[~Christina]

Hi everyone...

My husband hasn’t felt well for a couple weeks initially he had a lung infection and took the full course of antibiotics and didn’t help much , he has really gone down hill in the last couple days. Bug /ant bites are infected that he got last week . He was also bitten by a tick, not uncommon at all here. No bullseye rash but those don’t always show anyway.

Basic Blood work , Specific testing for Ticks, and blood and urine cultures are being done, takes 24 hours for culture results and Chest X-ray also done today

He was started on a very strong antibiotic that treats both MRSA/staph and strep.

He’s freezing cold and just literally shakes. He’s very unsteady in his feet. I won’t allow him to walk anywhere with out me right next to him.

If his fever goes above 102 , ( it was 101.4 in the office. ) I’m taking him to the Er over night , if it creeps up tomorrow we will go right back to our Doctor so he can do a direct admit and avoid us having to waste time going through the er. We already have a follow up appt for Wednesday.

The only reason he’s not in the hospital right now is my medical knowledge. They would put him on the same meds while waiting for culture results. I know when to take action. I just pray it’s not sepsis.

So any good thoughts or prayers would be appreciated. Thanks !

[bizi]

I am sorry you are going thru this.
He sounds really sick.
The shakes scare me he could be septic.
I would rather he be in the hospital in case he gets worse and then they can treat him there.
just my 2 cents.
sorry you are going thru this.
bizi

[~Christina]

Yes sepsis is the biggest concern. He got a double dose of Rocephin in the office. After the hospital did all the blood draws.

He’s been able to eat and with my prodding he’s pushing fluids.

I’m leaning towards MRSA/staph.

I just hate that cultures need 24 hours.....I so wish those could be rushed somehow.

His oral antibiotic is strong and works on both staph and strep.

There will be zero sleep for me until things start to improve.

He oxygen level was in the mid to upper 90’s and that’s off oxygen so that’s a plus.

[Wild Coyote]

Hi ~Christina, I am very sorry that both you and H are having to go through this.
Sepsis is very scary.
Please do let me know if I can do anything at all!
I wish I could be more helpful somehow.

Love and Prayers,
WC

[Dysphoria]

Specific testing for Ticks

Which tests are being done?

Anyway, I hope he gets better soon. I hate the chills and fevers.

[Victoria'smom]

Hopefully he starts feeling better soon. That must be so scary.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Dysphoria

Which tests are being done?


Anyway, I hope he gets better soon. I hate the chills and fevers.

There’s different titer tests that can determine a specific tick , some require months long treatment with antibiotics and some people with Lyme disease has needed chemo,

Him and I have been bitten so many times over the years, goes with living in the country.

I went through so much testing for possible tick borne illness back before Fibromyalgia diagnosis

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

Hi ~Christina, I am very sorry that both you and H are having to go through this.

Sepsis is very scary.

Please do let me know if I can do anything at all!

I wish I could be more helpful somehow.


Love and Prayers,

WC

Thank you so much , I’m certain you will grow weary of getting so many PM’s from me lol

[SorryShaped]

Oh wow! This is a heavy time. I'll keep you in my thoughts. You need to sleep. Please get someone to help you. You still have to take care of you, so you can help him.

[Polibeth]

((Hugs))



I hope he keeps up with his fluid intake.



Don't hesitate to take him to the ER - it's not like you're bringing him in for a runny nose.

[tecomsin]

Oh I'm so sorry you and your husband are going through this, Christina. I hope he responds to the meds he is on. Please keep us posted.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by SorryShaped

Oh wow! This is a heavy time. I'll keep you in my thoughts. You need to sleep. Please get someone to help you. You still have to take care of you, so you can help him.

Thanks there is no one to help so I’ll manage, I have too.

[Dysphoria]

There’s different titer tests that can determine a specific tick , some require months long treatment with antibiotics and some people with Lyme disease has needed chemo,

Problem with Lyme tests is they aren't all that accurate. They are basically a coin flip. Since you're in TN, I doubt he has Lyme since Lyme is a lot bigger issue in New England and the Great Lakes area.

