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How to manage an Infected Heart Valve and GI issues?
Several years ago, my mother (age 90 at the time) had a section of her colon removed because if diverticulitis. As a result, she constantly experiences diarrhea and gas.
About 3 years ago, at the age of 93, she also underwent surgery to receive a mechanical heart valve, which was inserted in back of the natural valve to strengthen and protect it. Unfortunately, this mechanical valve was contaminated with bacteria. Consequently, she must now take Penicillin every day for the rest of her life. The infection cannot be eliminated. It can only be kept under control.
The Penicillin is making her digestive problems much, much worse. She is plagued by uncontrollable diarrhea, gas, and bloating. The antibiotic is obviously destroying her microbiome. It is probably also damaging the intestinal lining. The longer she uses it, the worse these problems will become, and she is already terribly discouraged and depressed over her condition.
I am desperate to find some alternative to antibiotics for her. I am wondering: could nebulization with peroxide and iodine could do a better job than antibiotics to control the infection in her heart valve?
Thanks for any advice that you can give me.
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I am really sorry you mother is suffering, but I strongly advise you not to do this with either or both agents. They aren’t intended for internal use especially in the delicate tissues of lungs.
I was surprised by the idea and did a quick Google search. It seems some tried these during Covid. Theirs is a published case report of a patient admitted after nebulizing peroxide that caused chemical pneumonitis (damaged lungs). I also saw that Mexico tried various methods of peroxide (more gargled than inhaled) , but they had a specified concentration. I didn’t run across any trying it for the heart.
The Allergy and Asthma Foundation had a red box warning in 2021:
"Hydrogen peroxide can be toxic if ingested, inhaled, or by contact with the skin or eyes. Inhalation of household strength hydrogen peroxide (3%) can cause respiratory irritation. Exposure to household strength hydrogen. peroxide can cause mild ocular irritation. Inhalation of vapors from concentrated (higher than 10%) solutions may result in severe pulmonary irritation."
There are some studies on use of iodine for respiratory illnesses. In 2022, Zhang, et al. from China published one on the particle design for using iodine in respiratory infections. You can google for article and see that he states tincture of iodine is highly irritating and that they highly modified it for the animal trial. Their goal was for respiratory, not heart or other organ and as still in mice trial.
Is your mom seeing GI docs? Has she been tested for H Pyelori?
This group focuses more on Bronchiectasis and MAC infections. There is a GI digestive group that might have ideas. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/digestive-gastrointestinal-problems/
Good luck!
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3 ReactionsHi @ralphcramden, I emphatically underline what @pacathy said and strongly recommend that you do NOT nebulize with peroxide and iodine. These products are not to be used internally and nebulizing will not reach the infected area. Rather that could cause irreversible damage to her lungs.
Ralph, I see that you are very concerned for you mom and cannot imagine that she has to take penicillin for the rest of her life, which causes other disagreeable side effects. I understand.
I moved your question to the Digestive Health and the Heart & Blood Health support groups in case any one else has experienced such an infection.
Has she talked with a GI specialist? Might a second opinion be possible?
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2 ReactionsThank you, Colleen.
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1 ReactionWhy cant the infected valve be removed, removing the source of the infection. Let her stabilize then consider further interventions?????? I agree with all of the above in critique of peroxide/iodine! That could be disastrous.
Have you sought second opinions and/or care at higher levels of care. Usually when a prosthetic device becomes infected it it removed, but I'm a seasoned nurse and not a physician. Do hope you find resolution. Bless Her!