Help with MRSA Staph Infections PLEASE!!!

Hi A.,

You can contact the University of Chicago ASAP for that matter. I am aware that they are doing clinical studies on this, so they may be able to recommend &/or help. The following contact person may not necessarily be the ultimate one but may be able to direct you in the right direction. Her name is Diana Sullivan; try emailing her at ____@____.com

Best of Luck!

Hi there,
I don't know much about MRSA specifically, or what you have tried already, but do you take probiotics daily? It sounds like your body could use some help fighting things off, and probiotics can only help you do that. I've been battling a yeast infection for a while, but take probiotics to help give me more good bacteria in my body. Try acidophilus and some of the others that you can find at Whole Foods. Get them out of the refridgerator- they need to be kept cold. You might try a new type every month to mix it up.

Good luck to you,
T.

www.ReadandGrow.com

Tell your doctor or the hospital or wherever it is that you go next that you want to see an infectious diseases specialist, in fact, demand it.

Hi A.,
I am so sorry to hear this!!! My son (four at the time) had a six month battle that sounded much like yours, except not as severe (no hospitalizations. I actually took him to Children's Memeorial to see an infectious disease doctor after they kept reoccurring. He had to have one of the sores lanced (a very ugly situation, inter-muscles injections, horrible antibiotics, etc. He, of course, was on heavy antibiotics (clindamyacin), but they had us do some environmental things, as well. He can no longer take baths, showers only. If he has a small cut that we cannot even see, it is big enough to let the bacteria in somewhere new. However, they did have us give him bleach baths! I was a little unnerved about that. I would first give him a shower, then draw the bath and add in a half of cup of bleach. I would just rinse it over his body for about 5 minutes. We had to do that every two to three days for three or four weeks. Also, we had to (and still do) use anti-bacterial soap on him. I buy the soap that foams from the pump. He uses that from his hips to his knees. That is where the majority of his infections were. Our whole family also had to use bactraban prescription ointment in our noses twice a day for three/four weeks. Supposedly the MRSA bacteria loves the inside of our noses. For most people, it just lives there without a problem. We can be a carrier and not even know it. I just took a Q-tip and put ointment on it, then swabbed the inside of everone's noses. It is also important to keep fingernails cut very short (another place bacteria loves), and never share bath towels, etc. We have been outbreak free since April! The doctor did tell me that if another sore pops up to start the bleach baths and Bactaban ointment in everyone's noses again, as well as, call the pediatrician for antibiotics. I know our whole family was tested, but nothing actually showed up. The doctor at Children's said only about 1/3 of carriers will have a positive test result. Who knows where he caught it first, but I am constantly worried will start that battle again. Any red mark on the poor kid, I am examining it like a microscope:) The infections spread very quickly, and it is a really scarry situation. I wish you and your daughter the best. I hope our experience with this helps!

You CAN be more susceptible to MRSA once you have had it. The DR's should have told you that. All of your sores should be treated with an antibiotic ointment, covered and monitored so that the telltale "redness" doesn't appear and grow. These symptoms can diminish BUT you have to see your Doctor or, another post suggested an infectious disease specialist. Your MRSA should be registered in your county. Your home should be disinfected. Everyone has the potential to carry MRSA but not everyone has an outbreak. Those who are susceptible have to be even more vigilant!

This cycle CAN stop! You have to get the right help and guidance. Don't beat yourself up for what happened. Be proactive so that you can avoid it in the future.

Good luck!

I had a surgery this past May and got MRSA and 3 other infections. Of course I blame my failing health on that ever since. I was hooked to antibiotic bags 3 times a day for 3 months. Then I got blood clots in my leg. Then I got a hernia that is now the size of my fist under my rib cage; I can barely turn over in bed or cough , sneeze, or anything else. I also had a bacteria suction machine attached to my stomach (site of infection) for 3 months-that's where the hernia developed from the huge opening the surgeons had to cut out to remove the infection. Anyway, since then I found out that even if I got the MRSA from the hospital, I could just as easily have gotten it from being outdoors. MRSA is in the air. It lands on our clothes, our skin, our lips, everywhere. So don't blame yourself for you child getting it. It could have come from multi surfaces. Make sure when you go to the grocery stores that you use the antibiotic wipes on the cart and everywhere you and baby can touch. On the way out of the store, wipe babys hands and yours before touching anything else. Other than that, we're helpless. Good luck mom. Wipe down your whole house if you have to Counters, playpen, crib, her toys, high chair, etc.

