Is there a Doctor in the house?

[The Fresh Prince]

Are there any Teakdoor members here who are qualified doctors and are up to date with recent health issues?

I've just received news that my dad has contracted the MRSA virus whilst in hospital and my searches on google about this virus are pretty scary. His situation is that he has been disabled for nearly 20 years and part of his condition is that is skin doesn't really heal after a cut so that makes this virus even more risky.

I want to be on the next plane to see him but my mum is giving me the don't panic scenario (as mums do) and saying that me showing up after all these years would scare the shit out of him. She's worried it might make him think he's on his way out and I'm there to say goodbye.

If anyone here is a doctor with experience with this virus would you mind pm'ing me your telephone number so that I could give you a call to talk about this virus and get some advise?

Thankyou.

(Mods-I put this in the lounge for higher traffic numbers)

[nidhogg]

^ I will leave it alone as I am not a medical doctor. I will however tell you that MRSA is a bacterial infection, not a virus.

Hope it works out for your dad.

[somtamslap]

and my searches on google about this virus are pretty scary.

Best wishes to your dad, FP. Google searches, although the only thing one can fall back on at times, are often full of doom and gloom, so keep your spirits up.

[Loy Toy]

My thoughts are with you and your old man mate.

Best leave it to the experts who are taking care of him and listen to your mum.

The last thing your Dad would want is for you panicking over this.

[The Fresh Prince]

I will however tell you that MRSA is a bacterial infection, not a virus.

Yes your right. I'd never heard of this until a few hours ago.

are often full of doom and gloom, so keep your spirits up.

Yeah, that why I'd like to speak to someone. The only English speaking doctor I know checked out of his hotel before I called reception so I thought I'd reach out to the TD community.

[The Fresh Prince]

Thanks for the good wishes guys. He's a true fighter, Royal Marine Green Beret. I'm very proud of him.

[misskit]

Please don't panic.

Both my parents, in their 70's and 80's, have had MRSA infections and were both hospitalized for it. It was hard to get rid of and kept coming back. They were not sick from the infection, they just had lesions that wouldn't go away without aggressive treatment. They haven't had it come back for a couple of years now and are doing well otherwise.

It's hard not to be concerned, but trust Mom.

Get well soon, FP's Dad.

[nidhogg]

I will however tell you that MRSA is a bacterial infection, not a virus.

Yes your right. I'd never heard of this until a few hours ago.

Yeah, that why I'd like to speak to someone. The only English speaking doctor I know checked out of his hotel before I called reception so I thought I'd reach out to the TD community.

I do not want to tread where you have made it clear what you want, I will however say that MRSA is NOT untreatable. The MRSA most people get is still responsive to Vancomycin and often to other antibiotics as well.

In the US, around a million people a year get MRSA. It is true some people die of it, but the CDC in US puts the mortality rate at 4-10%.

[The Fresh Prince]

Thanks Misskit, that eases my mind.

they just had lesions that wouldn't go away without aggressive treatment.

He's had the same cuts on his legs for the last 20 years that need to be dressed everyday so this should be nothing new to him.

Mum says his spirits are up but he's just pissed off being in an isolated unit.

Thankyou

[Stinky]

Sorry to hear about your dad Princey, mrsa isn't a good thing to have but as infections go it's not the worst so try not to worry yourself too much because people get over this one all the time.
Best wishes to him for and I hope he get over this soon.

[jandajoy]

This might be of interest FP;


http://www.mrsasupport.co.uk/

[The Fresh Prince]

I do not want to tread where you have made it clear what you want, I will however say that MRSA is NOT untreatable. The MRSA most people get is still responsive to Vancomycin and often to other antibiotics as well. In the US, around a million people a year get MRSA. It is true some people die of it, but the CDC in US puts the mortality rate at 4-10%.

They have put him on a course of drugs that I've instructed my mum to find out exactly what they are. The doctors have said that he has a 35% chance of mortality.

[Marmite the Dog]

I've only got bad stuff to say about it, so I'll just add that seeing as he's in the UK, he's in a good place to get treatment.

Udon Thani General or Sri Lanka aren't so good.

