Meningitis Outbreak: Woman Worries For Her Health After Taking Steroid
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: October 5, 2012
A Sturgis, Kentucky woman says she received a steroid injection from St. Mary's Surgicare at Crosspointe facility. Patsy Bivins suffers from stenosis and fibromyalgia -- two medical conditions that leave her with chronic pain. She says the pain often becomes unbearable. Her doctor recommended trying a steroid injection.
She received her first steroid August 27 at St. Mary's Surgicare at Crosspointe facility. She says it seemed like a godsend for her chronic pain. "I thought, 'man, I'm gonna get something to where I won't have to live off pain pills all the time -- just go get a shot every once in a while," says Bivins.
Bivins was planning to get her second shot soon, but after being told that injection may have contained a strain of meningitis, she says she's not sure if she'll ever receive the treatment again. She and at least 560 patients were notified by hospital staff that the shot may contain a strain of meningitis. So far one patient is being treated for meningitis.
Bivins said the effectiveness of the steroid gave her promise. After learning there is a possibility she could be contaminated with meningitis -- she's searching for a different treatment.
Hospital officials say the contamination comes from the manufacturer of the injection -- not the hospital. They say they've switched manufacturers of the steroid and patients do not need to be concerned about taking the shot.
"I'm gonna try not to [take the injection]. There has to be another way," says Bivins.
Hospital officials say the steroid used in the shot is extremely important for people with chronic pain. They recommend patients who have used them in the past continue to get them.
She received her first steroid August 27 at St. Mary's Surgicare at Crosspointe facility. She says it seemed like a godsend for her chronic pain. "I thought, 'man, I'm gonna get something to where I won't have to live off pain pills all the time -- just go get a shot every once in a while," says Bivins.
Bivins was planning to get her second shot soon, but after being told that injection may have contained a strain of meningitis, she says she's not sure if she'll ever receive the treatment again. She and at least 560 patients were notified by hospital staff that the shot may contain a strain of meningitis. So far one patient is being treated for meningitis.
Bivins said the effectiveness of the steroid gave her promise. After learning there is a possibility she could be contaminated with meningitis -- she's searching for a different treatment.
Hospital officials say the contamination comes from the manufacturer of the injection -- not the hospital. They say they've switched manufacturers of the steroid and patients do not need to be concerned about taking the shot.
"I'm gonna try not to [take the injection]. There has to be another way," says Bivins.
Hospital officials say the steroid used in the shot is extremely important for people with chronic pain. They recommend patients who have used them in the past continue to get them.
