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Cellulits again 4 weeks Fed up !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted , 4 users are following.

karen31773
karen31773

HI

My husband was diagnosed with cellulitis 2/9/15 when he went to see specialist re his Parkinsons meds, he had scan next day to rule out DVT and was prescribed Flucoxacillin 2 4 times daily, followed by another dose 1 4 times daily followed by clarithromycin 1 twice daily was back to see specialist 29/9/15 who then prescribed clindamycin 1 4 times daily for 7 days if these dont work then he has to go into hospital for antibiotics IV. The last time he had cellulitis it lasted 2 weeks but its nearly 5 weeks and he is still suffering, his knees are really swollen altho his legs are not as swollen as in the beginning. Does anyone have an idea how long this lasts, he also has type 2 diabetes on insulin and tablets.

Thanks 

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • Zulu_Man
    Zulu_Man karen31773

    Posted

    Hi Karen31773,

    Really sorry to hear about the suffering.

    The infection needs to be got rid of properly.

    I think I went through all of those anti-biotics you mentioned too.

    It took around 1-2 months altogether but it's vital that it's completely removed otherwise, as you probably already know, it can get serious.

    If you stay in hospital they should give intravenous ones but I understand they're much more effective.

    Also, once the infection has gone, i recommend using something like a compression-stocking to squeeze back together.

    Hope that helps. Stay strong and very best of luck.

     

    • karen31773
      karen31773 Zulu_Man

      Posted

      Hi Zulu Man

      Thanks for your reply, the latest course of antibiotics finish tomorrow (Tuesday) and I think I will be getting in touch with the Specialists secretary the redness has gone away a little but my husband is in severe pain when he moves and uncomfortable when he tries to sleep. The worst part is my mother in law was admitted to the same hospital last Friday, I suppose they will both have somebody to talk to, I have to see the funny side of that as stressing doesnt help me as I have the dreaded Crohns disease.

    • Zulu_Man
      Zulu_Man karen31773

      Posted

      Good to hear you staying positive always. For me it was important to keep the foot elevated above the heart (so the docs told me).

      In bed I did what they said and put 1 or 2 pillows just below my ankles to effectively raise my leg a bit (had to sleep a bit like a mummy). I think it really helped.

      Also, for around a month I generally kept my foot elevated at least horizontally by stacking up a suitcase and some pillows, because it was very discomforting when I put it straight down - all the blood would rush down to my foot due to gravity, and it really wasn't a good feeling. I thought it would never go away but, all thanks to God, I've been okay since.

      So don't give up hope, and contonue to stay strong and positive. I'll pray for you all

  • terry868890
    terry868890 karen31773

    Posted

    Hello Karen,

    I feel your frustration and understand your concern for your husband. As an RN, I see my patients return to hospital over and over again as their cellulitis re-occurs. Personally, after my bout with cellulitis occurred this past March, I have never felt like it completely resolved. I believe it is largely due to the fact that I have been on my feet so much at work. I work "12" hour nights shifts that always work out to 13 1/2 hrs. And I don't elevate my leg when home although I have been sleeping a lot to try and recuperate from the late night shift work. My cellulitis occurred on my right ankle from a bug bite and took a long time to heal while I took 2 antibiotics and a one time injection of Ciproflaxacin in the buttox. Although it looks okay, I still have swelling at the end of each day in that right ankle and I can't lay on my right side in bed. Just the pressure of my ankle touching the mattress is really painful after laying on it for any length of time.

    If your husband does not improve quickly I would take him to hospital for IV antibiotics. Not sure why they didn't do that with me in the first place...just a one time dose of IV in the ER even. I'm guessing due to the stress on our legs and maybe some latent infection that remains at the site is responsible for reoccurring infections.

    Hope your husband improves soon!

    Terry Ann

    • karen31773
      karen31773 terry868890

      Posted

      Hi terry868890

      Thankyou for your reply, I am thinking that I will be phoning the Specialist secretary to get my husband admitted as the antibiotics finish tomorrow (Tuesday) although the redness has gone down a bit he is in severe pain when walking, he is on long acting morphine tablets for the osteoarthritis in his hips and having to take oramorph as well to combat the pain in his legs. The weird part is his mum was admitted to the same hospital on Friday and is likely to be in for a while so at least they will be able to talk to each other. So its upwards and onwards as stress is not good for my Crohns at the moment it feels like if we didnt have bad luck we would have no lucklol

    • terry868890
      terry868890 karen31773

      Posted

      Chin up Karen! Sounds like a very tough time for you both. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. If thereis any oozing at the site of his cellulitis, make sure his doctor/provider orders a wound culture so they can treat the exact organism that he has. Disclaimer: I'm not a M.D., just an RN. Just sharing what I have seen. Always follow the advice of your physician/practitioner!
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