So, I woke up with celluitis

Kindergarten

Hi, KatieJane,Trishe and Ladies. I am so sorry to hear about your cellulitis!!!  Prayers are coming for fast healing and no more bouts of it. I  have had two bouts of it and the first time I spent 7 days in the hospital with an IV drip. I was able to keep my second bout of cellulitis under control by immediately starting Clindamyacin. I avoided a hospital stay. Finally my infectious disease doc has me on a maintenance dose of amoxicillin everyday for at least a year. I remember asking Binney about that and she thought it was a good idea that he had me on it, but I did not know then that I would be on it for a year. So far I have been on the amoxicllin for about 8 montsh, but I did cut my dose in half. I am not sure that this has been a good thing.  I am staying on it at least until May, because my son gets married then and I don't want any complications. Do you have any advice, Kira, Binney or any of you dealing with this,thanks so much in advance for your advice. KATHY

kira66715

Kathy, if it's kept you free from infections for 8 months and the infectious disease doctor recommended it, it sounds like a good idea--definitely through the wedding.

There's a huge push to avoid overuse of antibiotics, but the benefit--no infections and further harm to your lymphatics--definitely seems to outweight the risks--antibiotic side effects and possible resistance.

In cystic fibrosis, people get recurrent infections due to thick secretions, and use of azithromycin has been very helpful in preventing the infections and progressive lung disease.

With LE, we're a set up due to stagnant lymph fluid--not unlike stagnant mucous in cystic fibroisis, so it all seems to make a lot of sense, and you saw a specialist.

You must be so excited about the wedding! 

Kira

Kindergarten

Thank you so much, Kira for your wonderful reply. I feel so much better now. You and Binney have given such wonderful advice and information on this thread. Thank you so much again, and yes I can not wait for the wedding!!!! Have a great week, Kathy 

Katiejane

  Ok Swell Sisters--now that I am home from the hospital and on oral abx for cellulitis I'm feeling the need to put on a compression sleeve.  And for the life of me, I can't remember when is the right time!!  Still is slightly pink in a few small separate areas and I'm afebrile.  What is the rule here??

Thanks!!   Katiejane

kira66715

Katiejane, the rule is that the infection is adequately treated--you don't have to be perfect. Binney suggests trying night garments first, as they're more comfortable.

We should figure out the exact rule, because it's come up so often lately.

Kira

Marple

I'm sorry there was a need to start this thread but it's come in a timely manner for me.  Tomorrow is my annual physical and now I'll be sure to add a px for an antibiotic to my list of requests.

Thank you ladies.

Katiejane, glad to see you are home. 

Katiejane

  Thanks Kira,  that's what I was thinking-the night sleeve is a softer compression so to speak. Can I use it some during the day too? 

Sharon, Absoutely get that prescription!!!! I took one brfore I headed to the ER-unfortunately it came back to visit me about 1 hour after I took it!  Don't think it was down long enough to do anything.

Katiejane

Binney4

Katiejane, you can wear your night garments during the day anytime you need to. They're clumsy, but I use them all day if I'm having an uncomfortably flare, and for travel by car (for planes I wrap).

Just take it off often enough to check on your arm, yes?

Gentle hugs,
Binney

Katiejane

  Thanks Binney!  I will be inspecting the arm quite often!!   Thanks!  Katiejane

Kindergarten

Dear Kateijane, Hope your arm heals quickly and stays healed, cellulitis is a challenge. Thank you Bin ney and Kira, for your kindness and wonderful advice and information. I always find comfort on this thread, sorry to have been away for so long. Kathy

Marple

Thanks to this thread I now have a prescription request on hand just in case.  It's something I've known I should have but for some reason I didn't do it until today.  I'm so grateful to you all.

comingtoterms

Hi Ladies, I just wanted to share some info with you that I got today. On Friday, I had my second occurrence of cellulitis within a six month period. It presented exactly the same way it did the first time: body aches the day before - like I was coming down with the flu. Although I lost 27 nodes, the docs were at a loss to understand why it happened: no scratches, bites, skin openings of any kind. But here it is: I have a HORRIBLE habit of picking at my cuticles because they are always terribly dry. I bite them, too. This is how I got cellulitis. I am like a kid - putting my fingers in my mouth! It is so embarrassing, but I needed to share this info with you.  I have to find another vice or my primary care will have my head!!  Tammy

Kindergarten

Dear Tammy, You made a serious situation so comical, thanks for the chuckle. You are too cute, but yes I do remember my infectious disease doc telling me to quit biting my nails. He said I was too old to be continuing this habit. I am trying. I am also on a maintenance antibiotic for at least a year. I also had two recurring cellulitis infections within 6 months. Let's keep track of each other and hold each other responsible to make sure we never put our fingers in our mouths, Blessings to you and everyone who deals with cellulitis. Kathy

comingtoterms

Whew! What a relief to know I am not alone! What did you do to keep your cuticles soft? Mine truly are a hot mess and I don't want to pay for acrylic nails. Nasty, nasty habit. Grrrr.....

