Help - cellulitis - worried and afraid -- any advice out there?

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rrs
rrs Member Posts: 614
edited December 2018 in Lymphedema

I've had LE for about 15 years and had avoided an infection until this week. I'm trying to figure out what happened. I had a small split in my thumb and had been applying Neosporin and bandaid. I was at work - clothing consignment shop, so there is no telling what I may have come in contact with. The pain started on my bicep and at first I thought I had pulled something until I noticed a few welts. Then, the pain continued to increase and spread. I ended up in emergency room with extreme pain and redness and a high temp. I was admitted to hospital and put on IV antibiotic overnight. After labs, it was determined that the infection was a type of strep so they changed the antibiotic to Clindamycin. After another night in hospital, the redness had decreased so I was sent home with oral Rx. Reading the information about the Rx was scary as well :-0.

I'm curious about how this all started. Seems that, if it was the little cut on my thumb, the infection would have started there and gone up my arm rather than starting above the elbow. I still have no swelling in my hand or wrist. I'm wondering if it was a bug bite? My arm is looking a lot better but still warm and swollen in areas - I hope the antibiotic continues to knock this out.

Any advice as to how to go from here? Dr. wants me to go for LE therapy but I'm worried that the infection will spread. I'm worried in general :-/. It has been a scary few days. I have a follow up with Dr. on Tuesday.

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited November 2018

    Oh so sorry - I have LE and am not an expert on cellulitis other than I am afraid of it. It certainly sounds like the infection came from your thumb, but as I said, I'm no expert. You will probably never know for sure.

    So glad things are improving and getting better. Thank goodness you went to ER right away! Wishing you all the best!

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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited November 2018

    I'm sorry you're suffering. Are you still in pain? Sending healing thoughts your way.

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  • reflect
    reflect Member Posts: 576
    edited November 2018

    Sorry you have LE and cellulitis, it stinks. I’ve had 3 bouts with cellulitis in my breast, last one I had 3 days in hospital on vancomycin. I missed the signs and it had spread a lot before I saw it. I do remember I was not to wear compression or do any MLD until it was clear. My doc will write an rx for me to fill when I first notice symptoms, so that’s my plan. Pay attention and act quickly when I notice. Good luck

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  • ck55
    ck55 Member Posts: 346
    edited December 2018

    So sorry this happened to you! I have had mild/moderate lymphedema since 2007 and just had a nasty bout of cellulitis in September. I woke up that morning with a sore upper arm that I assumed I had slept on wrong. Continued to worsen until I had a red swollen arm a a fever of 102. Ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics for 3 days. I too had strep and it had gotten into my blood! Very scary. The thing is I have no clue as to what caused it. No cuts, burns, etc. to my hand or arm? I was told by my onc that this is not an infrequent occurrence. Now I am seeing a PT to get the swelling in my arm down and hoping I never have to deal with this again.

    Best of luck to you!

    Cynd

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  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited December 2018

    Thank you everyone. I'm better now and arm swelling is under control. But it took a while to get over the fatigue from the infection and probably the antibiotic.

    CK55 - sounds so similar to my experience. Glad you got medical help and got it under control. Let's hope we have no more of this but now we know what to look for. I won't wait if I ever have symptoms again.

    I think I'll ask my doctor of an Rx for antibiotic just in case.

    So thankful for this site and the support.


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  • tsoebbin
    tsoebbin Member Posts: 474
    edited December 2018

    What type of prescription do you carry for your just in case scenario?

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  • rrs
    rrs Member Posts: 614
    edited December 2018

    Yes, I would like to know as well what prescription to keep on hand. I know it depends upon the type of infection but something general to take until getting to the doctor would be helpful.


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