Cellulitis And Private Health Tests

[eve1974]

Hello, on Boxing Day I posted about my husbands recurrence of cellulitis. Well - it's back again, (4th time in 2 months).

We are paying for him to have a full private health check next Friday.

You know the sort - like an MOT where they check weight, bloods, stool samples etc ...

Anyway as it's a 2hr appt he will have time to ask questions and request further tests.

My question, (finally) is what additional tests could : should he ask for to see the source of the cellulitis?

Apologies for a repeat if anyone read my previous post:

Brief history / synopsis: 51 years old, weight stable, (not overweight other than a bit of a beer belly / middle age spread over tummy). High blood pressure (well controlled on medication), drinks well in excess of recommended alcohol (but deffo not alcoholic). Last blood tests in sept showed everything ok incl FCC, kidney function (creatinine), liver function etc

I'm also going to be doing a Sep question about alternative treatments

[eve1974]

Oh and he's often breathless after minor exertion lately... this onset occurs around same time as cellulitis 2 months back. Previously he's been really pretty fit... his job means walking average of 10-15 miles a day. Maybe the breathlessness is because he's getting unfit (legs too sore to walk cod of infection which keeps coming back)

[Tilly2]

I suppose he's had a course of really powerful antibiotics has he, Eve?

[eve1974]

Yup Tilly...3 different sorts ... :(

[Tilly2]

How awful! Poor man.

[eve1974]

Yup he's getting really very very down about it :( and I'm getting so worried as to why he keeps getting this.

[Tilly2]

Hopefully this latest round of tests, and subsequent treatment, will prove more effective than the previous treatment.

I am sorry to hear about this it must be dreadful not to be able to clear it up.

[eve1974]

Yeah hoping so - that's why we paying privately. NHS gp's are overrun by numbers and simply don't have time to look at it deeper or answer questions (and errrm "some" of them lack inclination) . I'm mainly wondering what sort of extra tests / treatments hubby might ask for.

[woofgang]

eve, I think he shouldn’t have to request further tests by name. I think what he should be saying is that he has this problem with recurrent cellulitis and he wants to get to the bottom of what is causing it and how to fix it. It will help very much if he can go in with a list of the tests he has already had and their results plus what treatments he has had and how well they worked......but....and forgive me.....are you sure you are buying the right thing? These MOT things tend to be “well man” ie they do the checks but aren’t really designed for people who have a medical problem....in those circs, its more usual to get a referral to a private consultant specialist.......

[Tilly2]

Good point, Woof. Maybe the money might be better spent elsewhere.

[eve1974]

Ah yes thanks woof I see your point as a "well man" thing but Our thinking is that (a) a 2 hr appointment means more time to ask questions / look for answers. And (b) yes ask the dr doing the well man check to do a referral straight to relevant consultant / speciality for his cellulitis/ breathlessness.
We've always been happy with th gp he sees but all this gp does is ... antibiotics... without looking for theCAUSE.
M

[woofgang]

well I hope it works out for you and your husband. Did you ask your GP for a private referral to a specialist? They are usually happy to do it for no charge.

[eve1974]

True woof but figured a general mot of his whole body wouldn't go amiss, (he's at an age - 51. - where a good MOT is an idea