bladder supra pubic catheter and nutrition

Question
Hello i am a 70 year old male. I have supra pubic catheters since two years. I am generally otherwise fine but because of spc i have to take antibiotics every three months plus if i get any infection. I have heard about probiotics. Do you think it is beneficial if i take it after my antibiotics. The doctor suggested the cranberry probio. Do i have to dicontinue when i am on antibiotics. Also can they be taken everyday like a supplement or there is a fixed period?

Also i have to consume lot of water. Is there a maximum amount i should intake. I have been experiencing cough and congestion recently do you think it could be because of the water in take.

I take cranberry juice but i dont know any 100 percent juice? Do you think it helps in reducing urinary tract infrctions? Any other thing that might help.

I also feel very week after my antibiotic so i sometimes take B complex can you give me any other nutrition advice that may help me not feel so weak after the antibiotics.

Answer
Hello Munifa,

I think that a probiotic would be quite helpful, you can continue it while taking antibiotics. I recommend that you take a formula that provides a minimum of 40 billion cfu per day. I would also recommend finding a probiotic called FloraStor (saccharomyces boulardii) as this organism will not be killed by antibiotics.

Instead of cranberry, order a powder called D-mannose. D-Mannose is the active sugar within cranberry that helps to prevent certain organisms from binding to the bladder and urethra. It is extremely safe and can be added to the water that you drink daily. 1/2-1 teaspoon per day should help to decrease the likelihood of a UTI developing.

The B-vitamins should be fine, however, I think the probiotics will help as well.

I am unsure about the water, it is possible that you suffer with reflux that is causing irritation within the lungs. Try elevating the head of the bed, as stomach contents may be refluxing into the lungs when you lay down at night and irritating the lungs.

I hope that this helps to give you some direction.

Yours in good health,
Ray Hinish, Pharm.D., CPT, LWMC

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