MRSA Staph Infections in the Lungs--update post #13

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

Have any of you known anyone who's had or have you had a MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in your lungs?

My sister-in-law is in an ICU with MRSA in her lungs. They operated 3 days ago and removed a pocket of it. Today, they found three more.

No one is telling me about her condition status, but they've intubated her and are treating her with antibiotics that don't seem to be helping. She tried to refuse the surgery this morning and told my brother that she just wanted a Motrin and a ride home.

She's a master's level RN. She can't not understand what's happening to her. I'm afraid she is giving up the fight...and I'm afraid she's going to die. She has two kids that are 7 and 10.

I keep finding reports about people who die from MRSA in the lungs. I think I need to hear about someone who has survived. Anyone?

 

[HayGan]

Sorry but all I have to offer is

Maybe someone here can help give you some more info. I hope that everything turns out ok!

 

[4cruisin]

I'm sorry I don't have any answers for you but if prayers will help, I'm saying one for you and your sil now.

 

[LaLa]

Well, I am here to tell you that yes, it can be survived. Our minister's son was diagnosed with this a couple of years ago when he was around 3 yrs old. He was in ICU at the Womens and Childrens Hospital for a very, very long time and it was touch and go for awhile. There was some confusion at first about what exactly it was and once they figured it out, they were able to find the right antibiotic for it. In fact, my children's ped was the one who made the initial diagnosis and had him rushed over there. He told me later that he really had not expected him to live. In his own words, it was divine intervention. When God is involved, anything is possible.

From what I understand, there is only one type of anitbiotic that will kick this bacteria. DS and DD both had the SKIN type MRSA several years ago and I thought I would lose my mind. DS had surgery on his legs in several places to remove the staph and then they were both given a round of really nasty
antibiotics. It was pretty stubborn b/c we had several relapses of it.

I will say a prayer for your SIL and send lots of warm wishes your way. Please keep us updated....

 

[llij]

I'm sorry to hear what is happening to your SIL. I'll say some prayers for her recovery.

 

[laurie31]

Prayers for your SIL! My kids are that age - I couldn't imagine

She is probably so sick she can't understand how sick she is, despite her education. I hope they are able to help her.

Laurie

 

[Puffy2]

Has anyone suggested the use of steroids?

So sorry to hear your sister is so ill.

 

[Disney Doll]

She should be on Vancomycin and steroids. It's good for her to be ventilated right now, as that is conserving her energy to fight the infection. The effort it would take her to breathe is enormous.

They are removing "pockets" of it from her lungs??? I've never heard of that. Does she also have a fungal infection in the lungs???

 

[Tiggeroo]

my husband had a mrsa in his knee last year. It was very bad. They will culture and try to find exactly what the strain is to get the antibiotic right. That takes some time. My dh was delirious, high fever, chest pains, etc until they found the right antibiotic.
Make sure your sil is being referred to somebody in infectious disease. My dh didn't turn the corner until he was treated by one.
They are frequently aquired in a hospital setting.

 

[DawnCt1]

She should be on Vancomycin and steroids. It's good for her to be ventilated right now, as that is conserving her energy to fight the infection. The effort it would take her to breathe is enormous.

They are removing "pockets" of it from her lungs??? I've never heard of that. Does she also have a fungal infection in the lungs???

Maybe they are removing empyemas? Just guessing.

 

[DawnCt1]

She is in our prayers. DH said that this can certainly be survivable. Best of luck to her and your entire family.

 

[DawnCt1]

She is in our prayers. DH said that this can certainly be survivable. Best of luck to her and your entire family.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

An update:

The did surgery yesterday and removed the three additional places in her lungs. It sounded like it was encapsulated or something from the way my mom described it.

Her fever was lower this morning and they were hoping she was beginning to respond to the Vanomycin. I'm waiting to hear an update tonight. She's still in the surgical ICU and they expect her to be there a minimum of two more days.

She's been in the hospital since the week before Christmas.

 

[kilee]

My husband has MRSA of the bloodstream a few years ago. It was very, very scary as it was touch and go for awhile. We live in a very rural town and we had no infectious disease doctors or anything at our hospitals. I found out on the web and brought it to the doctors attention that since he had a metal rod in his leg--- he needed to be on the Vancomyocin for 6 weeks. They were going to release him after 10 days. It appears the MRSA infection can "attach" to metals in the body and it requires a much longer treatment.

MRSA can be very scary. I will keep your SIL in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[DisnyMama]

I am praying for your sister!! Lots of

 

[luvwinnie]

How is she doing? I hope better.

 

[Hillbeans]

Hugs to you and your SIL. May she recover quickly, especially for those little ones at home.

 

[Tiggeroo]

hope she's doing well. When dh had mrsa he was in the hospital for 10 days. They sent him home with an iv line. He had to be on home iv therapy for another 2 weeks and then antibiotics for a month. It was very scary. I was very upset because I believe he caught the infection in the hospital where he was seen for a bout of bursitous in his knee.