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2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Started by Stephanie U. |
Posted: July 23, 2009 at 21:24 | |
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I need help & advice...two days ago, I had a large boil surgically drained that was between the inside and outside buttock, and now, there remains a large hole. I went for my follow-up today, and my Dr. says that part of the opening is smaller, and still draining, and healing. However, on the other side (closest to my pubic hair-sorry-)there is a small tract that has pus in it, and she needs to open it up and drain the pus out. I have been on Bactrim for three days, Bactoban ointment for nose & fingernails once daily, and Hibeclens soap. She insists the tract is teeny, and that everything is going well, and this should really stop it. The boil is most likely MRSA; the initial culture shows staph, but the sensitivity culture will be back tomorrow. I am scared to death. Is this normal? She says it is part of healing; she is not worried at all. I have no fever, I'm not septic, and she said I would be a lot sicker if the Bactrim wasn't working. Should I be afraid that the staph will continue to make tracts? I just have this vision of it eating away at me and not getting better, and I am very scared. Have any of you had similar experiences? It would do my heart good to hear of any of you with advice, success stories, or anything that would calm me down about this. I have a husband and three kids, and I'm trying not to freak out. Thank you so much- -Stephanie 14908
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #1 by ladyk |
Posted: July 24, 2009 at 04:59 | |
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Stephanie U. - Avoiding cross contamination is a challenge with active drainage present. Use impeccable cross contamination precautions. Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer gel when unable to wash hands. If you need further precaution information let us know. It is possible to protect others from contraction if you follow precautions, I lived with my husband and adult daughter until she went off to college, years later neither have contracted MRSA. The forum provides volumes of information, and now is as good a time as any to become knowledgeable about your affliction, so you know what you are up against. Researching your affliction will assist you in best treatment for you particularly, as well as how to protect yourself as much as humanly possible. I found it a bit unusual that your Bactroban prescription is 1x daily? Common decolonization protocol in all literature I have followed (and personally use) for several years now is... 2x daily x5 days. You might ask about this during your next appointment. Sometimes I have seen duration extended to 7 days. Then stop. One should have a good understanding concerning “good” necessary bacteria and “bad” destructive bacteria (which both co-exist on and in us as human host), and the complications (resistance factor) that occur when there is imbalance. We are at risk of resistance when antimicrobial products are over used. Also those of us MRSA positive have had success using Bactroban/Bacitracin oint applied to lesions, if caught in early stage this can limit progression. When lesions resolve, stop use. Hibiclens daily when experiencing lesion outbreak, reduced to 3x weekly there after as maintenance. Place a barrier pad between actively draining site, and unaffected tissue, as drainage is a contagion. Another uncommon thing you mentioned in my experience is C&S is done concurrently, so I'm a bit puzzled to see where you wrote culture shows staph, but sensitivity was not available at the same time? As for your other concerns, I suggest it is best to see what grew, speculation feeds fear and weighs heavy on our mind increasing stress trigger which only complicates our health issues, and I'm sure your mind is running away with you as it is. If you are diagnosed MRSA positive… we will help you through, as we have been where you are and have survived. A note of caution Staph aureus MRSA is a contagion which offers no immunity, meaning you can become infected over and over. Active drainage is highly contagious where you can infect yourself as you pass bacteria from site to site on your body by way of contaminated hands, or to others. Hope this helps you Stephanie. Let us know results, and how we can help. Best to you, ladyk 14910
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #2 by Kim Kitty |
Posted: July 24, 2009 at 11:01 | |
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Is the Bactroban on fingernails a common practice? First I have heard of this. 14911
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #3 by Stephanie U. |
Posted: July 26, 2009 at 01:01 | |
