CELLULITUS WORSENED IN 4 WEEKS

[pigsty213]

My partner and I don't live together, have been apart 3 weeks. He looked at my legs today, he thinks they've worsened even after 4 weeks of antibiotics, the skin is very dry and flaky, both my legs are swollen and got fluid in them, one of them has a dressing on to stop the fluid leaking out! Both legs are more painful especialy the right leg with the dressing, my sister even spoke to my GP today wit my permission, he said I'm not taking my water tablets which I am! I do have respiratory failure, my oxygen level was 71 a lot lower than normal for me. He said that if my legs are still puffy even after taking the 4th lot of antibioticcs and the water tablets he will investigate further, whatever does he mean!! Surely something should have been done before.

[Lynora]

If you attend a lymphoedema clinic you must contact them urgently to describe your situation. If you don't have a lymphoedema clinic, find out where your nearest one is (the LSN will be able to tell you) and call them and ask their advice. Does your GP understand lymphoedema????

[Hidden]

THATS NOT GOOD AT ALL - - THIS IS DANGEROUS - PLEASE SEE MY

[ LENGTHY ] COMMENTS ON YOUR PREVIOUS POST .

GET TO HOSPITAL ON IV ANTIBIOTICS - KEEP FLUIDS UP - WATCH FOR SUDDEN SHIVERING WITH COLD , FOLLOWED BY TEMPERATURE GOING FROM ABOUT 36 5 TO POSSIBLY 40 + .

THATS SEPSIS - ITS LETHAL !!!

WISH YOU WELL

[AnneBury]

I suggest you call the Lymphoedema Support Network (today, Friday) to ask their advice. 020 7351 0990. I really do think you need their suggestions/advice as to what you should do & particularly how you ensure your G.P. does know what they are talking about in relation to lymphoedema (because it doesn't sound to me as if they do & this seems urgent).

[Hidden]

water tablets will not help with lymphoedema as it is not water that needs to be rid of..it is lymph build-up and water tablets will have no effect on that at all.. Seems the doc has no clue about lymphoedema..You need to be referred to a Lymphoedema therapist...

[Gypsywife]

I am so sorry for you.You do need much better care.Cellulitis can romp away in hours. A small patch on my face took me down to A&E at 7 am, demanding help...In your situation I would be involving the hospital. I would actually go to A&E...although when I was really bad with it spreading fast in one day, I called an ambulance.

I used to take fluid retention tablets, which were to assist in keeping my blood pressure down, but that is now controlled differently. I was told they do not help remove lymph at all. My swelling is kept under control with made to measure long compression stockings, but there are now new machines that can pump, and move the lymph up your body.. I am sure you rest a lot, and have your legs at an angle which is higher than your hips.I lie on the bed with my feet up the wall sometimes!!

Please let us know how you get on. Chrissie.

[lovesradio]

When oh when will GPs stop prescribing water tablets for leg lymphoedema? It is misdiagnosis at its worst, get clinic as an urgent matter. A number of people semm to be finding the compression pump machines useful for legs so might be worth a trial. NNE who posts on here became an agent after finding them helpful and does demo sessions around the country, including coming up to Scotland soon.

[Rebec in reply to lovesradio]

Someone should maybe send a circular to all the GP to let them know that water tablet is not to be prescribed in case of lymphoedema. Who knows what damage this kind of treatment can bring about?

[morganite]

lymphedema is not fluid retention and some research shows water tablets will not help anyway. You need compression garments either bandaging or stockings and seen by someone with better knowledge than your GP, they don't all know about it as I have learnt.

[Dodidoos in reply to morganite]

I agree morganite, I can't even wear compression Anymore due to having psoriasis which when I have been bandaged has aggravated my leg causing the itching to start,which in turn led me down the path to using steroid creams and potions until in the end my leg would not tolerate anything tight or loose ,After having 4 attacks of cellulitus with blisters and Hospitalised each time given vancomycin or fluloxacillin,and tabs to take home of clindomycin...Now at this present time I have my leg under my own control excercise,weight loss healthy eating ,watching fluid intake and also not too much of the different creams and potions just using non perfumed daily moisturiser .i have tried Aveeno it was good for a while ,like double base was .Dermol is very good for the shower .ok I won't bore you Anymore I'm just so glad their is a forum like this to be able to get and post tips and chat about what is important to all of us.😊

[morganite in reply to Dodidoos]

bless you its not a bore, we all need to vet our feelings and know others understand, that's what frustrates me more others don't understand. Its cost me my career and had big changes to my life but we get on with it, I went to a clinic but they said I could mange on my own!!! My stockings are big I was measured 3 yrs ago, trying to get anyone to realise I need a change is a big headache, But hey ho on we go, take care

[superlympho]

GO ABOVE HIS HEAD. IT SEEMS HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. Dehydrated and hypoxic is NOT GOOD. YOU COULD ASK FOR THE AMBUDSMAN OR ANY PATIENT ADVOCATE. ASK TO SEE A NEUROLOGIST. MAKE THEM TAKE SOME ACTION..CALL ME IF YOU WANT TO.

[Ginsing]

Oh Dear you sound in a bit of a pickle. Are you applying P45 cream twice a day to keep some moisture in your legs. I found with mine I had to wear compression bandages over the dressings and wow that and elevating soon reduced the size.

Good Luck

Ginsing

[delady56]

I have a couple of questions for you. What antibiotic are you taking and have you been taking the same one for 4 weeks? Why are you taking water pills? Lymphatic fluid is not water and water pills do you no good but dehydrate you unless you are drinking a lot of water. Otherwise, they are useless for lymphedema. You need to remove the bandage from your leg now! Your leg should not be wrapped or given any treatment because it needs to dry out and the MLD would just push the infection around. Keep off your feet and your legs elevated as much as possible. You really be in the hospital on IV antibiotic's. The oral are just not as effective. My hospital starts me on Levoquin and rotates it with Vancomycin. That way I don't build up a tolerance to one and I have had cellulitis that went into sepsis over 40 times. ICU several times and C. Diff from the antibiotics. I have a porta-cath because all of my veins are shot. Let me know if I can help you.