How long did you take antibiotics for cellulitis?

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hotandcold
hotandcold Member Posts: 205
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

 I was on a cruise when I got cellulitis.   I received Keflex and Bactrim from cruise Dr. and he gave me 7 days of each.  But, now I'm home with today being the last day of the 7 and I'm worried that maybe I should have 10 days instead.  I don't know what to do.  My arm looks better, but is it really ALL better? It is still larger than my other arm.  How can I tell if my arm is better?  How long have you been perscribed antibiotics?  What should I do?

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited June 2012

    Hotandcold, if you're concerned then call your doc. I've never had cellulitis but I know it's not something you fool around with!

    Best of luck.

    Leah

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2012

    Hotandcold, I'll second that. You definitely need to call your doctor--the shipboard doctor's intervention was not meant to be the whole standard of care. You need someone followiing this for you, so contact him/her right away. You might also want to make a follow-up appointment with your LE therapist to help get your arm back in control. With LE the swelling from the infection is not necessarily going to go away when the infection does without some work, but it's important to be on top of it as soon as possible. Also, since your arm is still swollen, the therapist might check the fit of your garments before you wear them again.

    Really glad to hear you're continuing to heal. Take it easy, and do keep us posted. Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • moogie
    moogie Member Posts: 499
    edited June 2012

    Second that motion. A land doc may also want to be sure the bug you have gotten is receptive to those antibiotics. Usually I do a 10 day course and once or twice it flared afterwards so there was a second round. Be sure and see a doc: it can get nasty if you do not wipe it out the first go round.

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  • hotandcold
    hotandcold Member Posts: 205
    edited June 2012

    Had to go to Dr's office to get more Bactrim and Keflex, but only had to see triage nurse.  I told them I wanted Rx for another 9 days for a total of 14 days. Drs office said they would call it in. Nurse asked me how long I wanted. Why do I have to tell them how long I want it for?  Just thankful I could get in and out in an hour and a half.  I'll get an Rx for lymphadema therapy next Thursday when my regular once a month appt. is. I have a good lymphadema therapist to go to. With my onc. I feel like I have to manage my own standard of care. I'm the one who will be following this.  I'm the one who has to make the decisions and recommendations.  I have to advocate for myself.  The Drs. office just reacts.  

     I was really freaked out on the ship as I know it's very serious and  I knew what it was ! I'm so thankful shipboard Dr. did too.!  From now on I'll travel with Keflex in my medicine bag. Thanks Binney4 and Moogie for your posts.  Moogie, it helps to know what you usually do and that it can still flare after first round of antibiotics.  I'll be on alert. 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2012
    Hotandcold, I sent you a private message.Smile
    Binney
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  • dipad
    dipad Member Posts: 174
    edited June 2012

    I'm in the hopital right now with cellulitis. I've been her 4 days and am finally going home tommorrow. IV antiobiotics required than 2 weeks or oral. Not something to fool around with. See you onc and get labs checked.

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