Dr. Ron, BP problems are common with SCI, whether it be attributed to a UTI, bowel issue, skin sore, and positioning (laying flat or sitting upright) to name several. When I have a bad UTI, my BP typically plummets. I spent 5 days in the hospital last month with a bad UTI that went septic and caused septic shock and dropped my blood pressure dangerously low.
I have been on and off of prophylactic antibiotics for UTI prevention during the 28 years of my injury. It's always a low dose (half or less the usual) ranging from as often as daily to as little as twice a week depending on the urologist (I've had 3 over the years). One thing each urologist agreed on is if you opt for taking a prophylactic antibiotic, it should be changed periodically, perhaps every 3, 6, or at least 12 months to prevent your body from developing resistance to it. I have periodically used cranberry tablets in various dosages throughout my years of injury. I frankly have no idea whether they help or not. If they are affordable for you they cannot hurt. The absolute best things for UTI prevention are using good sterile/hygiene practices and a routine schedule of catheter changes and irrigation if applicable. I hope this helps… Steve - C4, 28 years P.S. I'm not a doctor, but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn (if you remember the commercials). :-) On Fri, Mar 25, 2016 at 6:46 PM, Dr.Ron and Sharion Austin < [email protected]> wrote: > My wife SCI C5 is back in the hospital with AD very high BP and a UTI. > Her BP has been as high as 200/100 and as low as 60/30 in the same day. > Seems like a UTI is a common thread when things get acute. Here is the > question- is BP problems a common symptom with SCI? Is the UTI a major > cause of AD? > Has anyone tried a low dose of antibiotic/daily as a preventive med? What > about a concentrated cranberry tablet? > Thanks for any help > > > -- > Living in God's Grace > Ron >