My toddler daughter and I had it when she was a few months old. She had recurring boils and had to get one surgically removed on her leg. We now take baths in a cap full of bleach. Haven't seen an infection in years.
I also had someone to give me an herbal fruit and vege wash to clean the boils, that worked great as well.

Hi A. -

We also had a MRSA issue in our household last year. I believe I actually contracted it when I was receiving fertlity treatment from someone at my doctor's office. I had a sore on my arm - looked like a burn mark. It was treated and went away - I thought. However, out little girl got MRSA when she was 1 week old - possibly passed from me to her during delivery. She needed to be hospitalized for hers - she had a boil on her chest which needed to be drained and treated w/ medicine via an IV. We thought we were all in the clear. However, about a month later I ended up getting several boils in my armpits - they were very painful. I was treated for them w/ a antibiotic cream. After about a month all my boils went away - thankfully. Then about a year later - last Easter - our little one ended up getting MRSA again on her chin. She had to have it opened and drained - probably the worst thing I have seen happen to her as her mother. At this point our doctor's and us had had enough... they gave us all an antibiotic cream that we had to insert into our noses for 2 weeks (this is where MRSA tends to live). We also had to get a special soap (surgeons use this soap before surgeries) and use this for 2 weeks as well. This soap is sold over the counter, but you might have to ask your pharmacist for it. Other pointers our doctor gave us were to wash all the bedding, blankets, etc. in scolding hot water. Clean the bathtub with bleach after every use. Wash your hands as much as possible and wipe down surfaces you touch w/ clorox wipes. Hopefully your doctor has already mentioned these things to you, but if not I would ask about them - especially the antibiotic cream for your nose and the soap.

Good luck!
T.

First, you must seek medical care at THE VERY FIRST sign of infection. This is a life-threatening condition, so never wait for medical care. Many of the moms have given you specific names, so use them because regular docs are NOT capable of handling this. Second, You must build up your immune system. Go to a health food store and ask for some suggestions. Finally, pray, rest and relax. Will say a prayer for you. My secretary's hubby had this and it can attack you in the strangest places. He had knee surgery and it came back so strongly, please go see a specialist!

My sister had it...turned out they were giving her an antibiotic not used for MRSA..she realized this from research on line...her new Dr. gave her the right antibiotic and a nasal spray used for MRSA too...I guess that is where it stays? Good luck!

Hi A., when I read about your infection, I just had to respond...I too, have it...my aunt that has recently passed, was always sick and I would visit her often...atleast 4 times or more a week and if she was in the hospital, everyday....she and her son, who was her care giver, got it first and then my aunt, and I was hit with it about 2 years ago...it was horrible the pain from it, as you well know...this is a highly contagious infection and I also gave it to my husband and my daughter...it left scars on all of us...and I'm always checking to see if I'm getting new ones...I'm always calling my Dr. to get some antibotics...I asked him what can I do to stop this...he mentioned that I could wash with Phisohex...it a disinfeting soap they use in the hospital...I pray everyday that this horrible infection will not reoccur...I know what you are going through and I hope that someday you will not be plagued with this any longer...the last time I was in the hospital visting my aunt...she was in quarentine, as were most of the patients...because, now, hospitals have it and can't get rid of it...I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone...it really is a hurtful thing to have...I get them a lot under my armpit...as soon as you have a break out...call the Dr. and tell him, so, you can get some antibiotics...my Dr. knows me well and calls it into the Pharmacy...if I let it go for a couple of days without a perscription the MRSA gets worse and it lasts for more than a week and then I have to bring it to a head and get the puss out...I always cover it so not to get it on anything else and I wash constantly...my cousin works in a nursing home and gets it too...I just talked to her the other day and she said she had another one under her armpit and the Dr. had to pack it with guaze and everyday she has to cut 2 inches of it off...I never got it that bad...she is in a lot of pain...I do hope you and your family can get rid of it...once my daughter went on line to read about the MRSA Staph infection...it had people on it that had it and it was a horrible sight...my prayers and thoughts go out to you...please take care...a little about myself...I'm 61 years old come the 24th of this month and I work for the Secretary of State, issuing Driver License and ID's, before this job I was a Salon owner and Hairdresser for 35 years...I'm married to a loving husband for 28 yrs.

