MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!!

May 17, 07 8:07

Post #1 of 18 (1748 views)

Just a quick post to whine a bit and look for some suggestions.

I have Eagleman coming up on June 10th. While MOO is my "A" race, I would put Eman as my B+/A- race. In other words, I wanted to go well there and cut significant time from my PR, but my season is focused on MOO.

In any event, this week was to have been the second week of one of my three week training blocks. I was scheduled to have a recovery week the week of Memorial Day and then another "big" (for me, 14 hours) week, the week preceding Eagleman. I wasn't going to really taper into the race more like adjusting my training for the week so that I get the full hours in just in a different order.

All this is leading up to the following: After my long ride this past Saturday, I felt absolutely shelled. I didn't go too hard or anything, but felt totally drained. Went to the ER on Sunday and it turns out I have Staph MRSA. UGH!!!! Immediately onto anitbiotics and rest. Since Saturday, I have done no training and just tried to rest to beat this thing. I am not even thinking of donig annything until Sunday or Monday. I was literally bed ridden on Monday and Tuesday and only feel slightly better today. So here's my question: I just lost a week of training three weeks from a big race. I want to get back on the horse as soon as possible, but don't want to risk doing that too soon and not killing the bug. My current thought is to simply pick up my plan as it's laid out and let the cards fall where they may. Memorial Day weekend will give me the opportunity to pick up some extra bike miles, but I won't be able to make up an entire week. I don't really see an alternative since if I try to double up, I'll just over stress/train and then be flat at the race.

Does anyone who's faster/smarter than me (most of you) have any thoughts on how I should structure my next three weeks?

Thanks.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:13

Post #2 of 18 (1734 views)

What do you mean you "have" MRSA? Nasal swab culture positive? sputum? from a cut? Also, are you on Zyvox? There aren't many oral pills that cover MRSA (most are IV like Vancomycin or the new Tygacil). Did you see an infectious disease specialist or just via the ED?

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [rroof] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:19

Post #3 of 18 (1713 views)

Nasal Swab and blood culture. Swab was positive but the culture showed it hadn't migrated so I guess I'm lucky Yes, I have been seen by an infectious disease specialist. I'm on Minocin (100 mg) and the doc tells me that whatever I have is sensitive to that antibiotic so this should clear up in the next two weeks. He was contemplating dosing me via PIC line, but when the tests came back, he felt the oral meds would do the trick.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:35

Post #4 of 18 (1678 views)

Hmmm ... lots of us will have positive nasal swab cultures - does mean we have an active "infection"

Good news is that minocycline is pretty well tolerated save for some possible diarrhea. Not sure why he is even "treating" though. Are you in the healthcare industry? Most of us are "colonized" (I am with positive swabs as well). Starting to see more MRSA out in the public for no reason though, especially the newer H99 strain.

Good luck!

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:37

Post #5 of 18 (1663 views)

No offense - but your story sounds weird. You went to an ER for feeling shelled and they figured out that you had MRSA by swabbing your nose? There must be more to the story....Did you have fevers? Other sx?

Who swabbed your nose - ER or ID?

Any other MRSA infections - boils...? Family members with MRSA?

A lot of people carry MRSA and you can find it by swabbing their noses - but shouldn't cause any sx if you are just a carrier....

You have an I.D. doctor so should be in good hands (hopefully) but something doesn't add up.

Eradicating nasal carriage of MRSA is controversial and there is no well-accepted protocol to do it. I believe there is a cdc article on such with no clear recommendations. A course of oral meds often will not eradicate the carrier state......

Dave

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [daveinmammoth] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:47

Post #6 of 18 (1634 views)

I didn't mean to start a thread about the veracity of the diagnosis. All I really wanted was some suggestions about how to deal with teh time off.

That said, my wife had staph several weeks ago and I have had five boils/abcesses over the last six weeks. Nasty, nasty boils. This wasn't a "i'll swab your nose because I'm winging it". This was a "hey, my wife and daughter have contracted this recently so here's the what's going on and here's the history, what do you think?" I know that most people carry the diseases in their noses with no consequences, but apparently mine decided to come out and play. I forgot to mention the reason I went to the ER originally wasn't due to being shelled, it was feeling like crap and also having an abcess start in my nostril. If you saw me today, I look like a cross between Carl Malden and Rudolph.

In any event, whether it's MRSA, crabs, or whatever, I'll leave that to those of you in the healthcare profession to debate. I was only hoping you guys could give some thoughts about the training hiccup.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [rroof] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:49

Post #7 of 18 (1617 views)

Yeah, four days on it now and no side effects of any kind. As I said to Dave in Mammoth, it's being treated becuase it's "blossomed", not just a positve swab result. The boils really suck so I will take whatever they give me if it makes them go away.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:56

Post #8 of 18 (1608 views)

Forget about training! Your body needs rest to fight this infection. Please take the time out to recover, I would recommend returning to training only after feeling 100% for 4 straight days. Then nothing longer than 1 hour for your first week back. I've tried returning quickly after serious infectious only to find myself even sicker. Confirmed MRSA Staph is serious but with proper antibotics and rest you can recover and still have a wonderful fall season.

