Anyone who’s ever tested positive for an MRSA infection will know what I’m talking about here. I’m curious to know when if ever, you can be declared free of this dreaded superbug? The standard procedure seems to be to aim for three consecutive negative screening swabs. Is this really enough to give you the green light for all-clear? Or does a requisite time-frame have to elapse before a recurrence/repeat recurrence can be ruled out? It’s been my own personal experience to discover that the medical profession does not seem to want to know or care about the reality of recurrence. Once you’ve been labelled with an MRSA status, it seems that you are forever more to be viewed as a ‘threat’ to mankind and believe me, it produces some ‘interesting’ reactions.
A close friend of mine (with a very good sense of humour) was admitted to hospital this week to have some neurosurgery performed on his back. He recounted to me the following discussion which took place between him and the admissions nurse.
Question: Have you ever had an MRSA infection?
Answer: No, but I have a good friend who has.
Question: Have you been in close contact with your friend?
Answer: Yes, but if you mean have we had sex – the answer is No! (Ha!Ha!)
Question: (asked with zero humour) Have you been in recent contact?
Answer: Yes, I have – our families meet regularly.
The interrogation terminated at this stage and my friend was then subjected to a full screening for MRSA prior to his surgery. He rang me this evening to tell me what had happened and we shared a good laugh about it together. I have had two reactions to this scenario.
Firstly, it’s good to know that patients are being screened whenever there is any doubt about the possibility of MRSA contamination. However I’d like to point out that the logic for screening in this instance seems to have been as a safety precaution for the hospital rather than for the patient. My friend was admitted on the day of his surgery and therefore the result of the screening would not have been known prior to his operation. Secondly, my friend was not asked for any details about my present status. It seemed to be a case of “once an MRSA risk – always an MRSA risk”.
My situation is that I contracted MRSA osteomyelitis of the frontal bone of the skull following surgery two years ago. I underwent intensive intra-venous antibiotic therapy to eradicate the infection and eventually got the all-clear some three months later following repeated MRSA screening. However my MRSA infection recurred ‘out of the blue’ nine months later and required further intensive antibiotic treatment plus extensive surgery to remove the diseased bone. I have not had any screening since the most recent surgery and yet it appears that I am still to be tarnished with the same ‘leper’ status acquired two years ago. I have been subjected to many strange reactions over the years. I’m aware that a huge amount of ignorance exists around having a positive MRSA status and therefore I can laugh at the consequences – I’ve no doubt that others are hurt and offended by the reaction received. There is a question that remains unanswered here however – “when can someone who has a history of recurrence of MRSA infection, be considered to be risk free?”. I’ve never been able to elicit a confident reply to this question from the medics. I suppose it’s a bit like the uncertainty faced by people who’ve survived cancer – no doctor can tell them with utter confidence that they will remain free of the disease. My conscience has taught me to stay clear of anyone who has had recent surgery or is immuno-compromised and I also avoid newborn babies for the same reason. I otherwise go about life quite normally without undue worries. However, the legacy lives on and I’d love someone to be able to tell me that I can leave it all behind.
Have you got any views on this?
September 15, 2007 at 9:07 pm |
I think we will all confront MRSA in our lives and because it is so very contagious. And it lives so long. You can pick up MRSA just by someone with it touching their nose and then touching anything someone else is going to touch. Testing has shown that the bacteria can live at least two weeks at room temperature. It does seem that some people are more likely than others to be effected by MRSA, and some are less likely, like those who already carry the Herpes Virus.
Best of luck to you. Hopefully there will be more research done on why some are more likely than others to contract MRSA.
September 17, 2007 at 11:59 am |
Hi Steph! I am a medical student and you probably want to check your nose for MRSA. I don’t know how to translate it in English, but it’s most likely that you are what we call directly translated “healthy carrier”. Our doctors in Greece tell us that in Greece 25% of us are in fact healthy carriers- as you can probably imagine we are healthy and not dead and actually are about to be doctors, so we will be in contact with newborns etc etc.
The MRSA lives in your nose together with other bacteria (which we all have, every person) but you are neither affected nor ill by it. However,if it moves further in your nose, that’s when you’re ill.
The “all safety” thing has mostly to do with doctors 1.trying to extinguish resistant bacteria and not let it get to other people 2.trying not to let a healthy carrier get sick,and if they do,provide the nescessary antibiotics fast and at the right dosage. So they have to know if you are a healthy carrier.
