Hello, I am new to this board and would like to introduce myself. I normally visit the Foot Problems, Pain Management and Infectious Disease Boards, but I have a question I believe someone here could help me with.

I have been struggling off and on for the past couple of years with osteomyelitis in my ankle and cellulitis (possible osteomyelitis) in my foot. The most recent bout I had happened after a surgery to correct a bunion. About 3 weeks after surgery I was admitted with cellulitis and given iv vancomycin for 4 weeks. About 3 weeks after I stopped the antibiotics, I woke up with the most awful pain in my foot - near the area where the cellulitis had been, but the pain was worse and felt like it went deeper if that makes sense. I went to the infectious disease dr who confirmed the infection was back. Ever since that day (about 2 weeks ago) we have been trying to figure out if the infection is in the bone. If it is, that would explain why the infection returned so quickly.

Through all of this, I have wondered why I keep getting these infections. I had 5 surgeries before I ever contracted an infection. Some people say I am predisposed to getting infections, but if that were true, wouldn't I have gotten an infection in one of the 5 earlier surgeries?

You may be wondering why I am posting here. I am getting there. ;) I have been on the infectious disease board and asked some questions there, but it seems there aren't a lot of people suffering from Staph infections that post on that board. Today, I am wondering if these infections could be a sign of something bigger going on, like diabetes. Have any of you experienced something like this due to your diabetes? Can you tell me what some of the early signs of diabetes are?

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Step

In all this time, with all the treatment you've had, I would imagine you've also had your blood tested many times, so I think that if your blood sugar had been high, it would have been noticed by now. But you might want to check with your doctors to make sure they have tested your blood glucose levels.

It is quite possible to be prone to infections without being diabetic.

Ruth

Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it!

I will check with my id dr who takes my blood each week to see if they look at the glucose level.

I am just trying to figure out what is behind all of these infections. Maybe I was grasping at straws, but it is worth asking the question anyway.

Thanks again!
Step

Hello, I am new to this board and would like to introduce myself. I normally visit the Foot Problems, Pain Management and Infectious Disease Boards, but I have a question I believe someone here could help me with.

I have been struggling off and on for the past couple of years with osteomyelitis in my ankle and cellulitis (possible osteomyelitis) in my foot. The most recent bout I had happened after a surgery to correct a bunion. About 3 weeks after surgery I was admitted with cellulitis and given iv vancomycin for 4 weeks. About 3 weeks after I stopped the antibiotics, I woke up with the most awful pain in my foot - near the area where the cellulitis had been, but the pain was worse and felt like it went deeper if that makes sense. I went to the infectious disease dr who confirmed the infection was back. Ever since that day (about 2 weeks ago) we have been trying to figure out if the infection is in the bone. If it is, that would explain why the infection returned so quickly.

Through all of this, I have wondered why I keep getting these infections. I had 5 surgeries before I ever contracted an infection. Some people say I am predisposed to getting infections, but if that were true, wouldn't I have gotten an infection in one of the 5 earlier surgeries?

You may be wondering why I am posting here. I am getting there. ;) I have been on the infectious disease board and asked some questions there, but it seems there aren't a lot of people suffering from Staph infections that post on that board. Today, I am wondering if these infections could be a sign of something bigger going on, like diabetes. Have any of you experienced something like this due to your diabetes? Can you tell me what some of the early signs of diabetes are?

Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Step

I would get to my doctor and ask for an A1C test immediately. Tell the doctor why, also. My husband checks my feet 2 / 3 times a week (a must) and rubs them good with a skin softener. It really does make a difference. We feel it is very important to do this as I have two friends who have lost a foot each due to diabetes and a foot problem. Don't hesitate to do this either. If your doctor has not done this, I am quite surprised.

I would get to my doctor and ask for an A1C test immediately. Tell the doctor why, also. My husband checks my feet 2 / 3 times a week (a must) and rubs them good with a skin softener. It really does make a difference. We feel it is very important to do this as I have two friends who have lost a foot each due to diabetes and a foot problem. Don't hesitate to do this either. If your doctor has not done this, I am quite surprised.

What is an A1C test?

An A1C test will give you an average of your blood glucose levels over the last couple months.

The main reason I'm posting a response is cause I've had problems with staph all my life. Had several surgeries to drain infections and almost lost my leg to a massive staph infection when I was a child. None of this had anything to do with glucose levels. I'm moderately immune deficient. I have what's known as IgG deficiency. Low gamma globulin levels. I'm very prone to staph, strep and candida infections and they're difficult to treat sometimes.

You may wanna have your immune status checked. They can run a panel that checks all your globulin levels and complements and all that stuff. I finally had my levels checked when I was in my 30's. It finally made a lot of sense out of a lot of things.