Endocarditis

[charlottekaye]

I dealt with endocarditis after a missed pneumonia in which I ended up with a “seeded” valve and had to a repeat replacement after only two years of initial surgery. I had fever, malaise and a cough which was diagnosed as viral uri. I would ask for blood cultures. My surgeon told me that if they had caught it sooner, I wouldn’t have needed the repeat valve replacement

 

[charlottekaye]

Are you taking legal action? Lawsuits are the only way to effect change in cases of medical negligence or malpractice.

 

[pellicle]

Sounds good. If there is nothing getting oh the valve that's good

 

[mecretired]

They already got a positive from the blood culture they took yesterday. Nurse came in a half hour ago to start IV vancomycin 1000mg. Looking forward to talking to the doctors in the morning.

 

[pellicle]

They already got a positive from the blood culture they took yesterday. Nurse came in a half hour ago to start IV vancomycin 1000mg. Looking forward to talking to the doctors in the morning.

just be aware that Vanco is heavy duty stuff, they'll need to be taking blood samples to check renal function to make sure its not hurting you.
I was on it twice (for a few weeks at a time) with my personal pet propionibacteria chest co-inhabitants

 

[Ladybug]

My cardiologist really got things moving. I’m not sure what happened but—-he did an echo this morning which looked good. Then he decided to admit me to the hospital. They’ve already done an ekg, a chest X-ray, another blood culture (2 sets), labs, urinalysis. Tomorrow I’m scheduled for a TEE (a trans esophageal echo.). I’ll post what they find- if anything.

Good luck. Hang in there. Bless you.

 

[mecretired]

Good luck. Hang in there. Bless you.

Thank you.

 

[mecretired]

They found some “strands” on the back of my st Jude aortic valve when they did the TEE. They think it’s just a natural part of the valve and not bacteria. However, 3 blood cultures have come back “gram positive cocci”. So I am being treated for endocarditis. The internist said they would put a pic line in before I’m discharged but they wouldn’t do that until 48 hrs after a negative blood culture. Then I would receive the IV antibiotics at home with a home health agency. This would be coordinated by an infectious disease specialist. He would get weekly CDC CMP CRP Sed Rate and Vancomycin trough. It seems like they’re doing everything they need to be doing????

 

[Duffey]

It sounds like they are. Aren’t you glad you were persistent in telling them that something was wrong, and it wasn’t going away without more intervention?

 

[mecretired]

It sounds like they are. Aren’t you glad you were persistent in telling them that something was wrong, and it wasn’t going away without more intervention?

Yes I am. I certainly got another lesson on why you need to be proactive with your own health. I’ve had my artificial valve for 9 1/2 years. Endocarditis was always in the back of my mind. Now it will always be front and center. Again thanks to all of you for your help.

 

[Agian]

Did they find the cause?

 

[pellicle]

Yes I am. I certainly got another lesson on why you need to be proactive with your own health.

indeed, there is one thing which needs to be done in the health system and that's to make sure YOU are a STRONG and informed vocal advocate for yourself. Don't be steamrolled and expect logical answers to reasonable questions.
I'm glad its moving in the right directions. The combination of the TEE and the culture suggest that you do have an early endo and that being treated is exactly right.

Best Wishes

 

[mecretired]

Did they find the cause?

No. They have not found the cause.

 

[mecretired]

I spoke with my surgeon yesterday. I had an aneurysm of my ascending aorta. So I have a St Jude grafted valve. The surgeon explained that just the valve could not be replaced. The whole graft would have to be replaced. That would be a huge deal. So I’m extremely glad this was caught before damage was done to my valve. I will certainly be proactive in the event of any future infections/fever.

 

[mecretired]

indeed, there is one thing which needs to be done in the health system and that's to make sure YOU are a STRONG and informed vocal advocate for yourself. Don't be steamrolled and expect logical answers to reasonable questions.
I'm glad its moving in the right directions. The combination of the TEE and the culture suggest that you do have an early endo and that being treated is exactly right.

Best Wishes

Thank you. It’s reassuring to hear that others feel my doctor’s are doing what they should.

 

[pellicle]

Thank you. It’s reassuring to hear that others feel my doctor’s are doing what they should.

its not always the case, but they seem to be ticking all the boxes here.

I hope it clears up ... of course keep asking questions here too ;-)

 

[mecretired]

indeed, there is one thing which needs to be done in the health system and that's to make sure YOU are a STRONG and informed vocal advocate for yourself. Don't be steamrolled and expect logical answers to reasonable questions.
I'm glad its moving in the right directions. The combination of the TEE and the culture suggest that you do have an early endo and that being treated is exactly right.

Best Wishes

I generally tend to be proactive and very insistent when I need to be. When you’re sick it’s just a lot more difficult. I was caught between my 2 doctors (my pcp and my cardiologist) or actually their nurses. They are both great doctors and are now doing exactly what they need to be doing. My pcp even called me twice since I’ve been in the hospital. Not sure what happened early on.

 

[mecretired]

The blood cultures have shown now that my infection is strep and not staph or mrsa. So it will be easier to get rid of. They have talked about changing the vancomycin to something else that won’t be as hard on me.

 

[OldManEmu]

I have had endocarditis and it is what caused my first AVR. Like you it was a strep infection however I had it for 8 months before it was identified. Once strep was isolated I was on penicillian 3 times a day in hospital then a PICC line was inserted and I was treated at home for a further 3 weeks with a daily dose of Ceftriaxone.

 

[mecretired]

I have had endocarditis and it is what caused my first AVR. Like you it was a strep infection however I had it for 8 months before it was identified. Once strep was isolated I was on penicillian 3 times a day in hospital then a PICC line was inserted and I was treated at home for a further 3 weeks with a daily dose of Ceftriaxone.

They are wanting to put me on Ceftriaxone. But I understand that it’s in the penicillin family and I’m allergic to penicillin. So they’re going to do some testing tomorrow to see if I can take it and they’ve sent a sensitivity test to Mayo Clinic. So I’m in the hospital for a few more days.