General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

Cellulitis
Dicloxacillin
Underlying left leg swelling - have you checked for chronic venous insufficiency?

LOL. There's not much I have not had.

I was diagnosed with venous deficiency or venous insufficiency in both legs well over 20 years ago. Just below both knees at the time but no updates since. My calves get very sore pumping blood back.

I've had excessive swelling for just as long. Have been to heart specialist and everything was checked and all is normal except for fluid retention. He recommended Lasix when inflammation was bad. My feet can look like webbed feet on some days the inflammation is so bad. Very tight. Very painful. Very uncomfortable.

It doesn't stop there. I can be bloated and that is extremely uncomfortable. My fingers, hands, wrists, arms also swell badly. A few times my left arm all the way to the elbow can be uncomfortable for hours. I cannot wear wedding ring on left hand amymore. I wear it on right.

I had cellulitis once. Small redness around mid Shin. Cleared up with Keflex quickly.

Current cellulitis goes from inside left ankle to about 15cms below knee. Not all but quite a bit of red. Some skin shiny red and tight.

Today noticed that some of the redness has subsided and in some spots I can see the white skin back again. Swelling is worse though. Took 40mg Durumide? around 8 hours ago and that has not helped that much.

@prozac I didn't say this was harmless. The opposite. It scares me. I might have wasted a day noticing cellulitis and first GP has also wasted a day on checking blood clots and Keflex as they did not see the cellulitis although I did offer to send them photo.

I could have been on Dicloxacillin for 4 days instead of 2 days.

I'm heading off to airport in 3 hours and flight in 6 hours. Hope all goes well but Qantas economy is not the best place to keep leg elevated unless flight is not full.

 

[prozac]

LOL. There's not much I have not had.

I was diagnosed with venous deficiency or venous insufficiency in both legs well over 20 years ago. Just below both knees at the time but no updates since. My calves get very sore pumping blood back.

I've had excessive swelling for just as long. Have been to heart specialist and everything was checked and all is normal except for fluid retention. He recommended Lasix when inflammation was bad. My feet can look like webbed feet on some days the inflammation is so bad. Very tight. Very painful. Very uncomfortable.

It doesn't stop there. I can be bloated and that is extremely uncomfortable. My fingers, hands, wrists, arms also swell badly. A few times my left arm all the way to the elbow can be uncomfortable for hours. I cannot wear wedding ring on left hand amymore. I wear it on right.

I had cellulitis once. Small redness around mid Shin. Cleared up with Keflex quickly.

Current cellulitis goes from inside left ankle to about 15cms below knee. Not all but quite a bit of red. Some skin shiny red and tight.

Today noticed that some of the redness has subsided and in some spots I can see the white skin back again. Swelling is worse though. Took 40mg Durumide? around 8 hours ago and that has not helped that much.

@prozac I didn't say this was harmless. The opposite. It scares me. I might have wasted a day noticing cellulitis and first GP has also wasted a day on checking blood clots and Keflex as they did not see the cellulitis although I did offer to send them photo.

I could have been on Dicloxacillin for 4 days instead of 2 days.

I'm heading off to airport in 3 hours and flight in 6 hours. Hope all goes well but Qantas economy is not the best place to keep leg elevated unless flight is not full.

John, I was alarming you only to make sure you follow up, though it can be as serious as I stated. Our medical members here can only prod you in the right direction. You have other things going on of which I have no understanding so cannot comment. Regards elevating your leg, do so when you can whilst this bout is ongoing, but try and make it a lifelong habit. I am certain this is what keeps my cellulitis from returning as often as it might. When I relax for the evening, shoe off, leg up.

It sounds like you should get fitted for a surgical stocking to wear when you travel. Not one of those flimsy hospital jobs, but proper German one. When you put it on make sure it goes all the way over the toes.
Consider a surgical cleanser whilst you have this round of cellulitis. Once a day in the shower. Turn shower off, and wash from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. Pay particular attention to clean your nose, yes really. Rinse off. There is a brand of surgical scrub called 747. It is a disposable sponge/brush impregnated with a cleanser and comes individually packaged in a foil sachet the size of 2 cigarette packs. Easy to throw a few in your luggage. There is enough scrub in each impregnated sponge/brush to clean you from tip to toe.
Good management can prevent the infection returning.

 

[JohnK]

A lot changes in a few hours @prozac .

