Infections in lower leg...

[skeebo1969]

   Hi all, I hope everyone is well.

   As the title suggests, I have been having issues with infections in my lower leg, shin area.  I do suffer the effects from Neuropathy, and was wondering if this could be stemming from that.   My last infection, the third, was from a pretty minor scrape at work.  It got so bad, it felt like my bone was fractured.  They put me on pretty heavy antibiotics, and of course that wreaks havoc on my stomach.

  It did clear up from that injury, but it looks like another area is swelling now from another minor injury at work.  I even get night sweats from it. 

  I guess I'm wondering if anyone could relate, and is this something I should expect because of neuropathy?   

[Jim Allen]

Sorry to hear that.

To answer the question, No or at least not in my experience.
Did the doc say anything?

Hope you feel better soon.

Jim

 

[Tonny2]

        OJO       HELLO THERE...I'M SORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH, I HOPE YOUR DOCTOR CAN GIVE YOU AN ANSWER. I SUPPOSE YOUR NUMBERS ARE GOOD, ARE'MT THEY?...IN MY 20 YEARS LIVING WITH NEUROPATHY, I HAVEN'T HAD ANY THING LIKE YOU MENTIONED. I HAVE DROP BIG TOES, AND DROP FOOT (LEFTONE)...WHEN MY NUMBERS WHERE SO LOW, I HAD VASCULITIS, SO PAINFUL, BUT I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE THIS. I HOPE NO...OK, I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU, HOPING YOU SOLVE THE PROBLEM...CYBER HUG FELLOW LTS                          OJO

[Wade]

Hey Skeebo,

I'm no doctor but it sounds like staph to me.  I lived in the Keys for over 30 years and it can be rampant in South Florida. If it were me I would have a culture done ASAP.

Hugs,

Wade

[J.R.E.]

Hi Thomas,..

I am with Wade on this,..  Sounds like it could be some sort of staff infection, and as a result the heavy duty antibiotics were prescribed.

Having neuropathy in my feet and legs, I can also say that,  I've never experienced anything like that.

Has the doctor ruled out phlebitis ? Stay on top of it though, and I hope things heal up quickly for you.

Ray

[skeebo1969]

Hey Skeebo,

I'm no doctor but it sounds like staph to me.  I lived in the Keys for over 30 years and it can be rampant in South Florida. If it were me I would have a culture done ASAP.

Hugs,

Wade

Thanks everyone for the replies.

My first episode was a staph infection, negative for mrsa.  I learned my love for wade fishing was not a good idea when I had an open sore on my leg.  After a two month battle it finally cleared up, but in these other two instances I've stayed out of the water.

Ironically, someone asked me today what was going on with my legs.  Another coworker laughed loudly and said, "that's where he shoots up".  It was harmless prodding, but man.... it kind of bothered me.  It confirms what I thought, my legs look jacked up right now.

 I could swear I read years ago that people with neuropathy had more instances of infection in the lower legs.  I guess that's why I asked.

Hey, at least it's Friday, right?   The heats been brutal at work and I am about to tussle with a beautiful IPA, so life is good.

[skeebo1969]

Hi Thomas,..

I am with Wade on this,..  Sounds like it could be some sort of staff infection, and as a result the heavy duty antibiotics were prescribed.

Having neuropathy in my feet and legs, I can also say that,  I've never experienced anything like that.

Has the doctor ruled out phlebitis ? Stay on top of it though, and I hope things heal up quickly for you.

Ray

Thanks Ray, how have you been doing?   I've really taken to the Clearwater/Tampa area since moving here.  I've been doing a lot of fishing out at Tierra Verde, such a beautiful area.

I hope all is well.

Thomas

[J.R.E.]

Thanks Ray, how have you been doing?   I've really taken to the Clearwater/Tampa area since moving here.  I've been doing a lot of fishing out at Tierra Verde, such a beautiful area.

I hope all is well.

Thomas

Thanks for asking !!.  I've been doing fairly well.  I have this leaky Mitral valve problem, that's requiring me to be under surveillance, every 6 months.

If and when surgery may be required, it will be done at James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital in Tampa.  They don't do that surgery here at the VA in Pinellas county.

For the most part I am doing ok, but occasionally will get a little light headed.  No swelling at all in the legs or other extremities,  so that's a good thing. Developed a dry intermittent  cough,  because the defective valve.

Just visited with the cardiologist, this past Thursday, and next appointment will be November 28 th.

Otherwise for someone who will be 66 in 6 months, and a LTS for 32 years.  Been swimming everyday and keeping as active as I can possibly be,    but I find myself pacing it a little better.

Take care of that infection !

Tierra Verde is beautiful ! Its been a few years since I've been down that way.  I'm sure it's built up even more.  Enjoy the fishing !

Ray 

[OneTampa]

Skeebo,

Sorry to read about your leg infection. I agree with the other Board Members and suggest that you see the Doctor to get it taken care of.

Wishing you the best.

Take care,

OT

[skeebo1969]

   I went to my routine doctor visit today.  She said the infection had cleared but she thinks another problem area on my ankle is psoriasis.  She prescribed a steroid/anti-something cream for me to put on it twice daily.

  She also pointed out  that for the seventh lab in a row my numbers have dipped.  We went over previous labs, and since November 2014 I have had a repeated decline.  That lab saw my numbers at an all time high of 1,100+.  After that my numbers have just gradually dropped.  If I can remember correctly it was something like 950,875, 700, 630, 590, 500, and today 425.  My viral load has been undetectable the whole way through.

  I was very sick during the last lab draw so hopefully my next one will show improvement.

[Ptrk3]

Your CD4's are still in a healthy range.  Perhaps your "normal" is in the 500 range.  As you point out, you were not well at last blood draw, so that could explain what is not a huge dip (since CD4's can swing triple digits in a day).

It's great that you have remained "undetectable" for years:  that is the more important thing, since your CD4's are fine, really.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery/mitigation of your psoriasis.

[Tonny2]

          ojo         Hello again...I'm glad your infection has cleared...hopefully your cd4 will increase again...hugs                                                                             ojo