Wounds being cultured for MRSA. Scared!!

I have a big abscess on my back, and now, I also have an infected finger.

The abscess was drained once, and will probably need to be drained again.

The fluids are being cultured for MRSA. The preliminary findings show staph of some kind.

On top of everything else, the NP I saw today wants to send me to an Infectious Disease doctor.

She said, "Don't worry; you're not going for Lyme; you're going for other reasons."

I asked if I could see my hematologist instead, and she said that what I needed was an ID doctor.

I guess I could go, and just not mention Lyme!!

Well, regarding the MRSA at least, I guess I shouldn't worry about what I don't know yet!

It's hard though; like not worrying about whether a biopsy was cancerous or not.

I also have to try to prevent C. Diff. I am now on Keflex, and the doctors want to add Bactrim, or Septra.

How can I reframe all this? Otherwise, I'm going to become a bit suicidal.

I need to think about all of it in a different way.

Margaret

Yes!! Think of it as finding out what is happening so that it can be fixed!! No matter what it is, there has to be ways to treat it that you can survive it.

It's good that they are checking to be sure it's not MRSA - and think of it that way. Just because they check a person for AIDS, it surely doesn't mean they have it!! My hubby was checked for it before he was supposed to receive blood (fortunately he chose not to), but he had none of the risk factors.

And I agree, and ID doc would likely be needed if it's a staph infection, unless one of your Lyme doc's can handle it. Just don't mention Lyme disease, and consult with your Lyme docs on all the meds a ID doc gives you so that they know what you are taking and how it might affect you.

I'm so very sorry for all of this!! Hang in there Margaret.

I didn't see this when I responded to your other thread. I'm sure sorry you have something else to be concerned about. I hope you'll get in to see a doctor soon to rule it in or out...hopefully the latter. Keep us posted when you feel up to it.

Thank you so much for the validation regarding the ID doctors. I had it in my mind that all ID doctors are "bad."

Trav., I appreciate the reassurance, but apparently I do have all the risk factors.

There is one little tiny bit of reassurance in my own mind, which is that when my thumb was infected two or three years ago, the culture was negative for MRSA.

The doctor I saw today said that MRSA comes and goes in flares (like Lyme--it hides), so that part is scary.

I wish I knew more about all this stuff. I'm hoping maybe it's all just because of low immuneglobulins, and that I can get the infusions?

M

Margaret, all will be ok. Bactrim is probably just the thing you need for the infection, but after the culture comes back they will know for sure. I have had MRSA two times... I work in a hospital. See it all the time. The ID doc can determine whether you need Bactrim or something stronger like Vancomycin, which is less likely. Just make sure you use Hibiclenz soap to wash with, and bleach your sheets and towels if possible. I use Hibiclenz most of the time now when I am working. Suds up, leave it on for five minutes or so before rinsing. None in your ears or eyes, but I have actually used it to wash my hair. I sometimes put some antibiotic ointment in my nostrils, about 1/3 of the population carry it there. MRSA is just staph that has become resistent to Methicillin and the other cillins. Don't be scared of it, instead give it a push and be aggressive with it for a bit. This is something you can be a bully with and it will go away!

Wow Lighterbeing, That's great advice! I'd better start writing this stuff down.

I have a friend (well, she's my yard worker's wife) who has MRSA. She first got it from a pedicure, bc the salon skimped on the disinfectant. So she lost one toe, then she lost all her toes. Then she got a cut on her leg, and her leg had to be amputated.

She has to be careful that she never gets the slightest of cuts or scratches.

Since I like to dig around in the dirt, go swimming, etc. etc., it seems like it would be really hard to live that way.

She has had to face her own death, which is why I've been thinking about all this.

Margaret

Margaret, how are you doing?

Thinking of you, Margaret!!