my mom has had 3 UTI's in 6 wks. i would like for her to try acidophilus but she is on a lot of meds how do.

Question

she is on coumadin and i 'am concerned on mixing meds with the acidophilus but she is 84 yrs.old and and keeps getting the UTI's

Answer 1

I would highly recommend that you get her in to see her doctor for a blood sugar check. Frequent UTIs are often a sign of Type II Diabetes.

Acidophilus won't interact with her meds. You could always just buy her acidophilus milk at the health food store?

Answer 2

Acidophilus is for the gut, not the urinary tract. But it won't cause any problems. The problem that sometimes arises mixing acidophilus with drugs is that antibiotics kill acidophilus organisms.
I'm not a doctor but an experienced amateur; I would try 5,000mg a day of Ascorbic Acid (the cheap form of vitamin C). This acidifies the urine making an inhospitable environment for UTI infections. Only the acid form of vitamin C will have this effect. It might be a good idea to Ph test the urine for acidity. If it is not acid, the dosage of ascorbic acid should be increased until it is.
Also make sure she is getting enough water.

Answer 3

I doubt very much if acidophilus will hurt your Mom. Get the better brand, that's kept in the refrigerator at the drug store. The acidophilus will help if the UTI is caused from a yeast infection. Actually I think your Mom would be better served with cranberry capsules if the UTI is caused from bacteria. The tannins in the cranberry caps prevent the bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls and will help prevent anymore. It shouldn't affect any of her other meds but run it past your PHP. (Primary Health Care Provider)

Answer 4

Probiotics like acidophilus do not usually interact with other meds. They are merely normal gut flora. In the hospital, I have gotten into the hospital or prescribing Bacid ( a probiotic) for all my patients on antibiotics. THis will keep them from developing clostridium difficile infection, which can happen when someone has been on so many antibiotics that their normal flora gets wiped out. I think your mother will do better with acidophilus than without.

As for the recurrent UTI's - is she a diabetic? People with poorly controlled diabetes will be more likely to get infections. Controlling blood glucose better can ameliorate the situation.

Answer 5

Try a homeopathic remedy. It won't interfere with other meds she's taking and if it doesn't work she can always resort to antibiotics. Cantharis is a good one to try, also Staphysagria. When I was on a trip one time and developed a UTI I wanted to take Cantharis but could only find a compound remedy (three remedies in one). I took one tablet every half hour and within two hours I was symptom-free. Every woman should know about this.

Answer 6

coumadin seriously affects antibiotics and vice versa. Talk to her doctor(s). If you dont like their answers- always feel free to get a second opinion. No one knows everything- and yeah sorry that includes physicians. cranberry juice is good for uti and wont have a huge impact on her INR (her coumadin levels). if you have researched something and want her to try it- tell her doctor. they are usually very willing to give her a script for something she needs. but yeah- definitely never give her anything without checking with the docs first. many many things can affect her other medications. stuff you dont even think about!

Answer 7

I'm no doctor but sounds to me the UTI is the same one from the original diagnosis. Appears that her antibiotic she's on for the UTI isn't working.

Coumadin is a blood thinner. I'm not familiar with Aidophilus. That is something she would have to ask her doctor whether he or she thinks it would help her UTI or would put her at risk if she took it with her other medications.

Answer 8

I have worked with patients on coumadin about your mom's age. They are aloud to drink buttermilk or eat yogurt. If she likes anything like that. Just make sure the yogurt has the live cultures if she like yogurt. But she should have more than just one serving a day. It helped one lady I took care of. She didn't like yogurt, so we gave her buttermilk, which has it in it.

Answer 9

Acidopholus works by delivering 'friendly' bacteria to the colon, which anitbiotics destroy and give people cramps and the 'runs'. It will not interfere with any other medications. BTW, Bifida is great for babies who are on anitibotics, too!

Answer 10

Does she take canberry pills or juice regularly? I donlt know about the aciddophilus... but, a little cider vinegar and juice together will help a lot.