Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

staph infection sign of trouble?

About 1.5 years ago, i was diagnosed with hep c.

I have been dealing with a staph infection on my face for the last 2 years. Ive been to a dermatologist he said it was MRSA.

I also have been using methanphetamine heavily. When i stop for a few days the staph infection starts to clear up, but as soon as i do it, it comes back full force.

I know other people who do it and they dont get the sores on there face like i do.

Is this because of my hep c that i am getting the staph infections? If so what should I do,(besides stop using drugs of course)I dont have any medical insurance and i think that this could be a serious problem.
23 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Hello.
As a paramedic, I feel it safe to say that the meth is making your body so toxic that it cannot fight off infection while you are using...Meth is a selfish drug, and it robs the body of all nutrients, calories, and also destroys your body by ripping apart blood and tissue cells that are essential for rebuilding every day damage...And you have hep C on top of it...Did you know that everything you take in to you body has to be broken down by your liver?  If you liver is already sick, it is going to be easily overwhelmed, and the toxins will remain in your blood like acid, eating away at your body from the inside...So, how toxic are you? Are your teeth rotting yet? Do you have infected pits in your face and on your arms? Have you become a rack of bones? Have you had a stroke or heart attack? Have your kidneys quit working? Has you hair began to fall out? Do you steal things to support your habit? Do you think everyone is wrong, and out to get you?  All these things will happen if you stay on this horrible drug...At least, if you were a heroin user, the liver can break that down easier...My little brother went through all of this...he lost 6 years of his life, had a heart attack at age 25, and is now age 35 and uncovering all the damage he did to his body...There is a chance he will be on dialysis and have congestive heart failure (when the heart becomes weak and you slowly drown in your own fluids) by the time he is 50 years old..And he lives clean now...And in answer to your question...At any time, the MRSA can spread...to your penis, to your heart, or just simply eat away the rest of your face...
Helpful - 0
425962 tn?1285086458
It all boils down to being accountable for our own actions. Make a choice between life or death, and that should help cut through all this red tape... Live or Die-That's the question you should be asking yourself... Make the right choice and be accountable for the choices you make that can facilitate whichever one you choose. Good Luck and Best Wishes...  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Silvermoon.  I can understand your anger at not being afforded tx  *!*##@@*.  I don't know your background but from your post you sound as though you have so much to offer here.  I will try to catch up your posts but while I am doing just that, I hope life is treating you kindlier these days.
Best of luck to you.

Cindee:  And, as for you lady, from what I'm learnng about you, you are more than making up for your "lost years".  You are kind, compassionate and one of the most optimistic I have come across; you are an inspiration to me.  Hope your day is going well.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
On this one, I'm not really concerned about what anyone else has to say. I am a recovering addict and I know what it takes to get staight, and pussyfooting around w/ cut down, change methods, ain't gonna cut. You have to be blunt. I was very blunt w/ my nephew for 8 mos. after I learned he was using meth. It got him to tx. and he's been clean for 1 year+ .  Joni
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, I agree:  Everyone, no matter who they are, rich or poor, young or old, addicted or not, deserves the same chance at health.  Who makes the choice to treat or not to treat?  Each person comes with their own stories and should be an individual treated on an individualized basis.  Grey areas are very difficult for our minds to understand.  Things are so much easier to read in black and white.  But the truth is that most Dr's have these "rules" about who they will treat.  So I think, if a person wants treatment, they should just keep searching till they find the brave doctor who will go the whole nine yards with them.

I love this site: such mental stimulation!  Makes me almost forget that I can't remember stuff half the time!  All this commentary is so good for the soul, spirit mind and has brought smiles to my face all day!  Thank you folks!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
me again... as unico  stated.. there are means by which you can get help w/o insurance.. IF you don't know where to go in your area, contact your congressman, senators or the goernors ofice.. the state health department..  
I have included some links AND some phone numbers that should help..
When I was tying to find medical help to be able to get Tx for HepC..because I couldn't afford  to go to the dr.. I became very upset, because I could get all kinds of help in this state, IF I were pregnant, or IF I had a drug or alcohol problem.. but NOT just because I was very sick and needed medical help.. it PISSED me OFF ..I got this from helping sick and injured people because I was a nurse..  it SHOULDN'T MATTER how anyone contracts an illness..everyone should have the right to the same quality of care...  
There is help out there, sometimes it takes awhile to find it.. but, you can also go to the ER.. especially with the staph inf..  but MOST IMPORTANTLY.. you MUST be honest wiht the doctors about EVERYTHING!!
  In addition.. as everyone else has said..you have GOT to STOP the drug use..sweetie.. you are killing yourself with the drugs.. and add them to the other illnesses.. it is a timebomb  just waiting to go off.. Don't throw your life away on that ****!! you CAN do this.. but YOU have to do it.. no one can do it for you..   I will keep you in my thoughts, I feel sure that everyone on here hopes to hear some positive news from you soon..  Take care .. and get busy making calls and keeping appointments.. the staph infection cannot wait.. GO see a doctor NOW!

