off topic Sorry I need help from a medical person

I had back surgery on Nov. 4th. I became septic and the incision was infected. The infection came back as Staph. not MRSA. It responds to antibiotics. I did 2 weeks of IV infusions and it became and it looked perfect, and healed. Two days later I was back in the ER with goo draining out of my incision. Infected again. I was put on a nasty strong antibiotic for 3 weeks. It was perfect and looked all healed and I was so happy. Now 5 days later, it's infected again. Now I am on a different antibiotic.

Why would it keep coming back after it's all healed up. My daughter wants me to demand an x ray to see if they left something in there. I am starting to freak out, like it's never going to heal.

Hi sassyscorpio, 

We are so sorry to hear all you have been through.  Our OH community is always willing to help and support, but for medical issues your best bet is always work with qualified medical staff like your surgeon.   They know your medical history.  

You always have the option to get a second opinion.  Keep us posted on how you are doing.

My surgeon isn't doing anything except putting me on more antibiotics. I thought maybe someone knew some other avenue I should try , like trying to see if there is something in there.

I thought we could ask off topic questions here. I know there are medical people *****ad the board.

It's ok to ask, your question is fine. Use members advice to open discussions for your medical treatment.  I would get another opinion since what your surgeon is doing isn't working....  Good luck

Ask about an x-ray, sure.  Also, it sounds like they cultured it back when you first got the infection.  It may be infected with something different now so I would suggest culturing it again to make sure you're on the right antibiotic.

Wow, that's a long time to struggle with infection and antibiotics!  If you don't feel confident in what your doctor is doing, then get a second opinion.  I know it's difficult in the moment to ask for one, but a few minutes of difficulty/awkwardness will surely be easier to bear than another few months of this!  I have trouble with situations like this, so I write out what I am going to say (in an outline), and then practice saying it over and over until I get bored with saying it.  Then, when the time comes to actually say it to someone (door to door religious people for example), I don't freak out as much, and can spit it out without forgetting parts of what I meant to say.  Good luck! and stand up for your needs!

I hate to say this, but the incision may need to be opened back up. You could have some necrotic tissue or a deep abscess that needs to be cleaned out. I would definitely not let it go. I see this quite a bit. I am a NP in a wound clinic.

Did you have mesh or anything like that placed when you had the operation?

When I had hernia surgery I went through something like this.. round after round of infection and meds only to find out the me****self was infected and causing all the issues. Once the mesh was replaced everything started getting better.  

If not mesh then maybe a suture or an abscess that's too large to be "dried" up with antibiotics alone.. sounds like something is causing it to keep reoccurring. 

You are your best advocate.. if something doesn't look right or feel right, keep talking until they do something about it. 

Good Luck!

You need to get into a wound specialist , unless your insurance requires a referral you can just make an appointment yourself. Like the OP said it may need to be opened up to heal and another culture done to make sure what germ they are dealing with.