MRSA Support Group

I'm 42, have already been living with a chronic condition, and now it seems I have gotten at least some form of staph if not MRSA.

My story is recent:

I began getting this small set of dots on my legs a little over a week ago. Didn't think anything of it, as they didn't itch or hurt and looked like they were around the hair follicle. When I looked it up online, it looked like I had folliculitis and that's nothing to worry about.

Fast forward a few days, I get a boil on my butt. And then, oddly, another. And then, before I know it, I have several boils on my butt and the first one is big, ugly, and has come to a head but hasn't broken. I began to get a massive headache on Thanksgiving, but otherwise was okay.

I went to urgent care on Friday, though, and had a 99.4 F fever there. I got a 10 minute fly-by appt. on short notice where the doctor glanced at my boils, then looked at my long list of antibiotic allergies and gave me a week's supply of Biaxin (250 mg 2x a day) and a script for an ointment, mupirocin.

I began the antibiotics last night and I also had someone else apply the mupirocin today because I can't reach or see these boils that easily, even in a mirror. And I can't apply it even if I could see.

Anyway, the fever was gone this morning but as the day goes on, it is coming back. My temp was 98.4 this afternoon and 99.1 now. I have a new boil that has cropped up since last night, after applying a hot (poss. too hot?) compress to the area, but another one appears to be drying up from use of the mupirocin. (I hope so; this boil had 3 heads on it before.)

I didn't get any boil lanced and drained by the doctor -- nor did I get a culture test. Regardless, it's pretty well known boils like these are caused by staph infections.

How often is a boil caused by MRSA versus non-MRSA staph? Without a culture, is there a way to tell by its progression? Am I on enough antibiotics?

I am also seeing blood in my stool. I don't know if that's from the infection or a result of taking antibiotics. I was on a short course of Augmentin before I got these sores (for an ingrown toenail infection) and had a reaction to it. It could be that drug has had an effect on my bowels, but that was about a month ago I was on the Augmentin.

Is there anything else I should be doing? The doctor did not mention or offer to lance the boil, nor did he indicate anything other than if the Biaxin and mupirocin don't work, the next stop is the ER.

What symptoms do I need to see that mean an ER visit is necessary? Is it continuing to have more boils and a fever -- or do I give the antibiotics a chance?

I also have developed a stuffed head/sinus thing, feel fatigued, and emotional -- the latter part probably because I am worried this can turn into something really awful -- but I wonder if the sinus thing could also be from a staph infection? I also need to figure out what and how to eat -- I have no appetite and am forcing myself to eat something.

Advice definitely needed here from you experienced folk. That and some sort of hope, because I am really freaking out lately and need to know what the right thing to do is and that I can beat this thing. I broke down and cried three times today, and feel the fourth coming on now.

Thanks,

Fuzzy

Hang in there Kitty and I hope you got immediate help at the ER or went to a different Dr. Im in Australia, and recently diagnosed, done the 10 day treatment, had my 2nd MRSA test today & my partner & his son have just got tested. I currently have a boil and genital herpes (ongoing since 2000) so I am used to (tho would love to not be used to) Drs being complacent, write out a script to get rid of you, and not examine, either due to fear of catching something, or they have no time to deal with it. Dont get me wrong, I have been to alot of good Drs too. There should be a specific MRSA Clinic in each town with a counselling service and specialised medicos in the MRSA & Staph field. My new Dr looked at the documentation from Dept of Health & we have a registry when you are tested positive. Do you have that over in your State?

Regarding temperature, what I have learned recently, a low temp below 36.5 is an early sign of infection, possible onset of an outbreak of MRSA and any temp above 36.9 is classed as normal, go above 37.4 and it is recommended you be in ER before then. Do you have a digital thermometer, they are the most accurate. Also, take your temp whilst still in bed in the morn, approx hlf hour after a shower and your temp will differ by about .5 degrees at times. I find my temp is higher in the afternoon. Also remember not to take your temp at least half hour after exercise or drinking either hot or cold. The digital thermometer adjusts automatically to the current humidity/temp in the room and then reads your temp after 10 seconds, you must keep the thermometer in your mouth. Remember to Always clean the thermometer after each use & keep in its little case and put somewhere out of direct sunlight and in a cool position. Never let anyone else use yours, if you must, use alcohol wipes, but I dont let anyone use as its in my mouth, the 2nd entry point of anyone contracting MRSA no matter how careful you are.

Phew, I do go on... just advice and hoping you cope better with some knowledge, it empowers us and Im a seeker of answers also. Take care, big supportive hug to you.

Pauly