Cellulitis

[Dennykev]

My partner was diagnosed with Pv 14 months ago after suffering from cellulitis in his leg. Now 14 months on he has just spent 2 weeks in hospital undergoing 3 operations on the same leg due to an unexplained infection.on the same leg. I don’t know if this has any relation to his Pv. Or is totally unrelated. I wonder if anyone else has had an increase of cellulitis infections

[Charlyse]

Have you been able to get checked for diabetes? I haven’t had it happen because of PV, but my husband has had it because of diabetes. It looks identical. I hope someone will be able to answer in terms of the PV. Xo

[Splb3317]

Hi Dennykev,

Your question is very appropriate for me today. I see my haematologist after 8 weeks instead of my normal 12 weeks. 8 weeks ago, he took me off the 500mg per 5 days dose of Hydroxicarbamide, following months of episodes of cellulitis. I've asked in the past for others' experiences of this kind of recurrent infection, but no-one seemed to have the problems so regularly. Antibiotics always cleared up the infections, but my GP was becoming more and more concerned at the amount of antibiotics I was having to take.

Eventually, I agreed with the haematologist to be taken off the Hydroxy, to see if that was the cause and, like magic, for the past 8 weeks, NO skin infections. I see him today to give him the news but the problem now is how to cope with the PV. The low dose of Hydroxy that I was taking kept all the blood levels down, and 1 pill just 5 days a week was nothing. I presume, my blood counts will be back up by now and i'll probably have to start regular venesections, but that's up to the doc. For now, I'm just grateful to have got rid of the leg infections and the antibiotics!

I hope your partner finds a solution to those infections which are horrible. I hope I've been able to help. I'll message here again after I've had my 4.30 haematology appointment today.

Kind regards to you both,

Sandra.

[Osteomyelio in reply to Splb3317]

Sandra. Thank you for your post. I got infections while on Hydroxy

[Dennykev in reply to Splb3317]

Thanks so much for your reply. He’s now on 1500 hydroxycarbamide a day and the fatigue is unbearable to watch. I used to think fatigue was just tiredness before but it’s so much more. It totally floors him and this brings his mood down as well. It’s a roller coaster of emotions.

[redvanman]

hi dennykev I was diagnosed with pv 14 years ago.. 9 years ago on my gps recommendation I had cortisone injections in my arms for tendonitis [tennis elbow ] within 2 days I was in a&e with cellulitis in my right arm... massive issues .. nearly lost my arm... didn't work properly for 2 years.. a bowen therapist helped a huge amount .. this was the only occurance but was f****n horrendous... rikki

[Splb3317]

Hi Dennykev

My appointment with my haematologist yesterday was really encouraging. Stopping the Hydroxicarbamide seems to have stopped the recurring cellulitis and, miraculously, at the moment, all my blood results are within the right range. My haematocrit and platelets are at normal levels. So, for now, I only take low dose aspirin for the PV and don't need a venesection. I came out of his room walking on air. Obviously, this may not last, but for now, I'm so pleased, particularly as the cellulitis is staying away (fingers crossed)

Each of us is different and I was on a low dose of Hydroxy anyway, so I don't know what your partner's situation would be, but for me, for now, all is stable.

I do hope that things improve for your partner too, and hope that my experience has given you some encouragement.

Kindest regards,

Sandra.

[Dennykev in reply to Splb3317]

That’s great news Sandra. I hope it’s still working for you. X