Another infection!!!

[irish]

Hi folks, Just another update on my blessed infections. I had my infusion last Tuesday and saw the pulmonary doc the same day. She is in the same building so just took my IV pole and hubby and walked down to that office.

I will have my CPAP pressure increased plus she put me on Cipro for 14 days. My culture came back with Klebisella again and even though the Avelox was sensitive it didn't seem to do the trick. Meanwhile, I had another episode of hacking out a green plug of mucus and more drainage. I felt very ill and went back to my primary who did a Cat scan with IV contrast the following day. I think this was the 5th one of these I have had.

I feel like my epiglottis has something wrong or that there is an infection in my throat in that area. It hurts when I swallow pills and seems to come and go. Really a miserable thing and causes me to hack mucus all the time. The doc is trying to get me in to my good ENT in the cities. I have seen the ENT so many times and he has tried so hard to find what is bothering. This is just the pits.

I still maintain that a lot of this infection is related to my teeth that had so many abscesses years ago. I think I have a simmering infection someplace down in that area. Also will have times that my jaw bone hurts and feel like lymph node hurts deep in my neck. I have had a Three phase MRI with contrast to check me for osteomyelitis in the bones of my face. My ENT did that a couple of years ago. I have practically run him dry.

He specializes in neck and throat surgery and diseases so I am hopeful that he has learned more over the years. I have gone to him for 10 years and he is an extremely nice man and an awesome surgeon. At least that is what the operating room nurses told me and when a nurse uses the word "awesome" you know they are good.

Anyway, the saga continues. I get episodes of stridor which is a rattling in the throat area as the air passes over swollen tissue or tissue that has some unusual situations. I have had something rupture many times over the years and once I felt like it was going to totally obstruct me. Went to ER and nothing was done. Came home and 1 1/2 hours later it ruptured and I coughed up all that drainage. I can't believe I'm not dead!!!!! Meanwhile my primary is running another culture for the mycobacterium infection. This will be the third one this year!!!

Interesting month in October. Between hubby and I we were to the doctor or ER 17 times. My house is a mess and I am on automatic pilot. I have to get my rear in gear cause the holidays are coming. Take care all. Irish

[Katybarstool]

Oh Irish!

I'm so sorry that you are having all these problems. I hope the cipro works.  I think you will just have to ignore the fluff bunnies for now and rest and repair.

God bless.

KAthyx

[pudmott]

maybe you can tell the fluff bunnies its easter and let santa have a rest.

Sorry to hear the mucous is hanging around. you must be too nice t it. lets hope the cipro can get it moving. just rest uo ok. take in those lovely autumn colours and visualise each falling leaf as one less infection.

i'll keep everything crossed that it all clears up soon

pud

[JannaLee]

Irish honey,

I am praying for you to get better.  It is more than a little worrisome that you cannot resolve this infection.

Janna

[LenV]

Irish,
You and Lucy just can't stay out of trouble when I'm gone.  What oh what will I do with you??!!

Seriously, I sure hope they can pin this one down and find where it is coming from.  Is there any kind of scope they can pass into this area and see maybe where it is happening?

I wish I had some suggestions for you.  All I can do is send hugs and a smilie.   It's not much help I know.

Billye

[Collie]

I am sorry you are so ill.

When i was about 10, i had a severe throat infection, My epiglottis was black and blue it was so swollen; and my family was dirt poor, so my dad gave my a shot full of brandy and said, this will burn like heck but you will be better by morning. I woke up the next morning and the throat felt 100% better. the alcohol in the brandy burned out the infection.

Collie

[pudmott]

Or if the brandy doesnt kill it you will be so sozzled you wont feel a thing.

either way its a win win situation


Pud

[pudmott]

Hey Irish,

have you been sending your germs down under??? I woke up this morning with sore throat and thick run off down from my nose. I told you that you were too nice to the germs and needed to get rid of them but not to my place.

I got a full house already

Pud

[irish]

Hi Foks, Just to let you know I will be seeing my ENT tomorrow. We have to leave at 6 AM because of the traffic and neither hubby nor I feel good.

I just finished researching my infections etc. I had to make up all kinds of lists etc for my disability and happened to think of them today. I found that between 2000 and 2003 I had been to the doc 65 times and to the dentist 34 times. This does not include my psychiatrist for med checks or any tests etc. I documented all the infections I have had since 2005 and will show them to the doc tomorrow. This is not getting better, if anything it is getting worse.

