Re: MRSA in my mastoid cavity

[Guest guest]

OH my it sounds like Chloe had it worse than I did, but I am glad to hear that

she it better. I am watching for diarrhea (I am a nurse), so I am expecting

C-Diff with the vanc. My doctor told me that if this didnt clear things up then

I would need surgery to clean things out in there...but I think that the

antibioics are working and I wont need surgery. I hope!! My drainage is almost

gone and the smell is still there but not as bad. I go and see my ENT on the

14th I think. I will know for sure then. Thanks for responding to my post..it

makes me feel better knowing that someone else has had this and gotten better

from it.

Lori

>

> Lori,

> This is very similar to what happened to Chloe last summer. The extra bonus

> was that in her case, the infection caused a rapid regrowth of the ctoma to

> where it filled the mastoid and middle ear in a matter of five weeks. She

> had the picc for about eight weeks and I ran Vancomycin for two weeks and

> ertapenem, as well. She switched from the vancomycin to linezolid orally

> after the two weeks, b/c of the potential risks of longterm vancomycin.

> Additionally, she had yeast in there, maybe as a result of so many

> antibiotics, but we gave her diflucan (yeah, the same stuff women with yeast

> infection take...) Watch out for c. diff, as well, since the vancomycin

> kills lots of good bacteria, as well. We caught Chloe's pretty quick, and

> metronidazole took care of it, so if you get any diarrhea, insist on it!

> (even if stool culture is negative, since that test is not the most

> reliable)

>

> She had it so bad that she developed a huge abscess behind her ear that had

> to be drained several times, She spent two weeks in the hospital in Boston.

> She also had two emergency surgeries, first to clean things out, then to

> remove all the new ctoma. It sounds like you have an earlier start on this,

> so hopefully you will be better soon!

>

> Chloe is doing very well now, and has gone a year with no infection.

>

[Guest guest]

It's funny. I know the smell you mean, but I only smelled it when I was holding her for the I & D's she had to try to clean it out.

 

If you do end up with surgery to clean it out, I can tell you it is way less awful than the usual ct surgeries. She was in the Hosp. playroom a few hours after surgery and running throught the hall with her IV pole the next morning...It was also a quick surgery, under an hour, I think. It mostly involved a really good irrigation and suction to clean up the infected areas.

 

Good luck! It sounds like things are headed in the right direction.

 

Chlooe also saw an infectious disease specialist throughout her mastoiditis, and he is the one who arranged her meds. That was very helpful.

On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Lori <jandlx3@...> wrote:

OH my it sounds like Chloe had it worse than I did, but I am glad to hear that she it better. I am watching for diarrhea (I am a nurse), so I am expecting C-Diff with the vanc. My doctor told me that if this didnt clear things up then I would need surgery to clean things out in there...but I think that the antibioics are working and I wont need surgery. I hope!! My drainage is almost gone and the smell is still there but not as bad. I go and see my ENT on the 14th I think. I will know for sure then. Thanks for responding to my post..it makes me feel better knowing that someone else has had this and gotten better from it.

Lori

>> Lori,> This is very similar to what happened to Chloe last summer. The extra bonus

> was that in her case, the infection caused a rapid regrowth of the ctoma to> where it filled the mastoid and middle ear in a matter of five weeks. She> had the picc for about eight weeks and I ran Vancomycin for two weeks and

> ertapenem, as well. She switched from the vancomycin to linezolid orally> after the two weeks, b/c of the potential risks of longterm vancomycin.> Additionally, she had yeast in there, maybe as a result of so many

> antibiotics, but we gave her diflucan (yeah, the same stuff women with yeast> infection take...) Watch out for c. diff, as well, since the vancomycin> kills lots of good bacteria, as well. We caught Chloe's pretty quick, and

> metronidazole took care of it, so if you get any diarrhea, insist on it!> (even if stool culture is negative, since that test is not the most> reliable)>> She had it so bad that she developed a huge abscess behind her ear that had

> to be drained several times, She spent two weeks in the hospital in Boston.> She also had two emergency surgeries, first to clean things out, then to> remove all the new ctoma. It sounds like you have an earlier start on this,

> so hopefully you will be better soon!>> Chloe is doing very well now, and has gone a year with no infection.>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

-

After my orignal surgery 7 yrs ago..I was lucky and had hearing still in my

affected ear..but I noticed this morning that I have lost all the hearing in

that ear now. So I dont know if it is from the just the infection, meds or maybe

there is another c-toma in there somewhere and eating away at what was left of

my bones...humm. I will tell my ENT for sure about this!!!

