TE/Implant OVER pectoral Can exercise, comfortable &NO RIPPLES!
Comments
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Littleblueflowers I am thinking good thoughts that you get through this. Can you hold off on surgery, if you aren't sick? You just mentioned about the stitch being a problem in your last post, did I miss something? Do what you are sure you need to do to stay healthy. Hugs to you.
Raven4mi, I am glad your PS totally got what you were saying about the ID guy being more than a bit premature in counting you and your implant out. I am attaching a few studies about Essential Oils being able to eradicate biofilms. The idea of biofilms being at the root of difficult to get rid of infections is finally starting to make headway in medicine. Also I have seen great sucess for some infections that weren't clearing up with NAC (N Acetyl Cysteine) being added to the antbiotic regimen. NAC is very very safe. Lots of doctors never think to recommend it as an adjunctive treatment to antibiotics for infection. Also I know that IV Vitamin is also proven to erradicate biofilms, I was going to put that article as well, but its getting a bit long, and you already know about it
N-acetylcysteine as powerful molecule to destroy bacterial biofilms. A systematic review.
Dinicola S1, De Grazia S, Carlomagno G, Pintucci JP.
Author information
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Biofilms are microbial communities consisting of bacteria, extremely capable to self-reproduce on biological surfaces, causing infections. Frequently, these biofilms are resistant to classical antibacterial treatments and host immune response. Thus, new adjuvant molecules are mandatory in clinical practice. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, has been investigated for its effectiveness both in inhibiting biofilm formation and in destroying developed biofilms. The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic literature review of clinical trials involving NAC as adjuvant treatment to eradicate pre-formed mature biofilms and to inhibit new biofilm production.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
A careful analysis of the Medline was conducted and eight studies were selected according to the following criteria: site of infection, kind of bacteria, design of the research, dose of the treatment, administration, biological effects and results. We fixed an arbitrary scale of scores from 0 (lowest score) to 5 (highest score) for each criterion and a threshold value of 3.
RESULTS:
The studies analyzed, with score over 3, suggested a potential role for NAC as adjuvant molecule in the treatment of bacterial biofilms, with an excellent safety and efficacy profile. NAC, in combination with different antibiotics, significantly promoted their permeability to the deepest layers of the biofilm, overcoming the problem of the resistance to the classic antibacterial therapeutic approach.
CONCLUSIONS:
Overall, these results are encouraging to a more widespread clinical use of NAC, as adjuvant therapy for microbial infections followed by biofilm settle, which may occur in several body districts, such as the vaginal cavity.
- PMID:
- 25339490
Selected Antimicrobial Essential Oils Eradicate Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms
+Author Affiliations
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
ABSTRACT
Biofilms are difficult to eliminate with standard antimicrobial treatments due to their high antibiotic resistance relative to free-living cells. Here, we show that selected antimicrobial essential oils can eradicate bacteria within biofilms with higher efficiency than certain important antibiotics, making them interesting candidates for the treatment of biofilms.
Essential oils show specific inhibiting effects on bacterial biofilm formation
- Sandra Szczepanski
- André Lipski
Highlights
- •Essential oils showed an inhibiting effect on biofilm formation.
- •Inhibition effects were detected below the MIC of the oils.
- •Gram-negative biofilm-forming bacteria were affected.
Abstract
Essential oils are promising natural ingredients for the food industry due to their preservative and antimicrobial effects. We analysed the inhibiting effects of thyme, oregano and cinnamon essential oil at sublethal concentrations on biofilm formation of three biofilm forming bacterial strains. These strains of the genera Acinetobacter, Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas were isolated from authentic biofilms in the food industry during a previous study.
Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) for growth and biofilm forming activity were tested in a 96-well microtiter plate assay. For two out of three strains we found an inhibiting effect of essential oils on biofilm formation below the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for growth of these strains. In contrast, for one strain inhibition of growth and inhibition of the biofilm formation by the essential oils are initiated at the same concentration.
Thyme oil was capable to inhibit the development of a biofilm at sublethal concentrations at 0.001% (w/v). This oil seems to be a more efficient specific inhibitor compared with the other tested essential oils against the biofilm formation of all tested isolates. Controls showed that the detergent used, Tween 20, was not responsible for this effect.
Structural changes of the biofilms after exposition to sublethal concentrations of essential oils were confirmed by fluorescence microscopy.
