Today and yesterday morning Ryan’s urine analysis showed the exact same result. It was negative for leukocytes (white blood cells). This is good. However, it picked up nitrites. This is not good. So, for the time being it will continue to be closely monitored to see if this develops into a full-blown urinary tract infection (UTI).
A urine analysis (the one we have) captures ten measurements. In the case of a UTI, I’m primarily concerned with nitrites and leukocytes. Here’s a brief definition.
Nitrites. Bacteria that cause a UTI make an enzyme that changes urinary nitrates to nitrites.
Leukocyte (WBC). WBCs in the urine may mean a UTI is present.
Other clinical signs I’m looking at are the odor and clarity of the urine. Urine typically doesn’t have a strong odor, but a UTI will make it smell quite foul. For clarity, I want it a clear, pale yellow (straw-colored). A UTI will produce a “cloudy” appearance. Often the urine will have debris floating in it. At this time, Ryan is absent of these symptoms. Still, these usually don’t show up until the UTI grabs hold.
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One area I am going to investigate is to see if Ryan is retaining urine (not completely purging). There are a few ways to check this. One, which is quite invasive, involves inserting a catheter in his penis until it enters the bladder. I would do this immediately after he urinates to see if not everything came out.
The second is completely non-invasive and is checked through ultrasound. Dr. Rodriguez is in agreement that we should go this route and will be submitting a letter of medical necessity for a bladder scanner (see photo on left). It’s really a simple piece of equipment to use.
I am quite familiar with using it too. While at Kessler, I requested access to one at all times (it mostly just stayed in his room) while we moved Ryan from an indwelling catheter to a condom catheter. It was a time when we had to retrain his bladder to work again. I remember waiting until Ryan was retaining 500ml of urine and then messaging his bladder to stimulate urination. Ahhhh, good times…
Thank you for the update and I hope we avoid the UTI. Having the bladder scanner will be great and I hope and pray it is approved.
Oh Ken, I’m sorry the possibilitiy of a UTI is happening again. I am praying it will stop in its tracks. Your knowledge of all the medical aspects of UTI’s (and many other conditions) is incredible. I’m just grateful you are so smart, and able to absorb, process and apply this knowledge. How blessed Ryan is to have you as his father.
Thank you for letting us know what’s going on. I am trusting the insurance company will approve the bladder scanning device asap.
Thinking of you and your family. Always here, and still praying, never giving up hope! Love, Paula
Ken , Hoping the ultra sound can be used to determine whatever it is and you can get it cleared up fast..Wishing you and Ryan a calm day and that Sue had a good visit with Kari. Always here. Wishing for you guidance, wisdom and strength Love Gail
I am with D-Rod opting for the latter procedure. I hear that the insertion of the catheter into the bladder can be quite painful, especially if there is a developing infection. I am praying that it clears up, and we don’t have to worry. I’m wondering if these infections are as a result of the absence normal activity. Is this possible?
Always here and waiting for updates. Love and prayers for healing for Ryan.
Just thinking out loud as a former scientist here… I’m wondering if there’s any correlation between drops in Ryan’s blood oxygen levels and his susceptibility to developing UTIs if the bacteria responsible are anaerobic. If so, are there any preventative measures you can take whenever you do observe decreased oxygen levels?
I wonder that myself a while back, but could draw no relationship.