Oh, this is a great product!

ACF from Buried Treasure (stands for Advanced Cold and Flu) is a great product. Whenever the girls start not feeling well or have the sniffles, I give this to them and it really helps fight it off. www.luckyvitamin.com has it at a good price.

No news is good news!

Just a quick update...we are doing well. We've been busy with the holiday's, but overall really good. Dr. Hager has the girls on some immune boosting supplements and I can tell a big improvement in their skin and infections! We also add a couple supplements we have found helpful. They haven't even been sick since the fall (except a couple "not quite right" days, but didn't develop into anything). Truly a miracle! Fall is our typical sick season. Here's what they are taking daily that seems to be keeping them healthy. A lot of this, they have been taking for a while, but a few are new. I hope to be able to back off slowly and see how they do.

Tumeric - 2 pills, 2x per day (helps with infection / inflammation)
Minitran - 1 pill, 1x per day (minerals to help with eczema)
Thymex - 2 pills, 2x per day (super immune boosting - stimulates thymus)
Primrose Oil - 1 pill, 1x per day (helps with eczema)
Probiotics - 1 pill, 1x per day (helps with healthy bacteria)
Gut Flora - 1 pill, 1x per day (helps keep healthy bacteria in gut)

I think that's it. More later...thanks for reading.

UPDATE::::2/6/09 - I just realized I left one thing off that list above.

Milk Thistle - 1 pill, 2x per day
We also cut out the Gut Flora to see how they do now that they have cleared candida
We cut down Thymex to 1 pill, 2x per day for the last month, still good results

What should you do??

I had a comment from a family in Florida that has just started their journey with MRSA with their 4yo. I pray it will be short for them! I've been thinking about doing a post re-capping what has worked best for us and what we use on a normal basis, so this comment has led me to do just that.

So..what would I do if I knew then what we know now? (just my opinion, from experience, not medical expertise!)

1) Wash hands frequently with regular soap - we use alcohol to spray down hard surfaces in the bathroom after showers.

2) Wash all towels and clothes after the first use (even dress up clothes) - it's a lot of laundry but MRSA multiplies very quickly. No sharing towels (we've even started using paper towels after washing our hands). Wash in hot water and dry on high heat for a long cycle. We dry on high for 90 minutes. I found in some research online that it takes about 30 minutes on high heat to kill the MRSA, so I make sure it's drying for about 30 minutes after the clothes are completely dry. I change sheets once a week. I have at times changed them everyday, but didn't see any difference, so went back to once a week for sanity's sake!

4) Keep wounds covered with band-aids or bandages that are sealed on all 4 sides so no pus can escape. We have found Band-Aid brand Ultra Care the best for smaller ones and use gauze and tape for larger ones.

3) We avoid antibiotics if at all possible. Sometimes just draining it is enough. We learned this the hard way. There were many times where the girls were off antibiotics for just a couple days before new spots appeared. Both girls now have candida (too much yeast overgrowth from a lack of good bacteria to keep it under control) from all the antibiotics and that can cause lot of other issues. There are times where antibiotics are necessary, but we are grateful they haven't been on them since February (May for me). We have had plenty of spots and a hand full of times that I thought one of us would end up on antibiotics, but we've been able to get them to go away without antibiotics. If you really need antibiotics, use Clindamyacin if your MRSA responds to it. The microbiologist I spoke to about MRSA said it's one of the very few antibiotics that enter human cells to get the infection there. I also take Milk Thistle with the antibiotics that helps it enter the cell better (from what my alternative doc tells me). If you can't use Clindamyacin (it is more expensive), take Bactrim or Septra with the milk thistle. It will help it get into the cell and work there.

4) Turmeric really helps with the inflammation and seems to help the pus dry up...one of the best results we've seen. Both my girls can swallow pills now (we taught our 4 yo out of necessity recently - have them look down when swallowing instead of up. The pills float so looking down makes them go to the back of the throat for when you swallow). If they have any spots I'll give them up to 6 pills twice a day. You may be able to find this as a liquid or add it to juice or chocolate milk or something if you can't swallow pills.

5) Hibiclens. As much as I don't like the fact that this is a type of antibacterial, we have found it keeps us from having to use oral antibiotics. For months last year we would do a whole body Hibiclens, but now we just do spots. We want to leave as much good bacteria on the skin as possible and it works just as well as a whole body Hibiclens rub down. We order this from www.drugstore.com and it comes with a pump top that makes it foamy and is much easier to apply. I would recommend showers instead of baths so you are not sitting in the bacteria, it can be washed off and down the drain in the shower.

6) Probiotics - This is basically good bacteria that lives in your gut. Especially important if you are taking antibiotics to help keep up the good bacteria since antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria. Don't take it at the same time as your antibiotics though because the antibiotics will just kill it. We usually take them right before lunch time. We rotate between Natren and Udo brand and both girls take these everyday.

6) Manuka Honey Ointment. We have been using this on any small spots and it really seems to help. The ointment is only 40% manuka honey, so it's not as sticky as the 100% stuff. If you have a large open wound, go with the 100% manuka honey, but for small spots the 40% seems to work well. We use the ointment found at www.manukahoneyusa.com

7) Tea Tree Oil and Colloidal Silver - We use the Manuka honey more often but rotate and use these in between. Tea tree oil can burn, so the manuka honey is easier to use on the kids. Colloidal silver seems to really help, but it seems to need an open wound to get in there and do it's job.

I hope that's not too overwhelming and that I haven't left anything out. I think the best thing we've found so far is the combination of turmeric orally and manuka honey on the wound in addition to good hygiene.

I have learned over the course of this struggle that I can't fix it. It's hard not to be able to "fix" what's hurting your children. It took me at least a year to realize this, but I now know. I am committed to keep looking for new information and pray for direction from the Lord for healing and direction on what to do next. I have learned a lot and my girls have grown through this. I hope and pray that one day in the future, I will be able to share our victory with those suffering along with us!

Manuka Honey results...amazing!

Last Sunday I noticed that my one eczema patch (the only one I have, about 2" x 3") on my shin was a little sensitive. Didn't think much of it. The next morning I noticed it... There was a white spot from infection. By the next day, the entire spot was infected and very painful.

I covered it with Manuka Honey and put a dressing on top. The Manuka Honey did burn a bit. I changed the bandage twice a day. I really thought I was going to end up in the hospital, again. It was just as bad as the other ones sending me there. Within two days the pain and sensitivity were gone. Even thought the pain was gone, on Friday, after being out for a couple hours, my leg was swollen to my toes. I decided to stay off of it the entire weekend and kept it covered. The only treatment I used starting last Monday was 5 turmeric capsules 3 times a day, Hibiclens in the shower, and Manuka honey dressings.

I can't believe that within a week, the infection seems to be gone and there is no drainage. Even the eczema is clearing up. It barely drained at all, meaning that the combination had to be killing it from the inside. Amazing! Antibiotics take longer than that! WHOO HOO!!

StingRay....

Thank you for your encouraging comments. I love that song by MercyMe...I'd love to hear more of your story....send me a comment with your blog or some info on your MRSA story???

Manuka Honey...

Ever since we returned from the beach we have been battling eczema and trying to keep it from turning into MRSA spots. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes not. Now that the weather is changing, it will be a little more challenging. BUT...I did order some manuka honey and manuka honey ointment. I tried this (the ointment) directly onto the girls eczema spots and it seems to be working amazingly well. My 8yo's skin was really broken out and just over night cleared up immensely, so I'm hopeful.