I went to toilet about 6 times this morning. Delayed effects of the durumide.

Swelling has come down heaps but redness still there although I can notice some cracks in the skin. More comfortable now and not stressed.

I totally missed this Monday. The groin pain and difficulty peeing was swollen lymph nodes not UTI or prostate. 1 day can make all the difference.

Leaving soon. I'll go to Pattaya City hospital tonight if not feeling well.

 

[prozac]

A lot changes in a few hours @prozac .

I went to toilet about 6 times this morning. Delayed effects of the durumide.

Swelling has come down heaps but redness still there although I can notice some cracks in the skin. More comfortable now and not stressed.

I totally missed this Monday. The groin pain and difficulty peeing was swollen lymph nodes not UTI or prostate. 1 day can make all the difference.

Leaving soon. I'll go to Pattaya City hospital tonight if not feeling well.

Sounds like you have dodged a bullet.
Colleagues at an old workplace said they were thinking of chipping in to buy a parrot for my shoulder.
Take care John.

 

[JohnK]

Sounds like you have dodged a bullet.
Colleagues at an old workplace said they were thinking of chipping in to buy a parrot for my shoulder.
Take care John.

Don't worry that had also crossed my mind. I hope I have dodged a bullet but hard to say. Swelling less, pain less. Only half way through antibiotic course.

 

[mrsterryn]

Dentist query
Due to have some major work done from Jan next year. Numerous crowns , bridge but no implants (numerous health issues in my very young years with loads of medication appear to have done significant impact on said teeth )
Mid sixties, some health issues. Mentioned about travel post all the bits and pieces and my dentist has said no travelling overseas for four months
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to why ? Yes I should have asked at the time but I was still absorbing the quote lol
My dentist is amazing and I have seen them for some years. This is kinda ....make sure I have teeth in the casket kinda thing lol

 

[prozac]

Dentist query
Due to have some major work done from Jan next year. Numerous crowns , bridge but no implants (numerous health issues in my very young years with loads of medication appear to have done significant impact on said teeth )
Mid sixties, some health issues. Mentioned about travel post all the bits and pieces and my dentist has said no travelling overseas for four months
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to why ? Yes I should have asked at the time but I was still absorbing the quote lol
My dentist is amazing and I have seen them for some years. This is kinda ....make sure I have teeth in the casket kinda thing lol

OT, but I have been told Czech is a good place for dental work at the right price.

 

[mrsterryn]

OT, but I have been told Czech is a good place for dental work at the right price.

Also been told about Budapest
Anyone have any views on those ?
Just a bit concerned as to why the flying embargo

 

[zig]

OT, but I have been told Czech is a good place for dental work at the right price.

Costa Rica is also popular for dental tourism, particularly with those from the USA.

 

[JohnK]

I should have gone to hospital yesterday. Leg infection not really improving with Docloxacillin.

Started first day of 3 for IV antibiotic in hospital. Leg still in quite some pain.

 

[MARTINE]

Dentist query
Due to have some major work done from Jan next year. Numerous crowns , bridge but no implants (numerous health issues in my very young years with loads of medication appear to have done significant impact on said teeth )
Mid sixties, some health issues. Mentioned about travel post all the bits and pieces and my dentist has said no travelling overseas for four months
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to why ? Yes I should have asked at the time but I was still absorbing the quote lol
My dentist is amazing and I have seen them for some years. This is kinda ....make sure I have teeth in the casket kinda thing lol

Flying and Dentistry - Is it safe to Fly? | Flying with Dental Issues

Flying and Dentistry. FAQ regarding flying after a root canal, fillings, wisdom tooth extraction, oral infections and more. Is it safe to fly? Should you speak with your dentist?

skygatedental.com.au

Hi
Your dentist is best placed to advise on the four months. This is a good overview written by a dentist (I am a retired doctor).
Personally I would never support overseas dental/medical tourism having seen the consequences. If you need help most private insurers will not pay for O/S complications …
Either travel insurance or your private health in Australia

 

[mrsterryn]

Hi
Your dentist is best placed to advise on the four months. This is a good overview written by a dentist (I am a retired doctor).

Yeppers will check in with them again next year
Thank you that article was quite informative and I may have found , within that article , a possible reason
Appreciate the information

 

[prozac]

I should have gone to hospital yesterday. Leg infection not really improving with Docloxacillin.

