Is it possible that moodiness, extreme tiredness ( sleeping 18 plus hours a day now) and confusion that have all been there for a long time but are getting worse and worse are due to a UTI?
Doctor seems to think it’s due to dementia progress hasn’t done a urine test.
I would insist on a urine test. Doctor’s don’t know everything (although some would like us to believe otherwise)…
If your loved one is living in a facility request a urine test - if home you could ask their dr if you could drop off a sample or if you have home health they can get orders and do the catch for you at home.
Cannot tell you how many times I had to suggest myself that a urine test be done for my mom.
Cannot tell you how many times I was told yes, but days and weeks ...would pass before it was done ...and came back positive each time with very very little exception. ( 1% of time...)
Cannot tell you how many times there was a delay in getting the antibiotic...
I learned that a nurse wanted to give her calming medication ..whan I asked why, I was told that for the last two days she had suddenly became " agressive" and in a bad mood. ( key word,: suddenly...) I had ( me, the no nursing training one, to suggest a urine teat and, guess what...Yup...positive UI, antibiotic, mom back to her non agressive self. WHERE would we be if I had said yes, drug her up to calm her down, let the side effects kick in and bring the balance and falls issues etc etc.
I often went myself to collect sample, ( baught the "hats" to collect sample, and braught them myself to the nurse station). Time is important in getting the antibiotic started and I acn etll you that I NEVER REGRETTED insisting for getting tessting done.
Of course it had to be asked with five pairs of whites gloves and kind and patient voice, but base line,: it had to be done, period. NOTHING, as in NOTHING to loose for anyone in doing the test, except a few minutes of time to test and cost of testing material , but A LOT, as in a LOT to loose in letting an infection go on untreated.
It is possible for both to be happening.
The body fighting an infection can cause a decline.
Contact the doctors office and request a urine test. You can buy test strips at the drugstore and if that shows an infection you could be more instant in requesting testing.
Has the doctor done any routine tests - especially bloods? I shouldn't have thought it would hurt to rule out cardiac or cerebral "events" (as they're rather euphemistically called), either.
There are two reasons for running such checks: 1. If they might result in beneficial treatment or better management. 2. So everyone knows where they stand. Invasive, painful, uncomfortable, strenuous tests might not be justifiable on those grounds, but I hope the doctor isn't averse to basic monitoring that won't subject his patient to any ordeal.
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