You shouldn’t be so scared. It’s not that big a deal. It’s just that some hospitals have managed to keep a non-MRSA environment and want to keep it that way because it’s much much safer.
You as a healthy carrier ar in the same risk of getting ill as anybody.
But again, I’m just a student. You should ask a fully qualified doctor if it bothers you.
I like your blog btw
September 17, 2007 at 1:20 pm |
Thanks Ms E for your comments. I respect your viewpoint but would like to add the following:-
1. Nothing you’ve mentioned is news to me. Being well-informed is half the battle.
2. I am not in the least bit scared
3. I have however every reason to be concerned because my medical history has taught me to follow my instincts and to speak my mind
4. I would hate to be labelled a scaremonger about the spread of MRSA (there are enough of those doing the circuit already).
5. I wrote this post to highlight awareness of the ignorance that exists around being a healthy carrier and your comments have been beneficial to that process – thanks!
September 17, 2007 at 2:24 pm |
I’m sorry.
I misunderstood, I thought you didn’t know and that some ignorant doctor made you feel bad.
And your post is really great- not at all a “scaremonger”…
September 17, 2007 at 10:53 pm |
I find it incredible that the whole nation, it’s politicians and government agencies, can mobilize and unite in the face of the Foot and Mouth threat to a few sheep and cows, and not find the same enthusiasm and committment to fight the alarming growth of HCAI’s in our health care system. All the best Steph and I hope you get your “green light” very soon!
September 18, 2007 at 10:11 am |
I am afraid that its much worse than you think.
Research in 2000 showed that MRSA can survice for more than 300 days on dry surfaces
VRE : >200 days
C. difficile: >200 days
Acinetobacter: >300 days
So not only may you be a carrier but you home, your car and your clothing may be a reservoir of contamination. Some microbiologists will argue (thankfully not many) that environmental contamination has no effect on patient acquesition but there are many studies that prove that environmental contamination will result in contaminated hands. There is also increasing evidence (and a growing acceptance) that environemental contamination is a major casue or patient infection.
What is even more worring is that studies prove that current methods of manual deep cleaning \ terminal cleaning with disinfectants is just not up to the job.
A paper publised in the Journal of Hospital Infection by French et all. in 2004 showed that after supervised terminal cleaning 66% of swabs tested still showed positive for MRSA.
In 1998 Blyth et al. published a paer showing that after cleaning with hypochlorite and alcahol wipes that 46% of rooms reamined contaminated with MRSA.
The same has been shown for VRE, C diff and Acinetobacter.
Technologies exisit that claim to be effective but as there are no guidelines in Ireland how do infection controll know which tehcnologies work and which dont. In the UK there is a Rapid Review Panel that looks at these technologies and grades them. This information is widely published and available but even in the Uk there is no requirement to use proven technology or funding put in place so they can be adopted.
At the very least Irish hospitals and infection controll teams shopuld be aware of the results from the UK Rapid Review Panel to allow them to make informed decisions when buying products or technology.
http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rapid_review/default.htm
September 21, 2007 at 3:25 pm |
Well then what do you use to clean the surfaces to get rid of the MRSA infection. I was told to bleach down my house.
What do I use to clean my HOUSE???????
PLEASE HELP.
SUE
September 21, 2007 at 10:04 pm |
Hi Sue – I’m afraid I’m not in a position to advise you on your query. I can clarify though that surfaces get contaminated, not infected. Big difference. MRSA contamination is everywhere so where do you draw the line? No medic has ever advised me to disinfect my home. The emphasis has always been put on treatment to stamp out infection. I just apply common sense otherwise – not disinfectant.
Take care, Steph
September 24, 2007 at 7:15 am |
Sue
If you are fit and healthy then regularly disinfecting your house will actually do more harm than good. All surfaces have bacterial contamination but 90% of hte contamination is good bacteria that will either do you no harm or is benificial. In a normal home this is actually good as hte good bacteria will compete with the bad for living space and actually help to control the bad.
MRSA is not like HIV, if you are healthy and fit the chances are it will do you no harm what so ever. Keep your home clean and if you wish every so often disinfect work surfaces and with a standard surface cleaner and everything will be fine, unless you have someone in the house whose immune system is seriously compromised then dont worry
Hospitals are a different case. People in Hospitals are normally ill (and I dont mean a bad cold), have damaged imune systems and are much more susceptible to infection than you or I. To these people bacteria (and virus’s and fungi) that would be harmless to you or me can cause severe infection. MRSA that would do nothing to you or me will cause infection to patients with compromised immune systems. To top this off the large number of ill patients with infections etc shed this infection onto surfaces so you need up with more dangerous pathogens and patients that have compromised imuse systems. As a result surface need to be sterile or as close to sterile as possible.