I would note, it would be impossible to put straight manuka honey on without a bandage...can be messy. Good for wounds, or skin infection with a covering, but not to spread on the larger areas that have eczema. But, the ointment is easier...I only put it on at night so they have jammies over and it's not nearly as sticky, although it is still 40% honey. It has done a great job with eczema so far, and keeping an eye on it with MRSA. I'll update you once we've had a few more days to experiment with it.

If you want to look into the Manuka Honey, try this website: www.manukahoneyusa.com

THey have lots of information and certify their rating (although I don't know exactly what they have to do for that), but it seems like a lab has to certify for them.

I'll keep you posted...

Tired!

I'm tired! Not like I need a nap, but just tired....

Wondering, will there ever be a time where I'm not slathering my girls with lotions and remedies, and bandaging their spots, or giving them supplements at every meal, or washing laundry all day? Will there ever be a time where we can use a towel more than once before it goes in the laundry, or clothes can be worn a second day or jammies a second night? A day where they can play dress up without the entire dress up box full of clothes having to be washed? Will there be a day like this?

A day when I can let the girls play in the woods without knowing that we will have to go home for a breathing treatment and Benedryl? A day where they can go to their friends houses that have pets and play while being able to breath at the same time? Will there be a day when they can eat what everyone else eats without itching and pain and rashes? A day where we can attend a Christmas party and not cringe when we see the bowl full of nuts on the food table? Will there be a day like this?

Will there be a day where eczema, allergies, asthma, and MRSA are not on our minds and in our actions? A day they can go to the pool and not be embarrassed by the many scars on their legs from their affliction? A day where they can go to bed WITHOUT a shower...where I can just say "girls, get ready for bed" and they don't require mom's eye and help for draining, band-aids, lotions and medicines? Will there be a day like this?

Honestly, I don't know if there will be.... I have to preach the truth to myself. I don't know how long these struggles will go on. I DO know that there will always be something. We will always have some struggle, some challenge in our lives. We live in a fallen world and it makes me long for heaven! I am so grateful that it's not a fatal illness or accident that we are having to live through. Grateful that we don't live in a 3rd world country where we wouldn't have access to healthcare. I am grateful that despite these obstacles, I have happy little ladies that love life and give me much joy. It's become normal for them, they know nothing different. I am grateful that one day, I will see my Savior face to face, and he will wipe away all the tears and pain and sadness and we will never again go through struggles and challenges, but will be filled with joy we can't even imagine! Most of all, I am grateful that he changed my heart to see the truth. That I once looked upon Him as a story and mocked him, but now I know He is so much more, and i am grateful that I am going through this knowing Him, because I don't know how we'd get through it without Him.

You Tube Manuka Honey Clip

Here is a very informational video from You Tube on Manuka Honey. Looks like (perhaps?) it's from a company that sells Manuka Honey, so keep that in mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1U0JG9xvsY&feature=related

Another Manuka Honey Story...

Prevention and Treatment of MRSA with Manuka Honey
By Frank Buonanotte, published Sep 04, 2008

MRSA related Staph infections are the cause of concern in many hospitals across the world. It is not an uncommon occurrence that a patient is admitted into a hospital with one ailment and leaves with a Staph infection. Although, hospital patients aren't the only ones concerned about MRSA. Doctors and other medical professionals have grown increasingly more fearful that they may be exposed to this deadly bacteria.

MRSA is a mutated form of bacteria that has developed a resistance to antibiotics. If gone untreated, a MRSA-Staph infection can be fatal. Amidst all the hysteria, scientists are beginning to recognize that a particular type of honey, known as Manuka Honey, is actually effective against this notoriously resilient superbug.

Researchers have examined MRSA that has come in contact with Manuka Honey and have determined that MRSA cannot survive in the healing environment created by Manuka Honey. MRSA is a bacterium that grows and divides into 2 similar cells every half hour. It divides by forming a wall across the middle of the cell, which then splits in half to create 2 new cells. Studies have shown that Manuka Honey interferes with the cell cycle of MRSA by affecting the separation of new cells, so that cells unable to complete division are disabled at that point in the cell cycle.

All types of honey contain hydrogen peroxide which is a known antiseptic and disinfectant. However, scientists have discovered that there is an additional antibacterial component in Manuka Honey, making it much more effective for therapeutic use. This additional component, known as UMF, is unaffected by enzymes that dilutes the effectiveness of regular honey. It remains active when used as a wound dressing and diffuses deeper into skin tissues.

In addition to its unparalleled antibacterial properties, Manuka Honey is also considered to be antimicrobial and, therefore, capable of treating both bacterial and fungal infections. Another advantage to utilizing Manuka Honey for medical purposes is that its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce pain in damaged tissue.

Manuka Honey is made by bees that use the nectar from the flower that grows on the Manuka bush, which is indigenous to New Zealand. It's this unique nectar that provides Manuka Honey with it's impressive healing qualities. Since Manuka Honey comes from New Zealand, it can be somewhat hard to come by. However, a New York-based manufacturer of skin care products called Honeymark has developed a line of Manuka Honey products that is available in the U.S.

"Manuka Honey is natures best kept secret," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Although, its ability to conquer the battle against MRSA superbugs is projecting Manuka Honey into the lime light." Unlike some traditional forms of medicine, Manuka Honey has been found to have no negative side effects when used for medical purposes.

Other Manuka Honey Evidence

Early study touts honey as antibiotics substitute
Wed Sep 24, 2:04 PM

OTTAWA (AFP) - Honey, used in tea or hot water in Canada for generations to soothe sore throats, could soon be substituted for antibiotics in fighting stubborn ear, nose and throat infections, according to a new study.

Ottawa University doctors found in tests that ordinary honey kills bacteria that cause sinus infections, and does it better in most cases than antibiotics.

"It's astonishing," researcher Joseph Marson said of bees' unexplained ability to combine the nectar of flowers into a seemingly potent medicine.

The preliminary tests were conducted in laboratory dishes, not in live patients, but included the "superbug" methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA, which is highly resistant to antibiotics.

In upcoming human trials, a "honey rinse" would be used to "flush out the goo from sinus cavities," said Marson in an interview with AFP.

The researchers have so far tested manuka honey from New Zealand, and sidr honey from Yemen.

The two killed all floating bacteria in liquid, and 63-91 percent of biofilms -- microorganisms that sometimes form a protective layer in sinus cavities, urinary tracts, catheters, and heart valves, protecting bacteria from normal drug treatments and often leading to chronic infections.

The most effective antibiotic, rifampin, killed just 18 percent of the biofilm samples in the tests.

"As of today, nobody is sure what in the honey kills the bacteria," Marson said, noting that "not all honeys have the same potency" and calling for more research to determine the mechanism behind the healing.

Canada's clover and buckwheat honey did not work at all.

Previous studies have shown honey's healing properties on infected wounds.

The results of the study were presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, in Chicago.

Clinical Studies Show Honey Kills MRSA

I was just looking online the other night for MRSA help and found some information on Manuka. Apparently this is a tree from New Zealand...similar to tea tree, but better!

Then today, I checked my comments and "Judy" sent me a link to the following article. Sounds like it's had even better results in treating MRSA, AND it is good for eczema. The downside to Tea Tree is that it is drying. My girls skin can't handle too much tea tree, especially in sensitive areas. We have had an anaphylactic reaction to honey, but it was raw and not manuka...so I'll have to check into that. I think I might try this one out..although it is more expensive! I'll keep you posted.

