please help me

[carol]

Last year I had cellulitis in my arm and hand and sulfatrim DS 2 4times a day
27 days all together and pen-vk-300mg 4 a day cleared it up.
Keflex wouldn't work.

This year JUNE 11/12 redness and small blister like rash. Given 7 days of APO-AMOXI CLAV 875/125MG
JUNE 17........... 7 MORE OF THE SAME
JUNE 25..........Redness looked faded but rash still there (spot big as a quater) dr gave me pms-valacyclovir 500mg.....2 .....3 times a day Three different doctors.
Decided to wrap and the part that was red before feels like it is burning and when I unwraped it was really red. Don't know weither to wrap or not. The redness and burning becomes good if I leave the wrap off.
Wondering if there is cellulitis still there. The doctors here don't know much about lymphedema. Thank you for the help. le hugs Carol

[carol]

Just came from the Doctor and indeed it is lymphangitis. I took a picture with me and then she tells me last year when I thought I had cellulitis they didn't know which I had cellulitis or lymphangitis. Told her noone told me.The last meds anti-viral was for this. She said they treat it almost the same but lymphangitis is in different layer of skin. At lymphedemapeople here is where I learnt so much.

www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/...

I asked to go see a infectious disease Specialist. Won't be for a month. Right now my arm isn't to bad but if it comes back I will head to the ER or get ahold of my Doctor. Going to learn all I can about this. le hugs jinky

[carol]

I must be posting in the wrong spot as noone answered my posts.......will look around......Carol

[patoco]

Hi Carol

You posted in the right place. Been doing this for close to ten years and once in a great while I take a day off, which is what happened this week...especially with doctor visits Thursday/Friday.

It can be difficult to distinguish between cellulitis and lymphangitis. Also, they are treated in much the same way too. Omly lymphangitis might be hti with a much more strong antibiotic then cellultitis due to the fact that lymphangitis is actually in the lymph channels.

This is the Google Image page on cellulitis:

http://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl= ... 8gScz8jyBg

This is the Google image page on lymphangitis:

http://www.google.com/search?num=10&hl= ... 24&bih=653

If these links don't go through go to Google Image and type in the terms (seperately) and the images should come up.

Personally, if my doctors though were having a difficult time, I would think about changing docs. Try to get to an infectious disease doctor as they are the specialists in this.

Since it is lymphangitis, they might consider IV antibiotics as well. Two that I used with great success were Gentamicin and
unasyn. The next step might be vancomycin although it should be used sparingly due to the fact that many bacteria are becoming immune to the antibiotics.

Vancomycin

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000282/

Gentamicin

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... 82275.html

Unasyn

http://www.drugs.com/pro/unasyn.html

Also, I would hope they might at least do a blood culture too, just to see if by chance it will show up and the bacteria can be positively identified.

Hope this helps.

Pat

Lymphangitis

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/wiki/do ... mphangitis

Cellulitis

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite ... ulitis.htm

Antibiotics

http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite ... iotics.htm

[carol]

Oh Pat thank you so much....I have alot to read....already asked to see a infectious disease doctor as I read where you posted this before. It will be in a month and thank you I will take info here with me. Thanks again Pat and thank you for what you do and for who you are. So sorry you have been through so much. le hugs Carol

[carol]

Hi Everyone, Just a reminder I had what I thought was cellulitus June 2011 and June 2012.The doctor is quite sure I had cellulitis and lymphangitis the first time and a viral infection the second time as antibiotics didn't work but valacyclovir did.

He said inflammation is not helped by antibiotics and I though they were....only inflammatories. I went off celebrex for 10 weeks and now have to see a neck surgeon for severe pain in my neck. They don't dare do therapy without his permission because my neck is severe arthritis and something about discs. Also when I went of my sed rate went up. I am back on celebrex.

He told me how important MLD is and to use my arm which I haven't been but will do.
Also I wanted to say if I don't have it right about the info here please correct me. I am still waiting to see my therapist. thanks for all the help. le hugs Carol

[patoco]

hey there Carol

So good to her from you and how you are doing.

Sounds like you got your info right. I'm glad to hear you are going to try using that arm. It is so important as movement not only is good for the muscles, but it does help our body get rid of lymph fluid. Fluid is movede through our system via muscle contractions/movements.

The doc was right in that inflammation is not helped by antibiotics. Antibiotics only help get rid of the bacteria that are susceptible to them...not inflammation or even viruses. That's one reason people should stop using antibiotics when they have simple colds.

Stay in touch and let us know how you do with the neck.

Pat

[blubrdfrend]

Carol, I hope that you have begun to use your arm. My medical doctor always encourages me to keep walking. It is uncomfortable. I say uncomfortable now. In a few years I will break down and say "downright painful". I have tried to figure the time that I am able to walk without suffering at night. You might do the same with your arm. Time yourself as you use the arm. If you are able to increase the time that you use it that will be great. You will know when you over do it. I hope that your physicians are able to help you. Let us know how you are doing. We care.
Betty

[carol]

Hi Pat and Bluebrd,
I have been using my arm alot more . I got the infection last year and I was moving and using my arm alot. Figured that is why I got the infection. I am using it more now and I think it is somewhat better. I am walking alot more to.
I feel happier knowing I am getting control of my life again. Thank you both for helping me.
Also the internal specialist told me to check and if he is on call he will come to the hospital.