Good luck and I hope you get better,

Dave in VA

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [DC Pattie] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:58

Post #9 of 18 (1599 views)

Unfortunately, I agree with you so it will be what it will be.

Thanks.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 8:59

Post #10 of 18 (1595 views)

Your seat's too high.

Heal well.

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 9:24

Post #11 of 18 (1564 views)

I've been out for over six weeks had 3 staph infections (MRSA) the flu twice and a sinus infection. rest, and stay on the antibiotics. i stopped training for the first (under my jaw, between my jawbones) about the size of a golfball. the second came soon after, it was spread to an ingrown hair under my earlobe. i was given keflex, but after two days it was getting worse, so down go the pants, and the most painful shot i've ever gotten goes in the butt. after i was off antibiotics i got sick fast, decided to race napa. in the morning when i woke up for the race i had another abscess on my arm. right where i rest my forearm on my pads. I've been out for the most part since then. my training log looks rediculous. lost of blank squares. but yesterday i went for my last lab results, my blood counts were all normal (no leukemia) i'm not diabetic, have a high count of some enzyme in my kidneys, but my immune system should be up and running soon, so the dr says.

don't race. rest, watch out for sweat, open wounds, etc. the abscess' suck. i stopped shaving for 5 weeks, i looked like a hairy beast, but it was better than another abscess on my face. if you get one, dont play with it, keep it covered. wash your sheets and clothes, an oncologist friend said to use bleach.

watch out for the private parts. not a place you want the infection to go!!!!

btw, as of yesterday i get to train again.

here's a pic of the first abscess:

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Last edited by: snaps10: May 17, 07 9:45

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 9:45

Post #12 of 18 (1526 views)

what did your coach say? isn't that one of the reasons you pay him or did you just buy a plan from him?

as you know, i don't know shite about this, but i know you and you will be freaking bc you're not working out. what you are looking for is ST wisdom to tell you what you already know...wait until the infection is GONE AND you feel better for a few days. REST and get it out of your system. if you don't you jeopardize more than E-man. And I don't think you have any smackdowns out there for E-man, so chill, bro!

what you left out was that this isn't the first time you've had this in 2007, right? :)

I gotta see your legs with hair on them though...it's been what...16 years?

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [KLO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 9:53

Post #13 of 18 (1507 views)

No smackdowns, but can't let CQ race alone. What will I do all weekend, hang with you?/ :)

No chance I'm letting the legs go. I want to get better, but there's a limit . . .

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 12:40

Post #14 of 18 (1447 views)

Sorry to hear about that - I agree with DC Pattie - 100% rest untill off antibiotics and you feel at least 90%+ - then very easy (like 20 min slow jog) for a couple days - IF you feel great - slowly increase. If you feel tired - more time off. Get healthy 1st.

Did they screen/treat your family too?

Dave

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [daveinmammoth] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 12:43

Post #15 of 18 (1439 views)

Yes, they were put on antibiotics and the follow up tests cam back negative.

Thanks for asking.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 17, 07 17:21

Post #16 of 18 (1377 views)

You should rest until finished with your course of antibiotics. If you want additional information about staph and MRSA you should look at CDC's website http://www.cdc.gov/...dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html and information on treatment of community MRSA infections can be found here: http://www.cdc.gov/...sa_ca_04meeting.html.

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [GIO] [ In reply to ]

May 18, 07 5:52

Post #17 of 18 (1304 views)

My two cents...
1. If you're serious about eradicating MRSA carriage, think about nasal bactroban ointment (you put some ointment on a q-tip and then smear it around the inside of your nostrils to eliminate nasal colonization), taking a diluted bleach or Hibaclens bath/shower, and washing all your household linens.

2. I would train at a notch or two lower than you otherwise would, until you feel normal. If you feel terrible, turn it down another notch, or two, or whatever seems reasonable. The antibiotics might make you feel run down, but MRSA colonization and/or superficial skin abscess(es) should not slow you down. That being said, minocycline can lead to sun sensitivity so I would try to stay indoors/long-sleeved+hat/full sun screened as much as possible while on it.

Re: MRSA, MRSA, ME!!!! [dkv] [ In reply to ]

May 18, 07 6:58

Post #18 of 18 (1259 views)

Already got the Bactroban going, althought the ID doc said to wait until the boil goes down since, as you say, it's to eliminate teh bacteria, not reduce thw swelling or eliminate the puss.

Will likely wait until Tuesday when the antibiotics are done and then get back into it as I feel it. The drugs definitely make me feel sluggish.

I proudly DO NOT post my workouts on Facebook!!!

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