UTIs make reader feel ‘foggy headed’
Dear Dr. Roach: I am a paraplegic due to a spinal cord injury back in 1979. I battle one UTI after another, and I am becoming immune to most antibiotics. Why the constant infections? My urologist just ordered a CT scan but seems uninterested in me as a patient. I am sick of being sick. I straight catheterize four times a day usually. It’s getting very hard for them to match the antibiotic to the culture. At times the infections are so bad I get “foggy headed.” These times I am in misery. I can’t keep running to the ER. My copays are too much.
Anon. Answer: You haven’t become immune to antibiotics, but the frequent use of powerful antibiotics will make you colonized with resistant bacteria, so that if you do get an infection, it’s likely to be with a difficultto-treat organism.
The CT scan is a good idea to see whether there is an anatomic reason for recurrent (or persistent) infections.
I am disappointed to hear your urologist does not seem to be doing his or her best for you.
Recurrent infections are dangerous. Becoming foggy headed is a sign of serious systemic infection.
An urologist experienced in spinal cord injury, perhaps in consultation with an infectious disease doctor, would be ideal.
Dear Dr. Roach: You recently wrote that you had seen doctors and nurses with “DNR” tattooed on their chests. Were they still on the job, or retired and not in good health?
P.
Answer: The two health care professionals I recall with these tattoos were young and healthy. Both of them watched many people undergo long, painful, expensive hospital courses that ended in a death without dignity. It was in response to these bad outcomes that they made a request against attempts at cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
As I said, I disagree with the tattoo. It is not considered a legal document, and it is worthwhile to make a legally binding document. I recommend www.aging withdignity.org and www .caringinfo.org as good places to start.
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