Katiejane

  After my 2nd round w/ cellulitis last week I too have been trying to figure out how the bug got into my system. But as we all know, many times you can't see the "open access". But 2 days prior to onset I had my teeth cleaned and there was 1 tiny area that had some local inflammation/infection. My gum was tender and alittle swollen and I remember it did bleed as the hygienist probed between the 2 teeth.  I wonder.........?  Wow! I never gave dental work to much thought!  Just wondered what your thoughts are on this????   katiejane

Kindergarten

Dear Tammy and Katiejane!!!  I really don't do anything to keep my cuticles soft, right now I am just trying to keep them clean, that is such a good question though. I don't have manicures anymore because of the cellulits, but I will ask my friend what she uses. Katiejane, I have heard that any infection could cause an outbreak of cellulitis. My gums tend to bleed when I get a cleaning, but I have been on the anitibiotic since last April. You could ask your dentist if he would give you a three day dose of antibiotic before your next cleaning. My mom, who mitro-valve prolapse took an antibiotic before any dental visit. I hope you both stay cellulitis free, who thought that we would have to deal with this too?? Blessings to you both!!!!!

Kindergarten

Hi, Ladies, Jo-5 great advice as always. Are we all staying cellulitis free, so hoping so for all of you!!!! Jo-5 keep the advice coming and thoughts and prayers are coming all your way for a spring and summer free from cellulitis. Kathy

Kindergarten

Dear Jo-5, I had the same scenario, I had a bout of cellulitis and the infectious disease doctor suspected I had lymphedema. I was 6 years out at the time. I went to my onc and he confirmed it. I have had one other bout of it. I am now on a maintenance antibiotic, for at least a year. Have a great day!!!! Kathy

GottaloveNED

I have to second the earlier post about the SUSO cellulitis link. I had scratched my arm on Friday the 13th ( go figure) and although it didn't seem to be infected on the outside, yesterday I went from painfully swollen to an angry red over 75% of my arm and a fever within 8 hours. I remembered reading the SUSO link at some point and looked it up. I liked after each section it said "Take this seriously, go now" and I did and and am so glad. I can't believe how quickly it spread. If I would have waited until this morning, who knows how bad it would have been. So, good job on the SUSO website.

kira66715

Are you feeling better now?

Kira

Califgirl12

Regarding Prevention of Cellulitis:  I read in an earlier post that someone started wearing gloves while handling raw meats and her bouts with cellulitis had stopped.  I had read in an article about preventing LE that gloves should always be worn when doing household dishes, chores, and gardening.  I purchased several gloves for doing dishes, cleaning, ect.  The other day I started gardening--without gloves--and what do you know, I poked myself with something sharp.  Of course, I washed quickly and kind of got mad at myself for not putting on the new gardening gloves that I just purchased.  So the gloves will help prevent LE and hopefully cellulitis too.  

 In March just 8 weeks post lumpectomy I was hospitalized for 3 days for cellulitis.  After 3 long weeks on a couple different antibiotics, it went away.  However, my stomach is still recouping from all those strong antibiotics.  Probiotics have helped some.

Good health everyone

GottaloveNED

Kira, I am feeling better. The antibiotics seem to be working and hot and red has faded to warm and slightly pink. The ER was great and recognized the issue right away, I didn't even need the informational materials, but had them cued up on the iPad just in case.

Califgirl12 - my situation was similar to yours. I took off my glove & sleeve to work outside because I didn't want to get it dirty and scratched myself. I had gone out and bought plastic vet breeders gloves that would have covered the sleeve and kept it clean. Big mistake on my part!!

kcshreve

I am terrified of cellulitis, so I read all these posts when they are added.  I've had reactions to every antibiotic so far and have to go through a 4 hour desensitization process in order to tolerate a round.  With cellulitis, it would probably have to be by IV, but most docs are not comfortable with desensitization.  And with LE, any IV would have to be by foot - - ugh!  The complications of this make my head swim.  It's hard enough just getting bloodwork done by foot.  Am I missing something here?

