Water Infection and Treatments (7 year old)

MY step daughter has had water infections for 5 years!!! I think her mom is LAZY and now my DH is trying to step up and fight her on this because I come armed with information.

I suffered from bladder infections and UTI's ALL the time and they would always throw medicine at me but always tested my urine. Finally figured out what it was and I am happy to say after having MRI's for kidney checking and a fun Cystoscopy, I am have been infection free for over a year.

Since I am NOT familiar with the NHS but I am getting highly upset with the way they keep treating this poor 7 year old (now it maybe part mom and part doctor)

She is on a different medicine and they rotate it seems every 20 days for 5 YEARS! I have googled some of this medication and it has a chance of kidney/liver damage in young kids <sigh>

According to Rosie they don't always check her urine either to see what bacteria IF any is present. I am thinking this may be external factors such as bubble baths BIG NO NO and fabric softener (as I am allergic and it does cause irritation).

I am just looking for anyone else who has had this or know of this and how I can load my DH's guns to sit this EX down and explain 5 years is WAY to long for a child to keep having to take medication and never finding the answer.  The EX says they did an xray which is crap that won't show her kidneys.  I do think this is more then the basic bladder infection.

Ideas? Feedback?

I can't help you on research to bring to the doctor, but I have found the following helps for me:
1) Increase fluid intake, especially water.  Personally, I think a can of seltzer water works best for some reason.

2)Decrease sugar intake, including fruits and juices. 

3) I'd totally cut out bubble baths and look for a body wash that is for sensitive skin/free from perfumes.  Make sure she rinses herself well.

4) The only thing I can think to ask the doctor is about her blood sugar, and if she's been checked for diabetes.

I would be totally concerned if someone's had a uti or a series of them for 5 years, little girl or big girl.  Is there a chance she isn't wiping herself properly?  Don't be offended, but is there a chance that there is some sexual abuse happening?

Legs Akimbo...

Thank you for your suggestions I will pass that on...As for sexual abuse god I can't imagine as she lives mostly with her mom and the boyfriend is only there part time as he has his own house and her older sister (11) is around all the time but I would partially die inside if it was that.

Its also possible that she has never been taught to properly wipe herself after using the toliet when peeing..
If she is wiping back to front she is constantly bringing .. well faecel matter towards her vagina and urethral area and that can cause constant problems with infections in young girls..
First thing i was taught always always wipe front to back.. then again my mum was a nurse as am i. 
Just a suggestion....

Well, I hope that something can be figured out to help her.  I've had several UTI, one progressing to a kidney infection, and they are very painful.  I wouldn't wish them on anyone, especially not a kid.

I am no means an expert.  You might need to handle this a bit delicately as a stepmum though.

Thanks guys

Yeah I am not there yet but when I was Rosie and I talked about it as I explained I had them a lot.  The DH is glad I am somewhat knowledgeable since he doesn't know much about UTI's as the EX doesn't always keep in filled in. Heck she switched doctors and didn't tell him either.  I think we need to track whats going on...lay it out..all the medication shse has been on and when...

Then start a daily diary with how much water she drank (the mom is vegan and wont drink water either so its hard to get Rosie to drink it) she drinks that 100% fruit juice that you add water too.
If she took a bath ect..
What she ate ect..
See if we can pin it down

Of course this is also in addition to having the doctor doa urine culture to find out WHAT bacteria before prescribing medication.

I think DH is going to tell her we will take her next time so we can get answers because honestly as a mom she doesn't seem bothered by this and hell it is freaking us out.

thanks guys!

Poor thing!  Has DH actually sat down with the GP?  I would think that it's fine time he be able to be involved in her treatment if the ex will let him.  I've found as a social worker that the story I get second hand from one parent may be totally different than the story I get from other professionals when I sit down with them and the patient together or over the phone.  Should she be getting specialist care by now?  5 years sounds ridiculous!

I hope she will get it treated successfully.  I've had one or two UTI's and wouldn't wish them on anyone.

I would be concerned about her only drinking fruit juice though.  That is like straight sugar for kids.  It's one of those things parents think is really healthy, but it really isn't.  Fruit juice should be more of an occasional treat, not something they drink all the time.  I'd be willing to bet that's impacting her infection.

Cadenza - I agree

He sat down today with them - I will find out the details of what was said - geezz

thanks for all the thoughts ;-)

I would be concerned about her only drinking fruit juice though.  That is like straight sugar for kids.  It's one of those things parents think is really healthy, but it really isn't.  Fruit juice should be more of an occasional treat, not something they drink all the time.  I'd be willing to bet that's impacting her infection.

