How bad is cellulitis

[nomdegrrr1]

I've had cellulitis kicking around in my system for around a year. Up to now it's stayed in my right leg but now I think that it's moved to my left leg where there is a massive amount of lymphodema.

I have been here before a few years ago and ended up on a drip. This time I can't get the GP to prescribe more than 500mg which bounced off it in the past. I'm going to try going to a walk in clinic and begging tomorrow.

But is it really bad? I just feel so flattened by it, but I'm borderline actively suicidal and it's hard for me to keep on with treatments. I need to keep going because my son needs lifts to school, but finding it tough. I wondered if I ignored it then it would just simmer down. I don't want to take up a doctor's time if it's not necessary.

Thank you for any help.

By treatments, I was able to follow to the second and milimetre when it came to taking antibiotics and steroid cream, but the doctor was giving me other creams and I couldn't grasp what they wanted me to do and got too overwhelmed to even try it.

Can the pharmacist help you understand and organise the treatment?

I think it's serious and you need to treat it properly.

Your general health is certainly better, but in my father's case it led (multiple cases, not all treated quickly enough or at all, leading to sepsis) in the end to his death on his early 60s. I don't say this to be alarmist because he had other serious health problems. But I don't think you should ignore it!

I suppose I can go back to the pharmacist and ask about the cream, but there weren't any instructions on the packet. It's just emollient.

I've finished the antibiotics and steroid cream. I honestly was meticulous with them. I was just too overwhelmed to ask a question about the emollient and I couldn't work out what the doctor wanted.

At its most serious it can kill you or result in amputation.

My mum had reoccurring cellulitis and it was the result of poor circulation in her leg. She needed an operation to correct the veins in her leg.

If its not cleared up on its own quickly with antibiotics, you need to push the doctors to investigate what is causing it. If you have lymphodema, I'd presume there is a circulation issue somewhere.

I need to keep going for at least another two and a half years. My son has GCSEs this summer, then A levels and he has a good chance of A+ grades. I think once he's got through those then I can give up. Until then I need to keep going.

Hopefully I'll get help at the walk in clinic.

My circulation is up there with the Robin Reliant.

Hopefully the walk in clinic will hear me and do something.

OP, yes cellulitis is potentially very serious so I think a walk-in visit is a good idea. And if you get a fever, mottley skin rash spreading or anything that could be a symptom of sepsis go to A&E.

I had a partner who had a few outbreaks of cellulitis and it caused his MH to go right off. Plunged him into a black mood. It was strange. But it may be that getting this sorted will help you feel better mentally and emotionally.

Are you getting help with your mental health? Yes, your son very much needs you, and it sounds as if he is set to make you proud.

I hope you are given the help and advice you need asap .

Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. I've got an appointment with a GP later this morning, so hopefully it will be sorted.

Yep, got fever, sore throat, rash etc.

My mental health has been shaky for years, but it has been worse over the last twelve months, so perhaps that's a reason.

Thank you again.

Really pleased you have a GP appointment OP. Show the rash, explain your worries about understanding the medication and also talk about your MH.

Well done for getting the appointment, don’t know about you but that alone feels like an uphill task where I am.

Let us know what the GP says?

Good luck!

Hello OP, we are really sorry to hear you are feeling this way.

We hope you don't mind, but when these threads are flagged up to us we usually add a link to our Mental Health Resources. You can also go to the Samaritans website, or email them on [email protected].

We see that you are getting some wonderful support from other Mumsnetters which is great and we really hope you will be able to take some comfort from your fellow posters, but as other MNers will tell you, it's really a good idea to seek RL help and support as well.

We also like to remind everyone that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

Wishing you the very best,

MNHQ💐

Thank you for all the support. I have to go to A&E to check for a blood clots. I find the thought overwhelming but it needs to be done.

Thank you again

It can be very bad. My husband had it and as he's allergic to most antibiotics he was hospitalised three times during flare ups and the last time the doctor said feet up and if you don't I'll admit you. He had an important meeting abroad so decided to go. He never made it as he had a massive heart attack and died. The cellulitis was not the cause, but the fact he was having a flare up certainly contributed.
Get your GP to explain (and write down) what you are supposed to do to treat it.