Antibiotics - amoxicillin

[DeborahS32]

Sorry, yet another question. I've recently had a tooth infection and my dentist prescribed a course of antibiotics - Amoxicillin. I'm aware that this is one of the two most effective antibiotics used for cellulitis. Should I be avoiding using them for anything other than cellulitis, or doesn't it make any difference?

[Lynora]

Doesn’t make any difference. Take as prescribed.

[Cooking-Queen20]

Hi, I would not worry about it. Do you have recurring cellulitis or is your question more one of precauation?

I have to admit 38 years with primary lymphoedema and I always have a pack but have never had to use it.

Best of luck with you dental procedure!

[DeborahS32 in reply to Cooking-Queen20]

That's really reassuring, and thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I've 'only' had cellulitis twice so far (2 years since diagnosis), so my question is definitely more about precaution than anything else. Like you I've got a pack ' just in case', but so far am pleased not to have needed it.

38 years and not needed it - that's a testament to your careful self-care I guess. And very encouraging for someone like me just starting out on this voyage of discovery.

[sammyvan in reply to Cooking-Queen20]

Wow! Please tell me what you do to avoid Cellulitis? I follow all the suggested everyday routines, cleaning and creaming and treating any ''bad'' areas with recommended lotions and potions - and still have had four attacks of this horrible secondary. I dread waking some morning to find either one or both legs are bright red, hot and painful, as I know immediately what is ahead! I take Clarithromycin 250mg every day, and increase immediately to 500mg twice daily at the first indication of Cellulitis.

What is your secret!

xx sammy

[Cooking-Queen20 in reply to sammyvan]

Hi Sammy,

I think I have been very lucky. Nothing special I keep active and healthy. Lotions and potions nothing special either. To keep the skin soft the best for me is Vaseline. A bit messy but effective

I Wear my sock as much as possible - am at times naughty and don’t wear it

I have primary so perhaps it’s also the fact I have managed it for many decades. And perhaps the strain of my mutation is less prone to it.

I did have surgery some 25 year ago (!) although that has not improved the lymphoedema perhaps that has played a part. I would not do it again knowing what science does now.

And most importantly I don’t let it get me down.

Best of luck! I am certain your specialists are advising you appropriately.

[completely-zero654 in reply to sammyvan]

Hello Sammy,

Bless you, thought you had got all sorted out ! So sorry to have seen different, why o why do all good decent people get this, it is not fair.

I am taking exactly the same antis as yourself now. Has been one hell of a struggle with various G.P's at my surgery, but have them at long last. It is now down to me to increase the Clarithromycin from 250 mg a day to 500 mg twice daily, thing is lower legs still remain a reddy brown colour and have raised "lumps", sacs filled with excess fluid. When I asked my lymph nurse what all the marks were she said that they come from deep veins in the leg and foot area. This has left me very unsettled as I have and am being treated for cellulitis not d.v.t. I did have a doppler test a good 15 or more years ago result was just under the level for it. A few years on and and have been treated for lymph/cell ever since. Left leg is bigger than the right for some reason though, do not know why.

Lymph nurse trying to sort out compressions for me as the lovely soft bandage things that goes on before these new wraps make my legs swell, and are as red as beetroots so they are a no, no. Am trying to give the normal pure cotton sock things a try but even they seem to make my legs far too hot and that is without anything else on the top.

It is a complete and utter nightmare, cellulitis one day on for weeks on end with a week free if lucky, then back to square one again, d.v.t, lymphoedema. I could yell very loudly it is a confused muddle.

Thank goodness for this site as nobody else, not even the wretched docs seem to understand just how it makes us feel. Think we could do with counciling as it drives you to the edge.

Take extra special care and stay safe, xxxxxxxx

[sammyvan in reply to completely-zero654]

I was hoping you were clear now? If you are on 250mg daily, it sounds as if the infection is under control? I do hope so - you have had a bad time of it.

Happily, I have been able to manage the dreaded Cellulitis , and the last episode was controlled by taking two different types of antibiotics at home. Thank Heavens!

We have moved to a bright new flat - with a huge walk in shower! what a pleasure, and all thanks to my district nursing team, who recommended me to the local committee. So I am in a good place right now, but know it can all change in a blink!

Like you, I also have reddish brown legs after an episode of Cellulitis, and it takes absolutely ages to clear, and for my legs to get to normal colour - been a long time since they were normal!

Good to hear from you - take great care!

sending hugs...…..sammy

[Bev-1966 in reply to completely-zero654]

Look at pm completely x

[completely-zero654 in reply to Bev-1966]

What do you mean