I swear they had better find out something. I know that all this infection is from my teeth. You should have seen all the abscesses that I had documented and teeth with a post in them that had been low grade infected for several years and no one would listen to me and pull them. I know that all my soft tissue in my throat must be just full of chronic infection.

I would guess that the only thing they can do is IV antibiotics and if that doesn't work I am just going to have to live with infection until it kills me. With these low t-cells my goose is pretty well cooked. These infections make me feel sick to the depth of my soul as I told my new GP.

I still think that it is amazing how much we can get done(even though it isn't much) when we are sick. The human spirit is so tough. I swear I will get my house cleaned up. I will have my kitchen cabinet doors painted by the end of the year. To think I started them 2 years ago. Hugs to all. Irish

[genko_b]

Irish Please, please rest when you can. I wish I could come help you with the cabinets. We are really worried about you and hope you get some answers soon.

Genko

[pudmott]

Wow Irish you are a trooper. I am soi inspired by your spirit.

Goodluck with the doc. i hope they listen to you. and get this thing fixed. Go on the IV antibiotics if you have to. there has to be a way to get rid of all this. .

I will keep you i my thoughts and prayers my friend


Pud

[Tinker]

Irish, hope that you find out something today and start feeling better.  enough is enough!!  I know I've been to the doctor so many times that I couldn't begin to count.  But, I'll bet I've been at least twice a month for something!

My grandson got a pic line for IV antibiotics after he got cellulitis and possible osteomyelitis (it was MRSA) playing football with a kid had also had MRSSA.  He isn't done yet, but maybe you could get this, too, if indicated. 

Sending healing vibes to you, Irish.          Tinker

[irish]

Well, I was too pooped to check my computer last nite. Was to the ENT. He was just walking from his car to the office when we drove in the lot and he looked so hard at us. He hadn't seen us for a while. When we got in to the front desk they knew who I was as doc had asked them for my chart. I have seen him so many times that he almost feels like family. He is a kidder and is so easy to get along with. He is by far one of the nicest docs I have met with this ordeal. We have bucked heads a few times, but he is the one who seems to send me to the specialists at the right time. He knows all the really good docs in the cities.

Anyway, the thickening at the base of my tongue that showed up on the catscan was visible when he scoped. It wasn't very big, but doc had my hubby look at it also. He put the gloves on and checked my mouth and could find no lumps in the area. He says he will biopsy down the road if necessary. Also, it is on the side of my tongue that doesn't seem to hurt much. It is really hard to tell. I have pain on the right side of my tongue and under my tongue and on the floor of my mouth. I still maintain that there is something there, but I guess it will be a waiting game. Doc isn't gun no on takiing a knife to me because of my low T-cells, so I will just wait a few months.

The reason I will be patient and wait is cause hubby has his bladder stone surgery on Tues next week. Also, my ENT gave me the recipe for another solution to use when irrigating. He said that the academy of ENT docs has been looking for another product to use for irrigations in place of Gentamycin and some of the other antibiotic nasal irrigations. These antibiotics have the potential for causing hearing loss and because I am deaf in one ear he didn't want to chance it.

Take 1/4 tsp of soda, 1/4 tsp of salt(not iodized) and 1 cup of warm water. Can use tap water that has been boiled or plain distilled water. Mix this up and add 1/2 tsp or 2 1/2 cc's of Johnsons Baby Shampoo, No Tears. Yes, that is right----baby shampoo. I have tried it 3 times now and I feel like I am foaming at the mouth and blowing bubbles. It does taste strong, but I will hang in there. He said that they are having good luck with this but it takes 6 weeks or more to show improvement.

The baby shampoo has an antibacterial or antiseptic affect plus it loosens and thins the mucus secretions. Also, the smell in your head for an hour or so is baby shampoo. Maybe some of you can try it and help. I am going to give this a chance and see if it makes a difference in my issues. If it does it is safer than IV antibiotics. Take care everyone. Irish

[Scottietottie]

Hi Irish 

that sounds like an interesting solution. I thought baby shampoo for the eyes was quite odd but I can't imagine it up the nose. I'm getting such a bad taste at the back of my throat now that I just may have tio try it!

I wish your hubby luck with his surgery. It's a lot to cope with for both of you when you've been having such health issues yourself.

Take care - Scottie 

[beverley]

Irish I am so sorry that you and your husband are both so unwell.  It is really difficult when you are both poorly because you need someone strong around when you feel down - on the other hand I guess you give each other moral support.  I hope you get some positive solutions soon.  This seems to have been going on for a long time now, I should think you are exhausted.
Thinking of you.

Beverley