to assume I won't get sepsis whilst taking antibiotics?

[HoldingOutForAutumn]

Got a few nasty insect bites whilst I was asleep 2 nights ago (no idea which fucker did it). Yesterday at work, one of the bites was growing more and more swollen, red, painful and hot. It was like half a tennis ball. One of the nurses drew around it and it'd spread a lot by the time I went to bed.

It had gone down a little this morning, but I felt incredibly drowsy and lethargic (had to literally drag myself out of bed when DD woke me at 8am, which is a lie in for us) and chilly, though it was not cold.

My friend had bad cellulitis and had to stay in hospital for weeks. This is my biggest fear as I'm a lone parent and would find it very hard to find childcare.

So I phoned the doctors and eventually persuaded the receptionist to give me an emergency appointment (she was very rude, am a GP receptionist myself and am bloody lovely but understand the abuse we get based on her alone).

The doctor said it's v v nasty and gave me a script for flucoxicillin. But didn't say much more than that. Should have asked but was aware emergency appointments should be very short, and she wanted to quickly do an asthma review and my DD kept asking her probing questions re her own clinician aspirations (three year old wannabe doctors are no good when you have a sore arm, it being poked repeatedly with a bloody peppa pig syringe is probably what caused all this drama )

Re the drowsiness, she said even non drowsy antihistamines can make you drowsy. And to check at home that I'm not taking the drowsy ones. I'm not. I just have never felt so drowsy in my life.

I didn't have a temp but I keep getting these chills.

I don't know, I think maybe I do have a touch of health anxiety. The amount of people at work who come strolling in seeming happy and healthy who I end up calling an ambulance for opens your eyes a bit! But I'm the last person to be going to A&E for no reason. Never mind it'd be a logistical nightmare. Plus I feel relatively ok otherwise, the swelling has reduced further and is less red and painful (though still painful).

I'll be ok, won't I? I won't drop down dead with sepsis/ cellulitis in my sleep leaving my toddler DD scared and alone, trying to wake me? The rational part of me says this is v unlikely, but god it's my worst nightmare

Have just been through the same drama after a mosquito bite on holiday in Italy and my poor Mum has had cellulitis 3x this year - so understand your concerns ( health anxiety too) Fluclox should start to work on the cellulitis but according to NHS website it may take 24/48 hours and may at first seem worse. However on occasion the infection may need stronger anti biotics or intravenous antibiotics ( mum had these at home via district nurse) It really is a matter of watching and waiting , seeing if the infection continues to spread and see how you feel in yourself, temperature etc. If it does feel worse call 101. I was a nervous wreck but within 24 hours later it started to go down . As an aside all anti histimines make me very sleepy ( the drowsy ones are like sleeping tablets ) Sending un mumsnetty hugs as it's so scary knowing what can happen if cellulitis is not treated but you have got onto this !

Thank you @wagnbobble. This is the one situation where I hate being a LP. I don't think I'd be fussed otherwise, but me passing away in my sleep and my DD waking up to it on her own. It just makes me want to cry. But you're right, its v unlikely and the fact that the swelling has gone down is a good sign I think. Thanks again

Google has a lot to answer to re health anxiety. I've got a really stiff neck. Am googling stiff neck and sepsis/ cellulitis and it's not helping at all might take some of the drowsy piriton and try and get to sleep early. Tempted to have a medicinal glass of but will resist..

I also worked as a medical receptionist years ago and you see what goes wrong + agree Dr Google always gives the worst results which feeds our anxieties . The fact the swelling has gone down is a brilliant sign ! But being a lone parent is reason enough to be extra anxious when you are ill , as you can't just go to bed and hibernate until you get better. Have to say I did give in to the glass of wine as I was soooo stressed . Take care

Meant to also add that the stiff neck is probably your anxiety - my poor body aches when I'm anxious as I tense everything up .

I am giving into the wine. Thanks for being so kind @wagnbobble

If it's any consolation, non drowsy antihistamines make me feel like a zombie with a hangover. Weirdly, Piriton is less bad. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

I get recurring cellulitis regularly. The symptoms are like having flu and I can almost always predict the onset of it now and take antibiotics straight away.

Try not to worry. Fluclox is pretty quick to work usually and you should start to feel better within n 24 hrs

The antibiotics will protect you, please don't worry too much. After being on Flucloxacillin you will be feeling better.

Take care.

Antihistamines always make me feel like hell and if I drink alcohol with them it's horrendous, I've had sepsis and if your swelling is going down and not as painful and you're on antibiotics you're going to be ok. How are you feeling this morning?

Hope you're feeling ok today