I have an infection of my jaw bone and have to take 4000 mg of amoxicillin daily for one year. In the last couple of months, I have had two very painful UTIs. I'm wondering if this has anything to do with my ileostomy or possibly the inside plumbing. Does anyone have any information on UTIs combined with ostomies? I've had my ileostomy for 25 years.
Thanks a lot.
Jeanne
I wouldn't expect the ileostomy to directly lead to a UTI. There is no connected "plumbing".
Though I'd think problems with hydration may make you more susceptible.
I'm also wondering about the amoxicilllin. The antibiotic may be messing with the good bacteria needed to keep the urinary tract healthy. You don't really want to stop the antibiotic but they may be able to give you something that will help. I recall being given a different antibiotic that targets only the urinary tract. It may be worth asking your doctor.
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If you have had your ileostomy for 25 years but just started having issues with UTIs, I'd say that is strong evidence that it's not due to your ileostomy. Like SusanT said, there is no connected plumbing. You could try hydrating more. But I'd talk to the doctor about things, about the antibiotic you have been taking for a year. Maybe it is no longer working for you but working against you. Also, I would mention that this is a recent problem and not one that has been going on for a long time. The doctor may have some ideas about that too. Maybe you need an antibiotic meant for UTIs. If you went to prompt care for your UTI, they'd likely give you an antibiotic meant to treat UTIs specifically.
Thank you, infinity. Your answer is very helpful. I appreciate your input. I am seeing my doctor tomorrow. I have a history of UTIs, but it’s more like once or twice a year. It seems the amoxicillin has made this much worse and much more often
Jeanne
Then definitely bring it to your doctor's attention. He/She needs to know.
Update. My doctor is concerned that this may be a bladder infection going into the kidney; probably E. coli. The simplest explanation, which is ridiculous that I didn't think of, is that when I emptied the bag first and then sat down to urinate, I had not washed my hands after emptying the bag. That is probably how I have spread it without thinking about it. Now, I have been urinating first and then emptying. My doctor has put me on Cipro pending the results of the lab test on the urine culture. Thank you all. I'm sharing this because I've had this ostomy for 25 years and never ever has this occurred to me. I have had other UTIs and just didn't put two and two together. Thank you, everybody.