Ginger Extract Inhibits Biofilm Formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14
- Published: September 27, 2013
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076106
Figures
Abstract
Bacterial biofilm formation can cause serious problems in clinical and industrial settings, which drives the development or screening of biofilm inhibitors. Some biofilm inhibitors have been screened from natural products or modified from natural compounds. Ginger has been used as a medicinal herb to treat infectious diseases for thousands of years, which leads to the hypothesis that it may contain chemicals inhibiting biofilm formation. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated ginger's ability to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 biofilm formation. A static biofilm assay demonstrated that biofilm development was reduced by 39–56% when ginger extract was added to the culture. In addition, various phenotypes were altered after ginger addition of PA14. Ginger extract decreased production of extracellular polymeric substances. This finding was confirmed by chemical analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Furthermore, ginger extract formed noticeably less rugose colonies on agar plates containing Congo red and facilitated swarming motility on soft agar plates. The inhibition of biofilm formation and the altered phenotypes appear to be linked to a reduced level of a second messenger, bis-(3′-5′)-cyclic dimeric guanosine monophosphate. Importantly, ginger extract inhibited biofilm formation in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Also, surface biofilm cells formed with ginger extract detached more easily with surfactant than did those without ginger extract. Taken together, these findings provide a foundation for the possible discovery of a broad spectrum biofilm inhibitor.
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macb04, thank you so much for the biofilm info. My 20yo DD is suffering from what we think is latent lyme and bartonella and rickettesia, all of which can appear as biofilms. It is very hard to find anyone with any ideas about treatment. She has lost a good deal of her mobility and cognitive abilities. Now that I am thru the worst of my treatment ( knock wood) , I am hoping to ficus more on helping her to get some resolution of her symptoms. Thankyou!
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2Fun, that is so hard, to see our children with problems. I hope I have given you some good info that will point out the way to go. Naturopath's are much better at treating Lyme than traditional medicine. Like I always say, we need to think outside the box. I was brought up and trained to think inside the box, it's pretty empty in the box most of the time, that's why I always look for other ways to suceed in health.
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yes, we are working with a integrated medicine specialist, and got a lead on an environmental medicine doctor. I think these folks really consider all aspects much better. I'm a firm believer that we are in this BC problem b/c a lot of the stuff in our environment that we can't control ( toxins in water, air etc). I have always been a firm believer in holistic medicine joined with mainstream medicine.
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Thanks, macb04. As usual, all interesting information. I'll have to ask my holistic center about NAC - Lord knows my MDs won't consider it if I had to bet.
Not really seeing any improvement with the new abx plus all of my complementary therapies (my PS lectured me the other day for calling them "alternative" - he says it freaks the MDs out when you use that term. LOL!) But I'm also not getting any worse, so I'll take that for now. Have been documenting with pics and when I compare I don't see any improvement. I was seeing improvement when I was on the bactrim but then had to quit it because I had a reaction. Figures.
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Just curious, what type of implant did you get- smooth or textured? Round or anatomical? Is there a best kind for over the muscle direct to implant
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just wondering if you got an answer to this question
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I can't give much information about performance of the implants I have since I just got them, but they are Mentor MemoryShape implants - anatomical or shaped gel implants with a textured surface.
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hi all,
talked with Ps YESTERDAY and he agreed for mri to check integrity of implant and for me to check recurrence. might do over the muscle recon with him. for those who do mri's how ofter do you do it? thanks in advanc
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Hey Raven4mi, if you think you were doing well on Bactrim (an antibiotics commonly used for MRSA), but not on Omnicef, a Cephalosporin, (an antibiotic class never used for MRSA because of Resistance) , , I would instead put you on another drug, in a different class that gets MRSA like the following list for Providers from Johns Hopkins. If there is no culture to guide antibiotic choices, my logic makes sense going by your previous response.
MRSA: check susceptibilities, includes options for CA-MRSA with TMP/SMX and tetracyclines most likely susceptible.
- Clindamycin 300-450mg PO three times a day.
- TMP/SMX 1-2 DS tabs PO twice daily.
- Doxycycline 100mg PO twice daily.
- Minocycline 100mg PO twice daily.
- Linezolid 600mg PO twice daily.
Staphylococcus aureus | Johns Hopkins ABX Guide
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how does your onco check for recurrence of over the muscle implants? do you still need mammograms? sorry if this has ben discussed before
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littleblue, wondering who you are doing. I think that's awesome you asked to not be put out and then you got to "kind of" enjoy it (minus the hangover)! Hoping you might be home by now??? Hope things are going better for you.
