cellulitis

[Janann25]

I’ve been diagnosed today with cellulitis - never had it before and knew nothing about it so it’s all been a bit of a shock. I’ve been prescribed Flucloxacillin but unfortunately, by the time I was discharged from Urgent Care, the hospital pharmacy was closed so I can’t start them until the morning!

I’m currently on 4mg of Pred and would normally double this if I was unwell but because I’ve never had this before, I’m wondering whether I should do this?

Thank you

[Merryfield]

the cellulitis won’t be helped by steroids. get your antibiotic scrip filled asap and start it.

[Janann25 in reply to Merryfield]

Thank you. Have just taken first dose

[cycli]

Hi Janaan25. Had this seriously when 23 and recently at 72. Not to be messed with so get on with treatment and make sure you take all the pills. That course may not be sufficient to cure it so ask your Dr. to make sure. I was on 30mg at the time so 4mg is good. Don'tincrease as it isnt the right solution for cellulitis

[SnazzyD]

In terms of your cellulitis I would not increase the Pred. The inflammation is from infection and though it might dampen the inflammatory response more and make you feel a bit better (probs not much) you are further suppressing your much needed immune system here. Antibiotics is what you need. However, if you have a PMR flare or low adrenal function symptoms that’s a different case.

Make sure you take Flucloxacillin on an empty stomach and space them out equally over 24 hours and not just try to take them all within your waking hours. Might require setting your alarm or a few late nights, but avoiding big dips in the blood level because of long gaps needs to be avoided.

[Pixix]

I’ve been hospitalised with this four times in my life. Please get the antibiotics quickly, & take the whole course. If they don’t work, seek further medical help, please! There are other antibiotics available. Sorry, but I didn’t have PMR at the time, but you’ve had good advice about the steroids from others! Get well soon!

[Janann25 in reply to Pixix]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't - it would possibly slow the recovery by damping the immune system.

Urgent care should have given you some to take there and then - but are there no duty chemists any more?

[Janann25 in reply to PMRpro]

Unfortunately , no. No chemists open after 9pm! I’ve just taken my first one so hope it works🤞

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janann25]

Appalling - here you ring the on-call bell and they appear to dish out the goods. I hope so too.

[Mgt1234]

Hi, I am currently on 10mg of Prednisone and sadly last year I had cellulitis on 4 occasions, I am now taking 500mg Erythromycin daily to try and stop any further attacks. I see the dermatologist in May for a review. This definitely doesn’t feel sensible in the long term. Take care x

[Dobermanlover]

I had cellulitis and had to take three courses of flucloxacillin until it was cured. What I hadn't bargained for was a week of sitting on the loo that followed! You need to take probiotics after taking such strong antibiotics to keep the good bugs in you stomach going.

[Janann25 in reply to Dobermanlover]

Oh no, I hope I don’t take so long to get better. I’ve had to change my antibiotic because the flucloxacillin really affected my oesophagus - very painful - so am now on Co-Amoxiclav which apparently is a better antibiotic. It seems they choose the other one first before they go to this one!!