Cellulitis Questions

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Katiejane
Katiejane Member Posts: 789
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

  My first experience w/ cellulitis started today. Went to the ER, given Ancef IV the sent home with Home Health and will do 3 days IV.  I believe I have read on other threads that I should not wear compression garments or do MLD on the affected arm-is this correct?  Also, what about air travel when one has cellulitis? My mother is in her last few weeks of life with breast Ca and mets to the liver and who knows where else. She is in Ohio so it's a bit of a journey from Utah. Am I able to fly? Thanks!  Katiejane

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    KatieJane, what a lousy time for this to happen: technically, you should avoid MLD and compression until the redness starts to subside. And arms do swell with cellulitis.

    The flying part is really hard--in an ideal world, you'd be advised to not fly--you really shouldn't compress, and the barotrauma of the flight could make things worse. 

    If the infection responds quickly and you're on oral antibiotics and have oral antibiotics, you'll have to make that hard decision--but it's a decision about your family vs. the cellulitis.

    Sometimes it takes a day or so for the antibiotics to kick in, and after the IV, you should be on oral antibiotics for a couple of weeks.

    Please let us know how you're doing.

    Kira

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  • Katiejane
    Katiejane Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2011

      Thanks Kira!  The redness had become much less pronounced before I left the ER so I'm hoping I caught it early.  Strange thing was, as I left for work yesterday something fluttered through my brain and told me to take my oral Keflex that I travel with to work with me so I had already had a dose before leaving my unit for the ER. So thank you for getting back to me!   Hugs! katiejane

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited September 2011

    KatieJane, thank goodness for that early warning. I asked Binney to weigh in, and she should post soon.

    Hoping for a rapid recovery, and an uneventful trip to see your mother.

    Kira

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited September 2011

    I know it can be more expensive, and it definitely takes more time, but you might look into rail travel...at least one way.  It would keep you on the ground, avoiding the airtravel problems.

    Just an idea.

    LisaAlissa

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited September 2011

    KatieJane, I can't believe the stress you must be going through on this!Surprised I'm praying it'll be a non-issue, that this infection will just fade off quickly and you'll regain control with no trouble. Please keep us posted. It's a good sign that it was already starting to clear up -- yes!Cool According to Burt and White's book, gentle compression can be re-started once the infection is clearly receding.

    How soon were you planning to fly, or is this a wait-and-see alert? The longer you can hold off on flying the better, to be sure all's well under control. If you can't wait, be sure you and your doctor have a plan for getting prompt help in Ohio if you should need it. Make careful notes and take along the hospital report so you have a complete record -- dates, meds, doses, symptoms -- in case you need to see someone new. (I use a loose-leaf binder with pockets for doctor business cards and sections labeled for insurance papers, test and treatment records, etc.)

    Even if everything's fine when you have to leave, always be sure when you're traveling to have the antibiotic with you, and your doctor's number handy so you can check in with him if you have to start the darn things.Tongue out

    Lisa, I just love to travel by train. No jet lag, and it's kind of dreamy and restful. Ahhhhhhhhh!

    Hugs,
    Binney

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  • Katiejane
    Katiejane Member Posts: 789
    edited September 2011

      Thanks to all of you for your support and input!  :)  I had a re-eval on the arm today and it is progressing nicely. I chose to continue with the IV antibiotics and will follow with oral Keflex for 5 more days.  Hopefully, I will be cleard to fly after that!  Keeping my fingers crossed!

    Hugs to you all!  Katiejane

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    Good luck to you!  Just got a breast infection cleared up, doc thought it may be cellulitis at first but all the culture reports came back negative. I am allergic to keflex so they gave me clindamyacin. OMG! I felt like I had the worst heartburn ever, like there was a volcano in my esophogas. The IV antiobiotics are definitely the way to go IMO.

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