toe problem/infection

[Guest guest]

Hi Joan, yes, last year I had scraped my leg/foot on coral on vacation

and shortly after I was home, found myself with red streaks on my right

leg, and then quickly to the hospital for 2 weeks of IV antibiotics,

followed by oral antibiotics at home. They had a hard time finding the

right antibiotics to work; they also thought it was a type of staph

infection, instead it was a streph infection. Regular doctors were

treating what they thought was staph, until the Infectious Disease Dr.

was called in, listened to where I'd been, and the snorkeling/coral

thing, and he found the right antibiotics for me. I think it was

Rocephin, but not sure. I thought it odd at the time no blood work was

done. Other Drs. wanted to do surgery and I refused. They wanted to

drain it. Only thing - once they pulled off skin - YES OUCH - no

anesthetic! - they could see there was nothing to drain. Doctor was

concerned it might spread to toe bone - this was my right big toe. Once

they figured out the type of infection, and I was getting antibiotics,

infection did get better. But I still had to keep entire foot wrapped

and bandaged, and soaked several times a day. Toe/foot infections are

nothing to fool around with, since the infections can go into the bone.

Once prior, ten years ago, following a car accident and a trip to ER, I

picked up a staph infection in a crack in my right foot. (My feet tend

to crack and dry out, hence lotion, wraps, my uggs, no barefoot outside.

At that time the Dr. had me come to his office everyday for a antibiotic

shot - my option was the hosp. He felt I would be OK at home, more

comfortable, and just come to him. Since this was my right foot and it

was wrapped, the only shoe I could wear were my snow boots - without the

heavy wool lining.

Joan, I would suggest you ask your Drs. what TYPE of infection it is.

Different antibiotics work on different infections. Also wondering if

you do need IV antibiotics, maybe you could stay home and have a

Visiting Nurse come to change the IV? The IV I had was REAL slow, for a

reason, but I can't remember.

Please let me know what you decide. I hope you won't have to go to the

hospital.

~ Gretchen

> Anyone out there have this experience or any ideas? I remember you were in

> the hospital for some time Gretchen. Did you have to do the IV thing?

>

> Joan