Clinical Studies Show Honey Kills MRSA
Many Clinical Studies Suggest that MRSA Can Easily Be Controlled - Without Antibiotics
By Emily Patterson, published Feb 28, 2008

I was doing research on another topic and found human studies that show that honey has been shown to kill MRSA. One of the studies relates to an immunosuppressed individual who made a full recovery after contracting the MRSA bacteria when it was treated with honey. Another study refers to seven children treated with honey and all seven children were successfully cured of the MRSA bacteria. I have provided links to the source studies, which are located on the National Library of Medicine web site.

It has been repeatedly proven that antibiotic therapy only helps to make MRSA stronger. This information has been wide-spread in public media outlets. MRSA does continue to get stronger, but we can quite likely get rid of it a way that does not require antibiotics.

MRSA has been with us for quite some time. However, it is important to know that the MRSA strains of today are different from the strains in the 1970's. In an article published on the WLWT Cincinnati OH web site quotes Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Lisa Haglund, "although staph infections and even MRSA is nothing new, the latest strain of the infection is different than previously seen versions.

"This particular MRSA strain behaves differently than the hospital MRSA strain we've had experience with since the 70's. It's behaving different also in the laboratory. You can see it has different elements," she said."[1]

The powerful antibiotics that must be prescribed to 'control' MRSA are often ineffective. When antibiotics fail to control MRSA, the result is death. The new strains are changing the landscape for the most susceptible people. It's no longer a condition associated with a hospital stay for the young and old with weaker immune systems. It is striking in communities, and it is different and more antibiotic resistant the ever before. These new strains have killed many healthy teenaged kids who have never even been in a hospital.

In many clinical settings, Manuka honey has been shown eradicate MRSA bacteria when used in wound dressings. Here are only a few of the available studies that show the effectiveness of Manuka honey in the treatment of MRSA.

This study, "Effect of medical honey on wounds colonised or infected with MRSA." from the Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of Bonn, Germany states, "Full healing was achieved in seven consecutive patients whose wounds were either infected or colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Antiseptics and antibiotics had previously failed to irradicate the clinical signs of infection."[2]

A study by the Maxillofacial Unit, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford Surrey, UK shows that this information has been widely recognized for a long time and is available as an option for the treatment of many bacterial wound infections. The study, "Manuka honey dressing: An effective treatment for chronic wound infections." states that, "Manuka honey dressing has long been available as a non-antibiotic treatment in the management of chronic wound infections."[3]

A study from the Wound Healing Research Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK involved an immunosuppressed patient who made a full recovery from an MRSA infection with the use of Manuka Honey. Healing of an MRSA-colonized, hydroxyurea-induced leg ulcer with honey. "RESULTS: MRSA was eradicated from the ulcer and rapid healing was successfully achieved. CONCLUSION: Honey is recognized to have antibacterial properties, and can also promote effective wound healing. A traditional therapy, therefore, appears to have enormous potential in solving new problems."[4]

Manuka honey can control MRSA when used as a wound dressing. All of the studies I could find show an incredible success rate. There is no reason that anyone should ever die from this easily killed bacterial infection. This should be the first option, not the forgotten option.

Resources:

1. WLWT Cincinnati OH, http://www.wlwt.com/health/14415521/detail.html

2. Children's Hospital Medical Centre, University of Bonn, Germany, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17927079?ordinalpos=5&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

3. Maxillofacial Unit, Royal Surrey County Hospital, Egerton Road, Guildford Surrey, UK, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17113690?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

4. Wound Healing Research Unit, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12171686?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs


This article was found here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/629879/clinical_studies_show_honey_kills_mrsa.html?page=2&cat=5

Back from vacation....lots to share

First of all, thank you guys for reading and commenting. It really is encouraging to hear from others and know others are praying for us.

We've had an interesting couple of weeks. Both girls' skin has gotten really bad with eczema over the last month or so. I tried parasite syrup since in the past that is what caused a bad flare up, but it didn't help. I took them to our Doc that practices homeopathy / NAET allergy treatments / kinesthesiology. He diagnosed them both with candida, an overgrowth of yeast in the digestive tract.

I was aware of this since I have friend that struggled with being very ill for a couple months and doctors couldn't figure out what was going on. (Antibiotic use is a major risk factor since it kills the bacteria that keeps the yeast under control.) Finally, she went to see our doc and he diagnosed her with it. It's been two months now and she is feeling much, much better...although it is a long road to recovery.

The treatment for this is to starve the yeast (which feeds on sugar) and take an anti-fungal to help kill the yeast. Well, we were leaving for vacation in a few days, so we started the anti-fungal and eliminated the obvious sugars, but we haven't started the candida diet yet. I didn't see a way to do it on vacation in a house full of other people eating things they couldn't have with only a few days to get recipes and research and shop. It's seems nearly impossible to me to start it at home now that we are back! No sugar, no yeast, no wheat, no artificial sugars, nearly no fruit. And the information varies with what you can and can't have. My girls live on fruit!

We are now home and I'm trying to find info on what they can eat and recipes I can make to help them get in better balance. My 8yo is not showing symptoms besides her eczema flaring up. The doc said she just has a little overgrowth, so I think between eliminating obvious sugars and making sure she is getting pro-biotics and anti-fungal, she will be within normal soon, maybe even now.

My 4yo has much more yeast overgrowth. She is showing symptoms. Her tummy hurts a lot, she complains of not feeling good and asks me to take her to the doctor. She is also hungry all the time...even just after eating.

Now for MRSA update: Still no antibiotics! However, we did have some MRSA show itself. Before leaving for vacation I felt a little sensitive spot on my leg. The next morning it was MRSA. I had taken my turmeric with me and decided to try it. I took 6 pills morning and night, and I think it really helped. It was completely gone within 3 days after being about 6" in diameter (the redness part). I was glad to try the turmeric on myself since it's hard to tell with kids. I did notice a considerable difference. It still drained a little, but not as much as most and the drainage was different, more clear liquid came out. I could also tell a difference if I hadn't taken the turmeric. I noticed the pain subside after taking it, but it would start getting painful again when it was time for my next dosage. We are all taking it right now. It's so cheap, and has other health benefits.

Since both girls eczema was bad, vacation was not too relaxing. We went to the beach and both of them had rashy areas from head to toe, literally. Of course the sand and salt water made them sting. Then some of these places started getting infected with MRSA. I was glad to get home and back on a routine. Both of them are looking good now, with just a few small places on my 8yo that are now drying up. We did use Hibiclens on spots though. It was getting so bad, we had no other choice that I hadn't tried yet.

I'm sure there is something I'm leaving out....I'll write more later. Thanks for all your suggestions...I may try a bleach bath with the girls instead of hibiclens this week.

Progress....

Although I was really thinking we may have to use oral antibiotics, we didn't!!! Whoo Hoo! We just used Hibiclens, but only on spots, not all over like in the past. We also used the Turmeric. Can't say for sure if that helped, but we will use it again if needed (although it's possible there won't be a next time, I still have hope!) I ended up giving my 8yo 6 capsules at a time. it did seem to help with inflammation, so we'll see.

Thanks StingRay for your prayers. They mean a lot to me! I have friends here that are very supportive and pray for us, but no one can really understand unless they've been there, so your prayers are very meaningful!

My 4yo's eczema seems to be a little worse lately, although we haven't been to our alternative Doc for a while, just so busy. I'm hoping to get them in soon so we can continue the progress we have seen.

More later....

Question about treatment...

