Being Sick Is Getting Really Old (A Whine; Get Your Own Cheese)

[REP]

My epic saga of kidney infections goes on: this time I have a Klebsiella pneumoniae infection, which are pretty common - in hospitalized populations. I haven't been in the hospital for nearly a year, and that was only for a horrible, horrible half day. K. pneumoniae infections are fairly serious; about 50% of those who get them die, even with treatment. Obviously, if I'm sitting upright, typing and complaining, I'm probably in the other 50%, but usually a kidney infection doesn't lay me out quite this badly. And I have to do laundry tomorrow or else.

On top of that, I sound like I've been gargling tar (my brother's been calling me "Froggy") and I feel too crappy to fully enjoy my new (used) car that I was given tonight after the Loved One purchased his first New New Car Ever. Though I did enjoy the the New New Car's heated seats. Mmmmm.

[purr]

1. I hear you..

I have a c.difficle infection that will not leave me alone.. Multiple rounds of treatment isnt getting rid of it either. Just got dx'd with Chiari Type 1 malformation of my brain (joy), and my back hurts bad from a horse injury 12 years ago.

Hang in there.. All I have to say is thank god for my kids and when things get bad, xanax. I never heard of klebsiella pneumonia - what exactly is it? Its scary, you go to the hospital for one thing, come out with more problems than when you first went in.

[REP]

2. This is Not a Nosocomial (Hospital-Acquired) Infection

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an encapsulated bacteria that causes horrible pneumonia, horrible UTIs or horrible skin infections. It's most commonly seen as a nosocomial infection, but I haven't been in the hospital for a long time - or for long enough. I am immuno-impaired due to my early-stage kidney failure and diabetes, which makes me more susceptible to k. pneumoniae (and more likely to have a poor outcome) but doesn't explain how I got it. I've had numerous kidney infections since my kidney surgery last May, but they were all either Cipro-resistant e. coli or nitrofurantoin-resistant enterobacter aerogenes.

I've had c. difficile and it sucks! You have my sympathy!

[purr]

3. You obviously have been on a lot of anitbiotics -

how are you dodging the c.diff again? It just doesnt want to go away. Did you ever try those IVIG treatments to boost your immune system? I was reading about it helping people with c.diff but I dont have an immunity problem as per blood work. Hope you feel better - I'm sick of seeing everyone so healthy and happy and heres me living in the bathroom miserable.

[REP]

4. I Have Crohn's

so you're not alone in the bathroom! Probably helped clear the c. difficile (which I got a few years ago from taking a three-antibiotic-combo for a post-op infection).

My kind of immunosuppresion really can't be changed, alas.