Diagnosed with cellulitis on Wednesday at an appointment with the lymphoedema clinic.

[Loramay]

I was diagnosed with cellulitis on Wednesday at an appointment with the lymphoedema clinic after not seeing anyone about it for 3 years. Until I found this site I didn't realise that you should be remeasured every year. They were very good and immediately diagnosed with cellulitis. I knew that my leg hurt but I had been rearranging my bedroom the day before and also have osteoarthritis as the pain was like I had been hit with a stick. They measured my legs and then told me that the stockings had been measured wrong in the first place as they shouldn't have been the same size. The nurse phoned my surgery and I had an appointment at 3.40pm. She went to get another nurse as she was new to the job and wanted confirmation and she took my temperature which was 38.4°. The other nurse said that I had to go straight to A & E with that temperature.

My other condition which is very severe at the moment is anxiety and depression, the only way I got to the appointment was by my husband taking me and this is just an appointment, he knew there was no way he could get me to A&E. So took me home and phoned the surgery only to find that they hadn't cancelled the appointment. So we went to the appointment and I must admit that I wasn't in a good place at that point and was very rude, considering the fact that only ever seen me once the GP felt that we were to try oral antibiotics for a couple of days and I to see him tomorrow morning. If there has been no change I will be sent to A&E and be admitted.

I have been checking my temputure 4 times a day and on my thermometer it has been steadily coming down. But this afternoon about 30 minutes after I had a shower my leg felt soaking wet it was and covered with blisters that were filling up with clear fluid and then just dribbling down my leg constantly. What I want to know is this a good sign or a bad sign

Sorry about the long post and thank you for getting to the end and help you can give me

[Lynora]

What you have now is called lymphorrhea - the lymph is coming through your skin. Do not try and wear a garment. Call your clinic and describe what has happened while you are on the way to A&E!

The limb needs urgent assessment and treatment.

[LegsEleven in reply to Lynora]

Lynora, we are lucky to have you on this site - because of your knowledge and compassion. Thank you.

Tina

[ssc123]

Hi Loramay,

So sorry you are going through this. I totally agree with Lynora and I really hope that you have taken her advice and have gone to a A&E. My daughter has previously struggled with cellulitis and lymphorrhea and there is lots you can do to help the symptoms and long term management but your first step is A&E.

Hope things settle quickly.

Best Wishes

[Loramay in reply to ssc123]

I saw my gp today and they were fine about it. Originally that was what the nurses at the lymphoedema clinic wanted me to do was go to A&E, but my surgery GPs know me and my mental health problems and know how much of a struggle it was just getting me to the clinic with my hubby so getting me to a hospital with nothing I would be able to control was an impossibility I have bought some bandages the pharmacist recommended me to use, plus she has also told me to stop my dogs from licking my legs as it is an old wives tale that goes around but there is some truth in it as all living things that produce salvation are Sterile until they get to the mouth.

What is lymphorrhea thats a new one on me. Anyhow my darling husband went to the chemist and came home with a beautiful bunch of flowers and some pads that costing £20 for 10 and has ordered 2 more boxes.

I am now going to Google lymphorrhea

[Loramay]

Hi I just thought I would update you on everything. Today I have felt really rough with a high temperature until late afternoon. My usual when I take antibiotics although maybe not resting until yesterday when I literally ran out of spoons and couldn't do anything else might have contributed again another one of my traits. Leaking has really improved and if I keep still it virtually stops not an easy one for me that. The redness has almost gone my only problem now is that I really need to get some compression on my right foot as its very very swollen. Does anyone know the answer or is it just when you feel like you can do it.

Glad I didn't go to A&E although thanks for the advice sometimes when you have other health problems you have to prioritise the most important ones and I had promised my husband and son that if they truly felt I would be better off in hospital than at home we would have found a way.

I forgot to mention in my first post that I take fentanyl patches for my pain relief and that masked any of the symptoms of cellulitis and the fever which was why I was able to keep going for so long.

My doctor has also recommended that I book another appointment with the lymphoedema clinic now as by the time I have received a date my cellulitis should have gone, so that I can be correctly measured for my compression bandages.

[Lynora]

Leave off compression for the time being - elevate as much as you can, and get that appointment with the lymphoedema clinic - tell them what has just occurred - they may fast track a much earlier date for you, and take a look at the swollen foot.

[Loramay]

Update 1 month on and I still have lymphorrhea. I am having no luck with the lymphoedema clinic but I have found an American American lymphoedema society that recommended short stretch bandages for the treatment of lymphorrhea. I got a couple of bandages from amazon for £6.25 each and found a few videos on you tube. It has definitely slowed the leaking right down. But when I told the nurse at the lymphoedema clinic she went ballistic told me that they have to train for year's and it was very dangerous. And wasn't at all happy when she realised that I was going to continue. She phoned my doctor straight after our conversation. As I was seeing him yesterday he spoke to me then and we have agreed that the practice nurses are going to teach/check I am doing it properly and have a dopler which I haven't had in 3 years either. My gp understood the reasoning behind my doing it my way. The lymphoedema clinic discharged me before the compression garment had even arrived 3 years ago and anything I have done is through my own research.

Unfortunately the knock on effect has been that my mobility has drastically reduced and my gp told me on Friday that my legs are so big and heavy with lymphatic fluid that they are no longer able to support me. I now have to use a powered wheelchair in the house and a mobility scooter when I'm out and about