First peripheral neuropathy … and now a sepsis infection? $%*&#@

Good morning, Ray. Yikes, you’ve been having a time of it. I’m so sorry to hear what you’ve all been dealing with for the past 2+ months! What an ordeal! Not an experience I’ve had but I wanted to commiserate with you. Hope you’re feeling much better now and on the mend now! What was the regimen for your sepsis? Did you ever find the source of the infection?

Hi, Lori

The infection's point of entry was never positively identified. One doctor thought it might have been a scratch on the big toe of my left foot. Other doctors said we'll probably never know for sure. Whatever the entry point, my foot and leg swelled and grew inflamed in only a matter of hours. I spent the next two weeks on various broad-spectrum IV antibiotics. I am doing at-home health care now. The sepsis's two chief symptoms remain an ugly wound on my left foot (still "weeping," although most of the foot and leg swelling is gone) and some really debilitating shortness of breath: I take ten steps and feel like I've run a 10K. 🙂

Ray

Welcome back Ray! Yes, I struggle with bacterial, cellulitis and fungus infections. Sometimes at the same time…and sometimes the doctors want to treat one at a time…I stay on a low sugar diet and don’t drink but it’s still very painful. I’m no stranger to Urgent Care
The sooner we start on antibiotics and anti fungus medicine the better.

Hi, Wendy

Thanks for your note!

"The sooner we start on antibiotics and anti fungus medicine the better."

I couldn't agree more! I believe the reason I don't have a worse case is that my partner, when I told her I felt like I was about to pass out, put her foot down and said, "We're not waiting. We're calling 9-1-1 now!"

I know I drifted through many foggy hours while I was in the hospital, but I'm not sure I ever heard anyone mention fungus in conjunction with my sepsis. You've got me thinking …

Ray

Welcome back Ray! @ray666. I thought it was only me that was like that cartoon character standing on the sidewalk looking around with a large dark cloud following him. Picture that and a long arm with a hand reaching down as if to provide you with that proverbial thump upside the head. You have really been through the wringer my friend and I am happy to see you back with us.

There are a few sepsis related discussions and comments that you may want to scan through - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=sepsis%20infections

Thank you, John! It's good to be back, though I can't say how often I'll post. Sepsis has really wiped me out. I've zero energy for anything. I have caught myself recently saying to friends that these sepsis symptoms are far more wasting than my PN symptoms. I love your dark cloud analogy! The morning we had to phone 9-1-1, I really did feel like I'd been thumped over the head. 🙂 – Ray

What a crazy thing to happen! I’m happy you’re able to be back with us at Connect. Wishing you well and progressive healing from here on! Hugs!

Note: I posted this Start Discussion topic on the Neuropathy Forum earlier today. It was suggested I might get some helpful responses here on this Forum:

POST: I’ve been AWOL from the Neuropathy Forum for a while, for 42 days to be exact, from the morning I was taken to the hospital to be diagnosed with a galloping sepsis infection. A few of you may remember me as the 79-year-old fellow in Colorado who, for the past ten years, has been dealing with idiopathic polyneuropathy (PN).

Why am I returning to the Forum this morning? First, I want to say hello …

Second, to ask if other PNers have suffered with the double whammy: an ongoing struggle with PN, later exceeded in misery by a nasty sepsis infection. What was the experience like? What was your pre-existing PN? Cause of your sepsis? What were your sepsis symptoms? Have you recovered from your sepsis? How long did it take (if you’ve recovered)? Do you consider your sepsis recovery full, partial, or ongoing?

I look forward to any who have or are experiencing what I’m experiencing.

Ray

@ray666 Ray, we missed your comments and valuable insight on various topics. But this is one I'm sure you never thought about. Glad you are home and out of the hospital and look forward to your comments. Welcome back, take care and be well. Ed

Hi, Ed (@njed). I missed Connect, too. I'll have more to say about this experience of managing both PN and sepsis in the coming days. Still, for now, suffice it to say back in the days when I had only PN, I hadn't thought I'd ever confront a condition that contained even more of a physical wallop than PN. I sure have! How's things with you, Ed? I hope they're going reasonably well. Talk soon. I have home health on the way. ––Rar