I realize I'm not to start new threads, but my recovery thread (title above minus redux) says I have insufficient something or other to post, and the thread has been closed. Please feel free to move this. I have serious concerns I'd like to discuss.
My recovery from my 6-24-14 surgery has been fantastic. No issues, back to walking 4-5 miles/day and back to the gym. It's fabulous! Then: I developed a squamous CC on the tip of my nose. The dermatologist, rather than Mohs, decided to do a 28 day course of Aldara, a cream to stimulate my immune system to fight the SCC. He knew of my hip replacement but felt I'd be OK doing this with no antibiotic. At day 19 of a 28 day regimen (March 24), my nose appeared drastically worse overnight and I was seen by the PA who did not feel there was an infection but because of MRSA "in the community" put me on doxycycline and Mupirocin ointment 2x/day. Two days later with no improvement I saw the MD who also felt there was no infection, but cultured the area to be safe. Culture came back this morning, not MRSA, but Pseudomonas, which is not affected by doxycycline, but will respond to Cipro. I began a 10 day course of Cipro this morning. Meantime, by Sunday the 29th, I was seeing some noticeable improvement in the appearance of my nose despite being on the wrong drug. It was far less red and had scabbed over. Indications of infection had included markedly increased redness, and oozing of a clear liquid on the area being treated. It was never sore, nor did there seem to be pus in the normal sense of the word, just weeping a clear liquid which would be present after washing, but stop after that.
There was infection though, and being on the wrong antibiotic, it was essentially untreated for a full week. Now I'm in an absolute panic about my hip and the possibility of infection traveling there. No fever or other indications at this point, but a week of untreated infection has me so very worried. What is the likelihood of this infection traveling in that period to the hip?
We have been in FL and away from my San Antonio doctor since Nov and don't return until May. I called their office this morning and was told to take the course of antibiotics and call back if fever developed. Nurse said he didn't seem overly concerned. I have no orthropod here, but have made an appointment with one for Thursday to discuss what has happened, and simply because I need to have someone here as we are here 6 mos every year. Discontinued doxycycline but still using the Muciprin ointment as well as the new Cipro RX.
I know no one can say with any certainty if I have dodged a bullet or vice versa, but this has me so freaked out, I really would like to discuss how common late infections are from something like this. Essentially I was untreated for a week. I have been SO careful otherwise, dosing prior to the dentist, if even a suspicion of bronchitis (just prior to our SA departure), dosing before the biopsy to diagnose the SCC...and now this, even though I'd gotten myself in to be seen. I'm really sick about it and any enlightenment regarding infections would really be appreciated!! Is there anything else I need to do, or be on the lookout for?
Edited to say, the Aldara was stopped permanently at my 3-24 visit. The reaction I'd had was sufficient to eliminate the superficial SCC that had been there.
United States
. Hope you get back to your beach before long! You WILL be doing your Paris walk too!