[nedwalk]

My only input would be..how long has it been since you went back and seen your old man?, if you have an opportunity to go see him..do it,
its a regret i live with for nearly 20 years now...

best wishes to your old man mate

[natalie8]

Along with the medications, I can give him some tips. He should avoid all forms of sugar, as sugar feeds bacteria. He should alos drink loads of fluids - water, teas, anything non-sweetened.

Also, if your mom or siblings can get Manuka honey there, it contains natural antibiotics and you apply it topically. I would confirm this with the nurses or doctors (or even the health food shop) regarding how much to use, how often to apply it etc.

Manuka Honey Benefits

This link mentions its effects on staphylococcus and MRSA.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[jizzybloke]

There are different strains of MRSA my Nan contracted it in hospital a couple of years ago and she was pretty frail at the time, she was fine after a few weeks!

I'm no doctor and I don't know much about it, best of luck to your Dad FP!

[larvidchr]

^ Yes ditto the "best of luck to your Dad FP"

[drawp]

MRSA is some scary stuff, it definitely can cause quite a bit of damage. I always protect myself with some soap called defense soap, Defense Soap | Official Soap of USA Judo In addition to the soap, they have a nice salve as well. I'd recommend this in addition to the doctor's treatment. Hopefully in his case it's not a antibiotic resistant strain.

It's definitely something that needs to get treated asap, unfortunately in your fathers case a place that was supposedly sanitary seems to be the cause. I wish him the best of luck.

Btw, when you say his skin doesn't really heal after a cut, is he a diabetic? There's definitely a higher rate of MRSA/Staph amongst them, especially when an ulcer forms on the feet.

[The Fresh Prince]

how long has it been since you went back and seen your old man?, if you have an opportunity to go see him..do it, its a regret i live with for nearly 20 years now...

It's been 5 years, and those are my thoughts.

There are different strains of MRSA

Yeah, they said it will take 7 days before they know which one it is.

Btw, when you say his skin doesn't really heal after a cut, is he a diabetic? There's definitely a higher rate of MRSA/Staph amongst them, especially when an ulcer forms on the feet.

No he's not diabetic but he has got ulcers on his legs.

Due to working and partying too hard combined with high blood pressure about 20 years ago, he had 5 heart attacks, 2 strokes and a brain hemorrhage all in one night. He was in a coma for 3 months but came round and by all accounts was pretty lucky to be alive. The skin not healing is something connected with all that.

[somtamslap]

Due to working and partying too hard combined with high blood pressure about 20 years ago, he had 5 heart attacks, 2 strokes and a brain hemorrhage all in one night

Blimey, the man is nails. If you can survive that, you'll survive anything.

[spikebs4]

f/p...sorry to hear your news of your dad..if you aint seen your dad for 5yrs, make the trip im sure it would give him a lift and help him recover, also make you feel better too..you dont know how much you miss people until there no-longer here then its to late .. hope it all works out well for him and your family..

[billy the kid]

oh yea you gotta make that trip Prince.

before i went to china i wondered if i should
go and visit my dad.
probably one of the best times we had together.
3 months into my china trip my dad checked out.
and i am left with good memories.
you only have one dad.

[kingwilly]

Along with the medications, I can give him some tips. He should avoid all forms of sugar, as sugar feeds bacteria. He should alos drink loads of fluids - water, teas, anything non-sweetened.

Also, if your mom or siblings can get Manuka honey there, it contains natural antibiotics and you apply it topically. I would confirm this with the nurses or doctors (or even the health food shop) regarding how much to use, how often to apply it etc.

Or better yet, avoid naturopathic remedies and listen to the Docs who actually know that they are talking about.

But do the trip, it's time you saw him again anyway.

[spikebs4]

what NAT8 says concerning honey is correct/natural antibiotics/. but most uk health/hospitals are against useing these forms of treatment/as nature intented/big drug companys cant make money from there use, but nothing to stop you useing when he,s home ....he sounds a strong man,good luck...

[natalie8]

Kingwilly, did you not read my post? Is there a reason you need to jump on me? Are your friends on the troll froum giggling with you?

I never suggested to ignore what the doctors are saying. The body is designed to heal itself. The manuka honey will not do any harm. Read first before you attack me.

what NAT8 says concerning honey is correct/natural antibiotics/. but most uk health/hospitals are against useing these forms of treatment/as nature intented/big drug companys cant make money from there use, but nothing to stop you useing when he,s home ....he sounds a strong man,good luck...