM'd you, but I think that I should post my message here for others since avoiding infections is such a huge subject for this board.

I know that others have their own systems that work well at avoiding infections and they might want to post their procedures also. In all honesty I'd really like to know other peoples procedures, since I'm always thinking about how to improve mine.

Below are modified parts of two messages that I've PM'd to members of this board.

Best wishes,
sb

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This is the procedure I use when in a public restroom. Things are a bit more flexible at home.

1) I wash my hands with soap. Soap and water is better at removing bacteria spore than alcohol it also cleans of dirt and other particulates you don't want inside your pouch.

2) Enter and lock stall door. I urinate standing because I'm afraid of having water splash up and dirty my catheter and hands.

3) Remove left arm from shirt and put shirt over shoulder so that it is out of the way.

4) Stick catheter in it's package between my belt and my pants on my left hip. I don't want my shirt (on the right) to accidently touch the catheter while taking it out.

5) Put mini bottle (1 oz. or less) of hand sanitizer between my underwear elastic and right hip. This is an alcohol based product. There are other anti-bacteria cleaners that don't use alcohol, but I've had problems with these -- alcohol is the best because it kills all bacteria and it works by osmotic pressure so there's no chance that the bacterial can ever evolve to become resistant to it.

6) Gently open catheter package and fold down edge of wrapper

7) Remove tube of lubrication from my right pocket and put a small drop on the clean edge of the catheter package

8) Put the lube tube back into my right pants pocket

9) Put a squirt (1/2 teaspoon) of hand sanitizer onto stoma and rub around the area. I have a hairy stomach so I am careful to get all of the skin and hair in about a 3 inch (diameter) area clean. It let this dry or wave my hand to help it dry faster -- this isn't necessary, but I find that the hand sanitizers with moisturizer can be a little slippery and I don't like this.

10) Clean hands with hand sanitizer. Use plenty of it and get everything clean fronts, backs, nails, hair.

11) Carefully not touching anything I slip the hand sanitizer into my right pocket and slip the catheter out of it's package

12) I coil the cathether to keep it under control and carefully dip the tip into lubrication

13) When I urinate I try to keep my palms upward and shield the catheter in case of splashing water. (Yes, I'm a bit paranoid about this.)

That's about it...... I hope that this helps. Since I've been using this method, I've pretty much eliminated my infections and have gone off of prophylactic drugs.

Oh, one thing that I have had problems with recently is how I carry the catheter. I used to carry everything in my pant's pockets, but about two years ago I started sweating in my pants -- I guess?? I would find that the catheter package would have a few drops of moisture inside. For me this caused infections so I am now carrying a bag with catheters in it instead of using just my pockets. This is just as well since KY quit making their mini tubes of lube (0.25 oz I think) so I can't easily carry a full sized tube in my pocket.

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I also was told very little when I left the hospital. I was told how to clean catheters in a microwave, but this was a disaster. It is interesting to hear about the paper bag. I guess that the paper absorbs moisture.

My approach to catheter maintenance now is to purchase the cheapest caths I can find and discard them after use. You can find catheters for between 0.50 and 1.00 each (sportaid.com). Say that insurance covers half and you urinate 6 times daily. The total out-of-pocket cost will be between $1.50 and $3 per day. Even without insurance, for me, this is well worth the cost.

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Make certain that you completely empty your pouch. It is important. There are a couple of posts on this board about this that are worth reading.

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