It's not inevitable that a MRSA infection will come back. (I had one about 4 1/2 years ago & it never returned). I wonder if you have a pocket of it buried deep inside your body somewhere that the antibiotics aren't reaching. My mother had a MRSA infection 7 years ago. It made its way into her spine & ate through several vertebrae before the doctor figured out what was going on (back pain is so common, they thought it was some other type of back injury) and they told us she would likely either die or be completely paralyzed. Luckily, the surgeon at Univ. of Chicago hospital was able to save her, but when they went back in a month or two later to install hardware to replace her lost vertebrae, they found that a pocket of infection remained in her spine, & the whole scare was repeated. An infectious disease specialist put her on a prophalactic/preventative dose (indefinitely) of some heavy-duty antibiotic just in case there is more MRSA that wasn't 100% wiped out....she has been on it for years, which (at least at the time she started) was NOT a typical course of treatment. Normally, the dr. said he wouldn't put someone on this drug permanently due to concern re side effects (kidney damage, etc.) that could result, but they thought that in her particular case, the risk of MRSA was serious enough to justify this treatment. I would definitely recommend finding a reputable infectious disease specialist ASAP. In addition to my mom's scary experience, I also know someone whose father died when MRSA got into the valves of his heart....it really is nothing to mess around with.

I never had this, but am a mom and have had a c section. Mostly why I am writing is I feel so bad for you I can't stand it. I am adding the doctor you have to my list of doctors I hate, I waited for the results of a breast biopsy for almost a whole summer because my doctor decided it was a great time to go on a European vacation or something and didn't authorize anyone to give me the results. So the doctor you have went on his Christmas holiday but should have helped you or helped prevent this from happening. PLEASE DO NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT YOUR BABY>YOU sound so kind and you have had a bad hand handed to you right now. I am waiting anxiously for the other answers and I am saying my prayers everything goes along quickly and done with.

My first thought was a probiotic, Garlic and products to strengthen the immune system. I know you have probably gotten a lot of information on products to use. I am a very strong advocate of Shaklee products since they helped me with a health issue I couldn't solve for 9 years. The products are guaranteed to work, and there are many products to help support and strengthen the immune system. I use them all and would be happy to share that information if you are interested. I checked through files and found the following in my files. Shaklee's Garlic has odor-control, so if you have to take a lot which you would it's a good choice.

Garlic 'beats hospital superbug'

Allicin occurs naturally in garlic
The ingredient which gives garlic its distinctive smell is the latest weapon in the battle to beat the hospital "superbug" MRSA. University of East London researchers found allicin treated even the most antibiotic-resistant strains of the infection.

MRSA (Methecillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) causes an estimated 2,000 deaths in UK hospitals each year.

Researchers are now testing allicin products in a six-month study.

Dr Ron Cutler and his team discovered the effectiveness of allicin in laboratory tests five years ago.

They found it can cure MRSA within weeks.

It is even effective against the newer strains which cannot be treated by the "last line of defence" antibiotics Vancomycin and Glycopeptides.

Fatal infections

The team have developed a nasal cream, pills and soaps.
The effect of the treatment was dramatic for Deborah Brown, patient.
Initial trials have proved effective, so researchers will now test them in a six-month study of 200 volunteers including healthcare workers and patients.

The scientists hope the products will be used by people working in hospitals so they can prevent MRSA being passed on to patients, as well as the patients themselves.

MRSA organisms can live harmlessly in humans, carried in the nasal passages and on the skin, but they can cause fatal infections in immune-suppressed patients, the elderly, the young and those with surgical implants.