Nat'l Health info ctr  800-336-4797

American Liver Foundation
1425 Pomptom Ave.
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
1-800-GO LIVER (1-800-465-4837)
gi.ucsf.edu/alf/alffinal/homepagealf.html


Hepatitis C Foundation
1502 Russett Drive
Warminster, PA 18974
(215) 672-2606
www.hepcfoundation.org


Hepatitis Foundation International
30 Sunrise Terrace
Cedar Grove, NJ 07009-1423
1-800-891-0707
www.hepfi.org


National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
301-654-3810
www.niddk.nih.gov

Hepatitis Foundation International
504 Blick Drive
Silver Spring, MD
20904-2901
USA
tel: 800-891-0707 or
301-622-4200

Hepatitis C Helpline  1-800-522-4372

Centerwatch.com

American Home Products Corporation
Through partnership with ViroPharma, developing new therapies for hepatitis C
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One more thing on the MRSA.. it can hide in the body, if not completely eradicated by longterm antibiotics,  for a long period of time..  ( sound familiar?/ much like HepC  as it does a number on the liver)  then, when your immune system is stressed, BOOM.. out it comes.. so just beccause those sores appear to clear up when you don't use meth..  the MRSA is STILL there..which is why the sores come back!!   IF I remember right, after IV antibiotics in the hospital for a period of time, protocol is to send pts home on specific antibiotics for at least 6 weeks.  It is a vicious buggar..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
HI and welcome! I DITTO all the above...w/ the exception of joni, I never used METH...I was into "downers". I was a heroin addict for 17 years...I became an addict, before I EVEN KNEW WHAT AN ADDICT WAS!!!!!!! I had NO clue to addiction. I now know I totally WASTED 17 yrs of my life! And YOU are addding fuel to the fire!!!! You are KILLING your liver...the MOST important organ in our bodies! If you came here in honesty......LISTEN to what everybody has told you!!!!!!! I know silvermoon personally....we have become very good friends...here on the forum. We are all straight shooters! YOU ARE A TICKING TIME BOMB!!!!get off the Meth, but first get to a doctor! RUN>>>> like silvermoon said. Keep us posted....you already answered your own ?????? Sincerely....prayers, Cindee
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanx for the note, Chev and Vicki..  
Kimmy annd I have emailed about the Harm Reduction Theory and I  DO understand the thought behind it.!  I just really hate to see someone not giving themselves every possible chance to get well. It just makes good, logical medical sense to me. amd I believe addictions have to be admitted and dealt with head on.  Also,  I wouldn't wish a systenic MRSA infection on anyone.it is TRULY BRUTAL !!.I was just trying to make some valid points.
   I agree with clean needles over dirty ones..even though none at all is preferrable!  
I apologize, perhaps I came on too strong. I tried to word everything carefully, because it is never my intention to hurt anyone.  ...need to de-stress before I start typing next time...
My stress levels are WAY off the charts..  supposed to start Tx in 12 days. (after having had to wait 4 yrs already). And besides feeling weak, sick and exhausted, I am trying to figure out how I am going to do Tx,  continue to survive and keep a roof over my head,just pay basic necessities (rent, util, gas, car ins, car repairs, vitamins, toilet paper, shampoo, detergent), just normal stuff.. plus med and dr co-pays  and get $4000 of dental work done before I can start Tx,  ALL on $564/mo...it can't be done.  so.just when I had myself all psyched up to start Tx, it looks like I might have to forget it!  my liver isn't doing so good.., so maybe I'll be the first stem cell volunteer.!!!.
Again, I didn't mean to hurt anyone and I am SORRY if I did. I am usually more diplomatic..never rude.. I am not making excuses, there is no excuse for hurting others...
and Dr D.. I apologize to you, also.as  an attack was not my intention..and I wish you the best!  
Everyone has problems...  Everyone here IS and has been WONDERFUL !!  thanx!!   OK.. No more whining from me..
I wish eveyone the best of luck getting the Tx and clearing the virus!  Take care..and have a good night. and weekend..may all your 'sides' be light.....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good old Marsha as we call her, is a very common staph infection.  Most of us carry it around on our shoes, but we don't get sick from it unless our immune system is compromised in some way, such as HIV or HCV.  Continued injection of meth will keep your immune system at a low.  Marsha never gets cured once you actually have symptoms from it, but with antibiotics, can be controlled, so you don't suffer illness 24/7.  Talk to your doctor, get antibiotics, and try to lessen your risk by decreasing meth use, or changing the methods by which you get high..like snorting as oppossed to shooting, or eating it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
lessen risk of what? he already has HCV.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I totally agree with what you are saying.  I wonder what the benefit of tx is if this person won't agree to change their lifestyle, eating habits, and adhere to meds and clock watching as we all do when on this regime of treatment.

