Breast Cellulitis

Hello Nrioff,

My TNBC was only in my left breast yet I opted for a double mx with Tissue expander placement on both sides since I had to have radiation. That was nearly 7 months ago! I am awaiting my final exchange surgery in late Aug where I would receive my implants.

The morning of June 14 I woke up with 103° fever and a mild rash on the lower half of my right breast and upper abdominal areas on both the right and left side. The rash, which did not hurt and itched only slightly, extended toward my back. I went to the doctor the next day and was sent to the ER with cellulitis. By that point the rash had become deep red and extended all the way to my bellybutton. I stayed in the hospital for 24 hours to receive IV antibiotics including vancomycin and zosyn. I was discharged on two oral antibiotics including Bactrim and Cipro. I’ll be on both of these for two weeks.

It’s now five days later, the fever is only low-grade and the rash is almost gone however I have an ongoing headache and bodyaches that have stolen by ability to do much more than lay in bed. I’m hoping and praying that we both recuperate soon.

Have you consulted with an Infectious Disease doctor? They should really be managing problems with ongoing infections.

I developed an infection 5 weeks after my surgery. I only had pink areas on one breast that were a little warm and swollen - not super obvious or concerning. My PS saw me the same day I called and sent me to the hospital.

I was there for 3 days on IV antibiotics - I think some version of Ceftin to start and then Vancomycin. I went home on 2 weeks of 2 oral antibiotics - Cipro and another that I can't remember. It took a while to completely resolve but did.

I hope things improve for you soon!

nrioff,

Nice to hear from you though I'm so sorry to hear that your cellulitis continues. I hope this last round of ABs solves everything so you can avoid surgery. Do you continue to have a rash and fevers?

To my family's delight, I did make it through my cruise. The first 10 days were riddled with fevers and I spent a lot of time in bed due to heavy fatigue. The silver lining is that a cruise is a wonderful place to get some rest! The last two days of the cruise and nearly to the end of my two week AB regimen, is when my fevers finally broke. I've now been fever free for almost a week. Fatigue remains an issue and my breast is still swollen and hard. My fingers are crossed that I do not have a recurrence!

Please do let me know how you're doing.

Thanks, Nrioff.

Neither the ER or my doctors ordered a CRP. I'm happy to say that my swelling has resolved somewhat and I seem to be in a holding pattern. My biggest complaint is fatigue which makes me wonder if there is a residual infection that lingers on. Time will tell.

I'll be thinking of you and praying that you find a plan of action that resolves your issues once and for all.

I had bmx, snb and reconstruction in May. I woke up with fever and red, swollen left foob recently - ended up in hospital for 2 days on Vancomycin, then at home on Bactrim and Keflex for the past week. While the redness is mostly gone, the foob is still swollen and feels hard and heavy, like I've got a small grapefruit in there instead of a tissue expander. I see the PS on Monday and he said if it wasn't completely resolved, he would take out expanders on BOTH sides and replace with TEs along with antibiotic plates, which he said are not comfortable, lol. The expanders and plates would stay in for 3 weeks and then he would do exchange surgery. Has anyone heard of this procedure being an option? Not sure why he wants to remove expander on good side but I'll ask him about that on Monday because I don't want to mess with a side that is doing well.

Has anyone heard that cellulitis increases chances of lymphedema? I think I read that somewhere. I work out often and I’m currently wearing a compression sleeve when lifting weights.