Dr Cutler told BBC News Online: "My aim would be to firstly work to try and reduce the carriage of MRSA amongst healthcare workers.

"But we would also hope to use allicin treatments for patients themselves."

He added: "The trials we have conducted so far show that this formulation is highly effective against MRSA, and it could save many lives.

"MRSA is causing a genuine crisis in our hospital system in Britain and worldwide. Antibiotics are increasingly ineffective, but we do have a powerful natural ally.

"Plant compounds have evolved over millions of years as chemical defence agents against infection.

"Garlic has been used in medicine for centuries, and it should be no surprise that it is effective against this very modern infection."

'Incredibly painful'

Deborah Brown, 34, from Rainham in Kent, contracted MRSA after a major spinal operation in November 2000.

Painful wounds on her spine failed to heal for two years, despite using the antibiotics and creams currently available.

But within two months of using the allicin creams and pills, her MRSA had virtually cleared and the wounds had begun to heal.

She said: "The effect of the treatment was dramatic - I am making a good recovery - but it was really awful at the time.

"Having weeping wounds on my back that never healed was incredibly painful and I became increasingly depressed as the MRSA didn't respond to repeated courses of antibiotics.

"If my case helps to show that allicin works against MRSA then I am glad that something good might come of it."

The research is to be published in the Journal of Biomedical Science

I am going to start off by saying I know EXACTLY how you are feeling. Im a mom of a 21 month baby girl and 5 1/2 month baby boy. Both my babies were delivered c-section. My first c-section with my baby girl was an emergency c-section also. Within 7 days of c-section I was running a 103.4 fever and called the dr over and over just for her to tell me it was receovery from section. The following Monday I went into the office to be examined. I was admitted to the hospital. I had an oozing boil on my stomach. No where near the incision from c-section so the dr ruled out an infected surgery site. They had no idea what was wrong or what "this thing" was. So I was treated with all sorts of antibiotics and they did move me back to labor and delivery so I could have my newborn. A few days I was release with "cellulitous". Two days later I went to my family dr for a second opinion. He had ran some lab work and that following monday (just over 2 wks from delivering) my family dr said the lab results showed I had a staph infection and MRSA. I was admitted to his hospital (different from where I gave birth). For days. Without my newborn. She was with my mom as well. I was on many antibiotics and had iv's everywhere. My daughter was bounced around from my mom to my aunt while my husband was at work etc etc. So finally 6 wks later I thought I was "recovered". I was home with my family and thought things were fine. Months later I had these spots all over everywhere. Stomach and under arm mainly. I went to infectious disease dr's constantly I had spots drained. I had them come and go and they would develop in an hour and I'd be in ER getting them lanced. It was a pain in the beep. I was on constant antibiotics. My daughter had MRSA at 9 months. I felt the same way. I gave my baby girl MRSA. Then of course antibiotic runs were done on her also. I thank God that was the only outbreak Then suprise I was pregnant. Worried throughout my pregnancy about my unborn baby too. I had to get off the stronger meds. Thank God all went well and he wasnt born with MRSA or it didnt transfer to him. However still to this day I am fighting MRSA outbreaks. I am on bactrim double strength as a precaution, a therapy remedy to help stop the outbreaks. 21 months later. I still get depressed and pray I dont pass it on to anyone else in the family. It doesnt matter how much antibiotic I am on or how much I follow the sterilization hibicleanse wash, no matter how much I disenfect I still get the outbreaks. I dont know what meds if any your dr has you on or what prevention plan. But I know with what I am doing the prevention plan I am on now works better and slows my outbreaks and I will even have "spots" but they are empty. I will have that battle with MRSA forever. Please feel free to message me if you want. I have not yet met or talked with anyone who had the same problem with MRSA as you and I.

Hi I would definitely try an infectious disease doctor. My daughter had MRSA at 18 months and when I took her to her ped. he said it was a spider bite. It wasn't until she was admitted to the hospital and seen an infectious disease dr. we found the cause and fix. Once he seen her he put her on the right antibiotics and she did have to have surgery like you to drain the infection. When we got home after 7 long days in the hospital he gave us 2 thing to use in case we see other possible infections. One was hibocleanse. Its kind of like an antimicrobial watery body wash you can use on your body only. If I even think I see something like I did before I wash her whole body down with this. You can get this over the counter. He also gave us bacitracian (sp?) for my family to actually put in their noses which is where he said the the MRSA can colinize and cause infection. This I think was a perscription.