Him and I have been bitten so many times over the years, goes with living in the country.

My family are all from TN. Going back to the 1830's. I was raised in a nearby state and know all about that country living. Got tons of tick bites as a kid and have often wondered if that was the cause of my issues.

[SorryShaped]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

Thanks there is no one to help so I’ll manage, I have too.

I've tried to be the only caretaker for two extremely sick people. It landed me in hospital too and one of them as well, but only because his surgery had complications. You're probably much stronger than I am. Oh wait, you're a woman, so yeah, you are.

[yellow_fleurs]

Oh no, I am really sorry to hear your husband is sick. I will be thinking of you both and hope he improves quickly and they figure out what's going on. I am glad you are keeping a close eye on things and will take him to the ER if needed. Sepsis really is scary, and a good reason to bring someone in if you suspect it as I am sure you know. Please keep us posted.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by SorryShaped

I've tried to be the only caretaker for two extremely sick people. It landed me in hospital too and one of them as well, but only because his surgery had complications. You're probably much stronger than I am. Oh wait, you're a woman, so yeah, you are.

Yes I am tough, I worked medical all my life so that’s good and bad. I know what to watch for , but I have to stop my mind from falling to far down the rabbit holes of the what if it’s ......

Once things improve I’ll crash for sure

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by Dysphoria

Problem with Lyme tests is they aren't all that accurate. They are basically a coin flip. Since you're in TN, I doubt he has Lyme since Lyme is a lot bigger issue in New England and the Great Lakes area.





My family are all from TN. Going back to the 1830's. I was raised in a nearby state and know all about that country living. Got tons of tick bites as a kid and have often wondered if that was the cause of my issues.

There are many new species of ticks invading my part of the state. The cases of tick borne illness is exploding in my area. My rheumatologist is certain that a tick bite caused my Fibro I went to bed fine one night and woke up screaming in pain the next morning.

Tick borne dieases don’t all show up in testing unfortunately

A local young boy about age 5 or so died a few months ago from a tick bite.

So unfortunately it’s becoming more of a problem.

[Mopey]

Good grief! Hugs and prayers, Christina. Sounds like a serious, acute illness. My hopes for his complete recovery and some much needed rest for you.

[Nammu]

Sending purple colored healing vibes to both of you. Ya gotta try and sleep for both of your sakes.

[TheSeaCat]

Oh goodness dear! I am here for you if you need anything.

In the mean time keep him eating and keeping his fluid intake up; and closely monitor him and if it's gets even the slightest bit worse please go to the emergency room. I don't blame you for wanting to wait; nobody wants an ER bill on top of a hospital stay. Sending you many hugs.

I pray it's not sepsis and just MRSA.

Also sorry about all the ticks in your area.

[Nola0250]

So sorry you guys are going through this! Your husband is in excellent hands! That said, you need to take care of yourself too so you DONT crash as soon as he starts to improve. If that means he gets hospitalized for a day or 2, so be it. If you don’t take care of you, then you can’t take care of him... big hugs!

[*Beth*]

I want to say that I agree with Nola.

Christina, you and your husband have my prayers and good vibes. Please keep us posted.

Christina, I am sorry I only just saw this. I hope you are both home getting some good sleep right now. What you describe sounds scary. My thoughts are with you and your hubby. Please give us an update when you can.

Hugs

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm so sorry you and your Husband aare gong through this, @~Christina!! That seems REALLY scary!! I Pray and hope things will tunr out well for BOTH of you. Please keep us updated. Feel free to PM me anytime when you need Advice and Support. I'll try to get back at you as soon as I possibly can!! Please be kind to yourself and take GREAT care of yourself along with your Husband. He's certainly lucky tohave you!! Keep us posted if you can and want to. You'll find PLENTY of support here. I'm sure you know that already. Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH you and your Husband, ~Christina! You're BOTH in my Thoughts and Prayers! I hope everything will turn out alright for BOTH of you! Please take WONDERFUL CARE OF YOURSELVES!!

[fern46]

So sorry you're going through this. Sending thoughts of healing and wellness your way. You are a tremendous caretaker.