Patient Stories

Helen experienced an antibiotic resistant UTI, then a Group B Streptococcus infection while pregnant, all before a severe bout of mastitis led to sepsis.

Sheila’s story of how constant UTIs have caused depression, anxiety and dread; and how nothing has changed over the last 50 years she has suffered and searched for a cure for UTIs.

Ronda describes how daily life means enduring searing pain, burning and incontinence as a result of a catheter-acquired UTI after surgery. She tells how living with an antibiotic resistant UTI after sepsis is a real struggle, has caused fatigue, depression and anxiety, and has left her terrified of another episode of sepsis.

Jill recently underwent surgery, including the removal of her spleen. This leaves her vulnerable to bacterial infections, like pneumonia, caused by resistant bacteria. She is now dependent on taking prophylactic antibiotics to prevent future life-threatening infections.

Lisa experienced a number of antibiotic resistant infections– including lung infections like pneumonia and surgical site infections. Recurring infections where she ends up in hospital or unwell have a huge impact on Lisa’s mental health too, and also her wider family who worry about passing other infections onto her. Lisa had to shield during the COVID-19 pandemic, worrying that she would also develop a secondary bacterial infection if she caught the virus.

Tony developed severe spasms in his back due to an infection caused by MRSA, bacteria resistant to antibiotics. He spent 9 weeks in hospital receiving powerful intravenous antibiotics through a Hickman line to ensure the antibiotics got to the site of the infection as soon as possible. Tony took 9 months to recover from this resistant MRSA infection and return to work.

Nina underlines how she didn’t know how to explain to family and friends the impact that the ascending cholangitis condition she was left with after gallbladder surgery has on her life; and the everyday worry she lives with having been told there are potentially only 5 antibiotics left to treat the recurring resistant bacteria present.

Following immuno-suppressant therapy, Vicki contracted pyelonephritis which developed into a bloodstream infection (septicaemia). She was told she had a 50:50 chance of survival as the first antibiotic did not work. Fortunately a second antibiotic was found to eradicate this life-threatening resistant infection. Vicki says we must all protect and treasure the antibiotics that we have, to keep them working so that serious infections can continue to be treated and lives saved.