Staph infection 2 weeks out from BCT

[Jay]

Hey everyone, I'm not 100% if this is the place for this, please relocate if it isn't. I caught a staph infection on my chest, had it drained two days ago. Recruiters said "we'll figure it out when you get to MEPS". I leave 23SEPT.

I've got two weeks and two days until I go to MEPS. My incision is 1 inch wide by 1/2 inch deep. The packing comes out tonight then it will be on its own to heal. Thankfully, my girlfriend is a nurse so she's watching it close. My question is what does MEPS usually let through from a cut standpoint if any? And if I'm not cleared what the turn around? My recruiters aren't giving me much info at all. I'm on antibiotics, cleaning it and I'm healthy and tend to heal fast. Obviously just concerned ill get DQ'd or pushed back.

Thank you in advance

-J

 

[SkrewzLoose]

I'm not sure about all the protocol, but how'd you get the infection?

 

[TLDR20]

Hey everyone, I'm not 100% if this is the place for this, please relocate if it isn't. I caught a staph infection on my chest, had it drained two days ago. Recruiters said "we'll figure it out when you get to MEPS". I leave 23SEPT.

I've got two weeks and two days until I go to MEPS. My incision is 1 inch wide by 1/2 inch deep. The packing comes out tonight then it will be on its own to heal. Thankfully, my girlfriend is a nurse so she's watching it close. My question is what does MEPS usually let through from a cut standpoint if any? And if I'm not cleared what the turn around? My recruiters aren't giving me much info at all. I'm on antibiotics, cleaning it and I'm healthy and tend to heal fast. Obviously just concerned ill get DQ'd or pushed back.

Thank you in advance

-J

You should be fine... If the recruiters aren't worried you shouldnt be.

 

[amlove21]

No worries here mate. Shouldnt be an issue.

 

[AWP]

For those of you playing along at home, this thread is an example of how medical advice threads should work. OP sees a doc, starts treatment, THEN shows up with details before asking for opinions.

 

[Jay]

CBACK AND AMLOVE,

First off, thank you for your responses! Second, thank you both for what you do!! I removed my packing tonight as instructed from the surgeon..I about passed out from the 6 inches of packing being pulled out and the pain/smell/feeling/sight etc. my girlfriend (trauma nurse) straight bossed It and cleaned it up. You guys are badass for the extraordinary things you see and do. I have the upmost respect for anyone in the medical field. I used to think I wanted to be a medic(helping people) but realized I simply don't have the stomach for it after this whole ordeal. Between the lidocaine injections in and around my nipple as well as the incisions around my nipple, the crap the comes out etc. yup, not for me. Y'all are studs. Thanks for the responses, I'm hoping it closes up. I'm staying out of the gym and not pushing at all. I'm on clyndomyosin and Percocet but I'm not taking anymore(Percocet) in fear of it coming up on my urinalysis at MEPS. Don't want anymore hiccups than I have to deal with.

Thanks again, if y'all have any suggestions as to help the healing please feel free! My GF just said "time is the only thing you dumbass". Haha she didn't want me doing the GORUCK challenge in the first place so she's a little pissy lol


Screwloose-GORUCK CHALLENGE in Atlanta 3 weeks ago. We jumped in some nasty water, I'm guessing that's where I got it.


Thanks again

-J

 

[racing_kitty]

You were recently prescribed the Percocet, so you won't get penalized if you test positive, as it's in your medical records. Just be sure to declare it before you have to provide the specimen.

I was my unit's drug test NCO for a while, so I have had to deal with these things before.

 

[goon175]

Nevermind.

 

[pardus]

I would like to know why they have DQ'd the packing at this stage.

 

[x SF med]

I would like to know why they have DQ'd the packing at this stage.

I would think after removing the iodoform gauze, they would have gone with a repack of hydrofera or aquacel to hurry the closure without drying and reduce the scarring. 2 days per dressing change isn't too bad, but 2 days then DQ is a bit odd.

 

[Jay]

He(the doc) said don't bother with re-packing the wound as it will be too painful considering its depth. I was actually wondering the same thing with concern that maybe it will need to drain longer or won't heal as fast. Doc said "you'll be cutting it close but should be fine". I have sterilized packing..not sure i want to go against his orders though.

As far as the Percocet, no pain really anymore. First day it sucked and was hard to sleep. Now, zero problems.

Again, you're all awesome! Thank you for the replies!

-J

 

[TLDR20]

I would think after removing the iodoform gauze, they would have gone with a repack of hydrofera or aquacel to hurry the closure without drying and reduce the scarring. 2 days per dressing change isn't too bad, but 2 days then DQ is a bit odd.

Not from a simple staph infection in an otherwise healthy guy. A couple days packing with some Perc 's for removal is all I'd prolly do as well. Really he just has a superficial cut. A war wound or something more serious than an i&D would require a more serious intervention. I prolly wouldn't have even lanced it, just gone with some antibiotics. Maybe @Red Flag 1 has more advice but I really think you will be fine to ship in less than a week. Just keep it on the DL.

 

[Jay]

Not from a simple staph infection in an otherwise healthy guy. A couple days packing with some Perc 's for removal is all I'd prolly do as well. Really he just has a superficial cut. A war wound or something more serious than an i&D would require a more serious intervention. I prolly wouldn't have even lanced it, just gone with some antibiotics. Maybe @Red Flag 1 has more advice but I really think you will be fine to ship in less than a week. Just keep it on the DL.

CBACK, Doc said exactly that. "It's cosmetic". I was on antibiotics for over a week with warm compresses every hour, it just continued to grow so they decided to lance. A ton of pus came out, it was apparently pretty deep. They said they didn't want to take any chances and to just get it out. I've got exactly two weeks until I report to the hotel to ship out. It's just that lady minute stress that's getting to me. Ill post a picture if allowed tomorrow after I clean it.

-J

 

[pardus]

Not from a simple staph infection in an otherwise healthy guy. A couple days packing with some Perc 's for removal is all I'd prolly do as well. Really he just has a superficial cut. A war wound or something more serious than an i&D would require a more serious intervention. I prolly wouldn't have even lanced it, just gone with some antibiotics. Maybe @Red Flag 1 has more advice but I really think you will be fine to ship in less than a week. Just keep it on the DL.

1" wide by 1/2" deep and no anti-biotics?
Maybe I'm gunshy now, but i'd be paying a lot more attention to it than you said.
That all said, you're way more advanced than I.

 

[Jay]

1" wide by 1/2" deep and no anti-biotics?
Maybe I'm gunshy now, but i'd be paying a lot more attention to it than you said.
That all said, you're way more advanced than I.

Paradus, I'm on clindamycin for antibiotics. It's commonly used for staph/MRSA.

 

[pardus]

Paradus, I'm on clindamycin for antibiotics.

Well be more clear in your posts then.

 

[Jay]

Well be more clear in your posts then.

Apologies. It was in the 6th post, bottom of my first paragraph/novel where I stated I was off Percocet. I should've put it in the first post. My fault.

-J

Is it okay to post a picture?

 

[pardus]

Is it okay to post a picture?

Go for it.

 

[TLDR20]

Is it okay to post a picture?

Yeah

 

[Jay]

There ya go