There is no need for people to over react and panic. A little education on the problem and common sense will keep people safe.
September 30, 2007 at 10:03 pm |
[...] has been obtained but it appears that you remain a ‘labelled’ patient for evermore. The legacy lives [...]
February 2, 2008 at 2:47 am |
hello. well i contracted mrsa through an outbreak at the jail we had here in town. and i have never been so sick in my life. but there is one question that i ask and not one doctor nor web site can seem to give me and asnswer. once you contract mrsa do you have it for life, are you more prone to getting it? or are you clear for life once it settels down
February 2, 2008 at 9:09 pm |
Hi there, Ashley
I wish I could get answers to those questions myself. I think the reality is that MRSA is still a fairly unknown quantity and the doctors don’t necessarily know/have the definitive answers. I feel there is also a reluctance from the medical profession to get too involved because of the fear of litigation. As a result, many patients are left with a lot of unanswered questions and it’s a lonely road to be on.
February 28, 2008 at 1:19 pm |
Ashley
Sorry for the delay in replying.
I am sorry not to have better news for you but there are actually two schools of thought. Some maintain that Vancomycin will eliminate MRSA from your system, others maintain that it merely suppresses the MRSA and that it will reappear the next time your immune system is seriously compromised.
In short no one is really sure.
The best advice I can give is to eat a health diet, keep reasonably fit and try to get enough sleep. My keeping healthy and fit you will keep your immune system in good condition and help prevent a recurrence of MRSA. But then that is good advice for anyone.
April 19, 2008 at 3:50 am |
Hey,
Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience. I got MRSA after having a C-Section several years ago. Even though, at the time, my doctor told me that I was over the infection, since then I have been breaking out with staph infections. Pimple looking places, boils etc. My current doctor does not seem concerned about this, but I am. Just wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences. Thanks
April 19, 2008 at 11:23 am |
Hello Leigh
I’m sorry to hear of your experience with MRSA a few years ago. If you’ve not had any recurrence of MRSA in the interim, then it would appear that your original treatment was highly successful.
However, I’m not surprised to hear that you are now colonised with the Staph aureus bacteria – I am too. I’m no expert in microbiology so I’m only speculating when I say that I think the intensive treatment given to eradicate MRSA, changes your immunity status and leaves you susceptible to colonisation from other more common bacteria, like Staph A. I was known to be colonised with Staph A (repeat nasal swabs) but nothing was done about it until I developed a nasty Staph infection in my hand last November. I was treated with oral antibiotics for 3 weeks following culture and sensitivity testing and since then have been using a nasal ointment (Bactroban) for 5 days every month as part of a 6-month de-contamination process. I’m hoping the next nasal swab will give me the all-clear.
I would recommend you consider a similar de-contamination process. It’s an inexpensive and effective way to protect yourself against future more serious infections. I wish you the best of luck!
May 23, 2008 at 2:22 am |
Hello,
I was the passenger in a roll-over motor vehicle accident two years ago. My back, both legs, arms, and sternum were broke, collapsed both lungs, paralyzed my left arm (figures….I was left handed), and suffered brain injury. I got MRSA in one of my legs while in the hospital. Who knows if I was already a carrier or not, either way my injuries ultimately brought on the infection. I took IV treatments of Vanc for several weeks and eventually underwent surgery to de-breed my leg of the infection. I have been “free” of the infection for 17 months now however, I visit my infectious disease doctor every six months to give blood so that all the necessary labs tests can be done to ensure that I’m still “free”.
Since the accident I have had eight surgeries that have covered 14 parts of my body. So far so good………but I’m living in some sort of paranoid world now. Every morning I inspect my body and I am overly careful when out in public. I use disinfectant spray on EVERYTHING and I think I wash my hands about 50 times a day. Bactroban, Hibiclens, Vanc, and “de-breed” seem to be a normal part of my vocab these days!I’m just waiting and wondering………hoping that it will not return.
After reading huge amounts of information as many of you have, I seem to hit a “gray” area of “maybe”, “possible”, “recurrence”, “prevention”, “unknowns”, etc.
Is there not a time period that will elapse before I can sleep easier knowing that I am truly rid of this superbug? I live a healthy lifestyle (with the exception of the fews days proceeding each surgery) but should I remain this cautious forever? I would really love to find a website that shows accurate statistics of fighting this “bug” and the outcomes revealed……..over time. Is there such a website?
