Topic : 04/01 The Superbug

Julie,

I am so sorry to hear about your medical misfortune! My husband;s herniated disc was also L-5, s-1!! How odd. He had been troubled with the pain for almost a year, and the only reason that he finally got an MRI to look at his back was because I basically threw a tantrum with his primary doctor. She had been treating his back as it were a muscle issue. When we got the MRI, they obviously saw the real issue, and unfortunatly he only had a couple days until he woke up unable to move either of his legs at all. That is when I called the ambulance and he was taken to the hospital. It was a Friday, so they did his surgery on a Saturday. (the worst day for surgery)  He actually still has some pain and discomfort in his lower back, but he is extremely lucky because he doesn't really have any nerve damage that was perminant! He was lucky enough to have the surgery BEFORE the damage was perminant, which is why it was considered "emergency surgery". As much as I would have preferred to have the surgery at the larger hospital that we ended up going to for the infection, there was just no time that I knew of at that point. The doctor did us a favor by doing his surgery as quickly as he did, unfortunatly the hospital did not do their job with the cleaning and sanitizing of their OR.

I have degenerative disc disease in my lower back that actually started out like a herniated disc at the same place, L-5, S-1. I was treated for that for over a year before they realized that it was a degenerative issue with several discs, so I have some perminant nerve damage in my left thigh. It is not going to go away, but actually will get worse over time as my back gets worse. I have seen several doctors who have all told me that there is very little that can be done at this point. With me medically, my stroke issues take priority, although my back and nerve damage is still a painful issue. I have been prescribed lyrica for the nerve pain and itching, and it does help at times. The whole situation is truly a mess though. Our finances, much like your own I am guessing, are a huge mess. My medical bills are really crazy, and I have insurance! The copaymenys and meds are very expensive. I applied for disability almost 4 years ago, and I am just this month getting to go to my hearing. The goverment has a hard time giving disability to someone who is only 39. I am hopeful that once my hearing is done this month, I will get my disability and our finances will improve some. Thank God my husand was able to go back to work because I had to stop working only a year or so after he did! I am not sure what we would have done if he couldn't! I can see how easily people end up homeless while waiting to get disability! I know other people who are way more disabled than I am and they even had the rejections and had to wait years for a hearing! Our system is really messed up! As far as the pain goes, my heart goes out to you my friend. It isn't easy trying to live daily with this constant pain. It can almost make you crazy at times! We do have an inner strength that allows us to do things that we really shouldn't, but I am sure you , like me, suffer for anything that you try to do for several days after doing it! Pain meds and all, it really never goes away. I have even been put on some anti anxiety meds because my medical situation has caused me to be depressed and very anxious at times. (imagine that?!!) Well, I wish you the best and I hope that you find some resolution or at the least some relief from your suffering! take care! You will be in my thoughts and prayers! :)

If you have open sores, be sure to keep them covered and do not touch them.  If you have a spot you can't reach to cover, be sure the person who helps you wears disposable gloves and washes their hands before and after helping you

. 

Wash and keep your clothes, towels etc, separately from everyone else's in VERY hot water.

Wash your hands when they are visibly soiled, use an alcohol based sanitizer when your hands do not look or feel dirty and keep rubbing until your hands are dry.

If you have additional questions, call your doctor or look for the answer on WWW.CDC.GOV/MRSA

I contracted MRSA in June of 2007.  At first I thought it was an ingrown hair, but within a week the swelling went from about a 1/2" in diameter to about 10" in diameter.  I went to the hospital b/c I had a fever and the pain was so severe I couldn't even walk.  They told me I was in early sepsis and if I hadn't came in when I did, they would have admitted me.  They drained it, I was put on antibiotics, and in about a week I was fine.  I wasn't even told it was MRSA while I was at the hospital.  I found out b/c I work in the hospital and I checked my own lab work.

About two months later my 9 month old daughter contracted it in her diaper area.  It started out as diaper rash and within about two days I knew it was MRSA.  I took her to the pediatrician and they drained it in the office.  She also was put on antibiotics and was fine in about a week.  Then about another 3 months later she contracted it again.  This time I took her to Children's hospital and she went through the same thing again.  Both of these times I was never told it was MRSA, they just told me they were going to treat it like it was MRSA.  The doctor at Children's hospital just told me to make sure I clean my bath tub with bleach. 

I take my scrubs off immediately after I get home from work, I put them in a separate basket and wash them separately from everyone else's clothes.  I take showers and I constantly wash my hands(at home and at work).  My house is always clean.  I wasn't sure what I needed to be doing different and I felt like I wasn't ever clean enough.   

I contracted it again in February of 2008.  I knew what it was as soon as it showed up.  I went and had it taken care of again.  I couldn't figure out how me and my daughter keep getting it, but my husband hasn't had it once.  Then the doctor told me that some people are more susceptible than others.  He told me that pretty much everyone carries the bacteria, but all it takes is for it to find one little cut or scratch to get inside of the body at start causing problems.