Staphanie asked what Dr. Hudson recommended for people with current infections...I don't really know exactly, but I'll tell you what information I did get.

Dr. Hudson did talk with me about the fact that for a long time, it was thought that MRSA did not enter human cells. They now have seen MRSA enter human cells. The problem then is that most antibiotics DO NOT ENTER HUMAN CELLS. So the infection is only taken care of outside of our cell walls, not inside. I was telling him about the different antibiotics we've been on and I mentioned Bactrim (Septra), Clindamyacin, and Vanqamyacin. Clindamyacin happens to be one that DOES enter human cells. So, if your MRSA responds to Clindamyacin, I would say to go with that one.

Along the same lines, the alternative type Doc we see told us in February, after some research he did, to use Milk Thistle (silmaryin), especially when on antibiotics, because it allows the antibiotic to enter the cell and get at the infection. This didn't really make sense to me at the time, but it did after speaking to Dr. Hudson recently and finding out about antibiotics not entering the human cell. We did this in February with Bactrim and we have only been on antibiotics twice for MRSA since then (once me, once my daughter). That in itself is a miracle! Last year both my girls were on antibiotics, on average, twice a month. So, I tend to think it really helps! If you can't take Clindamyacin for your MRSA, I would suggest trying Milk Thistle with whichever one you are taking.

On a side note, Dr. Hudson hadn't heard of this effect with Milk Thistle, but seemed as if he may look into it. I would love to know what happens in the lab, whether it confirms this or not. He's a busy guy, but maybe?

Also, about Colloidal Silver. It seems it works well, if it can get to the infection or wound. I have used it on a sore throat, hangnail starting to get sore, taken orally when getting sick and it does seem to help dramatically. On wounds..same thing, it helps if it can get "into" the wound. It's hard to really get it into the boil at the infection site.

You have to be careful though about colloidal silver. Lots of products advertise as colloidal, but is really ionic. Here is a website where you can learn more. They even have a chart that tells you which brands are true colloids.

http://silver-colloids.com/index.html

Colgate has Triclosan!!!

I have three tubes of this in my house! I never thought to check my toothpaste! I've tried some of the more natural toothpastes before and nothing really made our teeth feel clean...but we'll have to start another search. Thanks for the info newb!

Dr. Hudson on Charlotte Talks

Apparently the UNCC Biology Department is changing their website and you can no longer access the Charlotte Talks radio shows Dr. Hudson did. I did find them though on the Charlotte Talks website. So here they are for those of you interested. I still don't know why when I insert a link, it doesn't show up, so you'll have to copy and paste.

Talk 1: June 26 , 2008 - Bacterial Resistance

http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_0.cfm?do=detail&id=6645

Talk 2: July 22, 2008 - Health Issues and Germs

http://www.wfae.org/wfae/18_93_0.cfm?do=detail&id=8396

If these don't work in the future, you can go to the Charlotte talks website (www.wfae.org) and look up the archives for the dates above. Hope that helps.

Answer to Hibiclens question

Newb said:

"In your previous post, you said you were getting off Hibiclens:

After talking with Dr. Hudson, we've decided to not use Hibiclens if at all possible. It is an anti-bacterial, so it leaves the strong MRSA to multiply into more.

Now, you're getting back on?

What is considered resistance-prone "antibacterial" anyways? Is Lysol included?

What are cleaners safe to use that bacteria won't develop resistance to? Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, etc?"

Answer:

Well, I was hoping to not have to use Hibiclens since it is anti-bacterial and still leaves the strong bad bacteria. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. It was getting so bad that we needed some relief, and the two showers a day with Ivory just wasn't getting enough of them off of their skin, I suppose. And, we didn't want to do oral antibiotics. We just went back to no Hibiclens today since they are both looking well now. We only will be using it if absolutely necessary and only on spots instead of their whole body like we were doing.

I'm still researching what is considered anti-bacterial and researching bleach, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. I have the same questions you have. The radio shows where Dr. Hudson answered questions was helpful. I remember him saying something to the effect that alcohol was better to clean with than some other cleaners because it would never be used "in" the human body, thus not able to cause resistance. I'll keep looking for information on this and post as I find it. Thanks for the question.

Don't double dip!!!

Another thing we thought of months ago after realizing we were doing it...DON'T DOUBLE DIP! If you use moisturizer from a jar and spread it on a leg, then get more from the jar...you could have just infected the jar with MRSA. We use a clean paper towel or latex glove to get moisturizer out each time. (We try to get out enough in one try so we don't keep using more paper towels or gloves.) This way we aren't double dipping and infecting our jar!

Questions answered...People are reading??

Wow...thanks guys for your questions and comments. I could see that people had visited over the past months but hadn't heard from anyone until recently. Helps me know I'm not alone! Hopefully we can help each other.

I've had a few questions from people today, so I'm going to post my answers publicly.

1) First of all, someone asked if we use probiotics. Both girls have been using these daily (unless I forget) for over a year now. I'm not sure if it helps with the MRSA, but I know it helps both girls with tummy troubles.

2) Bleach baths, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide? Both girls haven't taken a bath in probably 8 months or so. We have strictly been doing showers. The reason for this is actually at my husbands suggestion. They both have eczema and if they have MRSA on their skin and get in the bathtub, then the MRSA will be floating around and getting into their broken skin. We did do bleach water "spray downs" in the shower before Hibiclens, but found it hard to manage since it was so watery. It was hard to tell if we got them good without getting it in their eyes. I actually had forgotten about the bleach water treatments? I may have to look into that as an alternative to the Hibiclens...I wonder if it would have less of an anti-bacterial effect? I'll have to check into that. Oh, for you guys using HIBICLENS, you can get it from drugstore.com for about 1/2 of what it costs at the drugstores, AND the last order came with a pump top that makes it foamy, so it's much easier to apply and you use much, much less. It comes in a 16 oz bottle for about the same price as an 8oz bottle at the drug store. Thanks Pippi, for the bleach reminder...I will check into that. As far as alcohol goes, we have used this sometimes, but since both girls have eczema...it stings!!! I have been researching hydrogen peroxide. The negative I've heard so far is that it does some damage to cells and keeps it from healing really well...but sometimes we just have to pick the best of the worst...so to speak. We have occasionally used hydrogen peroxide. I'm not sure how it compares to Hibiclens....not sure which is better to use and is least likely to cause resistance? More research to do! Note to self: Research effects of hibiclens, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide.

3) Pictures. Someone asked if I could repost the pictures. I just checked and they are still there. If you scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page, it plays them as a slideshow. If it has already scrolled through the pictures, you just click on "View All Images" and it will take you to a page to look at them all. I'm still figuring out these widgets....there probably is a better way. I also will try to remember to take pictures next time. I always think of it after the fact since there's so much to do during a breakout...laundry, showers, medicine, lotions, band-aids, clean-up, etc.

