I need advice from a nurse or medical person (not WLS related)

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I caught a staph infection in the hospital when I had back surgery and became septic. I did a round of 2 weeks of IV antibiotics out patient. Then I thought my incision was all healed and the infection was gone so I went out of town.. I ended up having to go to the ER in a strange town because it became infected again as soon as I was off the antibiotics. This time I was put on some really strong antibiotics for 3 weeks that really was hell to take. It caused extreme diarrhea. I was off of them for 5 days and now the infection

came back. I'm on another antibiotic now but I really have my doubts that it won't come back when I finish them.

I don't know what to do. My surgeon tried packing the incision after he drained it and I went in every day to have the packing changed. This was while I was on antibiotics the 2nd time. It finally closed enough that he couldn't do that but he said it wouldn't come back because it healed from the inside.

[Sharon1964 2,530]

After three rounds of antibiotics, I think I would ask for a referral to an infectious disease specialist.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Not a nurse. IMO you need a specialist used to treating chronic recurrent infections. I don't know if that would be an infectious disease doctor or an allergist. You may be okay now that the abscess is healed but if not you should request your doctor call in a specialist.

[sunnkistme 76]

I am so sorry your are struggling with this infection. I am not medical but support people with disabilities to get medical care that they might need. I have been through staph infections with a few people. They do take forever to heal. Again, I am not medical but I have seen the best results when people have finally been referred to a wound care specialist. A good wound care specialist can be life changing.

[samuelsmom 670]

I agree with both of the prior posts; it sounds like it's time for a specialist. I would also emphasize nutrition. If you are nutritionally depleted it is harder to fight off infections. Good luck. Hope this clears.

[YourFriendJess 34]

I would ask to see an infectious disease doctor. Do you have MRSA?

[scstxrn 213]

I am a nurse - and I agree with everything I've seen posted. You also need 90 grams of Protein per day, according to my doc... and if you add Probiotics in (take 2 hours after your antibiotics) you can avoid most if not all of the diarrhea.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

No, I don't have MRSA. It's Staph but not MRSA. It responds to antibiotics, but it comes back.

I am going to try to get a referral to a wound care specialist. My daughter is a nurse and she is afraid they won't consider it a wound because at the moment, it's closed. I know as soon as I go off the antibiotics, it will come back. Then it will be a wound again. I'm going to at least call them tomorrow for advice.

I live in the middle of nowhere and it's hard to find doctors for Infectious disease anywhere but in Portland but I did find a wound care specialist 2 hours closer than that.

I've been on a really expensive really good probiotic ever since this mess started.

Edited January 22, 2015 by Oregondaisy

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I finally got into an infectious disease specialist. I wasn't in her office 5 minutes and she told me I had to be admitted to the hospital immediately. She found me another surgeon who opened me back up and cleaned out the infection. She has me on a picc line for 6 weeks and oral antibitoics after that. I have to give myself infusions 3 x a day and it freaks me out.

The infection got into my bones. I 'd like to strangle my first surgeon!

At least I am on the road to recovery now.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Oregondaisy

[Lidreaux 15]

I just saw this post and I am so glad you saw a specialist. Staff is nothing to play with and I can't believe they didn't refer you to someone else before you had to take matters into your own hands. Good luck on your journey.