Endocarditis

[Protimenow]

Even bleeding gums can give you endocarditis, if you've got the wrong bacteria in your mouth, or your immunity drops. That's why they do prophylaxis (amoxicillin) before routine dental work.

I don't want to alarm anyone, or prevent you from brushing your teeth, but it's not impossible that Bacterial Endocarditis (BE) may be causing symptoms.

mcretired - I'm sure that you can be insistent. I'm glad that you're going to insist on the blood cultures.

Keep us posted...

 

[carolinemc]

My pcp thinks I may have endocarditis. Crp is 5.152. I had influenza A at the end of March (yes I had my flu shot). I had a 102 temp that they didn’t treat because it was the flu. By the time they diagnosed the flu it had developed into an upper respiratory infection. So I had this temp for just over 2 weeks before I got antibiotics. Then on the first of July temp came back. This was a kidney infection which caused lower back muscle spasms and an erratic heart rate for about 3 weeks. Temp came back late July. A third round of antibiotics. Well yesterday temp came back yesterday. urinalysis and wbc are good. But crp is not good. Will try to get an appointment with cardiologist tomorrow. Can anyone give me some information on their experience with endocarditis? I have a grafted st Jude valve—9 yrs ago.

Endocarditis is treatable but one is usually put into the hospital, not sent home. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart and can be very deadly. Best your PCP run some other tests and get in touch with a cardio asap, if PCP believes you have Endocarditis. It is a very serious infection of the heart. I have never experienced it personally, but it is a very serious infection, if that is what is suspected.

 

[carolinemc]

What's the big deal about ordering a blood culture? Wouldn't finding out now be safer than hoping the antibiotics knock out whatever it is you have? If the antibiotics don't help, what kind of damage would another week or two of endocarditis do to you?
[/QUOTE
Endocarditis can damage the heart.

 

[mecretired]

Just got a call back from pcp. The put the order in for the blood culture. But she said that since I’ve been on antibiotics since Friday it may not be totally accurate. I’m having it done this afternoon.

 

[mecretired]

Just had my blood drawn for the blood culture. The lab tech said they knew I was on antibiotics so would add ard(?) to block the antibiotics. Anyway now it’s wait and see. I surely hope they know what they’re doing.

 

[Protimenow]

It's possible that whatever bacteria is giving you endocarditis - if you actually HAVE endocarditis - may not have knocked out the bacteria that's causing the endocarditis. A blood culture may show what the hell is causing your endocarditis -- with the other cultures already reduced or eliminated.

I hope all goes well, and I'm glad that you finally got the blood drawn for testing.

 

[mecretired]

It's possible that whatever bacteria is giving you endocarditis - if you actually HAVE endocarditis - may not have knocked out the bacteria that's causing the endocarditis. A blood culture may show what the hell is causing your endocarditis -- with the other cultures already reduced or eliminated.

I hope all goes well, and I'm glad that you finally got the blood drawn for testing.

Thank you all so much. It gives me such peace of mind to know that I have all of you “out there”.

 

[Agian]

Thank you all so much. It gives me such peace of mind to know that I have all of you “out there”.

That's a beautiful thing, isn't it? We're like one big dysfunctional family.

 

[pellicle]

by the end of the antibiotics I will demand a blood culture

make sure that you are OFF the antibiotics for some days before a blood draw is done because if there is antibiotics in the system a culture will show negative
also why not get a culture done now (unless you've started antibiotics)

 

[pellicle]

I had a terrible bout with Endocarditis and all my doctors and ER doctors and cardiologist missed it, for at least 3 months.

that's just such a crap situation. I'm glad you're here to talk about it.
Best Wishes

 

[mecretired]

make sure that you are OFF the antibiotics for some days before a blood draw is done because if there is antibiotics in the system a culture will show negative
also why not get a culture done now (unless you've started antibiotics)

I’ve been on antibiotics since Friday. They drew blood for the culture yesterday (Monday). They said since they knew I was on antibiotics they added something (ard?) that would block the antibiotics?? Anyone heard of this? Hope they know what they’re talking about. I get so tired of having to know what’s wrong and knowing what needs to be done so I can tell my doctor what to do

 

[pellicle]

... I get so tired of having to know what’s wrong and knowing what needs to be done so I can tell my doctor what to do

It's sad isn't it.
I know nothing of that ard substance you mention, I wasn't a pathologist. I'll Google it and ask some of my friends.

 

[Seaton]

Here are two research articles from 1982/1985 regarding the Antibiotic Removal Device (ARD) used for the removal of residual antibiotics in blood specimens:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC272076/​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4092699​

 

[mecretired]

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.

 

[mecretired]

Here are two research articles from 1982/1985 regarding the Antibiotic Removal Device (ARD) used for the removal of residual antibiotics in blood specimens:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC272076/​

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4092699​

Thanks for the reference. I was beginning to think they were just making that up.

 

[Lesneski]

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

 

[NealR]

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

Sorry to hear. Similar with me. Anytime and everytime you get sick.. Be on the look out for endo. I am told, even with prophalytisizing, there is 100 %, guarantee you won't get it.

 

[Duffey]

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.

I hope you get answers quickly. Which hospital were you admitted to? I ask because if it’s is St. Francis, my husband will probably be present at your TEE.

 

[Duffey]

Oops, I forgot that you said your cardiologist practices in Columbia. In that case, my husband will not be present!

 

[mecretired]

Latest segment of my saga—-TEE shows no bacteria and my st Jude aortic valve is working great. EF is 65%. CT scan is ordered for this afternoon. In the meantime—the culture my pcp did on Monday using the ARD was negative 1st day and 2nd day. But this morning showed a positive. She faxed those to my cardiologist and actually called me at the hospital. If nothing shows up from everything done here cardio may refer me to a rheumatologist or infectious disease specialist. They’ve taken blood for 2more cultures since I’ve been in the hospital.