Cellulitis and Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy???

TerriD

Hi Ladies, I have had recurrent cellulitis since Jan 2009. This started a month after my (second) mastectomy and right after chemo. Left arm became bright red, actually at that time the "sunburn like rash" spread across my stomach and back half way and from my collar bone to my belly button, hot to touch, high fever (up to 103.8) body aches, soreness in arm, increased lymphatic swelling (you know the drill). All during chemo (for 7 months) I got this once a week. During radiation it was every other week, and then the episodes got less frequent down to 3-4 a year. It took drs 1.5 years to diagnose me and I began IV antibiotics for 6-8 weeks at a time, then moved to oral antibiotics Augmentin 875 for the past 5 years or so. Finally, in 2013 (4 years in) I got a reprieve; no cellulitis for 14 months. I had taken steps to get my diabetes in check, have done Physical therapy to reduce lymphedema swelling, use compression sleeves and use a Lymphatic pump daily for 1-2 hours (for 4 years now). Alas, the cellulitis returned and for the past 14 months the cellulitis episodes have been on a 6-8 week loop. Despite the symptoms reducing --to "just"spots/blotches, fever's stay low grade etc. Before I see any visible signs, I get the body aches, arm pain, back aches, I get irritable (blood pressure spikes)...and then I see the spots (which means no pumping of course so swelling get pretty bad again). Aside from Augmentin I have been getting a 3-day in a row shots of Recepitin … and I admit I just realized I have had a defeatist attitude lately. A few months ago I was at the drs and I was like, this is my new normal, I will never be well, I just have to learn to live with this...but yesterday I was talking to someone who brought up a few good points and gave me HOPE! New plan: 1- I need to lose weight, it's not good for my diabetes or lymphedema, so there's that battle of the bulge to begin...2- I called for a consult with a holistic dr (yeah right $700 not including labs to get a diagnosis- so that's not happening. And 3- I am now exploring Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy, so, MY QUESTION is: Has anyone out there dealing with lymphedema or cellulitis TRIED THIS? I hope to hear tales of healing, but since there are not too many of us with recurrent cellulitis; I understand the odds of that are bleak. Anyone care to share? Thanks and God Bless you all on your healing journeys, hugs, Terri aka termite

glennie19

I have not done it, but I have heard of it being done with wounds that have trouble healing. Hope that you heard from others.