cellulitis

BeckySharp

Jinky--I hope this time all of the meds you are taking kick in and work for you before Saturday--or sooner.  Becky

jinky

Well I think my hand is getting better...the swelling is down a lot.....the red rash is fading a bit...

very busy, mom 93 had surgery and is doing good..... got to rest now le hugs carol.

mrsnjband

Jinky, glad to hear you are doing better.  Only meds I've had for cellulitus, except for the IV, is clyndomycin.  I have also taken Benadryl until it cleared up.  Made me really, really drozsy.  NJ

Binney4

Jinky! Prayers for you and your mom -- really glad the surgery is over and the hand getting better. How's the pain level?

Hugs, Sister!
Binney

hymil

Link: http://www.lymphoedema.org/Menu4/4Cellulitis.asp  scroll down the page and download the pdf thing. I am taking this aborad with me (I have the A4 short version but will probably take this 8page for medics too) and hope they will read enough english to understand what to do if. I am also taking some tea-tree balm, to frighten the little beasties away. I mean the midges and mozzies, not the nice doctors...

sisterinspirit

Jinky,

So glad to hear that your hand is doing better, what an ordeal!  Prayers for your continued recovery and your mom's too.

Deb

sflow

I had it twice and it is very serious.  It scared me cause it was on the breast where I had IDC previously and I thought it might be IBC,  It looked like half a red tank top running from my collar bone to my tummy.  The first time my PCP thought it was the result of a sinus infection and gave me an antibiotic.  It went away from about 2 months and came right back.  That time, I went to my oncologist.  He flipped out and wanted to put me in the hospital on IV antibiotics.  Fortunately, he was able to give me a strong antibiotic and it went away.  It did take a while for the redness to disappear.  In fact, he had me come in for a re-check and gave me another dose "just in case".  It is not something to mess with!

jinky

Can't wrap yet as the top of my hand still has pain....the red rash I got was 1 1/2 by 1/2 inch wide  and it was right on my wrist....and it appears to be shrinkimg. I can move my wrist some without pain now.  My finger are back to normal. My arm isn't to bad.....redness near the elbow is not red now. 3 1/2 days on new antibiotic. Is it right you should not wrap with pain? The worse spot is in the back of my hand and this is where I have had the most trouble in the past. le hugs jinky

Binney4

Jinky, does the wrapping cause more pain? You for sure don't want to add to the pain. You might be better off waiting another day before you try to wrap, just to make sure the infection is retreating. Elevate, stay really well hydrated, and try to take it easy.

How's your mom? Sure hope she's resting comfortably and recovering smoothly. 

Be well!
Binney

moogie

I want to echo the ladies here: it took a while for my angry area to look normal again, even when I was responding well to the meds. It looked much better in 2-3 days,big improvement, and took about 2-3 weeks to reach a place where I could not detect its "tidelines" or former borders from the surrounding skin.

Elevating the arm really was key to managing my pain, even though it was annoying and inconvenient. I did not slow down initially, and I paid for that decision in aching and discomfort. Take life easier than usual, and do not push yourself to carry, lift, tote or haul anything till you are fully mended.

Heal up, and sending you wishes for swift recovery! 

jinky

Moogie do you mean that you waited 2 or 3 weeks before you wrapped? Jo-5 did you wait a long time before you wrapped?    Binn I haven't tried wrapping yet and probably will wait  till antibiotics are gone.....like 5 days. What do you think? Can't open 3 middle fingers on their own yet. The swelling is going down. confused here     le hugs jinky

Binney4

Jinky, yes, wait. The current thinking on this is that once the infection is clearly receding it's safe to start gentle wrapping (usually 2 or 3 days after starting the antibiotics), but I doubt I'd be comfortable doing that just because I'd want to be able to keep an eye on it. I agree with Moogie -- it's rest-and-elevate time (kind of hard to do with your mom just out of surgery -- hope she's doing well!)

Rest. Elevate. Drink lots of water. Read a good book or watch a funny DVD. Give yourself time to heal.

Get well quick!
Binney

jinky

How long did you take antibiotics by mouth or by Iv .I go the doctor tomorrow night and I am wondering if I should ask for a IV. It will be 12 days all together Not seeing and more change.

le hug jinky

moogie

Jinky:

I am no expert, but my Dr. wanted to see improvement or arrest of the situation by the second dose of meds. I was able to compress after significant improvement more than a week later, and after she had an appointment with me to see that the issues was resolving. I had a lot of pain, and she thought some of that was because I have been compressed for years---and going without that support could by itself create discomfort for me.

Would not compress until you are well since it sounds like the infection is still going strong for you unfortunately. I was sure to eat unsweetened yogurt and took some supplemental acidophillus while on meds to avoid yeast infections and stomach distress after the party was over! 

WIshing you a speedy heal!

jinky

10 more days with antibiotics altogether ....looking good ....just the top of my hand and wrist are swollen.....not as much pain, be great is this fixes my problem hand....arm good....le hugs jinky

very tired brought mom home from hospital......thanks for all the help..... 

BeckySharp

Jinky--I am so happy things are looking up for you.  Keep Mom resting.  Becky

sushanna1

Jinky--Sending healing thoughts your way. Hang in there.

Sue 

jinky

Thank you all for the help you have given me. The pain is gone....top of hand still puffy....red cellulites almost gone....Next Friday I take my last antibiotics.....stomach feels it.....take gravel 1/2 hour before meal then meds......very tired....le hugs jinky

jinky

Has anyone here had cellulitis and couldn't open their 3 fingers. The doctor said probably the infection is in the tendons. I have never heard this before. 7 more days on antibiotics. I can move my fingers a little but can't straighten them out. le hugs jinky

Binney4

Jinky, I've never heard of an infection in the tendons, but I'm bumping this again in case there are others who have dealt with something similar. How are you today? If you stop getting progressively better, or if things look worse, do report in to them promptly.

Are you able to rest? Hope your mom is doing well. You sure have a full plate!

Hugs, prayers,
Binney

kira66715

Jinky, infections in the tendons can be quite serious:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/finger_infection/article_em.htm#Finger%20Infection%20Overview

Perhaps it's time to see a hand surgeon.

Kira

jinky

My fingers are perfect except to straighten 3 of them out. The back of my hand is good except an oval spot. The redness is almost gone. My fill in doctor said he feels it will be fixed by the time I finish my antibiotics.  6 days Going to make appointment  to get in with my own doctor . I now can move my wrist normally. thanks le jinky

jinky

Hi Girls, I finally think I know what is going on. It started in my wrist and before this happened there was always one spot on my hand that swelled. I have advanced arthritis in my wrist and thumb joint. It is coming from my WRIST. I am now on 2 celebrex a day but once in awhile I take one as I am scared of taking 2. I am going to see Shannon and my doctor to see about getting a mri. Probably take months here. My arm and hand is back to what i call normal. le hugs jinky

jinky

Tendon sheath infection

If a small laceration or puncture wound occurs over the middle of a finger, especially near a joint on the palm side, an infection of the flexor tendon can occur. These can often cause severe stiffness, even destruction and rupture of the tendon. These present acutely with stiffness of the finger in a slightly bent posture, diffuse swelling and redness of the finger, tenderness on the palm side of the finger, and severe aggravation of pain with attempts to straighten the finger (see Figure 4). This infection requires immediate surgical drainage of the tendon sheath and antibiotics. In diabetics this condition can occasionally lead to the loss of the infected finger.
I certainly don't have this thank God. le hugs jinky

sushanna1

Glad that things are back to normal.  

Sue