Reposting with more info - need more ideas

[Cheshire]

I've reposted to add that I'd love more advice from TCAC because every doc who we've seen over this UTI wants to circ. It is not an option but they all think that his foreskin is the cause of his infection. I think he's fine - he balloons some when he pees but it doesn't interfere at all with his urine stream. He can retract on his own and though it isn't loose he isn't in pain when he does it. Help oh wise mommas (and papas).

Need more ideas
The ongoing saga of my 4yo and his UTI...

I've posted before about my 4yo. He's had a UTI for probably 4 months or more now. He's been through five rounds of antibiotics. His urine has been cultured and the doc has prescribed different antibiotics that the culture shows the bacteria is sensitive to. It is E. coli.

The last round of antibiotics was prescribed by a urologist. At the suggestion of another poster here I talked to the doc about Keflex and that is what he prescribed. He agreed that it probably is the same infection and we just haven't been able to clear it up. His symptoms had not cleared up with the first four rounds of antibiotics. But, with the Keflex his symptoms were better in just a couple of days.

He was on the Keflex for four weeks. He's been off it for a week now and we go back to the doc in a week to pee in a cup and make sure it's gone.

Problem is this morning my son told me it feels like he has to pee again as soon as he's just gone. UGH!!! I'm so frustrated. I know that if it isn't cleared up the doc is going to want to do a VCUG. I don't want to put my son through it but I also sure don't want to risk kidney damage from prolonged infection.

If he had reflux I'm thinking it would have shown up before now, ya know?

So, I need ideas. What other things can we do at home to help him clear this up if it is just still your run-of-the-mill UTI?

We have probiotics, will cut out all sugary drinks and do only water (he just gets one a day, anyway, usually 100% fruit juice) and will do a better job of getting him to pee every few hours. What else???

[123]

I know you've probably heard about drinking cranberry juice, but that really does help me. As long as it's 100% juice. I usually get cranberry-raspberry or something since the straight cranberry is too much for me. I can literally feel the difference within about five minutes of drinking it.

There are also cranberry extract gummy chews. My sister's little girl got a UTI that sent her to the hospital last year and she's been taking these gummies ever since. Several times she's stopped taking them, but that seems to make her vulnerable to another UTI.

And I doubt your son's ballooning has anything to do with the UTI. My grandmother told me that her brother ballooned for most of his childhood and he never had a problem.

[latinalonestar]

I remember your last post.
Is your son in any discomfort?
Do you think he has just become accustomed to peeing frequently? This might sound silly but kids can do funny things.
Are the cultures they are doing coming back the same?
Are you still allowing him to wipe himself?

The ballooning and the foreskin are NOT the problem here. My son balloons every single time he pees. You know this already though.

Would you consider a homeopathic treatment? I know of many things that (such as grapefruit extract) that are anti-microbial. Have you considered getting him some donated pasteurized breastmilk to drink? Breastmilk is very effective in UTI prevention.

At this point I think all the ABX have made the bacteria resistant. You might need to try alternative medicine to kick that E-coli in the butt. I've found alternative medicine to be much more effective than many traditional treatments.

Also, I would consider giving him a good 3-4 week break if he is not in any discomfort. I'm not sure how many symptoms he is experiencing at this point so I can't be sure that this is an option but if he doesn't have any pain or discomfort you might be able to manage keeping him out of the doctor for a bit or at least have a culture done by a different doctor (different practice) to determine if there is a change in the culture result.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

You are very right in that ballooning has nothing to do with UTI and wanting to circ for a UTI is like removing a fingernail for a hangnail it just dosnt make sense.

I hope that you can figure out something to help your ds

[latinalonestar]

This is what I have used:
http://www.crohns.net/page/C/PROD/CVR0621

You have to make sure to buy Citricidal brand. Drop it in water/cranberry juice to dilute. You will want to do a little investigation to see what dosage is best.

[Cheshire]

Thanks, everyone! So far, he's only complained the one day when I posted and since then (about a week) he hasn't had any pain or urgency to urinate. :

I took him to the lab yesterday to pee in a cup so they can double check and make sure it has cleared up. Now, just keeping my fingers crossed for a good report.

I wonder how many little boys may do what my son did (learning to wipe his bottom - using the TP to dab at the tip of his penis after wiping his but) and get a UTI then the parents are given bogus advice to circ? I know this is a common experience for little girls learning to wipe (I know I got my first UTI when I was little this way) but how about for boys?

Thanks again - this board is a great resource!

[glongley]

I heard Marilyn Milos once mention that UTIs can come up from young intact boys fingering the anal area and then handling the penis - all part of normal exploration of the body that may occur around this age. Her solution is to teach 'em not to do that, and teach them about handwashing if they have touched the anal area.

Gillian

[latinalonestar]

::::

You might want to order some Citricidal to keep on hand in case it happens again. If you look at that link I posted from the crohn's website it kills E-coli and a bunch of other common UTI yuckies.

[jessjgh1]

I've also read somewhere on mdc that the mixed cranberry (even if all juice) are really not very effective. The real deal is needed(=
We still use the blends because we simply can't afford 100% (I need to find a local source that's reasonable, afterall I have bogs all around me here in Cranberry country). We dilute any juice about 1/4 juice and 3/4 water, just as a rule, but I think if you dilute 100% cranberry in water it would help cut the tartness.
I'm probably lucky-- my two inherited my love of tart things(-:
Good luck-- there's lots of ideas for treating UTI's on the health and healing section here.
Jessica

[robertandenith]

I want to add: Make sure he eats lots of vitamin c foods from now on, this will help to prevent and treat infections. Trust me. If you want to supplement, I say go for it. Everyday one kid chewable vitamin c. I swear by this stuff. Also, buy some chewable probiotics for him to take everyday. My kids get probiotics every single day they RARELY get sick. This is the one I get, it tastes like strawberry and they think is candy! http://www.ediblenature.com/index.as...OD&ProdID=5043

[Marsupialmom]

I don't know if reflux would have shown up by now....

My dad was in his 30's before they found out he had 1 kidney....bladder infection.

My mom was in her 40's before they found out she had 4 uterers.

It might be just now that the reflux causing a problem. I went through many test and antibotics for doctors not to be able to figure out why I have blood in my urine.