MS and MRSA

[jed9999]

I wonder if there is a propensity for people with MS to acquire MRSA, and whether it is usually treatable. I am on antibiotics, but am trying to decide if a sore I have on my shin is from a brown recluse bit or is a MRSA ulcer. It's pretty much stayed about the same size for 3-4 weeks while I have been on oral steroids. Thank you!


This discussion is related to Neck, shoulder and knee pain and stiffness.

[jed9999]

mistated--cause of weakness was MS, steroids and high sugar that the steroids caused It remains to be seen how long it takes to get the sugar to stay down after the steroids are gone    Jane

[jed9999]

It turns out my weakness was caused by three main things: my longstanding MS, the mound of steroids I was given by my GP in an effort to get rid of the bronchitis, and the steroids themselves, I have one more day of the steroid taper then I will see if the sugar comes down by itself. If not I will continue using glyberide until it does. Now it remains to be seen if the weakness was enough caused by the high sugar to affect me later and whether I am permanently "bent over" or not. The song of the crooked little lady in the crooked little house that I sang as a child sure does come to mind.  Jane in Indiana

[jed9999]

Hello--well, I have had a very hard winter! The sore on my shin sure still looks likeMRSA--it was never tested becaue my GP said 30% are and we might as well just treat for it. And treat is what we did! I had 40 days of double strength Bactrim twice a day! The change was negligible, and we finally stopped the antibiotics and I went on to other problems.

I had a bad cold over Thanksgiving which went into bronchitis, and other than a couple week repite when on short course of steroids in December, I have had it rumbling in me ever since! That's all of about 4 months, and I've just had it once before in my life. I also use albuteral rescue inhaler and have added advair. No luck!

The infection I've had so long--plus maybe the MRSA--has "bit my butt" after 36 years with relatively mild MS. I had many falls and in one I broke my shoulder at the top and several inches down when I stuck out my arm to break the fall. It defintely affected my walking ability--even standing ability--for the very first time to this extent. I had to go off the steroids to heal my shoulder -which did nicely-then went back on for the bronchitis and basically have been on at either 20mgs daily--then 40 mgs daily for 2 weeks each and now I am on a 10 mgs less weekly taper. I now walk full time with a cane and some days I don't do a bit well doing that! In a couple days I will begin my week at 20 mgs prednisone. I hate to see what that may bring to my MS.

As if that weren't enough, I have developed a rather significant case of lymphedema. Wearing 20-30 compression hose fulltime for a week reduced my calf size by about two inches. Bloodclots were not present nor was there cellulitis. the vascular doctor said my shin sore may be there for a year because of diabetes, being overweight and where it is located. The sore is very deep, but finally looks a bit better.

My immune system is obviously shot, and while I continue to cough and feel weak, I have no fever, and have been checked several times and have no pneumonia. Of course I am mostly concerned about where my walking ability is going. It seems I can't be upright long without geting back spasms that make me go lower and lower and lower and sink and sink and sink. I have landing spots chairs everywhere and canes in every room.

Thanks for any suggestions. Cheers! Jane

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for posting.
There is no direct correlation between MRSA and MS. MRSA has been found in people who have weak immune system like diabetics, elderly, asthmatics, and patients in health care facilities for prolonged duration.
Since you are on steroid therapy which suppresses the immune system the possibility of MRSA cannot be ruled out in your case.
A clinical evaluation is warranted. Please get it done and keep us posted!