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I do have MRSA. I got the sensitivity results yesterday. However, the report says Bactrim will kill it, and I've been on that since Monday. It said, "susceptible to Bactrim". This is good news. My surgery was yesterday, and my packing is sutured in...is this normal? My surgeon says to soak in a warm bath. My internist, who I work for, says to keep it dry and do NOT get it wet (but the draining makes it wet...so...?) Do I soak, or not? I've been bathing in the sink with Hibiclens and washing my hair in the sink, too! Any advice as the bathing is concerned? Has anyone had theirs in the same place as me (between pubic hair and butt cheek) and has anyone had their packing sutured in? Any advice would be terrific, since I've never had this before. I'm worried. I'm trying not to be. Thank you sooooo much. -Stephanie 14919
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #4 by ladyk |
Posted: July 26, 2009 at 02:47 | |
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Stephanie U. - I’m sorry you are MRSA positive. In my opinion I would not soak in bath with active drainage present. Since we know MRSA is a contagion, and drainage accounts for many cross contaminated lesion outbreaks... you would be soaking in a brew of MRSA drainage. It was my experience after soaking in tub (after initial surgical wound) that I had most severe outbreak of 12 lesions. However, I did shower using first Phisohex (D/C’d via ID specialist due to commonly known potential side effects) – replaced with Hibiclens, washing less contaminated sites leaving contaminated sites for last... meaning wash hair, face, neck, extremities, trunk first before cleansing contaminated sites. Same with drying... to avoid cross contamination of drainage to unaffected sites. Use towel once. Bleach clean facility and towel when finished. *Important: When is sutured in packing to be removed? Groin and perineum (between pubic hair and butt cheek) are common colonization sites for MRSA bacteria, along with skin, armpits, nares. Hang in there Stephanie, I know how difficult this is, but you’re doing good/asking great questions, and you’re on the most commonly used oral antibiotic which has had good success in controlling MRSA bacteria. While you have this window where the antibiotic is reducing bacteria you should seriously consider immune support. Reading through past topics will give you an idea just how important a factor this is for those of us MRSA positive. I would like to discuss this with you when you’re ready. ladyk 14920
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #5 by Stephanie U. |
Posted: July 26, 2009 at 06:43 | |
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Ladyk...I am so ready. Thank you for being here...it makes me feel so much better, and helps my fear a lot. I am taking the following (besides prescribed stuff) now: Vitamin A- 8,000 units twice a day Vitamin E- 400 units once a day Vitamin C- 500 units twice a day Calcium Citrate- 500 units once a day Tumeric/Curcumin- 500 mg.- I take 6 capsules of this daily. I usually take a probiotic, but haven't been since the Bactrim started. I usually take acidophilus pearls. When can I take that, so the Bactrim won't kill it, too? Do I need to add anything to this that you'd recommend? I also drink tons of water. I've been drinking nothing but distilled water for a long, long time anyway. Your thoughts and ideas would be most appreciated!!! -Stephanie 14921
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #6 by Stephanie U. |
Posted: July 26, 2009 at 06:46 | |
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Oh- and sutured packing will be removed Monday morning around 9:15. I'm not looking forward to that, since it'll probably hurt a lot! 14922
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #7 by Gettinoverit |
Posted: August 4, 2009 at 04:37 | |
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I believe you're sterile once the antibiotics are in your system. The puss is a contagion if you're septic, meaning infected without antibiotics counteracting it. My doctor told me this, as he took a swab of my wound while I was on chlindamycin, which came back negative(strictly for my assurance). I was worried about spreading it with the puss when I had my wound.I just got over it 6 weeks ago, and so far so good. No decolonization recommended. I guess my HMO thinks it's already spreading out of control. Kaiser doctors do Not recommend any de colonization until you have had multiple infections. 14943
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #8 by caringaj |
Posted: January 21, 2010 at 18:58 | |
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In my experience the only treatment for a MRSA boil is hospitalization and an IV of vancoymacin for at least 2 weeks. I had two bad boils in Aug and Oct. 2004, was treated in the hospital for 5 days and 8 days the second time, and have not had an outbreak since then. It is now over 5 years I did have a bad experience after my last hospitalization because I was also taking Rifampin (prescribed by my ID dr.) along with Macrobid to prevent bladder infections, plus Tylenol PM each night. 6 weeks later I wound up in the hospital for 5 1/2 weeks with toxic drug induced hepatitis and toxic drub induced Lupis. 16175