Thanks
May 23, 2008 at 2:27 pm |
Michelle – Welcome!
Wow! Your list of injuries leaves me breathless. You are some survivor!
I can totally identify with your concern about MRSA recurrence. It does seems to be a very grey area and I have yet to find anyone who can give me concrete answers. I’m clear of MRSA but continue to be contaminated with Staph A despite recently going through a prescribed decontamination process. Every time an infection breaks out (anywhere), it tests positive for Staph A and I’m treated with a sensitive antibiotic. At first, I thought this was just coincidence as Staph A contamination is everywhere but now I believe it’s got more to do with my immunity status following MRSA treatment. I’m due to see a specialist shortly to discuss the situation.
You’ve had a lot of surgery so I suppose in many ways, you’re lucky to have escaped with only one outbreak of MRSA. It says a lot for your immune system. As you know, MRSA contamination is everywhere but this is not a problem for people who are quite healthy. In theory, as long as you are well there is no reason why environmental contamination should be any more of a risk to you than anyone else. I have never disinfected my house although I do use an anti-bacterial hand mousse whenever I feel there might be a risk of cross-contamination.
I feel the words above from Knipex are well worth considering:
“If you are fit and healthy, then regularly disinfecting your house will actually do more harm than good. All surfaces have bacterial contamination but 90% of the contamination is good bacteria that will either do you no harm or is beneficial. In a normal home this is actually good as the good bacteria will compete with the bad for living space and actually help to control the bad.
MRSA is not like HIV, if you are healthy and fit the chances are it will do you no harm what so ever. Keep your home clean and if you wish every so often disinfect work surfaces and with a standard surface cleaner and everything will be fine, unless you have someone in the house whose immune system is seriously compromised then don’t worry.”
Michelle, while MRSA is a very understandable concern for you, I feel it pales into insignificance when compared with the awfulness of what you’ve survived. You’re alive! I’m a huge believer in celebrating life. Not everyone gets that chance.
I wish you the best of luck and thanks for visiting.
May 29, 2008 at 12:39 pm |
Hi Steph,
Thanks for the kind words! You are certainly right about the injuries that I have overcome vs. my encounter with MRSA. Luckily, because of my head injury I don’t remember a thing that I went through for the first eight to ten weeks proceeding the wreck. I woke up from my “extended vacation” in la-la land and MRSA was at that time, on the front burner. I salute my mother for her “strongness” to keep it together all the nights that she slept on a roll-away bed in the hospital……..enduring the agony with me….in a sense!
Good luck with your doctor appt. I wish you the best of luck!
July 27, 2008 at 10:14 pm |
I have a great concern my daughter has been married for just a little over 2 weeks and we just found out that her husband has mrsa. I have been searching for the answer on the internet but i cant find an answer. my question is this. if the two of them are having sex is the mrsa virus able to get into my daughter if they are not having protected sex? he has had around 3-4 episodes of the mrsa breakout. sores that looked like a big red boil, a spider bite looking sore on his leg, aand a real ugly looking sore (2) on the back of his neck. i was wondering what these sores came from. so now i know. I just hope and pray that she hasnt gotten infected already…..
July 28, 2008 at 10:01 am |
Hello Angel
First things first, MRSA isn’t a virus. It’s a bacterial infection and an infected person will not ‘infect’ a healthy person as long as the healthy person has no open wounds. The chances are that your daughter is colonised with MRSA (carrying the bacteria on her skin) but again this is harmless to her as long as she is well.
I suggest that your daughter and her husband should have a discussion with a doctor to air their concerns. MRSA infection can be eradicated with the right drugs. I’m living proof of that.
August 6, 2008 at 1:11 pm |
Hi Angel,
When my MRSA was active I had about 10 open wounds on my leg. The wounds had to be packed with fresh bandages everyday to prevent the wounds from healing over the top of the sore but not heal down inside it. Luckily, my boyfriends’ mother worked for an infectious disease doctor and he was taught how to change these bandages for me (my left arm is paralyzed so i couldn’t do it). He put on sterile gloves each time he changed my bandages since his hands were directly touching my open wounds. But, other than that, we slept in the same bed, he bathed me, and we had a sexual relationship just like a normal couple would. He was never infected.
I can certainly only speak thru my experiences but my boyfriend was just very aware and educated about the type of contact that was okay and when he needed to use extra caution. I too think that your daughter should go with her husband to see the doctor and ask about the risks.