-- In cholesteatoma , s <thequeen.christine@...>

wrote:

>

> It's funny. I know the smell you mean, but I only smelled it when I was

> holding her for the I & D's she had to try to clean it out.

>

> If you do end up with surgery to clean it out, I can tell you it is way less

> awful than the usual ct surgeries. She was in the Hosp. playroom a few hours

> after surgery and running throught the hall with her IV pole the next

> morning...It was also a quick surgery, under an hour, I think. It mostly

> involved a really good irrigation and suction to clean up the infected

> areas.

>

> Good luck! It sounds like things are headed in the right direction.

>

> Chlooe also saw an infectious disease specialist throughout her mastoiditis,

> and he is the one who arranged her meds. That was very helpful.

>

> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Lori <jandlx3@...> wrote:

>

> > OH my it sounds like Chloe had it worse than I did, but I am glad to hear

> > that she it better. I am watching for diarrhea (I am a nurse), so I am

> > expecting C-Diff with the vanc. My doctor told me that if this didnt clear

> > things up then I would need surgery to clean things out in there...but I

> > think that the antibioics are working and I wont need surgery. I hope!! My

> > drainage is almost gone and the smell is still there but not as bad. I go

> > and see my ENT on the 14th I think. I will know for sure then. Thanks for

> > responding to my post..it makes me feel better knowing that someone else has

> > had this and gotten better from it.

> >

> > Lori

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > >

> > > Lori,

> > > This is very similar to what happened to Chloe last summer. The extra

> > bonus

> > > was that in her case, the infection caused a rapid regrowth of the ctoma

> > to

> > > where it filled the mastoid and middle ear in a matter of five weeks. She

> > > had the picc for about eight weeks and I ran Vancomycin for two weeks and

> > > ertapenem, as well. She switched from the vancomycin to linezolid orally

> > > after the two weeks, b/c of the potential risks of longterm vancomycin.

> > > Additionally, she had yeast in there, maybe as a result of so many

> > > antibiotics, but we gave her diflucan (yeah, the same stuff women with

> > yeast

> > > infection take...) Watch out for c. diff, as well, since the vancomycin

> > > kills lots of good bacteria, as well. We caught Chloe's pretty quick, and

> > > metronidazole took care of it, so if you get any diarrhea, insist on it!

> > > (even if stool culture is negative, since that test is not the most

> > > reliable)

> > >

> > > She had it so bad that she developed a huge abscess behind her ear that

> > had

> > > to be drained several times, She spent two weeks in the hospital in

> > Boston.

> > > She also had two emergency surgeries, first to clean things out, then to

> > > remove all the new ctoma. It sounds like you have an earlier start on

> > this,

> > > so hopefully you will be better soon!

> > >

> > > Chloe is doing very well now, and has gone a year with no infection.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I would be suspicious if the infection does not resolve soon. A ct scan will not be very helpful as it will show opacity from the fluid and infection. Chloe's surgeon was suspicious, and when he went in to do the irrigating, ctoma debris was coming out of her ear. Because her infection had made the bone very brittle, he wanted to wait a few weeks to remove that new ctoma, but we couldn't shake the infection and ended up with surgery the next week to get most of the mass and four weeks later to remove the rest. She has had a very aggressive ctoma, but it looks like we are getting there. The newest regrowth in May was confined to open spaces and he is hopeful that we may have gotten all of it.

 

Keep us posted. It is good for everyone to know about this potentially dangerous complication!

On Fri, Jun 5, 2009 at 9:42 AM, Lori <jandlx3@...> wrote:

-After my orignal surgery 7 yrs ago..I was lucky and had hearing still in my affected ear..but I noticed this morning that I have lost all the hearing in that ear now. So I dont know if it is from the just the infection, meds or maybe there is another c-toma in there somewhere and eating away at what was left of my bones...humm. I will tell my ENT for sure about this!!!