Califgirl12

kcshreve. OMG I am right there with you.  I hate taking meds because they make me feel funny.  I tried Kflex and that was ok but didt get rid of the infection.  My Surgeon then put me on Cepro--powerful stuff.  Made my joints ache, and so I looked it up.  Guess what, it has a black box warning for rupturing tendons!  I freaked out and switched back to Kflex.  My surgeon kinda laughed and asked do I always self prescribe my medicine.  I told her that stuff made me ache all over and made me dizzy.  I guess our best bet is avoid situations that can cause it accidentally, like cuts/scrapes and keep up with the excercises.  I read that when there is swelling, infection can follow.  I had alot of swelling in my treated breast and did'nt even know the potential danger.  Now I wear my super duper whooper sports bra in the day and a less constricting one at night.  I paid like $80 each for these suckers and so far they have paid off.  My Surgeon said larger busted women like me can have swelling for something like 18 months out.  My last appointment she was impressed how my swelling was under control...I think its these titanium sports bra.  I hate wearing them but if they work, thats what matters.

TerriD

***URGENT*** HI Ladies, I will be posting this issue on various threads, because I need a pretty quick response, so thanks you to anyone who can help/share:  This question is for my mom. BACKGROUND: She just finished radiation. Not sure how many treatments, I think it was for 5 weeks.  She was stage 1, and this is her second cancer episode, first time was 10 years ago (me, her and my youngest sister have all had breast cancer twice each, and each recurrence was 10 years later...)

OK QUESTION:  mom just called me her radiation dr told her she has cellulitis (last week) She has been on a sulfur oral antibiotic and has had no relief, hot-to-touch rash on rad site and tenderness.

Now I have had my own issues with cellulitis, I have had many episodes (over 40) and have only had it 2x with out a fever present.  so I wonder... I also had a lot more rads then she did, so could it be radiation burns??  That she has? 

I finished rads in 2009 and lost my skin etc, I did not end up with a hot to touch rash that was from radiation - that I am aware of, I did have hot-to-touch cellulitis issues (that started way b4 rads ever did) and was usually accompanied with a 103.5 fever.

Mom  has no fever.  The rad dr gave her an oral antibiotic a week ago and it is still hot-to-touch.

COULD THIS "JUST" be a radiation burn???  (I HATE to say "just", I know how hard it is...)

If not, I have to assume it is cellulitis, like the dr said, but I know how hard it is to dx this animal.

Mom is in FL I am in MI so I cant look at it, she says the "rash" is on her chest on the radiation site. In my case my rash went up my arm, and across the chest and back...hers is not spreading...so I wonder if this is just a rad side effect and NOT cellulitis???

The problem is she has heart issues and has also had c-diff in the past, so allowing a strep bacteria unattended is a real bad idea, and having IV antibiotics would be hard too (due to her

c-diff history). 

She is ready to go to the ER, either way I told her that this should not be treated by her rad dr, that she needs to see an infectious disease dr. 

Suggestions?  comments? 

Oh, and just in case can anyone recommend an Infectious disease dr in Ft Lauderdale area?  THANKS Terri

Marple

Terri, if you post all over the boards you'll lose track of answers.  It might be a good idea to post this on the lymphedema boards.  Or even under 'help me get through treatment'.  Start your own thread where people may all come to respond.  Good luck.

TerriD

I did thanks!

TerriD

I created a thread if you care to comment or follow thanks t

Could this be radiation burns or cellulitis???

lymphedemapeople

Terri, if may be that your mom should see an infectious disease doctor.  They are sooooo much better qualified/trained to treat cellulitis.  They would be able to rule out whether or not it is a radiation burn or actual cellulitis.  IMHO, an blood test might be necessary if it is an infection to determine the actual bacteria involved.  It is critical that the appropriate antibiotic be given for the particular bacteria or she isn't going to be helped.  Prayers with you both.  I've had cellulitis so many times I can't count - even had gangrene from it once.  Pat - Lymphedema People

Califgirl12

I would have her go to her. Surgeon. My Surgeon instructed me to go to her offices if I start to develop Cellulitis again. She said she would need to drain fluid and have it checked by pathology to see what strain of bacteria it was and then which course of antibiotics to prescribe. hope this helps.