THR Joydancer's Blitzen New Hip !!!

[RestAssured]

Hello! I have been taking a break so I am sorry I missed your post! Have they figured out what type of infection you have yet?


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[Joydancer]

Hi @RestAssured, thanks for getting in touch .

Hello! I have been taking a break so I am sorry I missed your post! Have they figured out what type of infection you have yet? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How blessed I feel to have someone to learn & share with who had a path of infection and a "beacon of light"
when I searched for "infections thr" on BS and came to your 2 year journey. I don't know where this could go or will go for what has been done in 3 days, but I know from reading about your journey and other medical cases & journals, I have much to learn in order to be a survivor of this new challenge, which I never would have dreamed that I would be part of the 1-2% to have an infection (statistics are not firm on that %).

#1
No, I do not know the type of infection. I have been home for 2 days now since last iv-anti-biotics & a bizzarre visit from OS an hour after my #4 of 4 series of iv-antibiotics of vancomyocin (will define that later) it was quite destructive is all I will say for now.

Re: CT scan (done without contrast) showed in ER yes there was "obsessive flluids by muscle on the outer sub-dermal area" (even though my swelling had gone down quite well Day 13-14 when my staples were taken out by OS's office.).

Re: Hospital treatment
Dr. on staff Internal Med consulted with ortho dr. on call on Sunday eve when I was admitted as well as his group Dr. and "they agreed" best plan of treatment in hospital 4-19 to 4-22-15 administer iv-anti-biotics in higher dosage
(highest dosage my body could take without damaging my kidneys).

The red blotched + intense warm-hot + swelling began to show half-way thru iv-anti-biotics, my blood levels were taken between each 12 hr. iv treatment. By the 4th and final iv treatment planned was complete, it had improved significantly for the largest red blotched area (4-5" X 6-7"), no longer significant warmth-heat + swelling had gone down as well. One area at the bottom of my incision was still appearing red (2" circle). I was discharged with Internal Med Dr. rx to take Bactrim anti-biotic for 7 days (2x day) and to follow up with my Primary Dr. (who does not go to hospitals for patients) but the group Internal Med Dr. who was assigned to me was assigned and pre-arranged.

Follow-Up
So, Mon., 4-27-15 appt. with my Primary Dr. protocol to follow-up hospitalization & treatment will happen. Hoping my medical reports will be fully complete & available to him to review with me.

My deep concerns: from what I initially understand from what the medical community is reporting/gathering about this outbreaks of THR infections - - the early outbreak of infection (within 30 days of surgery) requires quick diagnosis on type of bacteria, as well as the best anti-biotic treatment for that type of bacteria. In reading broken link removed: https://www.aaos os med journals on on thr hip arthroplasty surgical infections, the most common bacteria to first appear is the stapphyloccacos aureum (sp?) a/k/a MRSA

Re: type of anti-biotic - - from what I could see in researching med reports / journals on THR infections; vancomyocin is one of anti-biotics to administer to patient; as well as others if we knew for sure what kind of bacteria infection I have.

Realize I am in a place of needing to confirm much more for my recovery and where this could go...trusting Monday appt. and truly hoping my Primary Dr. is qualified to take the lead of where my OS has failed miserably to do.

 

[Joydancer]

Today, was reflecting & praying for where I am and leaning into the Lord was the best thing I could do today, after cummulative time (hours past 48 hours) since I have been discharged from the hospital, of trying to get educated and gather pertinent info & all I could learn.... "most informed & educated patient; makes it more possible for me to have successful recovery" & "I will not be victim...but a warrior advocate regarding this infection & how it has begun and continue to manifest in my hip & body".

re: THR infections, "early on-set within 30 days from surgery" category and the prognosis, diagnosis and treatments being reported by medical journals & ortho journals aaos.com.

Substantial information of updated treatments, anti-biotics more current for the break-out of infections in past 6 years which is believed to change the reported statistics of 1-2% of THR patients having infection and reading about protocol of what hospitals must adhere to, surgeons who do large volume THR's, good reporting of infections to the Infectious Disease Center, to change the multiplicity of cases at particular cases.

It sure helped to see @RestAssured's post and her 2 year journey with TKR infection and her making contact with me, I am truly grateful to have someone on BS (and possibly others), but the timeliness that her 2 yr. journey and successful recovery is unfolding in her journey and regaining her life... as I am just beginning my journey and knowing whatever she can offer to me is truly a blessing .

My hip, is free of pain, just some itching on my incision area (to be expected 2 wks since staples removed); physically I am going into another cold, but have the trio, anti-biotic, fluconase & inhaler, arsenal that I had Day 7 after coming out of hospital post-op with bronchial infection. I am running a low-grade temp & sweating some in my activity and errands today.