-- In cholesteatoma , s <thequeen.christine@...> wrote:>

> It's funny. I know the smell you mean, but I only smelled it when I was> holding her for the I & D's she had to try to clean it out.>> If you do end up with surgery to clean it out, I can tell you it is way less

> awful than the usual ct surgeries. She was in the Hosp. playroom a few hours> after surgery and running throught the hall with her IV pole the next> morning...It was also a quick surgery, under an hour, I think. It mostly

> involved a really good irrigation and suction to clean up the infected> areas.>> Good luck! It sounds like things are headed in the right direction.>> Chlooe also saw an infectious disease specialist throughout her mastoiditis,

> and he is the one who arranged her meds. That was very helpful.>

> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Lori <jandlx3@...> wrote:>> > OH my it sounds like Chloe had it worse than I did, but I am glad to hear> > that she it better. I am watching for diarrhea (I am a nurse), so I am

> > expecting C-Diff with the vanc. My doctor told me that if this didnt clear> > things up then I would need surgery to clean things out in there...but I> > think that the antibioics are working and I wont need surgery. I hope!! My

> > drainage is almost gone and the smell is still there but not as bad. I go> > and see my ENT on the 14th I think. I will know for sure then. Thanks for> > responding to my post..it makes me feel better knowing that someone else has

> > had this and gotten better from it.> >> > Lori> >> >> >> > > > >> > > Lori,> > > This is very similar to what happened to Chloe last summer. The extra> > bonus> > > was that in her case, the infection caused a rapid regrowth of the ctoma

> > to> > > where it filled the mastoid and middle ear in a matter of five weeks. She> > > had the picc for about eight weeks and I ran Vancomycin for two weeks and> > > ertapenem, as well. She switched from the vancomycin to linezolid orally

> > > after the two weeks, b/c of the potential risks of longterm vancomycin.> > > Additionally, she had yeast in there, maybe as a result of so many> > > antibiotics, but we gave her diflucan (yeah, the same stuff women with

> > yeast> > > infection take...) Watch out for c. diff, as well, since the vancomycin> > > kills lots of good bacteria, as well. We caught Chloe's pretty quick, and> > > metronidazole took care of it, so if you get any diarrhea, insist on it!

> > > (even if stool culture is negative, since that test is not the most> > > reliable)> > >> > > She had it so bad that she developed a huge abscess behind her ear that

> > had> > > to be drained several times, She spent two weeks in the hospital in> > Boston.> > > She also had two emergency surgeries, first to clean things out, then to> > > remove all the new ctoma. It sounds like you have an earlier start on

> > this,> > > so hopefully you will be better soon!> > >> > > Chloe is doing very well now, and has gone a year with no infection.> > >> >> >

> >> >  ------------------------------------> >> >

[Guest guest]

My hubby is a nurse, and MRSA is nothing to play with.  I'm very sorry that you are dealing with this.  Ear infections are bad enough w/o MRSA rearing its ugly head.  Lots of prayers for a healthy, dry ear with restored hearing to boot!

 

)  Melinda-- })i({  Melinda Kaye Spille  })i({Very Proud Wife of Captain " Big Al " Super Blessed Mommy of Trinity, Emelia & TreyRomans 8:28, Ephesians 3:20(\__/) (='.'=)

( " )_( " )

On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM, Lori <jandlx3@...> wrote:

Hi all it has been a long time since I have posted because all has been well...until now... I have had an mastoid infection that I could not get cleared up for about 7 months. I have been on just about every antibiotic made and it still didnt work, plus using drops in my ear. Nothing works. The drainage is totally NASTY and smells like something crawled in my ear and died..it is horrible...everyone promises me that they cant smell it...but I can and I am sooo embaressed about it. So about 3wks ago I went back to the ENT and this time he did a culture of the drainage from my ear. He said that just the previous week he had his first case of MRSA in the ear and he has been practicing for over 25yrs. Well I didnt hear a thing back from him..so last Thursday I had to go see my regular doc...because the pain in my ear was sooo bad and it was hurting in my head too. Also my ENT is over an hour away and I couldnt get an appt for 2wks..I called. So he said that my ear looked horrible and wanted to know what the results of my culture were..soo I called and got them from my ENT...I have MRSA in my ear...UGH!!!!! He put me on Bactrium DS orally (which is a good medicine for MRSA) and told me that if I didnt feel better to come and see him in the urgent care center on Sunday. Well Sunday came and I still had sooo much pain that I couldnt sleep, and just plain felt horrible. So off to the hospital I went. He admitted me, he put a PICC line in and it is a IV of sorts but is for long term IV use and for medicine that is harsh on your veins. The PICC line is in my upper right arm and feeds into my aorta in my heart. I stayed in the hospital until Tuesday and was sent home with the PICC line and IV vancomyicin and will be on this medicine for 12 days, and then I have to keep the PICC line in for 1 more week for make sure the infection is gone. Plus, I have drops Ciprodex 10 drops twice a day and Percocet for pain control. This totally sucks!!!! I am a nurse and I am super glad that I can be at home and give myself the IV's so I didnt have to stay in the hospital..but I tell you I NEVER in my wildest dream thought I would ever get MRSA in my ear. I just wanted to see if anyone else has had it??? And to warn everyone to be careful with their infections because it is possible that they can get this. It is very dangerous infection and if I had just kept letting it go it could have potentionaly got in my brain and caused an abcess. Then I would have had to brain surgery..and that is major, or you could die from it. So just a warning to everyone DO NOT LET YOUR INFECTION GO!!!!!! and if you have nasty, smelly discharge then you need to get it cultured...PLEASE!!! for your own safety.