I have not encountered this infection in about 19 months and my boyfriend has never encountered it.
Best of luck
August 24, 2008 at 7:01 am |
I live in the house with someone that has mrsa. We don’t come in contact with each other at all but we do use the same washing machine, dishes ect. How much more suceptible am I in acquiring the infection than someone that does not live with a mrsa victim.
August 24, 2008 at 9:39 am |
Hello Sandi
I’m sorry, but I actually find your question offensive and therefore I’m not prepared to answer it. I just hope you never have the misfortune to contract MRSA yourself because then you too will have to put up with a lot of ignorance.
September 22, 2008 at 2:47 pm |
Hi Steph,
I just have a question for you. You mentioned how you had a recurrence with MRSA and had to undergo anther round of antibiotics. Do you ever have minor symptoms of MRSA? You know where it looks like you’ve been bitten by an insect or a spider, but you know you haven’t came in contact with either?
My daughter had MRSA when she was 1 1/2 years old. She has never had another outbreak where she needed antibiotics again. but she gets these marks on her that look like a mosquito bite or a spider bite. They will be like three to five at a time. It has me questioning. Come on I know it couldn’t be mosquitios and I doubt a spider is going to bite you 3-5 different times. Nobody else in the house seems to get them. When I took her to the doctor before, they shrugged it off as nothing, you know like I was a paranoid mom who didn’t know anything.
I would appreciate it if you would let me know if you still get this one particular symptom after being MRSA free.
Amy
September 30, 2008 at 11:04 am |
Hi! Amy
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
I’m guessing from what you’ve told me that your daughter originally suffered from a CA-MRSA (Community Acquired) infection? What you describe as spider bites certainly fits that picture.
My infection was HA-MRSA (Hospital Acquired) so it can’t really be compared.
It’s possible that your daughter remains ‘colonised’ (not infected) with MRSA. This will not harm her as long as she is healthy and well. Many. many people are colonised without realising it and this is probably why your doctor shrugged off your query. The over-prescription of antibiotics was a huge factor in the spread of CA-MRSA and doctors worldwide are now seeing the reality of the problem caused.
I suggest that you arm yourself with more information about MRSA so that you will be in a better position to air your concerns the next time you visit your doctor. It’s been my experience that doctors respect rather than reject well-informed queries. I wish you the best of the luck.
October 3, 2008 at 6:56 am |
Hi Steph,
Thank you for getting back with me.
Her MRSA was community acquired. She’s 4 years old now. She’s been healthy since she had the affected area drained and had the correct round of antibiotics. However, it is always in the back of my mind of her getting it again. Maybe I over reacted, but I felt it was better to be safer then sorry seeing how she had it once.
I will try to stay better informed on MRSA just incase the issue rises again.
Thank You again for getting back with me.
Amy
October 9, 2008 at 3:19 pm |
Great Blog! So informative and helpful. I appreciate the specific details about MRSA and the personal experiences of both you and your readers. I’ve searched the web far and wide to hear what others are living with so I could feel validated with my own experience {something my health care providers have not been able to offer as of yet!}
Two years ago I had a large, painful abscess on my abdomen that was drained, swabbed and treated for MRSA. At the same time I had approximately 20 small oozing wounds sprinkled over my body. Over the previous six months I received diagnoses and treatment for a variety of skin ailments, insect bites and Poison Oak/Ivy/Sumac rashes. I was somewhat relieved to finally get a diagnosis and treatment. I had immediate results and my wounds were reduced to small red bumps in a few weeks.
Unfortunately, over the last two years I’ve had three more treatments of antibiotics to deal with these small “wounds” that never seem to completely go away. At best they are scar-like in appearance and seem to lie dormant for a few weeks or a month… and then one day I’ll notice a strange stiffness in the nearby joint, a tautness in the surrounding skin or a slight bruising feeling around the bump and without fail each will re-emerge as a full infection within a day or so!
My exasperation stems from the fact that I can not seem to get my care providers to recognize these events as inter-connected! Usually, they chastise me for waiting too long to seek treatment. On a few occasions I’ve attempted to get a jump on it and went in too early and was given some topical ointment and told to stop making a big deal out of a few little red bumps – Of course, I was told I waited too long when I showed up with abscesses a week later! Each time they respond as though this is a new infection – I suspect it is not. Every time it reoccurs I get it at the exact same places…. plus a few new ones. At this rate I’ll be covered head to toe in small, sore, red bumps.
