The Whirlwind is Slowing

I haven't had to time to update in a while. It's been a whirlwind here with a couple of family deaths, and now trying to catch up and get back into life. I really didn't think anyone would notice, but I came back with a ton of comments. So, for those of you that do check in, sorry for the absence! I am grateful that our story can help some of you out there!

I am also truly grateful for the last two years. It's been TWO YEARS this month since my girls have required antibiotics for any infections! How awesome is that! Plus, they have become very RARE! Yes, I said RARE! There is hope! Don't give up. You will come out stronger, trust me!

There were a few questions from readers, so I'm going to try to answer them as best as I can. Just a reminder, that I AM NOT a doctor, this is just my experience and everyone's experience is different! It can be serious, and only you can determine if you need medical care. Here it goes:

Questions from a reader #1:

I noticed your pics of a boil before and after antibiotics. Obviously, it had some effect, but was not permanent and you've still had recurrences.

So, just curious:

1) What antibiotic did you use and did you use the full 10-day course?

Answer: We've used both Bactrim (septra), Clindamyacin (sp?) and IV Vanq (which is vanquomyacin, I think). We've always taken the entire 10 days. We've even had it prescribed for longer and when I was in the hospital I was on IV Vanq, then oral Bactrim and Clindy when I returned home. We've always taken all that was prescribed.

2) Given that it didn't fully eradicate the staph, would you try antibiotics again? Knowing that you're weighing the risks between using it may kill it all, or not and make it more resistant...or not using it and possibly allowing it to spread if other methods don't work?

Answer: I am not against antibiotics when used properly. I think we use them too much and our country is as a whole unaware of other options out there. The big drug companies can pay millions for testing, but unfortunately supplement providers can't afford this. For this reason, we've had to try them ourselves. Thankfully, you can find other's experiences online to compile with your own.

I try to remedy it at home if at all possible because we've used antibiotics, and for us they would help that one infection only to be followed by another. IF one of us got an infection that was not responding to our home treatments, or that got worse, I would go to the doctor for antibiotics. Because we've already gone this route, without great results, I'm less likely to follow it unless absolutely necessary. Home treatment can take a week or so. If it's a large boil, once the drainage starts coming out, it should start getting better quicker. Obviously MRSA can be severely serious, so if it were ever accompanied by a fever or body aches I would go to the ER right away. Those symptoms are evidence that it's spreading and becoming more severe.

3) Do you know of anyone who has been permanently cured using a certain antibiotic? Or any other method?

Answer: I know of no-one that has been permanently cured with any method. My doctor even told me NOT to ask how to get rid of it, just to be responsible to keep it from spreading it to others. This doesn't mean there is no one out there. I do know that some people get one MRSA infection, take an antibiotic for it, and never get an infection again. This is the typical case from what the doctor has told me. One doctor in the ER said my case is extremely rare, but I'm beginning to wonder since there are so many of us online trying to find out more. From what I've learned, it seems that once you have an infection, you have that bacteria living on your skin. Some people have it living on their skin and never have an infection. Puzzling, for sure!

Questions from Reader #2:

Hi there! I just stumbled upon your blog and (though I'm only through reading the first 10 months or so) I wanted to thank you SO much for taking the time to put this information online. I have had 4 MRSA boils ("high growth" CA type) in the last 6 weeks. I had my first boil surgically removed and treated the second with a sulfa antibiotic. I would prefer to avoid going back to the doctor since the two I have now are tiny and I have found the doctor to be of little help. I have considered going to an ID doctor but the referrals at my HMO take at least 6 months.

I've read your disclaimers about not being a doctor and fully understand them, but I was wondering if you would answer a couple of questions given your experience? I hope to get through reading your blog soon, and realize I may have missed some things, but since I have 2 boils right now I figured I'd try to get in touch.

If a boil clears with a treatment of Manuka honey (what I'm currently using) and time, do I need to worry about any type of internal infection or seek treatment from a doctor?

ANSWER:
From what I've been told from my doctor and the late Dr. Hudson (MRSA specialist - microbiologist researcher), the signs of internal infection are fever, aches and pains, lines going from your infection site towards the heart.

What type of tea tree oil do you use and how do you go about diluting it?

ANSWER:
We have not diluted the tea tree oil. I have read you can dilute it in olive oil. We have used a few different brands, whatever I can get for a good price, but that is pure. Tea Tree Therapy is one we've used. I have to say though, we ran out of tea tree oil, but I had bought some Manuka oil to see if it helped. It does an awesome job! Even better than tea tree oil. It ranks up there with the Manuka honey. I haven't bought Tea Tree Oil since.

Are your girls allergic or irritated to tape/bandaid adhesive? Have you found any solutions for this? I have to say, this is my number one problem in dealing with the MRSA. After a day I have a bandage shaped eczema patch.

ANSWER:
Funny you mention that. Two times over the past summer my 9 year old had bike/scooter accidents. She really tore up a knee one time and her elbow the other. We've never had trouble with an injury getting infection, which is kinda strange. It's always been random places. However, both of these injuries required large bandages. I used a stretchy gauze, one that is stretchier than most and she broke out in a rash all around the injury, where the bandage touched her skin, that I had to constantly treat with honey to keep it from getting infected (the rash, not the injury). I have found that bandages with "stretch" to them affect her. I can use just regular roll gauze that's cotton. It stretches from how it's put together but is 100% cotton. Then I use paper tape on top of that. I have found some types of band aids break her out too. We typically use Band-Aid Ultra Strips for smaller places. She doesn't have any trouble with those. Hope that helps!

Thanks again for all the concern and prayers. It's so encouraging to know our story can help others! For those that have contacted me in hopes to contact me personally about your struggles, I am working on getting an email set up for this site. Bear with me.