Addiction is a very sad form of slavery. I hope and pray for the addict, that can recover.  You are right, this person needs to be guided to treatment for addiction before treatment for HCV can be effective.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry.. but I have to take issue with that post.. as fas as Meth use.. METH destroys the system..it is BAD!! even if one is healthy! Someone who has HCV,HBV, HIV,, whatever.. has a system which is even more compromised.. METH  is METH..  you said they should'"cut back or change method of ingestion".((not an exact quote)  again..METH is <ETH !! I don't care if whether they shoot it, snort it, or  turn it into  freakin lollipops !!!!  The person who wrote that is NOT going to get better while doing METH. they NEED too get help and STOP!!!!.NO amount of other treatment in the world is going to help them if they continue to poison their bodies that way! .How is a drug weakened system on TOP of a virus weakened system, supposed to tolerate and respond to Pegint. and Riba. ?????   and WHY go thru all the side effects of treatment if they are just going to keep pumping their system full of METH> ?? They need to learn to change behavior and be in control of their own life instead of letting the drugs control them.!!
What a waste of life!  This treatment is hard enough to handle for most.. facts are facts !!
I just couldn't let your response slide!! There are too many fighting too hard to get well...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
SORRY for some reason my whole statement didn't send..and I only hit the button ONE TIME/.... trying again
I am sorry.. but I have to take issue with that post.. as fas as Meth use.. METH destroys the system..it is BAD!! even if one is healthy! Someone who has HCV,HBV, HIV,, whatever.. has a system which is even more compromised.. METH  is METH..  you said they should'"cut back or change method of ingestion".((not an exact quote)  again..METH is METH !! I don't care if whether they shoot it, snort it, or  turn it into  freakin lollipops !!!!  The person who wrote that is NOT going to get better while doing METH. they NEED too get help and STOP!!!!.NO amount of other treatment in the world is going to help them if they continue to poison their bodies that way! .How is a drug weakened system on TOP of a virus weakened system, supposed to tolerate and respond to Pegint. and Riba. ?????   and WHY go thru all the side effects of treatment if they are just going to keep pumping their system full of METH> ?? They need to learn to change behavior and be in control of their own life instead of letting the drugs control them.!!
What a waste of life!  This treatment is hard enough to handle for most.. facts are facts !!
I just couldn't let your response slide!! There are too many fighting too hard to get well...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hope this is the same forum I ws on earlier
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please forgive me for upsetting you so.  I come from a psychiatric background and have recently been introduced to the theory of Harm Reduction by the Chicago Reovery Alliance, and have found during practice, that sometimes, even though we do harmful things to ourselves, we simply cannot up and quit.  Anyone a smoker out there?  Geez, I smoked for years and wrestled with quitting for many before I finally stopped.  So as a response, I merely suggested that if a person cannot stop, they chose less harmful ways, slow down, etc., etc.  I come to this site as a patient.  I am 74 years old and also struggling with the side effects and yes, perhaps shame, of HCV and tx.  It is a much misunderstood disease.  Please accept me as one who also needs help.  I do not know everything, nor would I want to, for then I would cease to be able to learn.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am not upset..  and I did not suggest that this person just up and quit Meth.... they DO NEED HELP to do so.. lots of it..and I never said it was easy!   HOWEVER..  as with ANY addiction.. the addict HAS to make the choice to get help and be committed to the program..    I understand the Harm Reduction theory.. but, if you read the post again, you will see that this person says that 'when they do meth  the sore are  there.. when they don't do it, they go away..  
now.. these sores are not appearing one day and disappearing the next.. so they must be going without meth for a time, and then doing it again..don't you agree?? My concern is that they don't have a snowballs chance in hell of getting better with 2 different viruses and MRSA.. and METH on top of that.
   Now, as far as shame and embarrassment for having HCV..( or maybe more becuase of how one got it) I understand that! But there should be no shame. However that is where educating  ourselves, each other, and the public comes in..   TOO MANY people not only don't know anything about it, but don't know how to prevent it..and everyone meeds to be educated with the FACTS.. and those who make ugly remarks need to be set straight.. This is an EQUAL Opportunity virus!! ANYONE can get it..all it requires is blood..
I got it from nursing, someone else got it from a transfusion, someone else from shooting drugs, someone else from an infected mother at birth,or from a medical procedure, or their dentists equipment, or getting a manicure, or a shave at the barber.. many vets got it from a required  vaccine injection..
WE ALL NEED Tx to get well !!  One doesn't deserve Tx more than another..ILLNESS is ILLNESS.. and everyone deserves good medical care, treatment, understanding, and above all RESPECT..  and we ALL need help getting thru it!!
I wish you well...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry.. but I have to take issue with that post.. as fas as Meth use.. METH destroys the system..it is BAD!! even if one is healthy! Someone who has HCV,HBV, HIV,, whatever.. has a system which is even more compromised.. METH  is METH..  you said they should'"cut back or change method of ingestion".((not an exact quote)  again..METH is <ETH !! I don't care if whether they shoot it, snort it, or  turn it into  freakin lollipops !!!!  The person who wrote that is NOT going to get better while doing METH. they NEED too get help and STOP!!!!.NO amount of other treatment in the world is going to help them if they continue to poison their bodies that way! .How is a drug weakened system on TOP of a virus weakened system, supposed to tolerate and respond to Pegint. and Riba. ?????   and WHY go thru all the side effects of treatment if they are just going to keep pumping their system full of METH> ?? They need to learn to change behavior and be in control of their own life instead of letting the drugs control them.!!
What a waste of life!  This treatment is hard enough to handle for most.. facts are facts !!
I just couldn't let your response slide!! There are too many fighting too hard to get well...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Get a clue! You are killing yourself. Meth is like Miracle Grow for Hep C. There are very good programs to help get off the s---. I know, been there done that. I think w/ hep c and addiction to meth, staph is the least of your worries. Unless you get and stay clean, I can't help you, docs can't help you. You're the only one that can help yourself. Start by asking yourself 1 Q; What did I ever do in my life that I deserve to die for? If the answer is nothing, get tx. Joni
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal



Through your comments it seems you are aware that you should stop the drugs. Besides the horror that Silvermoon alluded to you are also allowing yourself to be open to other deadly virues and disease. You immune system is taxed to the limit. A simple cold could be deadly. Are you injecting the speed? If you contract hepa or hepb while you have hepc and staff, you will most likely die. What
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello!  .. MRSA  is a serious bacterial infection and can also be spread to others..very easily!!!!
you need to go.. no, you need to RUN ... to an Infectious Disease specialist.  It is hard to get rid of and requires LONG TERM antibiotics and adherence to strict clean (aseptic) and sterile techniques..   I am SERIOUS about this.. if you indeed have a MRSA infection.  It is a strain of staphyloccus bacteria.  It is most often picked up in the hospital...
My sister died a year ago, in the hospital, of a MRSA infection that she got during surgery  2 years prior, and it had been brewing in her for all that time, because her doc didn't treat adequately with antibiotics.  It eventually damages all organs, destroys cells, and she neded up bleeding to death in front of us in ICU..it was horrible.. the things it did to her body.. she didn't even closely resemble my sister when she died..
Am I trying to scare you.???. Yes and NO... I am telling you the facts..  and doing  METH is NOT helping your system one damn bit.  Staph bacteria is everywhere.. in dirt, on things.... but it won't go away on it's own.. MRSA is an especially wicked and nasty form of staph..
So , PLEASE  get to the doctor.. and quit the Meth.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If your staph infection clears up when you stop using, that should be a BIG clue. You should seriously consider stopping any chemical or alcohol use.
Since you have Hep C you should be very careful with your body, anything you eat, drink, or put into your body is processed by your liver. The Hep C by its self is bad enough. Using is like putting fuel on the fire. It is killing your liver.

You have 2 roads to choose from. I hope you choose the one to recovery and wellness.

Blessings !!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you think this is a serious problem as you have stated, you need professional medical assistance.
This is a patient to patient forum and we can not offer any medical advice. There are free clinics you can go to(or sliding scale clinics).
Could you save some of the money from the amphetamine purchase to use for a medical consult instead? You have noticed the difference between using and not, I think you have answered your own question there.  
Your inmune system is already jeopardized by hcv, and does not need the extra burden of mrsa.
What do you see for yourself in the future as a chronic amphetamine user? If you find what you see pleasing, I for one wish you the best.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Hepatitis C Community

Top Hepatitis Answerers
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
683231 tn?1467323017
Auburn, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Answer a few simple questions about your Hep C treatment journey.

Those who qualify may receive up to $100 for their time.
Explore More In Our Hep C Learning Center
image description
Learn about this treatable virus.
image description
Getting tested for this viral infection.
image description
3 key steps to getting on treatment.
image description
4 steps to getting on therapy.
image description
What you need to know about Hep C drugs.
image description
How the drugs might affect you.
image description
These tips may up your chances of a cure.
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.