I’m happy to say that to date no one else in my household has had to deal with it. I’ve been careful to disinfect the shower with bleach after my use if I have an open wound and I use special alcohol gel wipes (from public health) for my hands all the time.
I’m wondering if anyone here might direct me to some internet resources for more information about LIVING with MRSA – most sites are the same “precautions, diagnosis and treatment” info. but none talk about chronic mrsa.
Thanks again everyone… Perhaps Connectedness is the real cure for MRSA!
Jewels
October 9, 2008 at 10:38 pm |
Jewels – thanks for your kind words.
I’m sorry to hear your story. I couldn’t agree with you more – there is very little help/talk out there about recurrent MRSA.
I once had a hospital doc say to me when my MRSA recurred that “it’s no big deal”. It turned out to be a VERY BIG DEAL for me! I’m sure that the silence from docs on recurrent MRSA, is all tied up with a fear of litigation and as a result, patients are left to fend for themselves. It would be so much better if everyone could be frank and open.
I wish you well.
October 12, 2008 at 1:54 pm |
Hi Steph
coming across your blog on my endless search for answers about MRSA was like hitting the jackpot
I had MRSA (HA) following surgery late 04. I had vancomycin which failed and then was given VAC (vacuum assisted closure) treatment to extract infection and close wound. Thankfully VAC worked. However, my question is about pain. Even though I have had the 3 clear swabs a few year ago the pain, yes has lessened but has not gone completely. The questions that bounce around my brain are: has this been the experience of others? will the pain ever go? why is there pain if I’m now supposedly free of MRSA? I had an MRI scan which was clear. So whats causing the pain? Every doctor I have asked has sidestepped my question. My only thought is that there is no answer, that maybe there has not been enough research into the aftermath of MRSA. Im tired of the pain but I’m also tired of looking for answers. Have you ever heard of others experiencing pain for so long after? I know it sounds awful to say I hope so and I truly don’t mean to sound horrid or offend anyone or wish anyone such pain. I’m just wondering if this is happening to others that have had MRSA.
thank you
Catherine
October 12, 2008 at 3:45 pm |
Hi! Catherine and welcome!
I’m so pleased to hear that you’ve found my blog useful. It makes writing this blog seem very worthwhile. Thank you!
I’m not medically qualified (I trained in physiotherapy) so can only comment from my own personal experience.
You don’t tell me what sort of surgery you had prior to developing MRSA so it’s difficult to be specific. All I can tell you is that surgery by it’s very nature, is invasive and destoys normal tissue as well as diseased tissue. It may well be that the pain you’re experiencing, is post-operative as opposed to post-MRSA.
I experience a fair amount of pain from the areas of my head which have undergone recurrent surgery and this is due mainly to scar tissue. In fact, the right side of my head responds completely differently to the left side of my head both in good times and when fighting infection – it’s almost like I’m two different people
Again, I don’t know enough about the surgery you had to comment but it’s possible that scar tissue could be the cause of your pain.
Another reason for post-operative pain can be nerve damage i.e. neuralgia when the nerve endings are cut but in theory this sort of pain usually settles within months of surgery. I had a big problem with neuralgia of the scalp after my scalp was opened from ear to ear last year but it gradually settled over the year and has completely gone at this stage. It may be that your pain is an unresolved neuralgia?
The positive news in your case is that your MRI scan was clear. Take comfort from this even though it doesn’t give an answer to your pain. Chronic pain is very hard to live with so I do sympathise. Do you have a close friend/partner you could talk to about the pain? I find it really helps to have someone who understands my circumstances and is prepared to listen as in reality, the rest of the world doesn’t want to know! Of course, these days I’m lucky enough to have this forum in which to let off steam
Anyway, best of luck and I hope my comments will have been of some help to you.
October 12, 2008 at 5:17 pm |
Hi Steph
neuralgia has crossed my mind as I did have bother with numbness and lost some use of leg movement. But I may as well be talking to the wall when talking to my GP about it, I know it just the shutters coming down because of my condition been linked to MRSA. However life goes on as I know it now and I just get on with it… totally agree with you.. this is a fantastic place to let off steam. I will be popping in and out from now on.
this is a really helpful site I’ve been reading for hour’s I got a great laugh out of your banana with breakfast story. I can so relate to been in an isolation ward, the boredom and your devilment. I believe that my sense of humour helped me through my MRSA i’ve had friends ask how can you make a joke of it. Well if you don’t laugh you cry. Also your piece about your friend texting you flooded back memories, I was totally deserted by what was supposedly my best friend at the time accept for a couple of phone calls and one visit to the hospital from her during what added up to almost 7mth’s stay for me. The one visit she did make was more of a shopping excursion for her. I soon found out who were my true friends and they are the one’s that still stand by me today 4yr’s on.
