Sable, I am so sorry you're dealing with this. I'm glad you've gotten good care, and hope you feel better soon.

I work in the juvenile justice field, and I've worked with several youth who've had MRSA. We received a lot of education about it due to staff's fears and all the hype in the media. It is really quite common anymore, and we are all exposed to it multiple times every day out in public, especially if we go to hospitals, schools, gyms, etc. We all need to wash our hands well, all the time, and avoid skin contact with surfaces in public areas.

There is NO need to tell people outside your household about it, other than medical personnel, or someone like a masseuse who would have prolonged contact with your skin. It sounds like you're already doing what you need to do. You should be extremely conscientious about thorough hand washing all the time, and disinfect your linens/bathroom extra well when you have a sore/rash.

In regard to diet, I think you should meet with a dietician/nutritionist. You want to keep your immune system as strong as possible, and they could advise you on what would be most beneficial. I know one youth we worked with, who had a severe case, drank kefir daily, and took some vitamin supplements.

Wishing you the best :-)

I'm not familiar with MRSA specifically, but the point of the probiotics is that the antibiotics kill off both good and bad bacteria, including what live in your gut. So the idea of probiotics that help your gut can be preventative.

I did find this here:

A study carried out through Weber State University in Utah, the US, and published in 2008 found that of 91 essential oils tested, 78 showed inhibitory activity against the MRSA bacteria.[3] Of these, the most effective ( in descending order of effectiveness) were lemongrass, lemon myrtle, mountain savory, cinnamon bark and melissa. Lemongrass is a potent anti-inflammatory and is effective for dealing with damaged connective tissue(tendons and ligaments). It also has great insect repelling qualities.

To the extent that a weakened immune system and stress are related to MRSA issues, I would think meditation could be helpful. It has been shown scientifically to both reduce stress and boost immune system function. The only side effects it has are good ones, and it feels good too. So you might want to add it to your regimen.

No experience with MRSA but lots of experience with a person with a compromised immune system. My son was on prednisone for years for an illness that is now thankfully in remission. Prior to achieving a lasting remission, he had many bouts of short improvement followed by a flare. We needed to build up his immune system so that he could achieve lasting remission so that every little mosquito bite didnt put him back to square one with his kidneys in shut down mode.

Too strengthen his natural immune system, we consulted Integrative Medicine specialists, and ultimately an D.O.M.(Doctor of Oriental Medicine). We started with custom blended herbal remedies, we maintained afterwards with New Chapter Organics Lifeshield Immune Support- you can get it online or at Whole Foods. My son still takes it but not all the time, if he is going into a stressful physical period he will dose. Like right now he is in football double sessions, it is in the 90s so I asked him to take three days before they started. He rolled his eyes a bit but he does have some fairly traumatic memories of being very ill when he was young so he complied.

Your doctor may be able to recommend someone who specializes in Integrative Medicine who can work with you on alternative treatments on the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Wishing you the best of luck.

Oil of some varieties of thyme is antiseptic---so powerfully so that it is the active ingredient in a disinfectant rated by the EPA as cometely safe and kills 99% of mold and mildew (Benefect). I would research thyme oil if i were in your position.

Sounds like you have a good doctor and are takong sensible precautions.

Thank you all for these responses! Am going to have a nap now, but will return later to answer. It may be a lengthy nap!

I get frequent staph infections because I have lymphedema. I have a tendency to develop cellulitis also, so I'm on antibiotics all the time. The key to remember is to keep the skim CLEAN. And be dilligent about any cuts, slivers, bites, etc. Do not scratch, rather use cool compressess when your skin itches.

I was my hands constantly, and I try to make it a point not to use things other's have touched-like pens, door knobs, money, etc unless I have hand sanitizer (alcohol based) or can wash my hands and scrub under my nails well.

You WILL be tired for a long time. Your body is fighting off an infection and it takes a while to bounce back. Keep up taking the probitiocs-it's not just gut issues that antibitotcs will affect-trust me there are other female issues that can arise.

Drink lots of fluids and keep active, but don't over do. Just give your body time to recover! Best of luck.

Am finally back after a lot of sleeping, and once again, many thanks for your replies. It all helps! Your suggestions sent me back to the internet, so I learned more about tactics for this battle/skirmish.

Jlc - I was surprised to read of young people commonly having this, but actually I know you are right - the dang thing is everywhere now. And I will ask my doc (when he's back from his ill-timed vacation lol) about a nutritionist; am sure he'll know someone. Never thought of myself as being immune-system compromised, but now it's a fact, isn't it.

Deee - I'm sorry that your relative has this. It really is an odious thing to have, not just on one's body, but also in the back of one's mind. I've filed manuka honey; it apparently is only for open wounds, but sounds good. I would much prefer a natural remedy anyway. Probably I should have some in the house jusr in case. And I understand about taking care with ordering from Amazon; I would stick to a name recommended by someone I kmow.

Annie - Am also filing your article about essential oils; I know people who swear by certain ones. Lemongrass oil on one's hands and feet sounds lovely! Regarding meditation, it's something I've daydreamed about for years, as I also have about yoga. I know that you have extolled its benefits here often. It would need to be something I could do by myself, as am dreadful at attending classes that do not lead to a degree > : > ), but am pretty good about schedules at home. Am a bit of a hermit that way. Will look for something online!

Localeater - I am sorry that you had to learn about this because of your son. Those years must have been a nightmare. Our DS1 had ten years of catastrophic asthma and was on and off pred for the whole time. Back then there wasn't much being done on "Integrative Medicine", and pred did save his life more than once. Side effects barely came into consideration. Today he is much better, no more pred, takes good care of himself and does employ elements of oriental medicine. I'm glad that your boy is also better! I will check online for NCOLIS. And will have to think of a tactful way to ask my doc about alternatives!

