Posted , 9 users are following.
I have a question for this forum.
I contracted cellulitis on my operated leg about 5 months ago (possibly caused by scratching my leg through the DVT sock) and despite 4 lots of antibiotics I still can't get rid of it.
All suggestions, hints, tips gratefully received.
0 likes, 14 replies
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maggie93798 Chloeparrot
Posted
Apart from that there are other treatments for cellulitis, perhaps after consulting your GP you may be offered one of them
Chloeparrot maggie93798
Posted
Thank you for an excellent response.
However, despite numerous visits to my surgery (and different GPs), no culture swab has been taken. I was on an antibiotic (but can't remember the name) which didn't work, but now I'm on Clarithromycin which eventually worked (after the third lot) - for a short time - but the infection came back within 4 days. I am now on the 4th batch but with limited success (so far).
I am getting really fed up with having an leg that's all red and swollen and an ankle that is five times the size it should be.
maggie93798 Chloeparrot
Posted
chloebo10 Chloeparrot
Posted
ihavenonickname Chloeparrot
Posted
I would contact my physician and ask:
How can you effectively match an antibiotic to my cellulitis when you have not taken a culture?
and:
Was I exposed to MRSA in the hospital?
Dependant upon their responses I might ask:
Why can't I have Vancomycin IV and be done with this?
Hugs
maggie93798 ihavenonickname
Posted
steve86482 Chloeparrot
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Chloeparrot steve86482
Posted
Unfortunately this will only happen if I can get my GP to refer me and currently she doesn't seem particularly keen on doing so.
I will have to try my powers of persuasion on her.
beth2509 Chloeparrot
Posted
You might try asking what her strategy for this is, since it seems she doesn't have one. Four prescriptions of antibiotics in a short period is rubbish medicine if nothing else is happening. Cellulitis is potentially a very serious condition. But equally, repeated doses of antibiotics are not good for you. They disrupt your system, which had knock on effects. And they acclimate your system to drugs that should be used sparingly for very serious infections. There is very little point in medical professionals running campaigns to prevent the over use of antibiotics when they over prescribe them! And four times in five months is over use by anyone's reckoning.
I assume you are in the UK? If you cannot get further forward, then toy might wish to review whether this surgery is for you. I had a similar issue when I first developed the OA. I'd been with a surgery for several years, it seemed ok, but then I barely ever used it. As soon as I needed to, it became apparent they weren't up to the job. So I went and found a better practice. Doctors are not gods. And they have a responsibility to work in partnership with you - it's your body! If you aren't happy with the service - and in your shoes I wouldn't be - then you have rights. People often make insufficient demands on the NHS. They think that it's free so it doesn't owe them anything. It may be one of the best ( but not the best) health care services in the world. But it certainly isn't free. I know because I read that line on my payslip called "tax"!!! It's paid for. So you aren't asking for favours or charity - you want to know what is happening and you want a treatment that works. Not an unreasonable demand...
chloebo10 Chloeparrot
Posted
Well if your GP won't refer you , I would walk into A&E like I said in my last comment I was in Hospital for over a week my temperature was very high and I was really ill all within 48hrs. It's like Beth said it's a very serious condition and I was told if I ever feel like that again and my leg is red and swollen go straight up Hospital so I'm not sure what your DR is doing but it doesn't seem they are treating you for cellulitis .
beth2509 chloebo10
Posted
Or, just possibly - and I am not providing a link for this because it will scare the life out of everyone! - it may be something else! There are other conditions that are commonly confused with cellulitis. Some of which the chances of catching are almost nil. But there are others that could be more likely. That's why somebody needs to decide to do a test to work out exactly what is happening.
beth2509 Chloeparrot
Posted
I completely agree that this needs medical support. But you may also find that you can help yourself (an additional thing, not an instead of thing!) by mixing a small amount (about a teaspoon) of aloe vera gel with two or three drops of tea tree oil, and rubbing it in to affected areas. A tea tree body wash may also be a good idea as reinfection is easy - it only takes the very smallest of nick, scrape or cut. Apply the gel after the shower and just leave it to sink in. But do bear in mind that this isn't enough to "cure" - it's something that can help your antibiotics by supporting a more holistic approach.
Chloeparrot beth2509
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Chloeparrot
Posted
Update - I saw my surgeon last week to discuss having my other hip done and I mentioned that I was suffering from cellulitis and that I couldn't get rid of it. My surgeon said that it was a very common ailment after orthopedic surgery (though it wasn't understood why it happened) and that as the internal swelling reduced so would the cellulitis. He also added that I should prop my leg up as much as possible, so that my foot was above my hip. Not too sure how I can manage that bit though - I was never much of a contortionist before my hip operation, let alone afterwards!!
The other news is that the surgeon wants to operate on my other hip next year and felt that postponing to 2018 (which is what I wanted) a very bad idea.
I will post further on this under a new discussion.