Hi folks,

I'm on Tysabri. I was recently in California and got a pedicure at a cheap nail salon. For $20 they painted my toes a very nice purple color! I noW have a very nasty infection on my heel. Fortunately it has not spread because I caught it early and was proactive about getting help as soon as I knew something was wrong.

I'm here to warn you. Please think twice about a manicure or pedicure if you are on immunosuppressant drugs. The foot baths with the bubbling tubs are the most dangerous. After many ER visits, IV antibiotics, and many doctors later I discovered I likely have an infection on my heel from a mycobacterium. They have to culture to find the specific one but in the meantime they have started treatment. I am on 3 different antibiotics for the next 3 months at a minimum!! I expect to feel very ill for the next few months. This bacteria (likely mycobacterium fortuitum) is found in nail salons. Anyone is susceptible but the immunocompromised people are at much greater risk.

If you do go, make sure the tubs are scrubbed out with antibacterial solution. Wait 10 minutes. Make sure they autoclave all tools. Better yet buy your own kit and bring it with you. Wait 24-48 hours after shaving your legs before getting a pedicure (I didn't!) because a nick provides the perfect entry for bacteria. Ask if the vents in the foot tub are cleaned out regularly. They should be soaked overnight in bleach every 2 weeks. One woman in Fort Worth, TX got a foot infection 5 years ago from a pedicure and wound up dying.Paula Abdul got a very bad nail infection from a manicure and wound up hospitalized. She went on a crusade for better state regulations.

Anyhow, I don't mean to scare you but I wanted to give all those immunocompromised people a heads up.

I've been a trooper through it all but I'm not a happy camper! Thank god, though it is not worse!