Well I hope to hear from you all and see if anyone else has had this infection...although I am not wishing it on anyone!!!!Have a great DAY!!!!Lori

[Guest guest]

If you have staff (MRSA) in the mastoid then you will have c-toma in there as well. I'm not a Doctor nor a nurse but I do know that most with staff infections are in Ioslation rooms if in a Hospital or Nursing home. Once the c-toma has moved in to the mastoid then it only to rid of it is a Modified Radical CWD. I would seek a Otoligist ASAP and dump the ENT as he has let things linger too long with this....

Tom Hansen

From: Melinda Spille <melindakaye@...>cholesteatoma Sent: Monday, June 8, 2009 3:27:01 AMSubject: Re: MRSA in my mastoid cavity

My hubby is a nurse, and MRSA is nothing to play with. I'm very sorry that you are dealing with this. Ear infections are bad enough w/o MRSA rearing its ugly head. Lots of prayers for a healthy, dry ear with restored hearing to boot!

) Melinda-- })i({ Melinda Kaye Spille })i({Very Proud Wife of Captain "Big Al"Super Blessed Mommy of Trinity, Emelia & TreyRomans 8:28, Ephesians 3:20(\__/) (='.'=) (")_(")

On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 1:14 AM, Lori <jandlx3 (DOT) com> wrote:

Hi all it has been a long time since I have posted because all has been well...until now... I have had an mastoid infection that I could not get cleared up for about 7 months. I have been on just about every antibiotic made and it still didnt work, plus using drops in my ear. Nothing works. The drainage is totally NASTY and smells like something crawled in my ear and died..it is horrible...everyone promises me that they cant smell it...but I can and I am sooo embaressed about it. So about 3wks ago I went back to the ENT and this time he did a culture of the drainage from my ear. He said that just the previous week he had his first case of MRSA in the ear and he has been practicing for over 25yrs. Well I didnt hear a thing back from him..so last Thursday I had to go see my regular doc...because the pain in my ear was sooo bad and it was hurting in my head too. Also my ENT is over an hour away and I couldnt get an appt for 2wks..I called. So he said

that my ear looked horrible and wanted to know what the results of my culture were..soo I called and got them from my ENT...I have MRSA in my ear...UGH!!! !! He put me on Bactrium DS orally (which is a good medicine for MRSA) and told me that if I didnt feel better to come and see him in the urgent care center on Sunday. Well Sunday came and I still had sooo much pain that I couldnt sleep, and just plain felt horrible. So off to the hospital I went. He admitted me, he put a PICC line in and it is a IV of sorts but is for long term IV use and for medicine that is harsh on your veins. The PICC line is in my upper right arm and feeds into my aorta in my heart. I stayed in the hospital until Tuesday and was sent home with the PICC line and IV vancomyicin and will be on this medicine for 12 days, and then I have to keep the PICC line in for 1 more week for make sure the infection is gone. Plus, I have drops Ciprodex 10 drops twice a day and Percocet for pain

control. This totally sucks!!!! I am a nurse and I am super glad that I can be at home and give myself the IV's so I didnt have to stay in the hospital..but I tell you I NEVER in my wildest dream thought I would ever get MRSA in my ear. I just wanted to see if anyone else has had it??? And to warn everyone to be careful with their infections because it is possible that they can get this. It is very dangerous infection and if I had just kept letting it go it could have potentionaly got in my brain and caused an abcess. Then I would have had to brain surgery..and that is major, or you could die from it. So just a warning to everyone DO NOT LET YOUR INFECTION GO!!!!!! and if you have nasty, smelly discharge then you need to get it cultured...PLEASE! !! for your own safety. Well I hope to hear from you all and see if anyone else has had this infection... although I am not wishing it on anyone!!!!Have a great DAY!!!!Lori