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Original poster

Anyone around... scared

786 replies

DarkSuitsSadSongs · 07/08/2025 22:46

I'm home alone with my 12 year old twins as my husband is working away and not due back until tomorrow evening. He's about 6 hours away.

Over the last few days I've had a painful boil under my boob. I saw the GP today as it doubled in size overnight. There is a red circle around it. She prescribed doxycycline (2 a day) and said to phone back if it gets worse.

I've been getting more and more unwell. My left arm has started tingling, I'm sweating with cold hands and feet, the pain is indescribable and I'm exhausted. I slept for 6 hours this afternoon and I'm still utterly exhausted and all my joints hurt.

I've had to phone my father in law who is an hour away to come through to sit with the twins. I'm on hold to 111 but a 45 minute wait to call answer as a minimum they said.

I'm not sure whether just to call a taxi when FIL gets here to go straight to accident and emergency.

I'm a little freaked out at how unwell I feel.

OP posts:
HallidayJones6779 · 08/08/2025 02:58

OP, only you know how poorly you feel so don't be put off. If you went to the drs in the morning, they would probably send you to A&E with your symptoms. Make sure you advocate for yourself and tell them how ill you feel with it. You wouldn't be there if you didn't feel poorly, Sending hugs. Xxx

StressedLP1 · 08/08/2025 03:01

HallidayJones6779 · 08/08/2025 02:58

OP, only you know how poorly you feel so don't be put off. If you went to the drs in the morning, they would probably send you to A&E with your symptoms. Make sure you advocate for yourself and tell them how ill you feel with it. You wouldn't be there if you didn't feel poorly, Sending hugs. Xxx

Edited

Completely agree with this. It’s possible your GP in the morning will tell you to go to a&e.
Hope you are feeling better soon.

Holl100 · 08/08/2025 03:19

its usually recommended to be seen at A and E if suspected cellulitis with any worsening redness or pain in the area. or symptoms such as chills or vomiting. All of which you have, even whilst on antibiotics. I would also stay there Op. hope you feel better soon x

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Purpleturtle45 · 08/08/2025 03:33

I have had sepsis before and my symptoms were the same as yours. I knew that's what I had but I struggled to get anyone to believe me even though there were posters up all round the room warning of the symptoms of sepsis. Don't go home, you need IV antibiotics if that's what it is.

LornaaMb · 08/08/2025 03:35

Hey how are you ?

MarchionessVonSausage · 08/08/2025 03:52

After taking my observations she said "you don't have sepsis. Cellulitis yes. Sepsis no"

Cellulitis can turn bad, very quickly, and then all hell breaks loose.

I would hang in there and wait if you can. Hope you're ok?

PennyRest · 08/08/2025 03:53

Another one hoping you’re ok OP

NewLifeLoading · 08/08/2025 03:57

Do you know what any of your numbers were? Did you have a temperature? Fast heart rate?

Wait to see a Dr.
In my experience, the assessment team dont always know what they are talking about
(They have tried to send me home many times when i was later admitted by a doctor)

VegemiteOnToast · 08/08/2025 03:58

Do not leave the hospital. They can only diagnose sepsis with a blood test. Please ask for one. Chills and vomiting would indicate a serious infection.

caringcarer · 08/08/2025 04:04

OP when I had cellulitis I had to have an intravenous antibiotics drip and stay in hospital for about 12 hours until it stopped growing in size. I had shivers, shakes, burning up and felt dreadful.

Starlight7080 · 08/08/2025 04:10

When my mum had it she ended up leaving it and being daft and then in hospital on antibiotic drip for 5 days. Definitely stay. You are not being an idiot.

Mumdiva99 · 08/08/2025 04:14

Sorry she was so dismissive of you. It's so frustrating that the one time you go to a&e they don't seem to take you seriously. I hope whatever you have done that you don't get worse.

Inyournewdress · 08/08/2025 04:18

As grim as it no doubt is I would stay where you are, and make sure to alert them of any deterioration. You can get blood tests or IV if needed quicker where you are. You don’t want to go home, get worse and be back in an hour or so.

