Kira or anyone who knows

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jinky
jinky Member Posts: 746
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Last year I had a bad case of cellulitis in my arm and hand,really got huge. The Doctor put me on:keflex for 4 days and it never did anything. Then at ER  Doctor put me on Sulfatrim DS 2 4TIMES A DAY, aLso Pen-VK 300MG  4 TIMES A DAY. All for 27 days and finally it cleared up.

Now it is back but not as bad, in my inner elbow.....blisters and red which is fading on my outer elbow. Been on apo-amoxi clav 875/125mg for 11 days nows and have 3 days left. Don't think it will be all healed by then.

I am in Nova Scotia and I am wondering maybe I should get 7 more days? You will probabbly say see my Doctor but I hope they are giving me the right antibiotic. I also have heartburn so have to be careful. They don't know to much about LE here. thank you le hugs jinky

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2012

    Jinky, you want to be ALL healed when you finish. The reason your doctor added sulfatrim was to cover MRSA--methicillin resistant staph--if you've improved on the augmentin=amoxicillin/clavulinate, then you could definitely extend the course. However, if you have not really improved, then it's worth a consideration of a switch.

    The blisters are concerning to me--usually they're part of a strep infection, but they do indicate a skin breakdown.

    I'd strongly recommend going back to the doctor and considering 1) another 7-10 days of amov/clav or 2) another 10 days of the sulfatrim and penicillin--discuss how it's going with them.

    With LE, we have an impaired immune response and we don't clear the infection, so it needs to be treated QUICKLY, and until it's completely gone.

    Let me know how it works out.

    Cellulitis rots.

    And there's this movement against antibiotics, but we sure do need them.

    Kira

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    Kira I was on novo- Sucralate 1gm for heartburn and it fixed my stomach up but I could only stay on it 2 weeks as I got a rash from neck to ankle on Jan 12/12. Also I am  on apo- lansoprazole 30mg twice a day. Heartburn good now. Is sulfatrim the same class of drug as Sucralate? Thanks Kira le hugs jinky    My first cellulitis was June 24/11 so it was after the heartburn .

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2012

    Jinky, the sucrafate is a completely different drug--it's used for ulcers/heartburn/esophagitis and coats the stomach. I used it a lot in rad onc patients, and never saw a rash. But I'm sure it happens.

    Sulfatrim is a sulfa antibiotic. 

    The lasoprazole is a proton pump inhibitor.

    It is so confusing. But no overlap of drug types with sucrafate/carafate and sufatrim/bactrim.

    Feel better.

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    yes yes yes thank you Kira le hugs jinky

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    Kira the tiny little bubbles are going away but the doctor said the cellulitis is good but wanted to put me on pms-valacyclovir 500mg. Taking 2 ....3 times a day in case it is viral.

    Don't understand why?    I don't have shingles or herpes. I had the needle for shingles last year when my hubby was so sick. Confused what virus it can be.

     Valacyclovir belongs to the class of medications known as antivirals. It is used to treat a viral infection affecting the skin known as shingles (herpes zoster). It is also used to treat cold sores, and to treat and prevent recurrences of genital herpes. It works by interfering with the way the virus reproduces.

    Maybe the bubbles are from my sleeve? Appreciate your help Kira. She wants me to come back in a week. le hugs jinky

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    I don't know what is going on. My therapist is going to see if she can get me in to see her tomorrow. When my arm isn't wrapped it feels good and looks good....can't wear sleeve as it hurts and when I wrap I feel burning and my arm is red where it was red before antibiotics when I unwrap. Wondering if my cellulitis is really gone and noone knows for sure. See what happens tomorrow. le hugs jinky

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2012

    Jinky, I hope your therapist sees you tomorrow. You can still get shingles with the shot, but it's usually very mild. The fact that the redness comes back is concerning.

    Please let us know how you're doing

    Kira

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    Talked to my therapist and in the next few weeks will have a full- re-assessment of my arm. Also I go to the Doctor again July 3rd. I am wrapping and when I'm not  I am wearing my sleeve. I could wear it for 4 hours today. Still some redness if I wear my sleeve and small rash still there. If there is any change I will run to the ER. Thank Kira for helping me.....le hugs jinky

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  • jinky
    jinky Member Posts: 746
    edited June 2012

    Hi Kira, Not much redness in my arm now except that rash but it is fading. I have been wrapping at night (thank God for wrapping) and my arm is now normal size. I go to the Doctor Tuesday........can wear my sleeve all day now. Thanks for the help. le hugs jinky

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2012

    Jinky, I'm glad it's better, and who knows what is all was, but I agree completely--thank god for wrapping.

    I'm so glad your arm is back to normal size.

    Kira

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