Cellulitis

[Drisgirl]

Altho the infection has apprently gone -I had to have 2 blast of high powered antis its still red (the site of the infection).
Is it normal to still have a such a sore bit -I can only wear flip flops and its freezing -my Uggs at a push but that defeats it as its meant to be uncovered.
I know the skin has to regenerate but how long am I expected to put up with this pain and discomfort -thats 7 wks now.
It looks so paltry as well but as my GP said thats just the tip of the Iceberg -it travelled up to mid calf -my instep is still very sore -I was in agony -anyway thats just me looking for sympathy :)

[Sqad]

Difficult to answer without seeing it, but clearly it was a bad infection that you suffered. 7 weeks is a long time, but if the calf pain has settled and it doesn't look as if pus has accumulated, then be patient.

My bedside manner?....impeccable, well appreciated and loved on AB.....just you ask Robinia, Shaneystar, LoftyLottie, swedeheart et al....they love my bedside manner.

[Drisgirl]

Thanks Sqad -it was nasty.
Might pop down to my GP or put one of those Tegaderms on again to see if any pus comes out -in fact thats what I think i'll do that way that'll convince me that there isnt anything to worry about.

O and your bedside manner is as always inpeccable -mwah xx

[Sqad]

headwreck...poor old bu99er.

Have they isolated the organism yet?

[shaneystar2]

As my name has been mentioned Dris:)
I sympathise with you .
I developed Cellulitis in my leg a couple of months ago .So bad I had to have scans to rule out blod clots and also had to have anticoagulant injections . Heavy double dose of antibiotics as well .
The skin tightened up,the leg swelled ,the skin split and ulcerated. I couldn't walk at one stage and then I was hobbling around with a walking stick .I still have one ulcer that won't heal .
Like headwreck I've been advised to elevate the leg as much as possible .Easier said than done .though .
I have an appointment in October to get an elastic stocking thing fitted ,which I am totally not looking forward to wearing :)
At the moment I have got Dermol cream to rub in .This is brilliant stuff and softens the skin and Fucibert for the ulcer ..My leg is an inch all round bigger come the evening and like you I am in flip flops or pumps .Gawd knows how I'm going to get me boots on come the cold weather .It's been a frigging nightmare .Try the Dermol it's very good .
.I do hope you soon feel better .

[Sqad]

Drisgirl/shaneystar....the other factor is age and the blood supply to the leg.

I do not know how old either of you are or whether or not either of you smoke, but impaired blood supply can be an important factor in recovery.

Venous return is another important factor as swelling of the legs (for whatever reason) and varicose veins, can also delay recovery.

[shaneystar2]

The results of my scan were that my blood flow was excellent
However from a working life of being on my feet all day I have legs like an ordnance survey map full of thread veins plus I am riddled with osteoarthritis .My GP thinks that the infection was caused in the first place from insect bites and that it will be a long job before it clears up completely .
My dancing days are over :)

[shaneystar2]

This is it headwreck. I'm terified of knocking it .You sound much worse off than me .Although my GP did mutter about more antibiotics when I saw him recently if it wasn't cleared up after using this steroid cream .I know the feeling with the leg .I feel like Nellie the Elephant .
I do hope you soon feel better .Good Luck with the crosswords and take care x

[Drisgirl]

Sorry for abandoning the thread I had to go out.

headwreck -you porr porr thing -mine is nothing like what you nor Shaneystar have gone through.I feel like a right moaning cow now .Mine is sore and yes I am terrified to knock it as I dont want the wound opened again but to be honest I have gotten off lightly compared with you 2.

Think I will go down to the GP just to be on the safe side tho as the last time I got antis -a couple of weeks back it was an NHS24 emergency as a rash had started to develop around the site - it was just as well i did go as that was the first signs of poisoning.-the antis cured that but its still so sore.

I do hope you both get better soon -please keep me updated and i'll do the same and thanks for responding to my thread xx

GiGi -im not diabetic although the thought did cross my mind but the site is red and sore but isnt open -so it has started to heal -who would have thought a little graze coming out the swimming pool coud have triggered this?

[shaneystar2]

I would seriously give this Dermol stuff a try Dris .It's an antimicrobial stuff .You use it to wash the area and you can also rub it into your leg as often as you like .It's a type of emollient which softens the skin and forms a barrier to prevent nasties getting in again .
My GP gave it to me on prescription but you can get it over the counter in Boots .Also I have found wearing a flight sock helps to keep the swelling down a bit .But in this weather it's just a bit too warm .
I 've been trying to let the air heal it and also I've been down the beach paddling me legs in the sea which is soooo lovely and cool .
They did tests for diabetes and all sorts of things on me but they all came back clear .
It's horrible and so painful .My husband had to push me round the hospital in a wheelchair when it started up as I couldn't walk .Never felt so vulnerable in me life :)
Take care girls :)

[Eve]

I think I've got off lightly with mine too.

Mine was more than likely from a bite as well (pigeon mites I think).

I had a double dose of antibiotics and used woundwash and antiseptic spray to keep it as clean as possible and kept it covered with some dressings and that surgical tape stuff.

Having my leg raised above my heart worked wonders though after mine all flared up again.

The infection seems to have gone but it's still pretty read and swollen but no-where near as much as it was thank goodness. The pain has gone down a lot too.

Hope you all feel better soon xxx

[Drisgirl]

Thanks shaneystar I will deffo give thet Dermol a go -have at bandage for work altho I do get away with flip flops but they are hazardous really.Cripes the more I hear about what you 2 have gone through -aaahh!! x

Jenna -yours sounds more like mine -how long did it last?

[Eve]

It was about 3 or 4 weeks before it settled down properly, not that's it's right now but much better than it was.

I need to get some cream on it to try and settle the area down though guess I will just have to wait for the swelling to go down in time.

I'm sure I remember you had yours just after mine started and mine is still red and swollen but doesn't seem to be infected any more.

[Drisgirl]

Heres hoping then Jenna -fingers crossed !! x

[shaneystar2]

Hi again folks,.
Sorry to hear you are still suffering too Jenna .I recall chatting to you about it a while ago .
Right girls ,keep those legs up ,rub the cream in ,keep taking the tablets and we should all be fit and well and able to do Knees Up Mother Brown soon xxx
P.S. headwreck ...do keep us posted on how you are getting on .Chin up .