my abcess is back

So sorry to hear of your discomfort. As to antibiotics, they are known to trouble the biome in your gut which may take a good while to settle down. As to repeated use, I don't think you have much option but to take them if that is what your gp advises. As far as I am aware antibiotics do not harm the immune system. The abcess has come back because either you needed a couple of more days worth of treatment or the strain of bacteriawas immune.
Fingers crossed that it clears up quickly, it can't be much fun.

I'd make sure they take a culture from the abscess to ensure the right antibiotics are being used to treat it.

These are gross and slightly frightening, and I'm sorry they're repeatedly bothering you.

Probiotics are never a bad thing and being able to effectively digest food and get all the goodness you can from what you eat can only help your immune system.

Also, if you haven't yet, get a blood test and check your iron and Vit D levels - both can be linked to repeated infection / slow recuperation.

Repeated courses of antibiotics, though absolutely necessary in your day-to-day management of these nasty things, will lead to increased antibiotic resistance in the bugs that bother you. Of course, there's not much you can do about that as the recommended action is to drain and treat with antibiotics, and there isn't much else you can do.

However, if the abscess gets drained effectively and is kept clean and dressed, you might be able to manage it without antibiotics - you can always return to the doctor for your prescription if you develop a fever and other symptoms of an infection. Or fill your prescription but don't take it until you've seen how the abscess does on its own.

I know that antibiotics are incredibly effective, but until a new generation of them is widely available (nowhere near) we're on the precipice of a serious problem where their effectiveness is being seriously compromised. I'm not putting this just on your shoulders - it's as much about the people who take them for a cold or a scabby knee or whatever as the people who take them in genuine need.

http://www.antibioticresistance.org.uk/
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/antibiotic-resistance/en/

Sorry to soapbox - I really hope you get well (again and permanently) soon!

manuka honey is also something to try to help the abscess heal.

Nicksu said:

manuka honey is also something to try to help the abscess heal.

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It depends on where the abcess is sited, but my grandparents used to apply kaolin poultices to treat abcesses without antibiotics, and this usually did the trick. If the abcess is on the feet then it does need immediate attention, expecially if it becomes ulcerative, since diabetes can work against it self healing. and compound the issue.

I'm sorry you've having a bit of a rough ride with it @serenity648

If it helps at all, I've just been learning about Liver Dump:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose/dawn-phenomenon.html

It's probably not the explanation for all you're experiencing, but if you're only testing in the mornings (after a good sleep), it might have something to do with things.

Get well soon, eh?

Sock x

Great advice everyone. I had an abcess in a front tooth which start my 13 months of hell. After the infection spreading through out my mouth, I've had all my teeth removed, the infection then went around my jaw bone. To top it all off, I then had sepsis twice, causing heart, kidney and liver failure. Throughout the whole time, my blood sugar were often in the 30s and 40s. Infection feeds sugar and sugar feeds infection. For many hospital visits, I was on Vancomycin by IV. I am now resistant to it, which is a serious issue in itself. Then a new Endocrinologist changed me from Lantus to Protaphane, Novarapid to Actrapid and my levels have remained under 10 now for 5 weeks. The infections appear to have gone. My Doctors including my GP and Infectious Diseases, have all told me to take probiotics which I have now taken for 4 weeks and I feel great.

Sorry you are having a bad time Hope it clears up soon

Blossom73 said:

Great advice everyone. I had an abcess in a front tooth which start my 13 months of hell. After the infection spreading through out my mouth, I've had all my teeth removed, the infection then went around my jaw bone. To top it all off, I then had sepsis twice, causing heart, kidney and liver failure. Throughout the whole time, my blood sugar were often in the 30s and 40s. Infection feeds sugar and sugar feeds infection. For many hospital visits, I was on Vancomycin by IV. I am now resistant to it, which is a serious issue in itself. Then a new Endocrinologist changed me from Lantus to Protaphane, Novarapid to Actrapid and my levels have remained under 10 now for 5 weeks. The infections appear to have gone. My Doctors including my GP and Infectious Diseases, have all told me to take probiotics which I have now taken for 4 weeks and I feel great.

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Sepsis is awful, and I'm delighted to read that you're solidly on the mend - it took me months to get over just one bout of it, Good for you for hanging in there.

Sock x

I am struggling with a breast abscess the last five months and a very painful right shoulder that precedes the abscess and has now been going on 2 years. It is impossible to get a good night's sleep on account of the pain. Getting me down.