I agree with this. I know if I drink too many sugary drinks that I can feel things starting to act up and will switch to water only.

Hi Zoyabean!
Kaitlyn's mom here, writing on her log-in - should get my own, love this site.  It is interesting, was a great help to Kaitlyn as she went through her student visa process, and it helps me to feel more in touch with her somehow, as she is now what feels like a million miles away (she is in London; I, Mom, am in NC, USA).  Anyway, I second what lots of people have said.  Some thoughts:

My young stepson suffered for more than a year with burning urination when he was about 8 years old.  We stopped the fruit juices, the burning stopped.  They were way too acidic for his little body to process.  So many people think fruit juices are good for you - but they are so high in calories and sugar, for one thing.  And for children, the best thing to do is realllly water them down, or just stick with plain old water, and feed them fresh fruit.  Alot of parents just hand out a fruit juice or "fruit" drink when kids are thirsty.  aaargh Give them plain water.  Eventually they will get used to it.  So, anyway, it is not just the sugar, but the acid that can cause a problem.

I worked in women's health care for 16 years.  Saw lots of women with UTIs.  Always always tested to find out what bacteria caused it, because antibiotics are bacteria-specific, and you must have the right one to treat the bacterial culprit.  That said, many were caused by improper wiping, causing fecal material to enter the urethra. These infections especially required a particular antibiotic.  We always discouraged use of bubble bath, feminine deodorant sprays, powders, deodorant pads and tampons, etc.  Anything scented "down there" was a possible problem.  Also no fabric softener or dryer sheets, and some women did well double rinsing their laundry to remove all soap residue.

Again, one must always question the possibility of sexual abuse, as ugly as that sounds.  I know you will investigate that aspect thoroughly.

Also, a condition which is called interstitial cystitis - that is a whole 'nother can of worms.   

You mentioned that the mom is a vegan, I assume therefore she is somewhat health-conscious.  Is she aware of the possible long term health issues that are being investigated as possibly being caused by over-prescribing and over-use of antibiotics?  Bad enough to use short-term, though often necessary, but if that is what they are recommending long term, for 5 years . . .  yikes!!!!  I am not a "health nut", but wonder if some pro-biotics might help.  Also, active culture yogurt, also possibly cranberry tablets.  I know cranberry juice and tablets are acidic, but they also kill certain bacterias in the digestive and urinary tracts.

Anyway, just some thoughts before I head out the door to work in cold but sunny NC. . .

Amy

Thank you for taking the time to write all that and I am passing it on!!

I had recurring UTI's from when I was about five until I was in my early twenties. Several times a year. Yeah, I spent a lot of time miserable. No doctor could explain why they happened to me.

One of the things I had to do was cut out baths entirely. I've only taken showers since.

I've since learned that some women and girls are predisposed to UTI's, bacterial vaginosis, and other infections in the vaginal region because of their natural pH level in the area. If it is not acidic enough, it can harbor bacteria that would normally not be able to thrive in the vagina.

Update:

DH and the EX took the 7 year old today to the hospital and met a new doctor..

They are doing a scan (this term is used for everything I think) I asked what scan and she is having something like a cystoscopy but isotopy or something? Less invasive for kids?

He also asked about her drinking water and no so much fruit juice

Doctor said: doens't matter as long as she is drinking

REALLY?

He asked about taking bubble baths

Doctor said: don't worry about that


At least something is being done and DH and I already decided at our house certain precautions will be taken and bubble baths will disappear and fruit juice won't be ava ALL the time.
Again REALLY?

I currently have cystitis and it bloody hurts so I can imagine this poor child must really suffer alot.    My nurse said to only drink cranberry juice for this current infection.

It's great that you're coaching your new husband on how to deal with the situation but i'd be very careful about going in with guns blazing and making a new enemy of the ex when you've just newly arrived. If my ex's partner started putting her two cents in about my sons' medical issues, I guarantee there would be serious fireworks.... just speaking as a mother who has to deal with a stepmum situation and believe me, can it be a warzone.  

StepahnieLea - yeah I have not said anything to her..the DH is pissed and has been pissed so I am letting him go in a guns blazing ( I just give amno) I paste website stuff ect that he prints and hands to her.

She has to realize this isn't all me, he cares for his daughter and I have already said hey I don't need to give this EX a reason to hate me already as we will be in each others life forever ;-)