Raven, hope things are going well for you, too. What a wealth of knowledge Macb has to share with you! That is awesome. And best wishes for your daughter, too, 2fun.
Kae_md, I am just one person, but I can tell you that I was told that I would not need a mammogram again. If you search on the forums I think there is a lot of discussion regarding doing MRIs to check for recurrence. I think it may vary depending on situation and doctor.
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thanks JessieJake! i did read somewhere that ordering for an mri to check for implant integrity will be more likely be approved by insurance rather than for the reason of checking for recurrences...
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Thanks, Macb. I'm on both Omnicef AND Doxycyclene at the moment. Hoping it's just taking a little longer to kick in.
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HI ladies, checking in. I got to go home a day early. Which was fantastic! I am on Augmentin and Doxycyclene and hoping for the best. So far, the breast looks like its back to its old self, minus the old scar tissue, plus 2 drains and stitches. No call from the infectious disease doc, so my guess is my cultures of blood, fluid, tissue, and old implant all failed to yield any results beyond usual skin flora. I hope to get the drains out on Friday, and stitches the week after, fingers crossed. 2Fun, this is seeming more and more like an allergic reaction to dissolving sutures. Raven, thinking of you. This just sux. I hope yours resolves soon! Hope everyone else is doing ok! If anyone has any suggestions on how to keep my skin on track and my implant in place, is be very greatful!
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little blue, what type of sutures were used? I had a MASSIVE reaction to the monocryl sutures used for the skin incisions for my hysterectomy. I didn't have problems until they started dissolving about 3 to 4 weeks in. Obviously I am alergic to the dissolved substances. I was on steroids for almost a month. Monocryl takes 189 days to fully dissolve. It's been about 150 days, and my incisions are still slightly red and itchy. I'm keeping my.fingers crossed!
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littleblue, glad to hear you got to go home a day early. Sounds like things are going your way! I'm happy for you! Sorry I can't help with any information on the reactions but I know others here will have great advice.
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Wow. Been off the boards for several days, catching up as quickly as I can. Yikes Raven and lbf/Jen.
Raven - so sorry you're still dealing with the unknown, but glad your PS is supportive and on board with waiting to go down the surgical route.
Sorry you had to have another surgery Jen, and change out the implant. ugh drains. Hope it comes out soon, and you can increase activity.
I saw my surgeon Monday. He does not think my left implant has rotated. The lateral side is just unyielding from radiation and it's tending to push the gel more to one side. It really slopes off laterally where it is tight. I can live with it...have to. It looks just fine in clothes. He was more concerned about a little area along the incision that was red and still a little open (less than 1 cm). I forgot that I ripped a scab off over a week ago thinking it was a chunk of dermabond my body was pushing out 9that has happened in previous surgery), but I took some tissue with it. I slapped on antibacterial ointment and then forgot about it. He wants me to be diligent with using a specific topical antibiotic and keep it covered until truly healed. I see him again in 3 weeks, hopefully my last visit. Unfortunately I also saw ortho for my L knee and this second opinion was bad. I'm discouraged that there isn't a good solution for the problem I have, but as a PT I already knew that. The reality of it sucks.
Less than 4 weeks to go until my wedding - it's getting crazy now! So glad I'm taking the week before and the week after off.
- xo
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OMG Andraxo, how exciting to be GETTING MARRIED!!!!CONGRATS. You have just good stuff ahead of you!
When did you have your exchange surgery? I'm trying to figure out how much I'll be able to do with one exchange /harvest more tissue along margin, other breast lift and thyroid removal. All my friends are out of town at that time, so it will be a bit more difficult depending on how many restrictions I have.
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Thanks!!
Super excited! I feel very fortunate that he supported me every step of the way through B mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and recent reconstruction, after being diagnosed with cancer just 6.5 months into the relationship. This feels like the best relationship of my life!My last exchange was 4 weeks ago. First exchange was Feb 24th (bilateral), then the R was changed to smaller 10 days later, and the L to smaller 2 months later (radiated side needed longer to heal from the first exchange). The single side at a time repeat exchanges were easy - almost felt like I didn't even have surgery. It was hard to follow restrictions. I lifted a 40# bag a dog food 2 days after the last surgery and didn't think about it until I was walking to my vehicle with it over my left shoulder. For the repeat exchanges I had restrictions (no running or weight lifting) for 10 days tops. No snowboarding though - he was worried I'd face plant or hit a land on my chest or hit a tree and blow out the incision. I don't know what kind of restrictions you'd have for a breast lift but I'd imagine no impact (running/jumping) for several weeks.
