For the second time in 6 weeks, my husband has been to the VA for a painful outbreak on his stomach. Both times they have diagnosed him with a staph infection & cellultis, without taking any samples from the sores or blood. He started taking Bactrim on Sunday, and the worst of the sores is still getting worse, and now tonight he has a fever of 101.3.
My fear is, he gets his medical treatment at the VA, and although we are very thankful for the free medical treatment he has earned, I worry that they are not as thorough as they should be.
I know it's not a fibro question, but it's stressing ME out and making my symptoms out of control. Plus, you guys are the smartest people I know! .... has anyone delt with staph before? Have you taken Bactrim?
It sounds more like shingles. But I'm not a doc, though I have had shingles. He needs a second opinion, I don't know how they can diagnose without running cultures? I wish you luck, try not to worry. (impossible I know) :)
Here's an update. After doing some research on Bactrim, it has a moderate drug interaction with Lisinopril, a blood pressure med, that the VA also prescribed for Jerry. He hasn't urinated in 18 hours, and a list of other "side effects" developed overnight.
I am terrified!
We are going to the local medical center this morning, instead of the VA, I would appreciate some prayers!
They are keeping him overnight. He has VERY high levels of potassium in his blood, which is effecting his kidneys and his heart. He's already admitted, with all kinds of drips.... the doc says it was a good thing we came in, not only because of the kidneys, but the staph is raging out of control. He's in the right place!
So, now I'm waiting for the kids, and we'll head back over to the hospital. Thank you all for your prayers & support, I am so blessed to have great friends on here!
So it’s something he has had before? I would take the Bactrim and schedule a second opinion. Staph infections are contagious so he should handle it with care. Bactrim isn’t a bad antibiotic for me. Everyone is different but hopefully it will get rid of it.
Google “impetigo” and you see pics of various staph infections.
If its shingles, he needs to start an antiviral ASAP or he can get post herpetic neuralgia. I have had shingles 4 times so if you have questions I’m available.