I am so glad that Dr. Phil did a show on MRSA.  People need to be more aware of MRSA.  I found out first hand that it grows very quickly and you shouldn't wait around to see if it will get better on its own.  I was very sick when I went to the hospital the first time and I am just grateful that I went when I did.  I was also grateful to know not to wait around with my daughter.  Having these things drained is like torture and I hope and pray everyday that me and my daughter will not have to go through this again.   

I contracted MRSA in June of 2007.  At first I thought it was an ingrown hair, but within a week the swelling went from about a 1/2" in diameter to about 10" in diameter.  I went to the hospital b/c I had a fever and the pain was so severe I couldn't even walk.  They told me I was in early sepsis and if I hadn't came in when I did, they would have admitted me.  They drained it, I was put on antibiotics, and in about a week I was fine.  I wasn't even told it was MRSA while I was at the hospital.  I found out b/c I work in the hospital and I checked my own lab work.

About two months later my 9 month old daughter contracted it in her diaper area.  It started out as diaper rash and within about two days I knew it was MRSA.  I took her to the pediatrician and they drained it in the office.  She also was put on antibiotics and was fine in about a week.  Then about another 3 months later she contracted it again.  This time I took her to Children's hospital and she went through the same thing again.  Both of these times I was never told it was MRSA, they just told me they were going to treat it like it was MRSA.  The doctor at Children's hospital just told me to make sure I clean my bath tub with bleach. 

I take my scrubs off immediately after I get home from work, I put them in a separate basket and wash them separately from everyone else's clothes.  I take showers and I constantly wash my hands(at home and at work).  My house is always clean.  I wasn't sure what I needed to be doing different and I felt like I wasn't ever clean enough.   

I contracted it again in February of 2008.  I knew what it was as soon as it showed up.  I went and had it taken care of again.  I couldn't figure out how me and my daughter keep getting it, but my husband hasn't had it once.  Then the doctor told me that some people are more susceptible than others.  He told me that pretty much everyone carries the bacteria, but all it takes is for it to find one little cut or scratch to get inside of the body at start causing problems.

I am so glad that Dr. Phil did a show on MRSA.  People need to be more aware of MRSA.  I found out first hand that it grows very quickly and you shouldn't wait around to see if it will get better on its own.  I was very sick when I went to the hospital the first time and I am just grateful that I went when I did.  I was also grateful to know not to wait around with my daughter.  Having these things drained is like torture and I hope and pray everyday that me and my daughter will not have to go through this again.   

I have to agree with your last two sentences....it's a fact that people are rude and inconsiderate and self-involved, more so than ever!

I, too, have a problem with foreign travelers (as well as illegal immigrants who circumvent vaccinations and general medical care for fear of deportation) coming into this country from other countries where sanitation isn't something they practice very well. That's one way bugs get spread around.

I'm afraid I also would have said something to that woman who sneezed and coughed all over the apples. It's disgusting!

However, having said that, we all have to be responsible for our own safety as much as possible....like washing our hands, covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze, washing all our fruits and vegetables (because someone made a good point about what the field workers do while picking our produce) using Lysol to spray surfaces we touch in public like doorknobs and such, and just generally using common sense. I was sanitizing grocery cart handles (a HUGE source of germs) with Lysol wipes way before the stores started putting a container of them at the entrances, and I didn't care whether or not people thought I was OCD....they weren't going to have to pay my medical bills!  I'm not OCD... I'm just smart....and now look...most stores provide these for customers.

We live in a dirty, germy world. That's a fact. You can't be paranoid...but you do need to take normal precautions.

In your Mom's case, she was totally blameless. I hope she gets better soon.

I can appreciate your concern!!  Regarding "catching" MRSA, you will always have MRSA.  Once you've got it, you've got it.  What you can do to help yourself is take a lot of precautions to keep yourself well.  Since you are diabetic you have an even bigger responsibility to yourself.  You must do foot checks every night!  If you can't see the bottom of your foot, put a mirror on the ground and check that way.  Make sure you see a podiatrist every 3 months and NO "bathroom surgeries," as those can very easily lead to infection even on a non-diabetic person.

Being diabetic, any sore or infection you get will take that much longer to heal since diabetes affects blood flow, particularly to your arms, hands, legs and feet.  Make sure you don't smoke, since the tar in cigarettes makes your blood "sticky" and harder to get through your veins.

Always always always go see your doctor if you think you might need to.  Don't worry about being a bother, or being labeled a hypochondriac.  It is THEIR JOB to help keep you healthy and if you are unsatisfied in any way, or you feel your concerns are not being taken seriously, you have every right to see another doctor.  Your doctor is running a business and you are the customer.  If you're not happy, take your business elsewhere!