- xo
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thanks for sharing. I won't be running ( can't quite propel myself after B Achilles tendon rupture 3 yrs ago, )and I'll be off of work for the summer, so no skipping. Hopping and jumping until school starts. I figure this can't be too much worse than my lumpectomy, ok, maybe a bit worse, and I just pray the thyroid issue is benign.
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Oh 2Fun, I do hope you well with your surgeries. Keep us all up to date with how you are doing.
Andraxo, great days ahead is right! Almost time for getting hitched. WOW. You have definitely found a keeper. He sounds like a wonderful guy. Congrats.
Hey littleblueflowers, I am so glad you get to go home even a day early. Bump up your nutrition, Vitamin C is a big help, and consider trying Bromelain in a few days to help decrease inflammation.
Raven4mi, sounds good the Doxycycline with the omnicef, hope it will work better for you. Did you find out more about NAC, yet? I remember you were going to have your team look into it.
Good Nite All,
Macb
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Andra, congrats on your upcoming wedding! So happy for you! Yes, it sounds like you definitely got a keeper with that guy. I hope you're as happy in your marriage as I have been in mine - we're going on 20 years this July. Remember, the honeymoon always lasts for the "next" five years.
Had appointment with ID yesterday. He thinks it looks better. He extended my abx (omnicef and doxycycline, which he called a "powerful combination") for another two weeks after the current script runs out next week and I'll see him again in two weeks. So, there's still hope. Plus, no Memorial Day Week-end emergency surgery, which is when my initial TE became infected last year – so bonus! I'm not ruining anyone's holiday this year! He seemed more sympathetic and less like an ass during this visit; makes me wonder if the PS said something to him (though I doubt it. I'm not sure they chat all that often.)
Saw the PS today. He doesn't think it looks worse, but he doesn't think it looks better, either. The culture that he did from 10 ccs of fluid that he drained last week came back completely clear and he didn't have to drain anymore this week. I told him I saw the ID yesterday and that he extended my abx for an additional two weeks, then I asked him what our next step was and he said "eat those antibiotics like candy!" LOL! I don't go back to see him until 6/5 and we're going to try a fill just to see what happens, bearing in mind that I won't put my health in jeopardy - I'll let him know at the slightest twinge of pain, swelling, fever, etc. We're going to Europe in December and I REALLY want to have this all behind me by then! I know that seems like a long way away right now, but with the luck I've had.....just putting it out there to the universe!
Hope everyone has a nice, relaxing holiday week-end, and to all our military, thank you for your service.
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Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Andra! Raven, I'm really hoping your breast clears up with no further issues. Mac, I'm downing vitamin c like it was my job, along with kombucha, salads, organic meats....what else can I do for my skin? Lotions potions vitamins, creams? Thanks! 2fun, thanks for sharing. I wish there was some way to definitely tell the diff between infection and allergy. Sigh. Augmenting and Doxycyclene for another few weeks. I hope to get my drains out tomorrow. Fingers crossed that the new nylon non dissolving stitches heal and I get them out next week when I see the ID doc. Good luck everyone!!!
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Hi Raven4mi, Glad the ID thinks is not any worse and that the aspirated fluid came back without infection. I am really hoping this will be enough so you can finally relax. Are you going to get IV Vitamin C any more?
Littleblueflowers I would say that once early post op period is over, then try Bromelain which helps quiet down inflammation, along with the Vitamin C to bowel tolerance. A person's need for Vitamin C is considerably higher when their body is under stress from illness or surgery. As Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, and so long as you have normal kidney and bowel function, the worst that can happen with large doses of Vitamin C is to have loose stools. So taking enough Vitamin C to reach bowel tolerance is really safe, and is a way to know exactly what your body needs. You would simply take a 500mg tablet of Vitamin C every 1 to 2 hours during the day. When you have loose stools, stop taking Vitamin C and count up how many milligrams of Vitamin C you have had during the course of the day. For example, if you had 5,000mg and then reached loose stools, the next day you would plan to take slightly less, ie, 4500mg's. Then as you get better your need for Vitamin C would decrease and you would gradually taper down how much Vitamin C you would take per day. If you are already doing Vitamin C to this level, great, just keep it up. I especially like this article about wound healing. Many people are low in Vitamin A in the Retinyl Palmitate form, and some people do not convert Beta Carotene to Vitamin A/Retinyl Palmitate very well and don't even realize they are low.
http://www.lifeextension.com/Protocols/Health-Concerns/Trauma/Page-06
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Hi Raven4mi, Glad the ID thinks is not any worse and that the aspirated fluid came back without infection. I am really hoping this will be enough so you can finally relax. Are you going to get IV Vitamin C any more?