Started first day of 3 for IV antibiotic in hospital. Leg still in quite some pain.

You are in hospital now? Good news, if you know what I mean. I was trying to alarm you the other day so you'd take this seriously. Cellulitis infection that has migrated up your lymphatics to your groin is a life changer, so glad you are now getting proper care.

 

[Quickstatus]

Cellulitis infection

Part of the failure to respond to oral antibiotics is because cellulitis in leg also requires rest and elevation of the infected leg.
Travelling around with an infected leg does not help

Part of the hospital treatment also requires a “slowing the tempo of life”. Then add in extended period leg elevation and Iv antibiotics becomes the required trifecta

Have a patient in hospital with terrible ulcers encircling both ankles for several months. Ulcers started healing but not completely and she wanted to go home. She was told no. (Not keeping her against her will though). If she went home the ulcers will not heal even with daily dressings by the community nurses

 

[prozac]

Part of the failure to respond to oral antibiotics is because cellulitis in leg also requires rest and elevation of the infected leg.
Travelling around with an infected leg does not help

Part of the hospital treatment also results in “slowing the tempo of life”. Then add in extended period leg elevation and Iv antibiotics becomes the required trifecta

Have a patient in hospital with terrible ulcers encircling both ankles for several months. Ulcers started healing but not completely and she wanted to go home. She was told no. (Not keeping her against her will though). If she went home the ulcers will not heal even with daily dressings by the community nurses

Early in my cellulitis journey I continued to work. The job was physical and the injury, leading to a necrotic ulcer, was a work injury. There was considerable pressure from my superiors to continue working. I developed small ulcers along the sides of my foot, I imagine it was gravity pulling down the detritus left over from the leg infections. I wouldn't shower at work because I was concerned about passing the infection to my work colleagues.
@JohnK something to be aware of is your powers of reasoning are sub-par. Don't expect you can make any important decisions until the infection is gone. I recall also not wanting to seek proper medical help because you think, wrongly, you can fight it.

 

[tgh]

Is cellulitis in humans a failure of lymphatic drainage ?

 

[andye]

The first thing mrsandye asks me if I'm unusually grumpy is about my feet . Have had a couple of cellulitis episodes and for me, my mood and rationality can be affected

 

[prozac]

The first thing mrsandye asks me if I'm unusually grumpy is about my feet . Have had a couple of cellulitis episodes and for me, my mood and rationality can be affected

Thank you @andye, rational was the word I was searching for.
@tgh, cellulitis infection is not a faiulure of but can quickly spread to the lymphatics and becomes a dog chasing it's tail. It is a deep tissue infection.
@JohnK , cellulitis enters the limb via a break in the skin surface, even imperceptible scratches not apparent to the naked eye. Hence my suggestion about using a surgical cleanser.

 

[JohnK]

You are in hospital now? Good news, if you know what I mean. I was trying to alarm you the other day so you'd take this seriously. Cellulitis infection that has migrated up your lymphatics to your groin is a life changer, so glad you are now getting proper care.

Not in hospital. Went to public hospital last night. No specialist at that time just general emergency doctors.

The doctor wanted ultrasound today to check DVT. Told her already did one on Wednesday. Her other choice was cellulitis with IV drip for 3 days and see how it reacts.

I won't be staying in hospital. Have appointment today and tomorrow at 5:00pm to administer the IV.

Cellulitis was responding to oral antibiotics but very slow. On Friday before and during flight felt ok. Redness and swelling still there but pain under the skin gets less each time.

What worries me is blood pressure last night was 163/89. Mine is never that high. Usually 110/65. Chest hurts.

 

[prozac]

Not in hospital. Went to public hospital last night. No specialist at that time just general emergency doctors.

The doctor wanted ultrasound today to check DVT. Told her already did one on Wednesday. Her other choice was cellulitis with IV drip for 3 days and see how it reacts.

I won't be staying in hospital. Have appointment today and tomorrow at 5:00pm to administer the IV.

Cellulitis was responding to oral antibiotics but very slow. On Friday before and during flight felt ok. Redness and swelling still there but pain under the skin gets less each time.

What worries me is blood pressure last night was 163/89. Mine is never that high. Usually 110/65. Chest hurts.

Doing the right thing, now. Ask the nurse to use a pen to outline the extent of the redness so they can determine progress one way or the other.
You are very unwell, your BP will be up...but check with doctor when you return to hospital.