Baby steps....(not easy for my nature) to know this infection is most likely "fixed" for it being a THR infection in diagnosis & timing of who is going to step-in as primary internal med Dr. with specialty needed "infectious disease". Mon. 4-27-15 is a marker day as I meet with my Primary Care Dr. as a follow-up from my hospitalization & treatments.

Sunbunny, are you seeing some improvement, dear Friend... in all my processing & focus, I continue to think of my April Rainbow buddies, to know what is happening for them and try to do catch-up between my hours of "THR infections" & what I need to know & do to be very best informed & advocate for my recovery.

((((hugs))) Sunbunny, hoping you had a good day, (responding here before any catch-up or posts you may have made about your last 2 days).

 

[Joydancer]

It's getting a late hour for what I am feeling, I get bouts with low-grade temp and sweating. Middle of day being out vs. staying home, hip is doing amazingly well, needing no support, walking just as well as ever (walked the halls in hospital very well, just tired from anti-biotics being assimilated, headaches & nausea periods.... such an irony knowing my immune system certainly is being highly compromised with this infection.

While on oral anti-biotic I am moving into yet another cold (since fighting the bronchial infection I contracted in the hospital Day 2 - 5 post-op recovery.) Have low-grade fever off & on. I have up and downs on where this road may go, but today prayer/reflection yesterday & truly turning to a spiritual surrender is the very best step I can take, allow my God, my amazing Lord be present with me, be fully filled up, grace & spirit to be my #1 macro treatment, affirming Spirit will guide me and grace can sustain me every step for what I know for certain could be a scary (without faith/prayer) complex journey.

I am in a holding pattern, needing to do follow-up with Primary Dr. on Mon.4-27-15 (he does not go to hospitals as so many PD's don't in our community now) but a group physicians who is on staff he selected for his patients to be treated by when they need to be hospitalized.

Doing much research & hoping to have someone on board to have aspiration & appropriate scans, diagnostics done to have the type of bacterial infection determined & area bacteria has invaded....(Internal Med Dr with specialty of infectious disease a/k/a THR surgery infection).

More on that later....

So hoping you are continuing to do well, Janet, I wish I could be more fully in on your journey and doing more celebrating with you as your twin...(oops tears....nope don't go there J.) trusting you understand and know we are not fully detoured in doing so... just at a different pace for right now - - having to do catch-up with ya
& omg !!!


(((hugs))) for walking without your crutch - - awesome to hear - - whoooo-hooo woman !! (my spirit is soaring with you knowing how good that must feel and will continue to feel as you are stronger without it) and free of pain like you have known in your body for much too long - - but now unlimited with that new blazing hip!!!

 

[Great Aunt Janet]

Tears fully appropriate dear girl. A good howl makes us all feel better, and you are in need of some good stuff. I know you will tread the right path, you take so much care with your decisions.

Your walking sounds fantastic, and I am sure once you get the infection knocked on the head you will feel more in control again.


We are all rooting for you here in BS-land - and I say that in the non-Aussie meaning of the word rooting (just in case anyone misunderstood!). Not that there is anything wrong with that, just that isn't what I mean in this instance!!!!! xxxx

 

[younghippie]

@Joydancer I am so very sorry to hear about your infection. Do you have an appointment scheduled with your orthopedic surgeon? If you don't want to see him, have you looked for another surgeon to consult with regarding your infection? I would think it would be really important to get in quickly with a surgeon to start treatment with them. I'm sure someone will chime in soon who is more qualified to comment on that... as I haven't dealt with it. But, maybe you could start looking for a new surgeon (maybe someone who specializes in infections and/or complicated revisions.) I will pray that your infection clears and that you get the treatment that you need. My thoughts are with you.

 

[younghippie]

@Joydancer I replied to your posts on Sally's thread. Then I saw that you had your own recovery thread. I read through your last few posts. From following Sally's thread for so long and seeing others' experiences with infection, I really think you should probably see a surgeon soon. I will tag @Josephine and @Jamie Hopefully they can point you in the right direction. You're in my prayers. Hope you are feeling better today.

 

[Joydancer]

@younghippie
I will be seeing my Primary Care Dr. on Mon. and will be asking in what capacity he can support me with respiratory, fatigue, fever, sweating, nutrition, supplements, etc. as well as vital next step #1 referring me to an Internal Medicine Dr with the vital specialization of infectious diseases, who I need to consult & meet with asap to get on track with determining type of bacteria, how extensive it is, what diagnostics can be done, procedures required to insure stop the spreading of the bacteria throughout muscle, tissue and into hip joint, which may have already occurred.