Pat this helped me alot what you said here.
The doc was right in that inflammation is not helped by antibiotics. Antibiotics only help get rid of the bacteria that are susceptible to them...not inflammation or even viruses. That's one reason people should stop using antibiotics when they have simple colds.

Bluebrd this helped me also.
Time yourself as you use the arm. If you are able to increase the time that you use it that will be great. You will know when you over do it.
le hugs Carol

[blubrdfrend]

Let us know how you are doing.

[carol]

Pat ,I did not know this what you wrote"
It is so important as movement not only is good for the muscles, but it does help our body get rid of lymph fluid. Fluid is movede through our system via muscle contractions/movements.
Knew about muscles but not lymph fluid.Thanks again le hugs Carol
2004 dx with le

[patoco]

Glad it helped Carol and hope it can be beneficial in helping management the LE

Pat

[carol]

wow you should see the difference in my arm....I am doing MLD every day but the big difference is I am using my arm alot. Last year after the bad infection I babied it as I thought I got the infection from over using it but I was wrong. I had pain at first but now I don't have any. My arm is SMALLER yeah!!!!! and I am happy. I go next week to see my physcial therapist and she is going to re-evaluate me. Thank you for helping me so much. Thanks for taking time to really hear me. Will let you know how I make out. le hugs Carol

[patoco]

Hey Carol

Now that's news we like to hear......keep it up

Pat

[carol]

I went today to see my PT and she couldn't believe how small my hand is and this was my problem area. My hand is almost normal.She was very happy and showed me that I wasn't doing the breathing exercies right. I should be pushing my stomach out when I take a big breath. So many little things I am finally picking up.
I am going to order a new sleeve and glove. Cost about $500 here and no help but I need it.
Epidermal needle in neck but not working but I will try 2 more.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart as I am now back in control of my LE and it feels so good.
le hugs Carol

[carol]

It has taken from June /11 until now to get my le under control after having cellulitis/lymphangitis. I never thought it would happen. I am so happy.Thank you so very much. le hugs Carol

[blubrdfrend]

I love good news. I am so glad that you are improving. You have a great attitude and that will help too. Don't forget us and let us know how you are doing.
Betty

[carol]

I sure will blubrdfriend....thanks for the help.....le hugs carol

[carol]

wow got my new sleeve and glove and it was $460. The titzn'glitz used to help with it but not the last couple of years.
I am so proud of my arm and hand as my hand looks normal. This is the first tine it has been completely flat.
I wear my garments every day and I am happy. Not scared of infection now as you all taught me I can get throught that to.
Thanks again le hugs carol ps getting colder here....snow next.....

[patoco]

Hey Carol

What a great update....so glad to hear how much better you are doing and that the swelling is so much better.

I keep hoping some of these companies will lower their prices on these garments or that insurance might start paying for them.

Can you imagine any other condition where the patient has to buy the necessities themselves? There would be rioting in the street.

Getting colder here too, we actually had frost this morning. The weather is so strange here in Georgia. We saw lots of 80+ weather this October whereas some Octobers we have had snow flurries.

Take care and again, you brought a big smile to my face with your post

Pat

[carol]

I just want to wish everyone a Merry Xmas and Happy and Healthy New Year. My arm and hand are
great. I can't believe how far I have come with your help. My hand is normal except for my
fingers that don't work right since my bad infection last year. Don't mind that. So glad I
took your advice and saw a specialist. Thank you again......le hugs Carol

[patoco]

Hey Carol

Thanks so much and I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year as well!!!

The coming year will be so much better then 2012 - live it to the fullest.

LE Hugs back to ya too

Pat

[carol]

Can you believe it I am still doing well....also arthritis in neck feeling better...
so thankful for the help you gave me here......very helpful......
snow storm coming in....arm and hand really good and yes Pat I
am using it.....not afraid now....thanks so much again....Carol

[blubrdfrend]

Carol it is so good to hear from you. I hope that you continue to do well. Thank you for the update. I live in Texas so I have never seen a snowstorm. I hope that you are able to stay safe and warm. Several years ago we had snow. My grandchildren, in Tyler, TX, borrowed snow from all the neighbors and made a snowman. The neighbors were kind enough to let them destroy their yards. They appreciated it so much because they knew how much Texans love snow. He lasted two days and melted.

[patoco]

Hey Ya'll

Gee....twice blest in one day. So good to hear from both of you and that you are doing so well

So far, in this corner of Georgia we've seen only a few pretend flakes of snow - nothing to speak of and now that Spring has sprung, hopefully warmer weather is soon coming along.

So far 2013 has been a wee bit tough for me, but I am still kicking and breathing....and still able to do my lymphedema groups and websites. LOL...now if we could find some new lungs somewhere

Carol, glad to hear you are using that arm. The best way to keep it going, is to use it. Mine still puff up from time to time and what I do is add a wee bit more LE exercises to them. So far, so good - they are nothing at all like my legs are so you can imagine how happy I am with that.

Pat