Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 6/19/2007

Question
I was referred to dermatologist because of many skin lesions.   She cultured and did biopsy an dsaid there is staph as well as allergic reaction.  I have been very sick for the past year.  Here is chronology:

June, 06:  wound on shin that did not heal--treated with cephalexin.

Late June, 06

gumline filling fell out of molar which had been previously infected and painful.  Replaced, extremely painful.  Same night, exposed to large amount of gasoline fumes (someone spilled gas in my basement.

July 3, 06.  So sick and exhausted could hardly get out of bed.  rested 1 day, worked a few hours during next few days, saw doctor who prescribed antidepressant.

about 5 days later, developed rash all over trunk, which then spread to many areas.  thought it looked like chicken pox or possibly impetigo. (red, itchy, oozed and scabbed over in one day.)  Saw same M.D a couple of times. Prescribed bactroban, but I did not use.  Saw my very holistic chiropractor, did not diagnose, but tested me for Rife machine frequencies.  I used that for a couple of weeks.  Lesions kept appearing  for about 6 weeks, then finally healed.

Been suffering from debilitating fatigue ever since. ( meet diagnostic criteria for CFS), have had to cut back on work (run private music studio, work for home health agency)and start using my small retirement fund (I'm 56). Need to lie down and rest every couple of hours to keep functioning.

Early June, 07

Same toot starting to ache again, had teeth cleaned, area by filling very painful when cleaned, throbbing for days afterward.  Used goldenseal, natural dentist rinse, and diluted tea tree oil.  5 days later, developed same type of lesions on legs, spreading to arms, feet, neck (not trunk this time).  Which got me to primary care, and dermatologist.

note--1995 exposed for about a  month to oil combustion products, until finally figured out problem was hole in chimney under my bedroom (slumlord!) Have had periods of fatigue and ill health on and off since.

Could I possibly have a systemic staph infection (tooth, skin, etc.) due to my compromised immune system and do ??you have any advice? ( I started taking GSE, and my chiropractor thinks I also have intestinal flukes and I am doing Rife machine again.)

thank you so much.

NOra

Answer
Nora,
Thanks for your question.  This has certainly been a difficult year for you.  So first of all, I think it is important to recognize that, and recognize your efforts towards healing.  Something significant happened, and in order to feel well again, you need to find out what that something is.  It may be a systemic infection of some sort, which is important to find out.  But the even bigger question than that even is how that happened; what caused these chain of events to occur.  
Now the question is what to do, and that is difficult to say without knowing you and the details of your life better.  What I would suggest is that you find a person who will help you investigate the causes first, whether that be your MD, DC, or another provider.  Someone with experience with environment medicine and chronic fatigue syndrome would be best.  That person will be able to provide treatment options for you, or refer you to other providers.  Individualized care with clear gtreatment goals is going to do the most good for you, and help you get back on track to better health.  I'd suggest a naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org) or a holistic MD (www.holisticmedicine.org) to start with.  
Good luck!
Dr Conner