And Now I Have A Dangerous Staph Infection!!!

I'm so sorry you're so sick

by dairyprincess - 2009-02-18 09:02:12

I haven't had this problem, but I wanted to give you my best and let you know I'll keep you in my prayers.

You've been through a lot and it can't be easy. You probably feel like it will never end, but it will and you'll be back to your old self. They just need to kick this horrible infection.

I hope you feel better soon! Keep in touch and keep us posted.

Debbie

Yikes!

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-19 01:02:40

Where have the docs been all this time it was developing? And what is holding them up in getting it out. Do they want to control the infection first or is it just scheduling convenience.

It is really hard to predict how it will go for you. So much depends on what kind of shape you immune system is in.

I wish you the best of luck with it,

frank

hi

by jessie - 2009-02-19 01:02:45

there are many superbugs around. it is not like the sixties where we gowned gloved masked and covered our hair and used wescodyne. this changed around the turn of the century when it was aslo a problem in hospitals. then someone with no brain cells cut the infection control rules and cleaning staff and it is a free for all for bugs. i dread admission for anything. in london 6 young nurses died. there is an investigation. i am talking about the bug mrsa that is different form what you have. yours can be treated but my god what a shame. jessie

Staph infections

by E from Spain - 2009-02-19 04:02:42

Hi,

I’m microbiologist working at the infection and immunity department of a research institute in Spain. It’s true that these kinds of infections are not easy to clear completely. It will be a long process and you might be fine for some months and then you might feel sick again. The normal treatment consists in administrating a heavy antibiotic cocktail to help your own defenses.

Although Staph infections are difficult to clear, it is well know how to treat them. If you want to read about the first time that an infection like yours was linked to a PM surgery, you can try this link.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol11no08/04-1177.htm

Don’t worry too much and take care,

Nose swab

by BillMFl - 2009-02-19 08:02:30

The day before my pm last month, the preop nurse did a MRSA swab sample from my nose. Those bugs are out there all the time and many of us can carry them in our nasal passages, but not be infected unless our immune system gets weak or an injury occurs. My test was neg. But I doubt if they swabbed all those people in OR!

E from Spain

by ElectricFrank - 2009-02-19 11:02:29

Thanks for the update from someone on the frontline. It is always great to get a reality check.

frank

Thanks, all!

by truenorth - 2009-02-26 11:02:54

Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement! I sure as hell need it!

Upon further consultation with my doctor, I was informed that, if the Vancomycin treatment didn't work, the old pacemaker lead could be removed if it was finally determined that this is the source of the infection.

In the old days, this meant open heart surgery, but today, I was told, it's a relatively simply matter of running a tube around the old lead, inserting a fiberoptic thread through it, and then lasering it out of the heart wall. This would mean a visit to Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto, as this is one of the few places in Ontario equipped to perform the procedure.

Which is fine: I only wish that they'd sent me down there from the get-go and had it out last year, instead of waiting for a serious infection to occur!

My old pacemaker last year had to be removed because it had started to erode through the skin. The operation left a large open wound that had to be cleaned and dressed every day by a home-care nurse until it closed up. THAT, I'm now certain, is how the staph entered my system!

Vancomycin is a pretty tough and nasty antibiotic: I have to be constantly tested for kidney function, because it can be hard on that particular organ. Moreover, such a long course on Vanco has now left me vulnerable to infection by vancomycin-resistant bateria, which love to grow in hospitals--all the more reason to stay yhe heck out of such places when at all possible!!

Staphs.....Terrible

by Skyking - 2010-07-20 11:07:38

I got out of BP surgery on the 7-5-10 and didnt find out about MY STAPH INFECTION until a week after I'd been home.
According to infectious disease doc, its a skin infection and just had the new PICC line put in tonight, what a joy that was......NOT.

My question is, why the heck dont the docs put EVERYONE on a heavy antibiotic drip immediately when coming out of surgery and in ICU?

From what Ive read, it can be one very bad infection....Im hoping that mine is not, I dont believe I can handle much more than what Ive been thru the last month

How are you now @Skyking

by Lavender411 - 2021-09-28 10:11:04

I just went through this and wondered if it cleared and if it stayed in.

Thanks!

Kris