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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Need handhold and urgent advice

158 replies

FFSToEverythingSince2020 · 09/01/2026 07:53

I think I may be putting this is AIBU when I meant Chat. Sorry, all. I’ll try to keep it very short. I have cellulitis, and already had life-limiting illness. My DH is having a mental health breakdown, partially brought on by the stress of caring for me (he says no, but it’s obvious). I finally got him on the phone to the GP so he has treatment, thank God, and they were just wonderful with him. I’m on first-line oral antibiotics for cellulitis (flucloxacillin) but got up this morning at 7 to take my pill and noticed I have swelling, but NOT an open sore, under my eye. Here are the issues:

  1. How long should I wait to see if the swelling under my eye goes down or becomes a sore? (Before this, the doctor said to give the antibiotic until Friday to work; sores take up to 12 hours to develop for me).
  2. My husband is currently on heavy medication for a few days, to deal with what’s going on. He’s normally my carer. I would call my PILs but they’re leaving for Thailand today on a long-awaited trip, and BIL is house sitting their cat. The only relative I had is my mum and she’s 3000 miles away and at work. I have a friend who can come, but she can only get a flight on Monday. Should I just tell her now to come? Her coming will REALLY upset my husband as he has high anxiety, but if I get hospitalized, wtf are we going to do???

I swear I’m normally “smarter” than this but I feel just paralyzed by stress and worry and feeling so unwell. And I keep thinking I’m going to die, which is either my own anxiety or someone did say it could be sepsis, which I had in November.

I’m just having a huge wobble, I don’t know what to do about anything, and I don’t have a lot of friends to ask, and none local or with experience of this.

OP posts:
Dressered · 09/01/2026 08:03

Cellulitis is serious. Normally, you might need an intravenous drip to deliver the antibiotics. After that recovery is usually quick. You need to go to A and E today and have the lump looked at by a doctor. Don’t delay. Then you will know what you are dealing with. Try to arrange the friend to be with you asap. How are your finances? If money isn’t an issue, you could book yourself into a convalescence home for a week ( very expensive) to monitor you until your friend arrives.

Boolabus · 09/01/2026 08:03

I am not a medical person but my mum recently had shingles, rash was close to eye and GP sent her straight to A&E as others have said it is really important to have anything close to eye investigated

I am so sorry for all you are going through I wish strength to you and your dh

Ponoka7 · 09/01/2026 08:02

Can you send a picture to your GP? If so email over and phone. If it's orbital, a antibiotic into the eye is usually given with back up oral. So it sounds as though you need to be seen somewhere.

3luckystars · 09/01/2026 08:01

I think you are stressed because you know you need the doctor today.
You do.
Sorry all this is going on but you do need to see the doctor today x x

KimuraTan · 09/01/2026 07:59

I‘m so glad to see someone experienced has replied to you. Wishing you well and hope you can get it sorted. .

LittleBird74 · 09/01/2026 07:58

Don’t mess about with eyes, call the GP when they open.

If you need the extra support from your friend tell her to come. Your husband needs a break and it will benefit him in the long run.

Sorry to hear things are so rough at the moment 🫂

KimuraTan · 09/01/2026 07:57

I am not a doctor but know a bit about cellulitis. It’s hard to know what it is but if it’s orbital cellulitis you need urgent medical care as it can lead to vision loss.

NorthernLass50 · 09/01/2026 07:57

Hi,
FYI - I’m an experienced nurse.
I would contact your GP as soon as the practice opens. I would not wait when the issue involves or is adjacent to your eyes. Especially as it’s a Friday as well and you may wait longer for support over the weekend via 111.

Hope things improve for you soon.