4) For Stingray....I really empathize with you! It is so hard to have a child wake multiple times a night itching and scratching and bleeding. We even taped socks onto her hands and feet trying to keep it under control. She would touch something playing in the park and start itching and turning red. When we go for a walk in the woods they know not to touch anything without asking! We've had to leave places from them touching something and then breaking out in hives! It can be rather frustrating. I will be praying for your family!...Also, She use to turn red around her mouth after eating almost anything.The allergies have been getting better since seeing our alternative doctor guy...I think I wrote about him in past posts. The thing he did that helped the most was treating her for parasites. Yes, I said parasites!!! Apparently this is a common problem that doctors don't even look for, but within a couple days we saw dramatic improvement. I would suggest trying this if you're up for it. I actually have a friend who's 12 year old suddenly started getting patches of eczema. They went to doctor after doctor trying to figure out what was causing it, with no help. I suggested her using the parasite syrup and it went away completely. It's not expensive and could give your 4yo some relief. It did help my 4yo dramatically, but we still have eczema issues. She does sleep through the night most nights now! We are hopeful once we get through the other allergy treatments, she will be even better. It's called Dr. Christophers Parasite syrup. I would give my 4yo 1/2 tsp. morning and night for 3 days, take 2 days off, 3 more days, 2 days off, then 3 more days. The two day breaks are to let any eggs hatch. (I know, YUK!). Of course, check the label for ingredients since your child is super sensitive, but it contains all herbal stuff. Doesn't taste great, but we kept it in the fridge...that helps. You could have her chase it with something she likes to help with the taste? We used a medicine syringe and squirt it down. The thing that helped most at night for itching was lanacane...it has a mild numbing agent it in. Also, calendula oil seems really soothing. And, after trying every moisturizer, butter, cream, etc, we found vaseline the most helpful (and it's cheap)...plus, it didn't have lots of things in there that they could have allergic reactions to. Just a couple suggestions that helped for us!

5) Fresh Air - Someone asked if we think our FreshAir from Ecoquest is working. This machine uses ozone and UV light to kill germs. It has been proven to kill MRSA in lab tests. I think it has helped us by keeping us healthy (cold/flu). I'm not sure how much it helps will MRSA on the skin? We did turn a corner at the beginning of the year, just after getting the machine...not sure how much it has to do with it though. I think it helps with allergies too! I just realized this comment was left a while ago, but never saw it...sorry!

Update...

While using the Tumeric, I'm not sure if I'm seeing improvement. I've been giving them both 2 capsules, 3 times a day with 1 capsule of Milk Thistle. It did seem like some spots were healing up and were less swollen, but they were still getting new ones. So it doesn't seem to be doing the best job. We are still continuing, but I decided to contact the microbiologist contact I found and ask his opinion a few days ago. My 8yo had one boil about 2 inches in diameter and my 4 yo had some new ones appearing around her hairline...she would at times have 15 or so, very small pimple-like ones. I was feeling like antibiotics were going to be necessary. It hasn't been this bad since probably February.

I asked him if it's best to use Hibiclens before going to oral antibiotics. His suggestion was to use the Hibiclens first...so we started that two days ago. It's amazing how fast it works. My 4yo's are completely gone, and my 8yo just has the one large one healing up, it's not draining anymore, just red.

So...what to do now. I think we will continue the two baths a day and only use Hibiclens when we see new spots appearing. Instead of washing them head to toe (except face) with Hibiclens...we will only use it on the spots. This way they will keep some good bacteria on their skin to help fight this nasty bug!

New Procedure...

After talking with Dr. Hudson, we've decided to not use Hibiclens if at all possible. It is an anti-bacterial, so it leaves the strong MRSA to multiply into more. He did suggest two showers a day though, so we've started doing two showers each day. WOW...we go through lots of laundry!

We have seen an increase in some spots on them though. I'm thinking it's partially because they have very little good bacteria left on their skin to help fight of the strong MRSA there. It totally makes sense. I've wondered why we still see spots now and then even after Hibiclens...because the strong germs are still there!

I found a website with overwhelming results for Turmeric (the Indian spice)..so we are trying it. I have to say, it seems to really be helping. It's only been a few days for my 4yo and 1 day for my 8yo and they look to be getting smaller and drying up (although they are really small...like an eraser or smaller) so it's hard to tell for sure. I'll be keeping and eye on it though and let you know how it works. Here is the website with the information on the Turmeric.


http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/MRSA.html

My browser isn't letting me enter it as a link, so you'll have to type it in.

Don't use ANTI-BACTERIAL anything!

I emailed Dr. Hudson, the mircobiologist from UNCC and he ended up calling me. He was very informative and the first person I've talked with that knows all about MRSA. He has been studying this bacteria for years.

One thing he really tries to educate people about is the use of anti-bacterial soaps and cleaners. Basically, when we use these, it kills both good and bad germs, BUT...leaves the strong germs. We all have both living on our bodies and we need the good to keep the bad under control. So, if you have MRSA on your skin and use anti-bacterial soap, you kill the weak MRSA and leave the strong MRSA to multiply and become stronger. The best way to wash is using plain soap! Yes, plain soap! We have been using Ivory. He says he even uses this soap and deals with MRSA everyday in the lab. You want to wash the germs off, not use a killing agent because no matter what you use, the strong one's will be left behind.

So...if you use anti-bacterial soap or cleaners in your house...THROW IT AWAY! It will eventually make the problem worse.

New maintenance procedure...

We've decided to do our best not to use Bactroban unless absolutely necessary. Actually, we've found that Tea Tree Oil works much better and quicker anyway, and we don't want the MRSA to become resistant to the Bactroban. It's been working wonderfully. We haven't used Bactroban for over a month now and and small spots we see go away within hours, typically, sometimes more with the Tea Tree oil. Between that and Hibiclens, we are able to keep the MRSA at bay.

Right in our backyard...

A friend called me yesterday and told me to tune in to 90.7, Charlotte Talks. Michael Hudson, a UNCC Biologist was on talking about staph (MRSA) and the research they have been doing at University of North Carolina Charlotte. Little did I know this research was taking place in our backyard. The last 20 minutes I listened to were very interesting. You can go here http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu and listen to the show. There were two shows on staph (MRSA), one on June 26, 2008 and one on July 16, 2008. If you have time, go there and listen to these two shows. Very informative. I'm going there now to listen to what I missed.

Update on our family. Things have almost returned to normal. My 4 yo has had some small pimple-like spots, but we treat them with tea tree oil and they are typically gone by morning. This stuff is good!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TOO!

It's been three months since any MRSA requiring antibiotics in our home, and about 10 months since I've needed any! May 23rd I ended up spending my 34th birthday in the ER. I knew I had to go...I really wish I would have taken pictures, but it was so disturbing to see my face that way I couldn't do it. On Wednesday night (the 21st of May) I noticed a small blemish on my chin and went to bed. I was watching TV for a couple hours and realized it was starting to feel weird...and I knew that feeling.

I got out of bed and washed, cleansed and medicated the area. I got up again that night and repeating the same thing. By morning it had really swollen. The next day I continued the wash, cleanse, medicate. Friday morning I woke up to find my lip swollen about 3x it's normal size. I looked nothing like myself and my chin was swollen half way to my ear. I knew I had to make a trip to the ER since the oral meds don't work for me until I get some Vanq in me.

I waited until my husband was home from work (he came home early) and headed to the ER...thinking I was only going to get an IV of antibiotics. They ended up having to cut it open and pack it in addition to the IV Vanq. Sent me home to return Sunday morning (the 25th...our 12th wedding anniversary). In the meantime it really wasn't draining. I felt they had packed it too tightly and was right. On Sunday morning they removed the packing and drained it. I was sent home on Bactrim and Clindamycin. By Sunday night it had drained completely, but there was about an inch circle around the area that was really hard, like scar tissue. I massaged the area for a few days and it has now returned to normal.