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #9 by glenn |
Posted: January 23, 2010 at 03:13 | |
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i found that the best mrsa defense is good eatting habbits. no more sodas, cut back or cut out sweets.once you have ca mrsa you do NOT get it totally gone, it might go dormant for very short periods of time BUT YOU WILL HAVE IT THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.im 39 years old healthy, i do not smoke, drink or pop pills, no tatoos or piercings of any kind. just when i think ive got mrsa beat, i get small pimple on face or shoulders or legs, back of neck on hair line, small cycle infections. i recommend to take PLANT BASED vitamins everyday, drink bottled water with ALL meals and snacks, eat all the fresh veggies / salads you can. BE CAREFUL WITH THE SWEETS if you do eat some sweets eat behind meal to slow the absorbing. Be careful using hebi clens, i personally stopped using it,it also kills good bacteria that helps protect your skin. the scary thing about mrsa is how fast it is spreading, if better treatment options aint descovered soon it is predicted to be a usa epidimic in just a few years. wow!!! email me @ ghsshadygrady@gmail.com good luck with each of you. God Bless. 16194
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #10 by Nancy R |
Posted: January 24, 2010 at 15:41 | |
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I also agree that your eating habits are essential to control the growth of MRSA and fungal infections that come from using antibiotics. Yeast, for example, loves sugar. So, to take an antibiotic to kill the MRSA bacteria, you will also lose the got bacteria that keep the mouth, gut and reproductive tract in balance. Women often have vaginal yeast infections while being treated for MRSA for this reason. However, you HAVE to feed the body to give it what it needs to fight off all infections. Think in terms of eating to reinforce your immune system. You need protein for the muscles in your body. Remember, the heart is a muscle. You also need vitamins, minerals and fiber to keep the digestive tract functioning properly. Think in terms of dark green leafy vegetables and vegetable with yellow or orange coloring, such as sweet potatoes, squash, kale, turnip greens, cabbage, broccoli, Swiss chard, collards, spinach, etc. Don't forget fruits. They are a wonderful source of fiber, vitamins and potassium, especially bananas. For dairy, be sure to include yogurt such as Activia. It must have live cultures to replace the good bacteria in your gut that the antibiotics have killed.I use whole milk. Even though skim is has no fat, it has more sugar per volume. Sugar is not your friend. Avoid white potatoes, breads made from refined white flour, sugars and starches. Choose high fiber cereals instead of corn products. Oatmeal, shredded wheat, bran, etc. are better choices. And, don't forget the power of the sun! Many vitamins cannot properly be absorbed unless they are exposed to ultra violet light. I learned this from keeping parrots for so long. They NEED sunlight to be healthy. Get outside as often as you can. You'll feel better, too. It is a life style change for most people. The benefits, however, are worth the changes. Frankly, its like a diet we would prescribe for a diabetic patient. I would increase the amount of vitamin C to no less than 1500 a day. When I was active with HA MRSA, I took 5000 mg a day or more as tolerated. What your body doesn't actually need, it will dump. 16215
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Re: 2nd Surgery for MRSA boil?
Reply #11 by Nan |
Posted: May 20, 2010 at 20:19 | |
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Hope you are doing better. When it comes to probiotics, I think in you situation they are essential. Find a good brand that has many different strains of bacteria, make sure the manufacturer has indicated how many bacteria is present at the time of expiration. Also best taken on a empty stomach for therapudic and not digestive benefit. If you are on an antibiotic take at least 2 to 3 hours from the time you take your antibiotic. The Activa products are ok but you have serious good bacteria depeletion. One capsule depending on manufacture for instance Floregan is equal to 8 cups of live culture yogurt. There are many different products you may need a very high dosage. Talk to your doctor, keep in mind that they sometimes only know about the products that are marketed to them and do not research what bacteria or several are best for youe situation. More and more research is being done check out websites that are a .org .edu .org Food is our medicine. Eating foods such as miso, fermented cabbage, kefir, pickles as long as sugar is not present and the list goes on. Take care and all the best Peace and Health. Nan 16892
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