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AIBU?

To be sick of them just giving antibiotics.

24 replies

alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 22:36

Just been to walk in with DS 14 he has an infection in his upper arm doctor put him on anti bs three days ago. Seemed to be going well until last night he woke up this morning and has a 6x3 cm space of red and it has gone hard so took him to walk in and they gave him a different Anti biotic. Most people would be happy with this, but DS has history twice this year he has had cellulites that hasn't got better and been prescribed a different antibiotic. Two months ago this happened he ended up in A&E a week later had two operations and developed Sepsis it was the worst two months of my life. The same happened four months previously but with only one operation and no Sepsis. I thought it needed draining before it got worse. I just cant stop thinking about what happened last time. Any advice or am i just over reacting. Its spread today as well.

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Madeyemoodysmum · 08/10/2016 22:40

I have no advise but i would go back
Sepsis is no joke 💐

Musicaltheatremum · 08/10/2016 22:43

You can't drain cellulitis. Antibiotics are the way forward. Only an abscess can be drained. Must be really worrying for you. Hope he improves overnight.

alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 22:43

It was awful last time Madey suddenly after first Operation his temp spiked to 40.4 and for a whole night wouldn't go below 39.5. He was confused shivering and crying i will never forget it.

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PinkSwimGoggles · 08/10/2016 22:43

yes go back.
tbh with his history seeing a gp might be a good idea. it is not normal to get infections like that so frequently.
or is ds just a dirty bugger?

alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 22:46

Sorry Musical I haven't made myself very clear! like the offer two times it was cellulitis which then turned into and abscess thats whats happened this time but AGAIN they seem to be taking NO notice of that. They said it was a small abscess four days ago and didnt mention it at walk in centre

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alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 22:47

Hes 14 loves being outside and is very slightly immune suprest.

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user1472419718 · 08/10/2016 22:55

Most doctors these days are quite cautious about prescribing antibiotics. If the doctor has prescribed them it means he needs them.

As he's had it three times in 4 months, I would be concerned that either the antibiotics they are giving him aren't strong enough or the bacteria is resistant to the antibiotic (possibly multiple antibiotics). Has it been cultured?

Pineapplemilkshake · 08/10/2016 22:57

What would you like them to do instead?

alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 23:01

No it hasnt been cultured. I would have liked them to have drained it now, i believe it needs it but then again im not a doctor. It hasnt been looked at by a doctor only nurses

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PinkSwimGoggles · 08/10/2016 23:03

What would you like them to do instead?
take a swab and treat accordingly?
investigate why he has those frequent infections?
discuss prevention possibilities?
'mechanical' treatment of abcess instead of ab's?

GreatFuckability · 08/10/2016 23:03

did you mention the history and ask why they aren't draining it? Drs and Nurses aren't mind readers and they wont be as aware of your sons history as you are, so you need to be proactive.

Pineapplemilkshake · 08/10/2016 23:05

You can't take a swab with cellulitis, unless there is broken skin.

I agree, if there is an actual abscess it should be drained and cultures sent to the lab.

alwaysconfused43 · 08/10/2016 23:06

Thank you pinkswim yes i do i dont think they are doing enough. I do feel i should mention 2/3 of the last infection have resulted from a Self harm cut, if that changes anything. Some doctors have very bad attitudes towards MH. He is VERY clean about it, as he nows if hes not hell get infections!

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Tallulahoola · 08/10/2016 23:10

DD gets this so you have my sympathy. The last time we went to the hospital the doctor took a swab and said if they identified the type of infection (staph or something else) they would know definitely which antibiotics were the right one to prescribe. No idea why the previous 10 doctors we saw didn't suggest that. But it makes no difference really because it hasn't stopped her having really horrible, painful breakouts. The antibiotics work, then a few weeks later it all starts again. She is only 4

You have to stick with the antibiotics though. One time we tried to just treat it with antibiotic cream at the GP's suggestion because he was worried about her taking them so often. Within a couple of days she was feverish and clearly ill.

Out2pasture · 08/10/2016 23:16

medical staff can do a nasal swab and double check for mrsa, if he is a carrier washing with certain soaps may help reduce the episodes of cellulitis.

OnlyTheWelshCanCwtch · 08/10/2016 23:22

Cellulitis completely sucks, and I have been warned it can easily reappear. Mine first appeared 7 weeks ago, was on antibiotics 4 weeks. My leg and foot are still swollen, but no infection there now- its left me with what the Drs think is reactive arthritis, am currently awaiting rheumy appointment. For him to be so young as well, bless him, he has my sympathy, think antibiotics are only way forward

alwaysconfused43 · 09/10/2016 08:30

So update it hasnt got worse or better this morning so i believe thats a good tging

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Allthewaves · 09/10/2016 08:38

That's good. I kow sounds silly but have you had a chat about safe cutting - sterilising blades ect.

PlayOnWurtz · 09/10/2016 08:45

The problem with cellulitis is once you have had it once you're more susceptible to getting it again.

The only treatment is antibiotics, be it oral or IV and it can take a long while to shift

alwaysconfused43 · 09/10/2016 12:23

Yes people have constantly talked to him. HE dosent SH regally and i know he has brand knew tools. It has spread by 2mm. The hard lump feels hard but soft at the same time im sure its an abscess. Im going to leave it till tomorrow (then we've been on new antibiotics two days) and take him to GP.

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alwaysconfused43 · 09/10/2016 13:22

Or if it suddenly gets worse phone OOH. I think

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alwaysconfused43 · 10/10/2016 17:13

I just cant get my head round it do its spread but is less red . He dosent want to go anywhere, it take alot for him to go to any medical proffesional i just dont know what to do!

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PlayOnWurtz · 10/10/2016 22:20

Cellulitis can look worse before it gets better when you're on antibiotics. Last time I had it the affected area looked a right mess for 3 days then suddenly improved.

Ring the Dr for a telephone consult?

Hope he gets well soon.

alwaysconfused43 · 11/10/2016 15:50

So went to gp today. He went in with me we explained. He told me he didn't know what to think of but to closely monitor, he thinks it's an abbsess or bleeding under skin. Okay. And told him (when we mentioned) about him getting ill it might happen again. It's ever getting slowly better or worse. And to make an appotment for two days. DS has refused this and told doctor. This. I don't know what to do

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