Kwsl - Will look for thyme oil as soon as I finish this and add it to the file! It sounds like something good to use in the bathroom. One could top it off with a thyme candle! Thanks!

Neetsiepie - Welcome back! You are sounding happy, and it's wonderful to read about your childrens' successes, especially about your son! But I am sorry to read that you have staph/mrsa in addition to other maladies. Yes, have gotten the message about cleanliness, have a bottle of Hibiclens in the kitchen and one in the bathroom, and am dutifully laundering the linens in hot water, the towels almost every day, really beating them up, don't like doing that. But I appreciate your many suggestions, especially your admonition to take it easy and rest, which removes the guilt from curling up and watching Law & Order marathons. Take care of yourself, too!

Neetsiepie - One more thing. Saw the picture of your beautiful new cat. He's what the British call an orange marmalade. They have a reputation, especially the males, for wild high energy. We "baby-sat" two over the years and it was like having a hyperactive 3-year old in the house. Constant motion! Enjoy him!

Thank you again, everyone -

Sable

Sable, if you are willing to try meditation, no classes needed and no need to go anywhere. No need to daydream about it, you can just do it. The best way for beginners, IMO, is with guided meditations which are available free on line. One place I like is meditation oasis which has themed meditations aimed at particular needs. There are some shorter mindfulness meditations available from UCLA and a wider variety of them from UC San Diego Health. Meditation is really going mainstream as more is being learned about the health benefits from it.

I would also mention looking into Chinese medicine. My neighbor does acupuncture and Chinese medicine. He was severely injured in an accident and western medicine told him he'd never walk again. So he turned to Chinese medicine and was healed by it. He's in terrific shape now and was so impressed with the results that he went to China to study it and now practices it. I broke my ankle and he gave me pills to take which not only helped my ankle a lot, but it eliminated the pain in my shoulder which the ortho told me would require cortisone shots and/or surgery. In talking with him, he says Chinese medicine takes the approach of creating an environment for the body in which it can thrive, giving it the power to be healthy enough to fight disease...very different from western meds which focus on attacking just the disease. TheNCCAOM can help you find a qualified practitioner in your area if you are interested in pursuing this option.

Annie - I wondered if you might get back about meditation! I investigated the sites you linked to and opened a Meditation File to save them. Then I tried two "sessions" that were immediately available on the UCLA link. I enjoyed them, if that's the right word. Didn't fall asleep, which is what I expected to happen. Am going to do this - an unwitting benefit from mrsa; who would have guessed?

No acupuncture, though; am not a needle person, to put it mildly, although both our sons and one DIL have praised its benefits. Don't want to turn from my doctor at this early point, as he has been terrific. If there are more "outbreaks", though, I may be impelled to alternative answers that would not conflict with Western approaches. And again, thank you!

So glad to hear you like it sable. If your concern is falling asleep, it helps to sit upright...though I have been in meditation classes where there was snoring!

I used to think western medicine first, alternatives if it fails me. But as we learn more and more about how it's what we do on a daily basis -- mentally, physically, and nutritionally -- that determines our best overall health, I find that western medicine and alternatives can work together to achieve the best overall result.

I had it two years ago. I had a cyst on the underside of my breast. I showed it to the doctor and he said not to worry about it. About six months later, overnight it turned into a a very painful abscess. It was MRSA. I took the antibiotic they give for MRSA, I can't remember the name, and I wish I had taken a probiotic with it because it left me with a very sensitive tongue.

All I remember is the antibiotic made me feel weird. I didn't feel sick or anything, maybe because it was caught early. I didn't worry about it spreading because of its location.

My DGS had it when he was about 2 1/2. It showed up on his groin, which is a common area. Because of his age they disinfected the whole house.

Annie - I only sit upright, and focus a bit on an image of Quan Yin. Were I to lay down I would for sure fall asleep! Nice to know that snoring is allowed, though.

Oakley - I am sorry that you have also been afflicted and also your DGS. You mentioned that your tongue became sensitive. The entire inside of my mouth is terribly sensitive to anything even slightly spicy and also to any kind of fresh berry, sometimes to the point of real pain. I don't know if this is because the mrsa is active or because of the antibiotic. Interesting about the probiotic. When my mouth hurts it's best relieved with some yogurt.

I'm not sure that there is one special antibiotic for mrsa. That's its problem - it resists so many! I have had four different ones through these two outbreaks. I have read that they are now working on a vaccine. It can't come too soon (probably about ten years)!

Sable, It's called, "Burning Mouth Syndrome." I read a lot about it and it seems several websites blamed it on antibiotics, especially strong one's. When it first started, it was awful. Now it's down to not being able to eat spicy/hot foods. One time plain mustard sent me running to the kitchen for water! lol.

So there's a good chance I can get MRSA again? You have it bad and it's got to be miserable. I need to read up on it again. I was surprised at how fast it happens.

You didn't mention it, but there are drs who are infectious specialists...don't know if you've seen one or not. DH went to one when his hand blew up from a cat bite. She was terrific and worked with him for 6 weeks to get him cured, including 2 weeks of IV antibios at the hospital.

Yes, an infectious disease specialist was one of the first things I thought of once I had the diagnosis. That would be my next stop if this proves to be more symptomatic than what it is now.

Lucky DH for such a fine doctor! Two weeks of IV meds is really serious. I am very careful with our two cats because, gentle and sweet as they are, I understand what those teeth can do. Our ultra-gentle, purry granny cat, who has no temper at all, turns into a raging beast if you try to do anything "medical" that she doesn't like. We're about to take her to the vet to have her nails trimmed. And forget about that oral tooth cleanser to squirt in her mouth. Am talking fangs here. TG for Pill Pockets!