Cellulitis epidemic got me too

Purple--

No problem...  That must have been interesting to have best friends who were twins... Sorry that one has passed...

Kira's post describes things well.  It is good that you are being proactive.  I honestly had no idea that cellulitis was a possibility.  Of course I had been told to be mindful of having bp's or needlesticks done--and to avoid burns and cuts.  But no one mentioned 'cellulitis' specifically or told me what to look for.

So when I was on vacation and my arm swelled dramatically, was lobster red, hot and painful, I was baffled.  I assumed I must have had the worst sunburn I'd ever had, even though that arm had not been in the sun--and it was the only red place on my body.

It was the amazing girls in this section who told me what I was dealing with & who told me that I needed to get help fast.  I'm convinced that they saved my life.  Without their knowledge and the alarm in their posts, I wouldn't have sought emergency help while 1300 miles from home.  Even still, I ended up going through repeat hospitalizations to try to get it under control.  It first started at the end of May and I required a skilled Infectious Disease Specialist and mega-doses of different antibiotics daily through September.  Even after it seemed like they were finally beginning to get a handle on it, one drug combo would help for a little while & then I would spike another fever and it would flare up and spread again.

I'm convinced that had I known what to look for & had I caught it early and started a course of antibiotics right away, it probably wouldn't have gotten so out of hand.  So I would also encourage you to ask for the script, especially if you are going out of town at any point.  But, if you can't get one, I think it's great that you are at least educating yourself about what to look for so that if you ever do notice the signs, you can get into the doctor as soon as possible.

You asked about symptoms...  For me, when it first started, my whole arm was engulfed in this painful, hot redness.  The LE also looked much worse--my arm was swollen more than it ever had been.  There was a lot of pitting with even the slightest amount of pressure.  I also felt as though I had the flu--and I developed a fever a few days in.  

One important thing to mention is something the girls here told me.  If you do suspect cellulitis, don't wear your compression garments--I'm sure the experts here (like Binney & Kira) can explain why better than I can.  Because I didn't know what I was dealing with and because the swelling was so dramatic, my instincts told me to slather aloe on and squeeze my poor arm into my sleeve, though it felt as though the whole arm had been stung by jellyfish.  But this was the wrong thing to do...

But try not to worry too much.  By coming to this group, you are ahead of the curve.  And the girls here are so warm and knowledgeable that you'll be well taken care of if you ever notice any symptoms or have any concerns.    

Purple-- So sorry about your friend.  Yes, cellulitis isn't fun, but the earlier you catch it, the better.  What caused it in my case:  I had to have a hysterectomy/ooph and spent 4 days in the hospital.  During the hospitalization, I picked up a staph & strep infection. The infections didn't manifest themselves as cellulitis until I got a cut on the finger of my LE arm, was rundown, and on vacation (went in the gulf & a hot tub).  It was the perfect storm of events...  

If you get a chance, you should read through some of the great info in this section re: LE prevention.  We are really fortunate to have expert advice from people like Binney & Kira...  Best wishes...    

Well I don't know if you can call this cellulitis but I have got a big black line around my hole that was cauterized.. nice red rash and doc gave to two types of antibiotics - one cream and one z-pac being that is the only antibiotic I know I'm NOT allergic to... doc wanted me to try the cream first and if it didn't calm it down to try the z-pac.. but I'm not sure about waiting to start the z-pac??? what do you all think?

Purple, I did take the 2 pills last night and glad I did - between the RX antibiotic cream and the Z-pak - things are starting to be less red and is back within my circle this morning... Going to have a nice drive with my DH - he has a work call out of town. Amazing that by the time I pack all the stuff I need to keep wound clean and LE bag, while I'm gone, I need a diaper bag LOL.. What do we call these bags now that we are older? LOL Have a good day all.

Gma

SO Glad you took the pills... I am sure you will be ' on the road' to recovery soon ...little by little, and closer each day.

Rest and Take good care.

(((HUGS)))

Mom2, I am so sorry you have become our resident expert on cellulitis, but thanks so much for sharing your hard-earned knowledge here!
Binney

Binney, you are so sweet... Thank you...

I hope I can use my experience to help someone at some point... It's the least I could do.  I shudder to think of how much worse my situation could have been if you & this LE group hadn't been here for me when I needed you...   xo

Oh Gma, so sorry to hear that...  

It's only Monday! Next week seems so far away!  I'd keep an eye on it & ask to see him--or another doctor-- if it's not getting better and you don't feel comfortable letting it go over the weekend...

Hugs to you!

UTI's go along with antibiotics for me...  I've been doing better since I started taking a probiotic. (knock on wood)

Purple - I eat Greek yogurt every  day too.  But I also take a probiotic in a pill. There's one called Align or the Sams Club version.

Purple - have you tried d-mannose for UTI's?  Totally effective, to the point that I haven't needed an antibiotic for a UTI for the last two years.  You will find lots of info if you google it. 

gentian

I can honestly say I have never even heard of it!  I will be doing some googling right now.

Thanks, Ladies!