Since this breakout, our entire family has washed with Hibiclens every night for a week. Now we are back to twice a week. This really seems to help. We will continue pressing on, knowing that perseverance leads to proven character. (Romans 5)

Update...still battling

Well, we have so appreciative for the past 3 months without antibiotics!!! WhooHoo! The MRSA is trying to creep back in. Both girls would get really small spots (just looking like a pimple up to about a quarter in size, but instead of a white top, MRSA as we've seen it has a yellowish or greenish top sometimes with a black spot in the middle). All of these spots we were able to treat topically with our trinity treatment (bactroban, colloidal silver, and tea tree oil - rotating)and each girl only had one at a time for the last month or so.

I have noticed that the frequency and size and amount is picking up. My 8yo last week developed a deep one about 4.5" in diameter. It was pretty painful and really the only major one we've seen in three months. She did have a few small ones on her buttock. We did treat it topically and drain the large one over a few days and now they are all healing up well. It's amazing though how much of a mark they leave. I took a picture of it today...after it's been puss-free for 3 days now and it's still really red and large. She has quite a few scars on her legs from these nasty things!

My 4yo's skin is looking great! Her eczema is so much better and she sleeps through the night now that she's not so itchy. She does have some eczema on the palms of her hands and a small spot on the bottom of her feet...but that's it! That in itself is a miracle!

Both girls are still dealing with allergy issues. We were at a friends last night and both had asthma attacks, we suspect from pet dander. We have decided we just can't visit with people that own pets for now.

Now...with me. Yesterday I had a small pimple on my chin. Last night it really started hurting and swelling to the point that I only can smile on one side of my face. So, MRSA on my face now! Uggh! I hope this one doesn't leave a scar! I drained what I could, which wasn't much. The rest of the swelling doesn't have a top or head to drain from, so I will wait.

As far as our treatments go, we've been doing the same thing since January. Hibiclens shower twice a week, washing towels after first use, and jammies and clothes worn once for both girls. We've tried the Bactroban nasally at least three times with no results.

Now, on another note. I started reading Job a couple months ago. I knew Job battled a difficult illness, but did not know it was from boils! Wow! This is not a new thing! He was miserable and didn't have the doctors and medicines we have today. He would go to the banks and scrape and wash his boils with sharp stones!!!! Uggh! I am grateful we live in the time we do and hopeful the Lord will bring us through this and develop character in our family at the same time!

Another spot

Well, my 8yo showed me a small red spot (about the size of a penny) on her thigh a few days ago. I was hoping and praying it was just a little irritated spot. . The day after she showed it to me the first time it had a top on it, and I knew it was MRSA. We were able to drain it over the next few days, used our medicine trio and kept it covered with a bandage. Today it looks like it's drying up and no other spots have appeared! That's great news, as most of the time when one comes, many follow. There's definitely progress.

I'm considering doing a Vitamin C cleanse. It helps rid the body of toxins, and I really feel like it's hanging out "in" us somewhere. I'm researching it now and will keep you posted.

Warning: Pictures Added

I just added some pictures of how we've seen MRSA in our family. The one's I've taken of the large boils didn't come out. I only have some small spots, a rash that developed small pustules that tested positive for MRSA and a picture of me in the hospital when the MRSA turned to cellulitis. Hopefully we won't have any more large one's to take pictures of, but if so, I'll post them then. They are at the bottom of the page, beware if you are sensitive.

Record for the girls!

Well the girls have been Mrsa-free for a while now. My 4yo is going on 26 days, and my 8 yo 20 days. It's been wonderful!

It's not gone completely though, I have had a small spot for a few days now on my forearm. I've been treating it with colloidal silver, bactroban, and tea tree oil and keeping it covered and it looks like it's healing now. Praying the girls stay clear!

Still looking good!!!

I forgot what it was like without MRSA going on with someone in the house! Girls still looking better than ever. Anyone out there dealing with MRSA, I would really suggest taking Milk Thistle with your antibiotic. We have been dealing with this for over a year, and this time it cleared up much better than usual and we are hitting a record for how long it's been gone. I'm hopeful! The milk thistle is the only thing we did differently. Our kinesthesiologist suggested it. If I understood him correctly, the MRSA cell is hard to penetrate, and sometimes the antibiotic is kicked out of the cell before it can really get rid of it. The milk thistle is suppose to help the cell allow the antibiotic in. This is totally my interpretation of how he explained it, but it seems to have helped.

Now, the news I got yesterday. The doctor we found that has been so supportive and helpful is closing!!! I don't know all the details, but apparently she is going to start writing instead of being a doctor. I'm praying we find another one soon, in case we have any further MRSA episodes.

Wow....what a great 2 weeks!

Well, my 4yo has been MRSA spot free for 12 days now, and my 8yo for 6 days! It may be a few days more than that, but that's how long they've been off of antibiotics. Actually, their skin looks better than ever! Really, it's so soft and supple. It's never been that way!

I am so thankful, these last couple weeks have been great. My 4yo still itches a lot, I think some allergy we haven't figured out yet. We joke that she is allergic to sleep, because, of course it's worse when she is laying in bed doing nothing and can concentrate on it more.

We just sent off a test kit for both girls testing their GI tract to see if there is any underlying issues there. I suspect my 8yo has an intolerance or allergy for wheat, soy, and milk. We'll see what the test shows. We will be taking both of them back to our Kinesthesiologist within the next two weeks for more allergy treatments.

Another blessing....My 4yo helped peel eggs for deviled eggs at Grandma's this weekend! Oh, the simple pleasures she has missed out on because of her egg allergy. No cookie baking for the holidays....always watching the other kids enjoying this....but she never complained about it. She knew what would happen, the itching, red, burning on her skin. But now, none of that! Thank you Lord!

Specialist? I guess not....

I got a call from our doctor yesterday. She was calling Wake Forest to set up an appointment with the specialist. Well, they said it would be a waste of a trip to go up there and that what we are doing is what they would suggest anyway. They did give a couple of suggestions, increase Hibiclens to 2-3 times per week for a few months (instead of once per week) and Bactroban nasally 2-3 times a day for 6 weeks. Both of these are to help cut down the colonization on their skin. We have done the Bactroban nasally, but only for 2 weeks. Everything else they suggested, we already do. At first, I was frustrated and not happy about the news, but then a friend reminded me that it was a blessing. It's better to know now instead of waste the time and money to go up there, pay for the trip and doctor visits, and then find out that they wouldn't do anymore than we already are doing.

Their skin actually looks wonderful right now. My 4yo's looks better than ever!!! Her back feels soft and supple! It has never felt that way before! Our last visit to our kinesthesiologist, he gave her a parasite syrup, because she tested positive for a certain parasite. Anyone out there dealing with eczema, I would hightly suggest trying this. She has done this "cleanse" twice in the past year, and both times gave the best results we have ever seen. Parasites are actually very common in children, especially ones that put things in their mouths a lot. The kind we used was Dr. Christopther's Parasite Syrup. It's not great tasting, but my 4 yo is able to handle it.

Right now, both girls are MRSA-free. At least on their skin, from all outward appearances. I still feel like it's been coming from the layers of the skin or GI tract or somthing, and that the antibiotic just isn't getting to it all. The spots just come up from nowhere and has never been where their eczema is. Mostly they get spots on their legs, arms, and torso. Both of them have eczema mostly on their feet, hands, and knees.

During the last round of antibiotics on both girls we gave them milk thistle seed with it. Our kinesthesiologist suggested it (the one that does the NAET allergy treatments). So far, no recurrances of MRSA, so hopefully it helped the antibiotic get in there and do it's job.

We'll keep doing what we are doing, and pray, pray, pray!

