Hi! I was just reading about your cellulitis & reoccurring infection. I would make an appt. right away with an “Infectious disease Dr.” That is the only Dr. who can diagnose & treat your condition. With it returning often I would say the bug/bacteria has not been correctly identified thus wrong antibiotic treatment. Have they checked for MRSA? You may have to have an IV & be treated on an out patient basis or if the infectious disesae Dr. decides you may need a pic line put in & receive 6-8 weeks of the proper antibiotic. These are just a few options. Be your own advocate & insist on an infectious disease Dr. Good luck! Keep us updated.
Glad you’re ok. I was worried about you.
I’m glad you’re doing better. Seems like a long time to wait for a doctor’s appt.
Seeing an infectious disease specialist is my best advice, too. My (almost adult) son had an ear infection that would not clear last year and it took this kind of specialist to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
Why did your Dr. cancel your appointment?
Why not see if you can see an infectious disease specialist? I think you’ll find more answers.
Good luck!
It has been a bit of a run-around…they never gave a reason for canceling but, the appt was on 12/28 so I suspect she decided to take more days off for the holidays. She is my endo…about the only one I see who will f/u on symptoms,but not a primary physician…although she is both Endo/IM. I do not have a decent Internal Med person right now to coordinate my care and that is probably the problem. Waiting to get into a new doc after the holidays. Tried someone back in Nov and she prioritized other things…and luckily my leg was feeling pretty good. She did not even look at my legs and feet as part of a medical exam! Part of the problem has been poor medical coverage the other has been sheer cost of care and I am unemployed right now so I went to a clinic to keep the costs down…and I HAVE insurance.
The guy I have seen for my leg is a plastics person who is a specialist in wounds and he always gets me in quickly and prescribes antibiotics. He was the one who opened and cultured the wound in the hospital. I too have thought he is not the one to go to but, you never think it will keep being a problem. I called a wound clinic w/ the major teaching hospital in town and they said I had to have a referral and if it was healed up they probably would not see me anyways! It is not an open wound. so I I was shocked when it came back the first and then second time…always as a hot red little area…never an open wound. I think you are right and I appreciate your input. It is doing better now, but I need better docs and will push for x-raying it and getting into a specialist if it turns up any problems. Thanks for your concern Janet…it is a scarry thing to have w/ my diabetes. I suspect the stress over it is not helping much either.
Yes…I have been cultured for MRSA and nothing. They sent the cultures after giving me IV antbx for 4-5 days. It was when someone finally opened up the spot (red, puffy area on my leg) after they finally consulted a specialist in the hospital. When he opened it he sent the cultures. It took days and I was already out of the hospital and they said the cultures were sterile. They said some things would take longer to grow out…so, when I had a reoccurance and asked the doc double check the cultures…he said nothing grew out. So good news is that it probably was not anything odd…I think! Sometimes you wonder if they do not really f/u on these things!! No one ever called me or was concerned…but, I was already out of the hospital!
January, of last year, I developed a huge abscess infection in the crease that meets my right buttock and my right thigh. At that point, I did not know that I had Diabetes, or anything bad going on with my sugars, and I don’t think they even checked at the hospital. They gave me antibiotics via IV, but they also sent me home with a lot of antibiotics and pain meds, as well. You really need to have the correct antibiotic to kick these kinds of infections, if you want them to go away quickly. They just do not resolve themselves, at all. They told me that if I had waited any longer, I could have died, cus the infection can start getting into the bloodstream, and into vital organs, and such. I know it’s not exactly the same as cellulitis, but they are both dangerous, and need antibiotics fast. Best of luck.
I am glad you are ok…and I continue to advocate for myself…hoping to find some answers and solutions w/ a new doctor. Take care and hope you stay well:)
Would a dermatologist have any different ideas?
Good idea, since the topical tea tree seemed to help take away the odd stinging feeling…made me think it could be starting w/ cracks in my skin and the bacteria has colonized my skin. I am going to try to get into this IM doc I have considered and review this all w/ her and see if she has any ideas and can give me the referrals. Right now, gratefully, it seems ok…but, the sensations and swelling could come back. Take care and thanks for your ideas:)
Thanks, Gerri:) you are a dear. You have been so helpful to so many of us here on Tu.
Thanks, Kathyann:) Yes…long wait, but it is my Endo…they always see themselves as specialists and just dealing w/ our diabetes…and it was my 3mo f/u visit. I really need to get a very good IM doctor…it is my fault I have waited and unfortunately, picked less than good primary care physicians…mostly because of cost. In the end…it always costs us more. Take care and know that I am doing well.
Patricia,
Right back at ya! I so enjoy your posts.
As a f/u many years later - after several rounds of antibiotics, the infection never came back. Odd. I am much more careful. In hindsight I have wondered about being on an antibiotic for my rosacea for some time may have made me more prone to specific bacterial overgrowth. I have stayed surprisingly very healthy over all those years and hope everyone else has as well! I can hardly believe it has been so long. I am in my 4th decade w/ T1.
I think my skin is colonized too. It has been better since hibiclens. my aic is good at 6.5. but i kept getting infections. total bs. is your aic good too?