Littleblueflowers I would say that once early post op period is over, then try Bromelain which helps quiet down inflammation, along with the Vitamin C to bowel tolerance. A person's need for Vitamin C is considerably higher when their body is under stress from illness or surgery. As Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin, and so long as you have normal kidney and bowel function, the worst that can happen with large doses of Vitamin C is to have loose stools. So taking enough Vitamin C to reach bowel tolerance is really safe, and is a way to know exactly what your body needs. You would simply take a 500mg tablet of Vitamin C every 1 to 2 hours during the day. When you have loose stools, stop taking Vitamin C and count up how many milligrams of Vitamin C you have had during the course of the day. For example, if you had 5,000mg and then reached loose stools, the next day you would plan to take slightly less, ie, 4500mg's. Then as you get better your need for Vitamin C would decrease and you would gradually taper down how much Vitamin C you would take per day. If you are already doing Vitamin C to this level, great, just keep it up. I especially like this article about wound healing. Many people are low in Vitamin A in the Retinyl Palmitate form, and some people do not convert Beta Carotene to Vitamin A/Retinyl Palmitate very well and don't even realize they are low.
http://www.lifeextension.com/Protocols/Health-Concerns/Trauma/Page-06
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Congrats on your upcoming wedding Andra! Hope that day is wonderful and all these issues are well on there to being resolved by then.
Raven, glad things are settling in the right direction for you, too. LOL, enjoy your "candy".
Have a great weekend everyone!
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macb, yes, I had two more Vitamin C IVs this week on Monday and Thursday but now that this last culture came back clear again I really need to take a break. First of all, I'm one of those lucky people who have impossible veins - they have to poke me several times to get it to work and, frankly, it's exhausting. I've completely shattered the confidence of the poor woman who inserts the IVs at the medical center I go to. I keep giving her the "It's not you, it's me!" line but I don't think it's helping. Seriously considering investing in one of the less expensive vein finders just to keep with me at all times for IVs, blood work, etc. No idea if they work but it can't hurt to try! Then, once they do find a vein, at 100 g it burns quite a bit and can be very uncomfortable, not to mention it takes 2-3 hours every time. Both of my arms are bruised like you wouldn't believe from the last four IVs and I just need a break for a bit. Still taking the lipo Vit C in the meantime, though.
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littleblueflowers, have you considered essential oils for your skin? I make an mixture using cinnamon oil and fractionated coconut oil (1 drop of cinnamon oil to 1 tsp of the coconut oil) and have been using that on my red breast. I just mix it up in a little dixie cup and one mixture lasts several days.
I was hoping it would make me smell like a snickerdoodle but, honestly, I just smell like a big, walking stick of Big Red gum! LOL!
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Hi Raven4mi, we can have a contest to see who has the worst veins.HA, ha! I could have written your post. The last 2 times I went for IV Vitamin C they couldn't start an IV at all. I had 3 different people try, had 10 pokes over 2 sessions and no sucess. I can only use my R arm because of some lymphedema issues L arm. It it well controlled and I am afraid it would set it off again, so no IV's on my L arm. SIGH. I have Lovely veins on my L arm. BIG SIGH. My feet veins are worn out too. I was going in every 6 to 8 weeks as an anticancer maintenance and it isn't working anymore. Scares me not to get it. I too was thinking about a vein finder. My Naturopath said to start pumping Iron, so that is what I have started to do. At the start of all this bc torture I used to be able to do arm curl ups of 25 lbs each arm. When I started back a couple weeks ago I could only do an arm curl up with 10 lbs, and barely 15lb. Now I can easily do 15lb and am planning to just keep gradually increasing how much I do weight wise. I have had a Concept 2 Rower since last fall and I do that for 25 minutes 4 days per week, and walk trails with my dogs the other days, but I guess that is not making enough headway in improving my strength and veininess of my arms. I hope it helps, because I just feel better when I get those IV's every month. I take Lipospheric Vitamin C too.
Hope you all stay well and have a really nice Memorial Day weekend.
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