problems with MRSA??

[bgchastain]

I have a question about MRSA. This is the only thing growing in my lungs and I have been getting high fevers for around 3 years now when I'm not on antibioics. I'm on zyvox, doxy, and bactrim and rotate them every two weeks. My dr is stumped and this is the only thing that stops the fevers. Has anyone had this much trouble with MRSA. my dr keeps saying that fevers are not that common with lung infections and MRSA is usually an underlying problem and not something that causes a lot of symptoms. I'm really frustrated because no one seems to know what to do and I'm getting a little freaked out.

 

[JennifersHope]

I cultured MRSA in August for the first time and I was told the same thing. They only treat it when it is symptomatic, otherwise they leave it alone. I became symptomatic in October and was put in the hosptial. I did Zyvox and Bactrim for the MRSA and TOBRA IV and Zosyn for Pseduo precautions....The Zyvox I did IV and it kicked butt for me.. though it took two hours to infuse.. which didn't make for fun times on home IVS esp since I had 8 different infusions a day.....I do feel best when I am on Bactrim all the time...even before I knew that I had cultured MRSA for some reason Bactrim always made me feel great..

I have a question.. if your symptoms are under control being on the antibiotic, do you object to staying on them? I have no problem staying on Bactrim... I just feel normal on it... I am not on it right now...but I go on and off it so much...

Also, when I was have a flare up of the MRSA, I have had body aches. (right before) and I did have fevers as well. My dr wasnt worried about me culturing MRSA at all.. as long as I am not having symptoms.. he didn't even blink his eyes at it. I don't culture anything else either.. and as of right now, we believe that the MRSA was irradicated... I am a mild case of CF though... with very good lung function when I am healthy.

Good luck, and I hope you get some answers soon,

Jennifer

 

[bgchastain]

The zyvox works great for me, when I'm on it I can almost forget that I have CF. I've taken it orallly and through IV's. The dr dosen't want me to stay on the zyvox all the time, that's why I rotate all three, but the bactrim and doxy don't work as well for me. I'm only worried about being on zyvox so much, they act like they don't like me on it as much as I already am, they say they don't know enough about the long term effects yet. I just don't like being on antibiotics 24/7 and would really like something natural to take but I can't shake these fevers long enough to see if anything works. I just wanted to see if their was anything more I could do to get rid of it and if I am the only one with these symptoms just from MRSA. Thanks for your insight, I appreciate it.

 

[ej0820]

I just got over having this problem...I've cultured MRSA off and on for years now and doxy has usually kept it under control pretty well for me. Although, this october I started getting really high fevers with it and same thing, my doc said that was really uncommon (though not unheard of). I was put on IV vancomycin and meropenum for about three weeks and that seemed to get it. Now I'm on sporonox/cipro/bactrim and they seem to be keeping it under control...maybe it's time for some IVs...I'm always reluctant to go in for them but am glad when I'm done.

erin
20/f/cf

 

[anonymous]

Kait has cultured MRSA for about a year now, the only thing that i really notice is that when she gets sick it seems as if it takes her longer to get better. Her normal used to be about 2-3 weeks but this last time it was about 5 weeks before her PFT's were back to her baseline.

Kaitsmom<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[JennifersHope]

I know what you mean about the Zyvox almost making you forget you have CF.. I loved how it worked too.. Thankfully the Bactrim still works good for me.. but ever since my last IVs of Zyvox, Tobra, and Zosyn.. my ears are not right.. I am still getting dizzy spells and I still have a lot of pressure in my ears.... any ideas when and if this will go away.. This is the first time this has happened to me with any IVS so I don't know if it was the Zyvox or not.. I did end up with serum sickness from the Zosyn to though...

 

[anonymous]

Jennifer's Hope .... The ear problems are probably related to the Tobramycin. I also had the dizzy spells, some hearing loss, and ringing in the ears with use of Tobramycin. It took about 6 months for this to clear up for me. I also have MRSA (and CF) and have success with Bactrim - but, it is not something that I can stay on preventatively. My MRSA is only sensitive to Bactrim, Vancomycin, and Zyvox. If you use Bactrim preventatively your MRSA will become resistant to the Bactrim. Then your only options would be the Vancomycin & Zyvox - which using the Vancomycin could cause VRE (Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus) then your last resort is the Zyvox (only med presently available for VRE).
So, be very careful when using antibiotics preventatively because you are using up possible "last resorts".

 

[JennifersHope]

Thanks for the warning about the Bactrim... I really feel so good on it that I never want to come off of it... as soon as I do it is just a matter of time till I feel like crap again and I know it... I am aware of the VRE and stuff.. I work in a hospital and I see it all the time.. Being that I have already been on ZYvox IV for several weeks I don't want to mess around ..... Zyvox is the last stop for me.. Funny the MRSA I have had is only sensitive to the same meds as you.. Bactrim, Vanco, and ZYvox.. Last time the Bactrim alone was not enough for me in my flare up.. but it when I am only a little sick it works so well....

About the TObra IV.. I am praying that my ears clear up.. I figured it might be from that.. Can I tell you that I actually am afraid to go on the TObra IV again.. I actually, when I think about it get anxiety..I already feel like I want to refuse to go on it...My kidney levels went way up when I was on it.. I got kidney pain and I lost some hearing and I already was a loud talker before that... Now I am a very loud talker... ppl are always shushing me... sometimes at work.. some of my patients say " don't yell at me" it makes me so sad because I would never yell at anyone but ppl who don't know me don't know that.... I am always having to explain myself to ppl...


Jennifer