Sending you as much support as one can virtually, it’s so horrid for you. You’ve done the right thing going and I hope you’ll be properly assessed and be feeling much better soon. Hope FIL can hold the fort too.

Francestein · 08/08/2025 04:41

God no… Stay there. Get it seen to. BTW, a boil IS a cyst. That woman is mean.

StillLearning2025 · 08/08/2025 04:49

Don't leave until you are assessed OP. Hope you are okay.

Nestingbirds · 08/08/2025 04:53

I have just had cellulitis - it definitely made me feel ill and mine was my whole arm. I was not being sick etc. You sound really unwell. Op you really must stay.

I know you don’t want to, but the dr needs to order a blood test to check for sepsis. It’s imperative that is ruled out first, before you go home. I was told IV drips are the next thing after oral antibiotics, as a minimum you need those.

Rachie1973 · 08/08/2025 04:53

I don’t usually advocate for going to A and E but on this occasion I’d advise stay put and see the doctor.

Sepsis is a complicated illness that cannot be diagnosed by just checking basic stats. Sure, they give a good indication but it’s not foolproof by a long shot.

as an aside, I can count on 2 hands how many times I’ve been to A and E with my 6. My judgement is pretty sound. On one occasion I took my then 6 year old with a high temp, sickness, aversion to light and the beginning of a rash. The triage nurse told me it was a bug and to go home and see the GP. I refused and sat in A and E for 4 hours. She told me I was being a ‘bit neurotic’.

When we finally got seen it was a non blanching rash and an antibiotic drip was set up immediately to treat her meningitis.

Advocate for yourself! Xx

Needsleepneedcoffee · 08/08/2025 04:57

Even if " just" cellulitis, it's bloody painful and sometimes requires a stay in hospital itself to get the infection under control. My ex was in and out of hospital with repeated cases of cellulitis after he had an operation. If I remember correctly they even re opened the area that they operated on to suction get some of the infection.

Please stay. It can get worse v quickly.

HagHaggis · 08/08/2025 05:04

Gosh OP you poor thing. Agree with others, get a second opinion and a blood test. Be a squeaky wheel and don't sit back and let them leave you to worsen.

WhySoManySocks · 08/08/2025 05:09

How are you doing, OP? Have you been seem again? Do you have a chair?

I’d stay at the hospital as well, this is all very worrying.Wishing you all the best.

Namechangedforthis2525 · 08/08/2025 05:09

I hope you’ve been seen.

If you are uncomfortable or not convinced with the diagnosis, ask for a second opinion (Martha’s rule). I’ve had to do this recently twice after reading about it and whilst I felt nervous asking, I’m so bloody glad I did. First was for my baby daughter, told it was viral and it turned out to be ketoneic hyperglycaemia and took 4 days to get her blood sugars back to normal and maintaining. Second was myself only a few weeks ago - GP sent me to A&E as my eyes were swollen and I was noticeably unwell. A&E dr said I had sinusitis almost immediately without any tests; I challenged and turned out I had orbital cellulitis and 8 hours later whilst sat in A&E, a Bell’s palsy episode occurred.

Ask. Ask. Ask.

Lougle · 08/08/2025 05:12

There's no such thing as 'just' cellulitis. Your skin is your largest organ. Stay and get treated. Tell them every time you feel worse.

99bottlesofkombucha · 08/08/2025 05:18

I’d stay and wait for sure. Your fil has the kids. Cellulitis can easily need hospitalisation. Plus she hasn’t had the focus to really assess you.

verycloakanddaggers · 08/08/2025 05:21

Don't leave. Tell the doctor you're concerned it could be sepsis and you'd like the test.

If you have a friend who can support you then ask them to join you. Its ok to be worried, it's natural.

Something that helps to focus minds is to make it clear you are taking notes including everyone's name - say 'please could I take your name?' and type each conversation up on your phone.

Nestingbirds · 08/08/2025 05:39

This thread is the best of MN and our country. So much support for op. Hope she is okay 🙏🏼