have kidney stones, a permanent ureteral stent due to radiation treatment for endo cancer (constricts the ureter), and I'm diabetic. I've had 9 infections in the last 10 months, mainly Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and Aerococcus Urinae. Both are considered rather rare and are frequently transmitted through hospital procedures (stent replacement probably for me). They treat the AU with Macrobid (Nitrofurantoin) and the PA with Ciprofloxacin.
I cannot seem to shake them! I was good for 3 months this last stent exchange, and boom, last week I came down with PA again. I was up to go to the bathroom every 2 hours last night. I have a urologist, a primary care doc, an GYN/Onco, and as of last month, a UroGynocologist who recommended I see a Infectious Disease dr. My primary care doc said that UroGynocologists know female plumbing better than regular uros. When I did see the Infect. Disease Doc a few weeks ago, she suggested that I have an ultrasound to see if I still have a lingering kidney stone. Kidney stones can harbor bacteria that can colonize, which means building a bacterial film around or on something like a kidney stone or a stent. She said the other options to try would be changing my stent more frequently (every 3-5mo instead of every 5-8 months). I could also go on a med called "Methenamine" which is a drug that acidifies your urine and acts as a urinary tract antiseptic and antibacterial. It also aids in keeping kidney stones at bay. Considering my recurrent cancer, I'm not sure I want to try it unless it's a last resort option. It's a very small dose, but it converts to formaldehyde in your urine. I have to ask more questions and do more research on the history of it's use. Unfortunately, I didn't have neuropathy in my hands/feet until I went through chemo, and now every single course of Cipro seems to make it just a bit worse, so I may end up taking the Methenamine if it will get me away from the Cipro.
In looking up how to spell Methenamine, I found out that it can also be administered as a renal irrigation solution. If I don't end up having a kidney stone, I may ask my uro if he would think it helpful to flush my bladder/kidneys with a dose of that med the next time I have a stent exchange (July 24). He already does IV antibiotics (Cipro) during the procedure and sends me home on 7 days Nitrofurantoin post procedure. On the other hand, it's an older drug so there may be some reason he hasn't recommended it to me.
That's probably WAY too much info for you and sorry to write a novel. Just sharing what I've found out through experience, various doctors, and research. I find knowing more information helps to formulate questions when I have my appointments.
I wish you the best in figuring this out.
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