You mention barrier nursing, I’ve never heard this term before. Also during my so called isolation no nurse was ever masked when they would come into my room. They would put on a plastic apron OK, you know the type.. the one that looks like a normal kitchen apron. But then the people giving out the food (food ???? well that’s what they called it:-)) would just breeze in and lob the tray of offal oops mean food and leave, they would not have put on any apron I always got the feeling that they believed if they got in and out fast it would be OK. I’m only sorry I didn’t have the knowledge then I have today about hospital acquired infections. There would have been a lot more questions asked.
Yeah, I did not say what operation I had it was a full abdominal hysterectomy think my memory effected to
kind regards
Catherine
October 12, 2008 at 8:49 pm |
Catherine
Lovely to hear you’ve enjoyed browsing around this place. That’s exactly what I like to hear and also, you’re exactly the sort of person this blog was written for. If my experiences help to lighten the load for other patients, then I’m one happy camper
I’m sorry to hear that your MRSA wound infection followed an abdominal hysterectomy. Having been through an abdominal hysterectomy myself, I can well imagine the horror of what you must’ve experienced with a wound that wouldn’t close.
I laughed to hear about the catering staff delivering your (?) food. The exact same happened when I was in isolation. One girl used rush into my room without ever uttering a word and then I’d hear her coughing as she left the room because I reckon she’d been holding her breath! Barrier nursing is exactly what the term implies – the infection control protocol forms a ‘barrier’ between the patient and nursing/medical staff -well in theory it does but as you and I well know sometimes that barrier is very questionable.
Please do visit anytime, I’m real chuffed to hear that my story resonates!
November 5, 2008 at 2:03 pm |
Hello All….
It’s been a while since I visited this site. Sadly, I’ve chuckled as well while reading about the unfortunate experiences that you all have encountered regarding various health care providers…….as I remember the same for myself! I was in a brain injury hospital in Atl, Ga for a short time and had to wear a yellow apron looking gown all the time. My family/ visitors also had to put one on when entering my room. All of the staff that worked with me were supposed to wear one as well…….but some did and some didn’t. I think it boils down to education or lack there of regarding MRSA. To this day I get various treatment from nurses/ etc. when I’m in the hospital so I always think the worst. And that is…….I think if someone is not truly educated on the severity of MRSA then that person is not taking the proper precautions to help make sure that I don’t come in contact with it again. So…….I’m probably one of the most annoying patients around. I want to see the nurses/ etc wash their hands before touching me and I politely ask them to do so….in front of me. Some people are understanding and others seem to get frustrated with me but I don’t care…..that person will not have to go thru the MRSA experience with me if I get infected again. I’m not saying that my actions are correct, but it gives me piece of mind while I’m in the hospital!
Its amazing to me that when I was in high school I had to take various classes like Sewing, wood working, FFA or Transporation. I wish that high school students had to take a class on stuff like building your credit, buying a home, disability ins, 401K’s, and stuff like MRSA……….things that can change your life in a second! I had never heard of MRSA until I had it…..nor had my family.
About my pain. Well, I have no pain now however, at the time when the MRSA was active…….I was in horrific pain all of the time. I wore a 50mcg Fentynol patch and ate Lorotab 10’s like they were candy. I imagine my pain was so bad because the infection was in my lower leg and every time I walked I put pressure on it….not to mention the various collection of broken bones that I had. I’m lucky that I didn’t become addicted to the pain meds!
My blog may not be very helpful but this site also gives me a place to vent with people that have had an MRSA experience……..and I feel much better after reading and sharing with you all….!
November 5, 2008 at 9:55 pm |
Hi! Michelle
Lovely to hear from you again and it’s especially good to hear that you are doing so well after all that you’ve been through.
I admire you greatly for ‘watching your own back’ when it comes to infection control protocol . I do exactly the same nowadys whenever I find myself in a position where I feel my health could be compromised by the lack of hygiene standards. As you say, most healthcare workers (but not all) are okay with being reminded as long as you ask politely and frankly, I don’t care what anyone thinks any more as they aren’t the ones who have to live with the consequences.