(((hugs))) for your prayers & thoughtful concerns & giving me the very best = prayers & affirming this infection will be cleared from my hip and receiving treatments that I may need for eradicating the infection.

 

[Joydancer]

@younghippie

p.s. Your avatar was such a joy to be received as well....what a precious kit-kat...so resembles my
precious Chloe, oh that face....a persian kit-kat I was blessed to have in my life !!!

 

[copsham]

Hello @Joydancer
Just reading your thread. What a whammy -that infection. You are so right about reading up about everything and being well informed. I found many "professionals" did not like this though.

I had an infection 2-3 weeks after surgery. I was really worried, did lots of research. Found i was sensitive and reacting to the internal stitches (didn't at that point know i had internal stitches!). OS disagreed but couldn't help but agree two weeks later when I could show him photos of the ejected stitches! Swobs were taken but "lost" OS denied tasking them! The infection did clear up after 1-2 weeks with antibiotics so was much more superficial than yours.

A separate issue re your colds coming and going. I take Zinc lozenges the minute I feel a sore throat or a tickly nose. If i take it before cold sets in it definitely knocks it out. it works for me but may or may not for others.

I wish you well for your pathway ahead. It seems most important to find an OS you feel comfortable with, who you can work well with in the next stage of your recovery. Good luck
Karen x

 

[RestAssured]

Vancomycin is one of the "Big Boys" they use to treat infections. They tried Vanco on me; allergies hit win 5 minutes! I was switched to Zyvoxx which is more powerful, but less likely to be used due to the side effects. When I had my knee revision, Dr. Maale used Daptomycin the entire time I was in the hospital, and it did very well. When I went home he had me on 6 weeks of IV Daptomycin and then moved me to Daptomycin a oral antibotic. When you see you Primary Care doctor, get your results, ask about a revision specialist, and an infection specialist. If you could get to Plano TX Dr. Maale is world renowned in his technique for getting rid of infections! We are here for you! Keep in touch and good luck with your appointment!

 

[RestAssured]

I am happy that you found my posts useful! I have found myself forgetting to get on BoneSmart as I have started exercising,doing yoga, traveling, etc!

 

[sunbunny]

@Joydancer hope you are feeling better and the infection worry will get some answers. Hugs to you.

 

[wcgirl]

I am just reading your latest events and my prayers go out to you! I hope you find your answers on Monday.

 

[souldancer]

@Joydancer - I am so sorry to hear of your infection ! I will be for you. Hopefully you
will be able to get more definitive and positive answers Monday. YOU have been so supportive and caring
to us fellow rainbow hippies, please know that we are returning the same love and care that you have and
continue to show us!

 

[Jamie]

Joydancer, you are doing the right thing by getting to an infection specialist. Please let us know how that visit comes out. The meds you are on are excellent and you hopefully will see some improvement very soon to ease your mind.

 

[Josephine]

regarding this infection & how it has begun and continue to manifest in my hip & body

Honey, I wouldn't waste your time and precious energy trying to find out about that. Scientists have been trying to discover what makes this kick off for years and are no nearer getting any answers. There are lots of theories and old wive's tales but no real answers. You should read this Peri-prosthetic infection - also known as late onset infection

 

[wcgirl]

Thinking of you @Joydancer. How was your day? Hope you found some happy distractions.
I'm crazy hyper with the pre-op countdown-- looking for the calm!
I'm unwinding with Toy Story 3 -- nothing like a pixar movie.

 

[sunbunny]

@Joydancer i am sending all good thoughts, prayers, answers, and especially for the treatments. It is so sweet of you to think of others while you are fighting this battle. A big hug going out to you tonight.

 

[Joydancer]

Vancomycin is one of the "Big Boys" they use to treat infections. They tried Vanco on me; allergies hit win 5 minutes! I was switched to Zyvoxx which is more powerful, but less likely to be used due to the side effects. When I had my knee revision, Dr. Maale used Daptomycin the entire time I was in the hospital, and it did very well. When I went home he had me on 6 weeks of IV Daptomycin and then moved me to Daptomycin a oral antibotic. When you see you Primary Care doctor, get your results, ask about a revision specialist, and an infection specialist. If you could get to Plano TX Dr. Maale is world renowned in his technique for getting rid of infections! We are here for you! Keep in touch and good luck with your appointment!

Vancomycin is line of choice if it is MRSA infection as well. But since they didn't aspirate, could be MRSA + other bacterial organism.

Sending a PM to you.