diagnosed with MRSA (sort of) - Skin Problems Message Board

onceaprice · 09-19-2007, 01:19 PM

Two weeks ago, I started having pain in my neck and head. I thought that I could feel lumps in my head, but I wasn't sure, as my head feels lumpy always. I went to the doctor after a week and was misdiagnosed as muscle spasms. Two days later, in severe pain in the lumps in my head, and the doctor said she was about 99% sure that I had MRCA, but could not be positive until a culture was done, but that she could not do a culture as the places on my head and ear were not "oozing" yet. She put me on Septra, and told me if I was not "significantly better" in 2 days, to come back. It has been 5 days, and I have researched MRSA on the internet, and my symptoms seem to have changed a little bit. I am beginning to wonder if she was incorrect in her diagnosis as well. I have a couple places on my ear that have sort of scabbed over, but never "oozed". I have a few places on my scalp that feel as if they are beginning to scab. I still have two lumps behind my ear. I have a few new places popping up on my neck, but are not getting the knots that I felt in my head. and the muscle under my ear, going down to my neck is still so sore I can hardly stand it. But more than that......I have now started itching. Itching terribly. Can't seem to get any relief from the itching. It itches like I have a rash or something, but nothing is there.

Everything that I have researched on the internet, shows pictures of MRSA with these horrible, open wounds...some very large. It speaks of people with fevers. But I have not seen anything about the two main symptoms I have. Which is SEVERE pain on my head and neck where the lumps began, and now the intense itching.

Also, everything I have read talks about how completely contagious MRCA is, and while she did tell me that it was contagious, I didn't think it was a big deal. I am afraid now (after researching on the internet), that if I do have MRCA, that I have exposed all my fellow employees and family. If it was THAT contagious, wouldn't she have warned me?

Has anyone else had symptoms like me? Or do you think this was a incorrect diagnosis as well?

Thank you, and sorry for the long post.

ICC · 09-19-2007, 02:22 PM

Hi onceaprice....I would have to get a second opinion immediately. My daughter had MRSA 2 summers ago. she had a little bump one day, a huge one the next. Had it lanced, a culture was done and it came back postive for MRSA. She was treated accordingly, sent to an Infectious disease Dr. and is fine, thank God now. Her whole family was tested to be safe. It is a horrible infections that is highly contagious. I find it difficult to believe nay Dr. would think you have MRSA, not do a culture , see how many bumps you have and just treat it with an antibiotic . Please hon , seek a second opinion. It could be but doens't sound like it to me. Sounds more like apossible allergic reaction if you are getting more an more of them. maybe you came in contact with poison oak, ivy, sumac. I'll look out for an update on you.

ICC

DopyDgz · 10-24-2007, 03:22 PM

"Has anyone else had symptoms like me? Or do you think this was a incorrect diagnosis as well?"

I was troubled with what I assumed was seborreah on my scalp for about 6 months: scaly, scabby patches that beld is scratched. I went to one dermatologist and was prescribed a very expensive prescription shampoo, which lessoned the irritation but did not eliminate it. I went to a different dermatologist (due to insurance change) and explained the situation and requested a culture be done.

The results showed i have MRSA. I have been on bactrim for 3 weeks and it has heled but hasn't knocked it out yet: I have refilled the prescription to be sure it gets knocked out.

Do not assume you have been diagnosed just because your sympoms present differently: not all infections will present the same.