I don't know if any of this helps but we have never had another case or problem with MRSA since my daughter was 18 months. She will be 3 in April. I feel for you. I know how hard it was to watch my daughter go through the pain once so I can't imagine having it multiple times. Good Luck.

I would definately see an infectious disease doctor asap. Someone really good. Good luck.

I won't bore you with the details of how many infections we have had in our house between me, my husband and infant/now toddler daughter. But my advice to you is to relax! You seem very well informed and have received some great advice on this site. My husband and I both saw separate infectious disease doctors at separate hospitals (Northwestern & West Suburban) and my daughter saw 2 others at 2 additional hospitals (Children's Memorial & Loyola). Unfortunately, the advice was the same across the board... "The infection will burn itself out at some point. Just be patient." It was extremely hard to hear as the infections continued to occur, but, knock on wood, we have been free of infection since the spring. The most important thing you can do is to just be observant. The disease is only life threatening if not treated. But as long as you see the doctor at the first sign and start on the antibiotic (I prefer clindamycin for adults & chilren), you and your daugther will be just fine. You seem to be doing all that you can. Hang in there!

MRSA is a staph infection that is resistant to all penicillins. That is what it stands for Methicillin resistant Staph areaus(SP)IT IS NOT A VIRUS. It is a bacterial infection. You can be colonized with it and never be infected or when your immune system is down you could get an infection, depends also on where it is ie blood, skin etc. You need to go see an infectious disease doctor. Ask your Dr to refer you or if you live in the northwest suburbs look up DRS Bleasdale, Kochvar, Frishman, and Kershburger, they work out of Northwest Community Hospital and a couple other surroumding Hospitals. It used to be once MRSA always Mrsa but that is changing case by case. Good Luck

A.-

You need one of the best probiotics that is made to help with MRSA--It is a bit expensive but will help immensely. I have studied health, nutrition and wellness for over 20 years and gave seen great results with these.

The company that sells it is from Australia and it is one if not the purest product in the world.

Please talk to Karen ans her website is

www.karenmacnab.onegroup.com

You can also give it to your baby!!

T.
Detox Coach

A.,
Go see an Infectious disease doctor.
For your home-
There is a way to try an air machine studied at Kansas State Univ. that reduces MRSA strep on surfaces. This could be a way of reducing risk of contamination to those that share your environment. MRSA can stay active up to 90 days on surfaces which is probably a good explanation of why there was a relapse and your daughter got it, too.
Don't be so hard on yourself, even the very cleanest places
(like the hospital) have difficulty controlling infection from this life threatening infection. Many cleaning solutions particularly designed for hospitals still have to be applied, and soak for 3 min. to be effective against MRSA.
It is not humanly possible to keep your environment as clean as using a machine that releases anti-pollutants to get to where the source of the problem is. Look at www.activepure.com . Good Luck and God Bless.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/0...

I hope and pray this link will help you.

Dear A.,
I'm so sorry for you and the baby. I would like to mention a company for whom I have been a distributor for almost 4 years. I no longer sell but believe wholeheartedly in the products. It is called Reliv International. You can check them out at
reliv.com
I will tell you that this is a multilevel marketing company but if you can get past the hipe, I think you would find the products extremely helpful. The baby can take them as well. All are powders, and there is a children's formula. Somehow, balancing out the body with optimum nutrition seems to help tremendously. That's the only way I can see to stop the cycle. I do hope you will check them out and contact me so I can get someone to help you.
S.

Hey there.. when I had it they put me on two different antibiotics at the same time.. plus had me wash my face and body and hands constantly with Hibicleanse which I got at walgreens. It comes as a liquid and is soft and easy to use.
I"m sorry this has happened to you. It's scary enough on your own then to add the stress of little ones is that much worse. I have two little ones. may God bless you with restored good health! xo