Another allergy event

Today during my 8yo's dance class I took my 3yo old to my sisters. She just ran around and played. We were only there about 30 minutes and when we went to leave she started itching like crazy on her hands and face. She hadn't eaten anything, but she had red welts around her mouth and on her hands. We left to pick up her sister and in the car she was going crazy itching. We got to dance and went to the bathroom, rinsed her hands and face and I gave her a wet towel to hold on any parts that itched. Within 20 minutes, the welts went away and she was no longer itchy. Just another unknown allergy episode to add to the list. Lord help us! We cry MRSA-y!

Allergies

Both of the girls have allergies that are hard to figure out. We know some of them, but the rest is like finding a needle in a haystack. My 3 yo has tested postive to being allergic to eggs, dog, and cashews when she was 2. The eggs she is now able to eat since NAET treatment for it, even though they use to cause extreme reactions. We suspect coconut oil and wheat or gluten as allergens as well, eventhough they didn't show up on the test. She has a lot of unknown allergies that cause her to break out in rashes or cause her mouth to turn red, just around her lips, after she eats something. We also have a hard time finding a hand soap she can use. Everything we have tried either stings or turns her hands red and burns.

My 8yo has tested positive for allergies to wheat, tomatoes, different grasses and trees, and mold. Mold is a big one, her asthma is mostly triggered by mold. We also suspect milk, beans, and bananas, and she recently had an anyphylactic reaction to cashews. What are the odd that two sisters have the same nut allergy? Both my husband and I have no food allergies. I have a small spot of eczema that doesn't even bother me, and he does have asthma and some seasonal allergies, but other than that we are healthy.

My 8yo came to me a few days ago and said her head was itching like crazy. I looked and saw nothing unsual. The next day she said the bottoms of her feet were really itchy and they had small clear looking bumps you could barely see all over the sole of her foot. Then I noticed the same tiny clear bumps on her forehead.

Puzzled, I told her to stop using the shampoo she started using a few weeks ago and start using the one she was using before. She has done this for a few days now and her scalp is no longer itchy although she still has a few itchy spots on the soles of her feet. It seems everything is clearing up now. I guess it was something in the shampoo? But what? With 20 plus ingredients, it's hard to figure out.

Our next step...

Well, yesterday was my 3 year old's last day on antibiotics. We are keeping a close eye on her skin to see how it does and praying, praying, praying! My 8 year old still has a few days left on hers.

We are hoping to be off of any medications and supplements for four days so we can get a GI test ran that our pediatrician wants to run. Our last visit I asked her if it's possible the MRSA is inside of her eventhough it's not systemic (which means it would be in an organ or blood). She said it wasn't systemic, there would be fever and internal pain associated with that but it could be hiding out in her GI track. My feeling, although I'm not a doctor, is that it's coming from inside. They get their MRSA spots in areas where they don't have eczema break outs. If it was coming from outside, on their skin, it seems it would be where their eczema is. They have never had it occur where their eczema is. Actually the last one my 3 year old had showed up like a rash all over her body, then turned into small MRSA spots everywhere.

We have decided to see the Infectious Disease Doctor at Wake Forest. He also specializes in children and antibiotic resistance, so it seems like a good fit. I'm just praying we don't walk away with a ton of prescriptions and that he is supportive of the allergy treatments we are doing with the girls.

I'm going to post some pictures soon, so those of you with sensitive stomachs, BEWARE (if there is anyone reading this)!

And, BTW, the small spot my husband had cleared up within a couple days with using Bactroban, tea tree oil and colloidal silver.

How it all started...Part 3

Sometime around my first hosptial stay, I started really researching MRSA online. Most of my questions, the doctor's just had vague answers for. Here are the basics of MRSA from what I found online. I AM NOT A DOCTOR, just a concerned parent. MRSA is staph. The only difference is that MRSA is resistant to some antibiotics. Both can be very serious, espcially when an internal infection like a blood or organ. Thankfully, we have CA-MRSA, which means "community acquired". The other form is HA-MRSA, which is "hospital acquired". From the cultures taken, it looks like the form of MRSA we have still responds to 5 different antibiotics. So that is good for us!

Now, most people have staph living on their bodies. Healthy people usually have no problems. When you have a low immune system or another health issue, like ECZEMA (when your skin is open)...that's when it can cause issues.

After my doctor made the comment about keeping it from spreading to others is when I started looking into this. I was confused...why had no one mentioned this before. All summer long both girls have had repeated infections from this, but not once was I told that it was contagious. Now, for those of you without MRSA, don't freak out on me. MRSA infection is contagious from the drainage ("pus"), so anyone infected needs to have the wound covered completely and should not share towels, clothes, or other personal items. But, just being around someone with it, is not contagious. Remember, most people have staph living on their skin. So being around someone else with it living on their skin without drainage from an infection, is not dangerous.

We have kept our youngest out of class when she has spots because we can't guarantee the band-aid will stay put. And, if they have multiple spots, we also keep them away until any spots are drying up.

One month after my first hosptial stay, in August, I got another spot on my shin. I knew it felt different than a normal knick from shaving, so I started putting bactroban on it. It started to get worse, so off to the doctor I went again. She again gave me Bactrim, but it was not getting better. I'm not sure why, because the culture shows that it does respond to Bactrim, but I ended up in the ER for Vanq again. They gave me two rounds in the ER. They didn't admit me this time because I came in earlier and caught it before my entire lower leg was swollen. I returned the next day for 2 more rounds of Vanq upon their request. The nurse in the ER told me they see MRSA all the time, that it's not unusual. I was later told by our pediatrician that it is common, but it is NOT common to see a case like ours, to have it so many times, repetitively.

At this point I really started researching alternatives for antibiotics and prescription medications. We had tried everything our pediatrician recommended and they keep getting a MRSA infection. I know antibiotics are not good for you to be on so much and they kill the good bacteria in us as well as the bad. We've tried a lot and found a few things that I will always keep on hand in addition to some prescription drugs for MRSA. Two that I would recommend anyone trying are tea tree oil and colloidal silver.

I've used them myself as a "mini" experiment and have found tea tree oil to work great and colloidal silver works good too. I found a great website that has studies with colloidal silver and MRSA. I have found it works great if it can get into the area. If the area is not open, it seems to have trouble getting to it and being effective. But here is the website so you can look into it for yourself: http://silver-colloids.com/Reports/reports.html
There is a lot of information on this website. They have done studies with colloidal silver and MRSA. But, you must research the colloidal silver before purchasing. Since it is not a drug, it is not regulated and some products are not true colloids even though they say they are. This company has tested different types of colloidal silver and tells which ones are true colloids.

Since August, I have had 2 more spots of MRSA. One on my underarm (I forgot to wash my razor once) and one on my cheek (started out as a blemish, but turned to a small boil). Both times I was able to treat the spots without antibiotic. I used a combination of bactroban, colloidal silver and tea tree oil. I have to say, my favorite of the three is tea tree oil. This stuff works great! Although, if you put it on full strength, it can burn deep into your boil, so I suggest diluting it. I have used it full strength though and just toughed it out.

We have tried so many things over the last year. So many I can't keep track of them all. I thought I would list what we are using now since it seems to be the best combination so far:

1) All towels, jammies and clothing are washed after the first use (including dress up clothes)

2) Hibiclens rub down once a week. Hibiclens is what is used before surgery to kill anything on the skin that could possibly cause an infection. We use it on everyone in the family over the weekend. Hair and skin. The only thing I don't like about this is it has red dye in it. So far it hasn't been an issue. Also, I think it kills the good germs too and we need those on us to help fight off the bad ones.

