Relentless Staph infection

[opie74]

Hi all!  A while back I posted that I have been getting sick since last November with one thing or another.  After I finally got my fathers affairs in order I took time for myself.  It turns out that I have been hosting a nasty Staph aurius infection in my sinuses and elsewhere.  

It is not technically MRSA, but it has become resistant against every oral antibiotic.  We first tried Vancomycin. after a week, still had a feaver.  Beginning the second week of the new combo of cubusin and Invanze.

I am seeing an infectious disease doc.  I finally called and left a message for my neuro about it yesterday.  (He was in another town yesterday.)  I am on Gilenya, and I know that the protocol is to take me off of it until the infection is gone.  The infectious disease doc does not want to stop it because current condition + relapse would be awful.

I have had more blood testing and such than I can count in the last few weeks, but not enough answers yet.  It looks like not only is my autoimmune system (MS) broken, so is my immune (IgG, IgA and several others).

I am worn out, beginning to get depressed, (having all of my childhood junk from my dad's house thrown in), and no end in sight.

[karryon55]

I wish you a speedy recovery. I'm glad you are on the antibiotics at home. When my white cells went back up I had the IV's at home as well.

I think your family are probably not getting sick because they are not immunocomprimised. When I had it in my finger I had surgery to remove the nail & surrounding tissue but I still got osteomyelitis (bone infection). I have taken a lot of the oral antibiotics as well & that is the problem when your body becomes resistant.

I am really glad you are feeling less down about it. It can really get you down. My thoughts are with you. karryon.

[PastorDan]

We'll pray that this better mood is here to stay!

[opie74]

Tomorrow marks week 3 of PICC line antibiotics.  I am thankful that we are treating this at home.  Inpatient would be financially devastating, and would create such havoc.

My children and husband are trying to keep up with the household cores as best they can.  Many of my friends are worried about catching it, but that is highly unlikely. My husband and I have been taking no precautions with each other and he tests negative, as do the children.

The first time that I had staph, I was 12.  It has been a re-occurring problem with me.  In 1989 it was in my bone.  My dad was in the military, and the Air Force tried to treat it orally. Well, the infectious disease doc. says that is what is probably causing my current infection.

I am in a better mood the last few days.  That is good!
Ann

[karryon55]

Hi, I have had lots of problem with staph which I originally caught on an oncology ward where most people are immunocomprimised. I have had it in many areas of my body including my thumb, finger & armpits & I ended up getting an infection in the bone.

I was told once it's in your body it will just sit & wait for the opportunity to infect somewhere. My guess is the stress of whatever else you have going on is contributing. Stress can lower the body's immune system as well.

I can understand how this is getting to you & think it's a good thing to see the infectious disease's doc as they are the experts. For me I spent some time on IV antibiotics of two kinds, oral antibiotics of 2 kinds as well but all that said... I also had bone marrow suppression & was in isolation being reverse barrier nursed. I did not have any white blood cells & had many blood problems. Different issue to yours.

I am not implying you would have any of the problems I did.....but I am suggesting that they managed to get rid of my staph along with the others when needed. I'm pretty sure that the Infection can be resolved with other more "broad spectrum" antibiotics but these usually have to be prescribed by a specialist.

The good news was I spent a period of time where Staph was affecting me all the time but I've not had any problems for over a year now. So it can settle down & leave you alone.

I'm really sorry you are having a rough time. Try not to worry yourself too much. I hope you get some answers soon. I had a lovely Infectious Diseases doctor & they always have tricks up their sleeves.

Take Care,   karryon.