Replies to '04/01 The Superbug'

Quote From: mrsafightertx

I have to say, I don't normally have time to watch Dr Phil but a friend sent me an email that Dr Phil recently recorded a show on MRSA.  You may be blessed and never be infected with this Superbug.  Remember, knowledge is power.  If you, your family member or someone you know mentions STAPH or AN INFECTED SPIDER BITE...please share this info with them.    My husband is part of an Emergency Response Hazardous Material team and has had 4 bouts with staph with the first happening right after haz mat cleanup from Hurricane Rita.  #1 - a small insect type bite on his shoulder that increased in size overnight with extreme pain and hot to the touch. Treatment on the weekend at an urgent care clinic.  #2 - a year later, same but on the back of neck, saw our family physician and a dermatologist. #3 - Nov. 07 on his forearm diagnosed as an infected spider bite and was much more severe so we believed the doctor. Each of these were treated with antibiotics and NEVER was a culture taken! #4 - Feb 08 came back from a job where Hurricane Rita had previously hit. 3 small insect bites under armpits that mulitplied to 9 boils! Called our doctor for a referral and saw another doctor that tried to drain the bigger boils in his office (complete torture)!  Our pharmacist at Target pointed out he needed to be on IV not oral antibiotics (which I believe now he helped save my husband's life!)   Saw a surgeon the next day and was admitted into the hospital.  Surgery and 4 days of IV antibiotics.  On the 4th day, nurses told us it was NOT staph and that he was on the correct antibiotics.  Surgeon looked at his armpits and told us it was NOT MRSA...and said see me in a week!    I stayed on the phone until I found Dr Leonardo Palau MD, an infectious disease doctor in Houston TX that my friend saw when he acquired HA-MRSA. My husband was off work for 3 weeks, on IV at home for 12 days with superdrug called Cubicen and was treated with compassion.  Dr Palau showed us the lab results that were done in the hospital, POSITIVE for MRSA and his body was rejecting the very antibiotic the hospital had him on! His staff drained his wounds and taught me how to pack them.  I was then taught how to administer the IV and I want to point out it never was my dream to be a nurse!   We are now working on building up his immune system and I am a raging germaphoebic!  I've calmed down a bit.  However, WASHING YOUR HANDS constantly with DIAL COMPLETE, using PURELL, cleaning every surface with LYSOL OR BLEACH,  adding LYSOL OR BLEACH to our laundry always done in HOT water and spraying everything with AEROSOL LYSOL.  We now carry LYSOL TO GO and PURELL with us.  But most of all, PRAYING and asking others to keep us in their prayers.   If your family physician suggests STAPH or AN INFECTED SPIDER BITE...get to an INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR immediately. I wouldn't mess around because each doctor acted like this was normal to have reoccurring staph.  This has forced us to do our own research and be active in all aspects of our own health care.  No longer will I just accept a diagnosis and a prescription...I know ask questions and get online.   Here's the link from Dr Phil and I recommend it highly, it will help you with some prevention tips to protect you and your family.  It will definitely educate you on the Superbug MRSA!   http://drphil.com/shows/show/1048/