It gives me a great lift to hear you say that my blog has acted as a forum for you – that’s exactly what it’s intended for and it’s also a real bonus to know that it’s helped you to make sense of your own experience with MRSA.
I wish you all the best, Michelle – take care.
February 19, 2009 at 9:55 am |
Hi I have a question for Jewels which may have already been answered because although I have enjoyed your blog I have not gotten very far past her ccomments. I’m in no way bored but I am currently dealing with MRSA yet again and had surgery two days ago and I am taking pain pills.(Very sleepy) I wanted to clarify that so you take no offense. My question to her if not answered is if she has seen a dermotoligist and had one of the bumps biopsied. I only ask because I have the same sympthoms as her as well as the MRSA Frequently. I had mine biopsied and was diagnosed with EAC- Erythema annular Centrifugum. Treatment of a skin disease if she has one would lesson her bouts with MRSA because she would not be scratching at it leaving potential for more abcess. I found that out after 10 years of EAC and have started to have less bouts with MRSA since the biopsy. Unfortunatly as you may know and I have been told EAC has no real treatment or cure but when treated early I have had great success in avoiding me tearing my skin apart. I am scared for life because all but 1 doctor thought a biopsy was necessary. Now I get tested for things that most 33 year old don’t get tested for as EAC signals trouble in the body.
Now I have a question about me. Today I went to get my packing changed and complained to the doc that the entire area of my anus and vagina is burning and sore causing me great pain and that it started not 12 hours after the surgery. He looked handsfree, made me do it and declaird the infection has spread. He left the room to verify the culture results and NEVER came back. The nurse came in put gauze and tape on the bed, told ME to dress it, told me to get dressed, handed me my papers and left. They never repacked my would even though they said it needed to be. This pisses me off, I have great insurance and they surely will bill me but yet they never did what THEY told me to come back for. To make matters worse the hydrocodone I was given after the surgery caused my EAC to erupt. I am not allergic but because my immune system is compromised I am having a severe eruption. I asked the doctor to prescribe the very same cream that my dermatologist does in these cases because I am almost out and prompt treatment could halt it from spreading. He refused and refered me to a doctor whom I can’t get in to see for 3 weeks. New patient crap and I just moved her less than a week ago) I feel he is causing me undue pain and suffering because now I risk MANY more abcesses and my average outbreak lasts 4 to 6 months. I am searching for a doc who can take me in the morning but no one so far is willing especially having MRSA. I’m not really sure what my question is I guess I want help and the percocet is making me ramble. Have you every heard of what happened to me today with the doc and nurse or is MRSA worse then they say. Am I wrong in thinking that he SHOULD have given me the skin cream and I even begged for it and was refused. There is no negative interaction between the meds and the creame so on what planet does it make sense to allow me to suffer the pain I will feel for so many months to come. I mean It’s not like I asked the man for narcotics or anything which he actually prescribed. I just wanted some creame that has to be prescribed. I feel like he broke his oath as a doctor to do no harm and am considering a lawyer. Am I over reacting? He refused to treat me for an obvious condition.
In case you are wondering I am negative for all STD’s and HIV, HEP, Herpies. Everything. I am not currently having sex for the last year and had these checks done at my annual 2 months ago. ALL GOOD. I use only my stuff, have my own bathroom, clean my bedding and towels daily. I use Bactroban, I am hygenic and use hib when I shower. I do all the right things but it keeps happening because of my EAC (I rip my skin off because the itching is so bad and I rub because of the pain the EAC causes me seperate to the MRSA). I guess that above was another question.
Do you know of anything else to stop the MRSA. ANYTHING, I’ll try anything. I’m sorry I rambled and my thoughts as shown in my writing are so sporatic but I can’t think straight and am going to try to go to bed if the itching ever stops.
February 19, 2009 at 11:31 am |
Hello! Linda and welcome.
Sorry to hear of the awful time you seem to be having. I was interested to read up on EAC and I hope that Jewels too, will get to read your comment as it may well be helpful to her.
I’m a little confused by your story. While you’ve supplied all the peripheral information, you haven’t clarified the medical details so I can’t really work out what’s going on. I can’t advise you medically but I would advise you to focus on getting your problems sorted. Be confident in yourself, stop looking for someone to blame and instead focus your energies on finding a doctor who can advise you. It’s clear to me that you need reassurance and it appears that so far, you’ve been denied this. Believe me, reassurance is half the battle.
MRSA is not an easy road to travel. I really hope that things will look up for you soon. Take care.