Cellulitus Again

[lymphlady]

A few weeks ago I had cellulitus. This morning I woke up to red blotches on my leg again. Sometimes I have a solid red patch that spreads on the front of my calf and other times I get pink or red splotches on my calf. I guess my question is, I've been wrapping and I just don't understand why so soon after the last episode? I'm going to urgent care tomorrow but I'm afraid that all these antibiotics are not good for my body.

[Cassie]

Aw, lymphlady, I'm so sorry. Please DON'T WAIT until tomorrow. You need help fast. Cellulitis is a sneaky bugger that can get out of hand in a hurry and put you in the hospital on IV antibiotics. So do jump on it right away.

Once you're on top of this one, it might be time for a referral to an Infectious Disease specialist. Some of us with repetitive episodes of cellulitis need a low-dose antibiotic on a regular basis. As for too many antibiotics being bad for you, it's sure not as bad as out-of-control cellulitis. But that is definitely a concern to talk over thoroughly with your doctor.

Please keep us posted. I'll be thinking of you and praying for quick healing,
Cassie

[lymphlady]

ArmyWife,

Went to the doctor and did a round of antibiotics again. Seemed to be getting better until Friday. I started getting redness again and even with the compression making no dent in the swelling. I went to urgent care after work and they sent me right to the ER. At the ER they did an ultrasound and the ultrasound showed no clot but the doctor said she wants me to follow up with my regular doctor on Tuesday. She said that I could be developing small clots which if not treated could result in a larger clot. She didn't treat is an infection. Just gave me vicodin or the pain. Will follow up with the doctor Tuesday.

[1phatleg]

Alan here> i had this crap a few weeks ago. I HATE THIS PART OF EDEMIA. go and get you manueal draineg. you need to get the old stuff out of their, I am going thurs , for mine. On my last bout with celluitus , the f=ucking parademics made me walk up my two flights of stairs. man did that kill.

ANYTHING ON SHOES, ANYBODY: i have to wear the f=ucking combat boots. with swelling that never goes away and then sticking you fat foot in a little hole..man that hurts.

[motherhen55]

Good news I have cellulitis that puts me in the hospital very very often But there is good news This one infectious doctor I was seeing in the hospital suggested that I come into his office and get a very very very very power penicillin shot once a month. He has had wonderful results with this. So far so good for me.After missing my best friends wedding and I live in Ohio and the wedding was in Iowa we decided to go home where everyone knows my history. At that time I felt it was taking over my life and fear that if I go somewhere I will get cellitsis .But I feel like this is really going to work. I'm so glad. I hoped this helped you.


Kimberly

[patoco]

Hey Kim

That's really fantastic

I tell ya, it has made one super big difference for me too. Before I went on a preventative antibiotic, I was in and out of the hospital regularly with terribly powerful antibiotics via IV.

Now, I may get a very minor bout once in a great while. But, it is usually gone within a couple days and remains very very minor.

Keep us up on how it works for you.

Pat

[Strawberry]

Being fairly new to this diagnosis with cellulitis, I am interested in the 'preventative antibiotic' idea. Is it only the Infectious Disease doctors who prescribe this regime or can a GP also do it?

[patoco]

Hey Strawberry

Any doctor can prescribe it. I originally went to an infectious disease doctor because of a bout of cellulitis. He then suggested the "preventative" antibiotic treatment.

Now though, the prescrip is run through my oncologist, who I see monthly.

Pat