Long term cellulitis

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I have had cellulitis in my legs for six months now. I have had almost continuous different antibiotics but to no effect. My right leg has to be bandaged almost daily because of leakage. I am at my wits end and very depressed with continuous bad pain. I have asked the doctor to come out twice recently as I am unable to get to the surgery but they refused and just said 'phone the nurse' I am 77 years old with other serious medical issues. I have also requested to see a specialist to no effect. Can anyone give me advice please?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Linda,

    I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with cellulitis. Do you know the original cause? I have had 9 hospitalisations with cellulitis myself.. The doctors should definently get you to see a specialist, keep pushing for that..

    Message me if you would like to chat, cellulitis is hard to deal with.. Seems like a constant uphill battle..

    Hang in there!

    Rachael

    • Posted

      Thankyou missrachael for your reply to my post. I have never been admitted to hospital as the doctor says he is not wanting to send me. I am now having  bandages put on my right leg every other day as there is leakage. The doctor stopped my antibiotics some weeks ago because they havent helped, despite a long running chest infection also. I was sorry to hear that you have had so many hospital stays. Has your cellulitis cleared up now? 

      Linda

       

    • Posted

      Hi Linda, That's good you haven't been to hospital for your cellulitis, it is not fun. I haven't had issues with leakage before, perhaps the area needs to be drained of all the fluid? Glad you're off the antibiotics too, long term use can cause all sorts of problems. I hope your chest infection clears soon, being sick can be quite depressing.

      ​I luckily haven't had an episode cellulitis since feb 2014, although the area still flares up with pain on occasion (I believe this to be linked to stress). I had 9 episodes between july 2010 and feb 2014, I was in the hospital frequently and on antibiotics for most of that time.

      ​What's the next step for you?

      Rachael

       

  • Posted

    Hi Linda,

    I'm 58, male, I had a stove fall on my shin and needed about 12 stitches. Redness continued for about 6 months, weeping and blisters but without much pain. My GP didn't seem to be sure what the problem was. I had 2 treatments of flucloxacillin without any result. Finally, instead of going to my GP I went to the emergency room of the hospital where I initially received my stiches. The triage nurse took one look at my leg and said "Cellulitis! You should have come here right away instead of going to your GP". I was prescribed clindamycin, I think for four days, then again for 5 days. It cleared up the infection, but the area is still damaged looking, Clindamycin is a very powerful drug and can have side effects, most commonly a disruption or killing off of the beneficial gut flora, so I took acidophilus tabs and regularly ate probiotic live yoghurts to help counteract the effects (I did have some moderate bouts of diahorrea as a result of the clindamycin).  I have to put a cushioned pad over the previously infected area daily as even a small bump can separate the skin layers causing blisters. I also have to moisturise it and avoid scratching the area! Hope this helps.

  • Posted

    I had a very serious cellulitis infection in 2012 whilst on holiday in the USA. I spent 7 nights in hospital. It scarred the skin on my lower left leg, as if I had a bad burn. There is a lot of this disease occurring in Florida, I have in a small circle of people I know found 3 others who have visited and been hospitalized.

    It re-occurred in 2017, I was under a lot of stress from my business at the time. I used IV vitamin C ( 30 grams ) and also took lots of liposomal Vit C ( Lypo Spheric brand).

    I had anti-biotics as well but had some reaction to them. I think the Vit C made a massive difference. I also took 20 grams a day of time release Vit C as well.

    I would look up Vit C data from Dr Thomas Levy (www.peakenergy.com) and Dr Suzanne Humphries. Vit C is much more powerful than many people realize. 

     You need a good spread of vitamin as well as Magnesium glycinate, Vitamin K complex, and a good multivitamin.

    I also take MSM powder, and chelated boron and Vit D3. 

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