3) Every night the girls take a shower (not a bath because they would be sitting in MRSA and it could get into any of their eczema and cause more infection). After their shower, each one is lotioned up with Olive oil, then a shea butter cream I make from Raw Shea butter, Jojoba oil, Vit. E, Cocoa butter and Grapeseed oil.

4) We change the sheets on the same day we use Hibiclens so everything starts clean at the same time.

5) Both girls take VIBE daily (a viamin and mineral supplement) as well as garlic or another immunity boosting supplement daily. Since they are on antibiotics so often, we hope this will help keep them from getting sick.

6) FreshAir by Ecoquest Air purifier runs continuously in our house. We had learned of this machine through our doctor and started researching it and praying about the decision. It is not a normal air purifier, it's more of an air cleaner. It has been used in hosptials, nursing homes, and day care centers and uses ozone to kill germs in the air and on surfaces. It is not cheap! We'll God provided one free of charge for us! As we were telling some friends about it, they said they use to sell them and had an extra one in storage we could have! Wow!!! It's amazing to think that although this business did not work out for our friends a few years ago, they felt led to sell these and now we know why...God used them to bless us! There are some news stories on the Fresh Air and Ecobox by Ecoquest on Youtube.com.

7) LaundryPure - We also were blessed with this machine that uses UV light and Silver Ions to clean and disinfect our clothes. Since our girls both have eczema and are extremely sensitive to purfumes, dyes, soaps, this machine helps keep down the skin irritation. This also has news stories about it on Youtube.com.

8) We are continuing NAET allergy treatments. Both of the girls have so many allergies I can't keep up with them all. We have seem tremendous progress through these treatments.

9) When I shave, I wash my razor in Hibiclens or bleach and use Hibiclens or an antibacterial soap to shave with. Then I wipe down my legs with Tea tree oil before putting on lotion.

10) Both girls take probiotics daily to help replace the good bacteria that helps fight off the bad

I think that is all of our routine. If I think of anything else, I'll post later.

Well, this is really how it ALL started....Part 2

Let's back up a little. Both of my girls have had eczema since a couple months old. It's been really bad. My almost 4 year old has had it the worst. She rarely sleeps through the night from itching. Her hands used to be really, really bad. They were so dry and cracked that she would bleed and each finger would have to be wrapped each day with medicine and guaze. At night she would bleed on her sheets from her hands and feet and knees. We would tape socks on her hands and feet to try and keep her from scratching in her sleep.

With my older daughter we went through the dermatologist and allergist and never saw any results, so we are at a loss this time around. Through some friends we heard about a "alternative" doctor. He does allergy treatments, kinda like allergy shots, but much more controversial. Using pressure points on your body, he "resets" your body when in contact with the allergen. I was very skeptical.

We really considered this out of desperation, but started going there after much prayer. We have been amazed. It is not and easy fix, but we have seen steady progress through the last year. We started going in the beginning of 2007 and my daughter doesn't have to have bandages on her fingers any more and she can now eat eggs, something she has been allergic to and would turn beet red if she came in contact with. Her eczema is about 80% better than it used to be. She still has many allergy issues, but we are only about 1/2 way through the allergy treatments. Because of the MRSA, we haven't been able to go as much as we'd like.

That is how we started looking into things that the medical community may not even consider. I am definitely not anti-medicine. It is a blessing to live in a time where we have so many medications available to us. But, I also think there can be other ways of doing things that may not be the mainstream.

How it all started, Part 1

In March of 2007, my then 7 year old daughter got a boil on her leg. It was large, about 4" in diameter. (BTW, it does kinda look like a spider bite). A white spot in the middle and a red circle around it. I looked it up on webMD and all the information I found said usually it clears up on its own without antibiotics after it is drained. We drained it and it went away. A week later she got another one. We did the same thing with this one. When she got her third, off we went to the doctors office. Up until this one, the boils didn't hurt her, but this one was very painful.

At the doctor's office she gave us antibiotics and said she was going to culture it to see if it was a certain kind resistant to antibiotics, in which case she would call us and we would just have to switch antibiotics. A couple days later she called and told us it was positive for the resistant kind and called in a different prescription.

From this point on, all the boils were very painful. Also, my 3 year old daughter started getting boils as well. We were in the doctors office a couple times a month getting antibiotics and asking questions. We really didn't get much information on what this was.

Then, in July, I got a sore spot just below my right knee. I thought it was just a little knick from shaving, which it probably was, but MRSA had gotten in. Within a day it had swollen so bad, it was about 7 inches around and I was in a lot of pain. I had been using the antibiotic ointment that the girls were given (Bactroban), but it wasn't gettng any better. It was unbelievably painful. I was so saddened to think this is the pain my girls were in.

I went to the doctor as was given the antibiotic Bactrim. The doctor told me if it did not get any better within a couple days, or got any worse over the weekend to go to the ER. It got worse and I ended up in the ER during the weekend. They admitted me and thought they were going to have to use surgery to remove it. It had turned into Cellulitis and was not draining. By this point my entire leg from the knee down was swollen. They had me on IV antibiotics, Vanq and something else, I can't remember the name of. Thankfully within a few days, it was getting better and did not require surgery.



I went to my follow-up appointment with my doctor and asked "How do we get rid of this?". Her response was "You don't get rid of it, now you try not to spread it to other people."

I was shocked! We had been battling this for 6 months and no one had ever told me we couldn't get rid of it. No one had told me to be careful not to spread it to others. YIKES! What did she mean?

Our Options..

We have now found a doctor supportive of us trying alternative types of treatments. Whew..what a relief! She is very supportive of whatever we choose to follow, but also will let us know when it's time to use modern medicine. Just over a year ago, I thought modern medicine was the only way to go, but we came to a point where nothing was working and God just placed in our path friends with experience here.

We visited her yesterday since it was time for my 8 year old to get antibiotics for her MRSA spots. She suggested a few things we could try, but also suggested a specialist or trying hyperbaric treatments. Hyperbaric treatments sound fascinating. It looks like it really helps a lot of people from a large range of diseases and injuries. I would love to try it, but of course, insurance will not pay for them and they are expensive, especially when you have to treat two children. And, I would have to research results with MRSA. We are still praying about the decision, but are leaning towards a specialist. We found one at Wake Forest. My sister took my nephew there with asthma related issues when he was a baby and had great results.

We have been reluctant to go the specialist route, because our experience with it has not been great. For my 8 year old, up until she was 4, we visited a specialist for her eczema and allergies over and over and would just leave each time with another prescription that didn't work. But, after talking with my sister, and hearing her rave about Wake Forest, we may go this route for now.

MRSA-ful

Well, this is my first post on our new blog. I've been having a sense to start a blog about our MRSA journey for a while now. For one, I hope that perhaps our journey will help others suffering with this infection. And, since there has been so many twists and turns along this road, I have trouble remembering all the details over the last year. So I will be using this blog as a way to keep records of our MRSA. I will start with where we are now and then back up and tell our story from the start.

Right now, my 8 year old daughter and almost 4 year old daughters are both on antibiotics AGAIN for MRSA skin infections. I stopped counting how many times they have been on antibiotics at 12 times each, and that was within 9 months. My husband just got his first MRSA spot above his knee. He has been the only one in the family not to have an outbreak until yesterday. He came to me and said he had a spider bite on his knee. I said, "Yeah, right (sacastically, as we both knew what it was).

Right now we are praying through our decision on our next steps to take with this. We have two options. I'll post later about what they are.