Recovering from Cellulitis/Anxious about Sepsis Risk

Infections
1

Hey everyone,

I've been on here a few times now. I'm sure I migh be bugging you all at this point but if anyone could answer something for me or give any advice I'd be very thankful.

I've had cellulitis for the first time 2 months ago. 2 weeks of antibios and it went away, apparently. It returned a month and a half later and I had one week of antibiotics. I had to stop them by request of an ER doctor who suspected an allergic reaction i'd gone in with was due to them. 

I went to my GP for new ones but they, and the ER doctor, both said it looked like the infection was gone now and i'd be fine. But I was skeptical because it'd come back once all ready. 

Anyway, cut to 1 week later. My leg (where it was) really feels odd. Swollen, a little painful or simply stretched. Sometimes it appeared flushed or red, but very on-and-off and not like the cellulitis i remember. It's also not warm to touch or that tender or anything. I feel it may be returning but I've not got proper signs yet. 

And now I'm concerned about Sepsis. Because it keeps coming back (potentially), and because I have a few areas of discolored skin near it. The doctor said this discoloration was normal but I am not sure. 

I have anxiety & I convince myself I'm dying nearly every day. It's getting absolutely ridiculous but I don't know how to manage it alongside a persistant infection and the risk of sepsis. 

MY BP is ranging from 108-137 / 60-78. 

My Pulse is ranging from 71-85. 

My temperature is always low anyway due to Hypothyroidism, my usual is anywhere in the 36 degrees range. So I find it always hard to gage fevers or chills.

My breaths per minute is about 13. 

These are all things I was told by Google to check to gage for Sepsis. 

It was only one week ago i was told that the infection was not there, and yet, I just don't know... How do you judge these things? Please, any advice. 

2

It seems like you are doing the right thing - just don't be anxious, be you are vigilant. Easier said than done, I know. Unfortunately, being anxious about sepsis could make you ill and riase your pulse, etc. In my own experience, sepsis is unambiguous (it makes flu look like a case of the sniffles) and the main problem is the confusion that can make getting treatment more difficult.

Cellulitis has different progressions depending on the cause. Mine is at its worst at the start and when it is bad I get sepsis. It sounds like yours grows worse over time and as long as you are keeping an eye on any cellulitis and get appropriate treatment, you should be able to head any further complications off at the pass.

3

Thank you.

I woke up this morning to a warm, red leg so it looks like it has come back. At this point I just don't know what to do to get rid of it. 2 and a half to 3 months, and 3 bouts! I know I didn't finish my last course of antibios but I had 2 different doctors saying I didn't need too. 

And I've had 4 different doctors and a bioscientist I work with saying that it will go away. But when? How? Isn't just pointlessly taking antibios going to make it stronger? 

And while it's there, it's hard to not be so anxious over things like sepsis.

4

My first serious outbreak happened on Christmas Day and I wasn't really sure what was going on so I just soldiered through and it got better on its. However, with hindsight I realise I had the early stages of sepsis and should have gone to hospital. So you can get over it, but it does take longer and so it'll get worse before it gets better.

Personally, I'd be right back to the doctor (I have instructions to go straight to hospital now because of the sepsis) and see if there is another antibiotic that you aren't allergic to. If it is cellulitis, you won't be taking it pointlessly and you won't make it stronger. Taking the antibiotics may also give you more peace of mind because, as long as you aren't allergic to it, you'll know it won't get much worse.

Longer term, you need to find out what is the cause, and if there is anything that can be done for it. If it is caused by insect bites and scratches then you could get an antibacterial soap and an appointment with a dermatologist. If it is down to something like lymphedema then you'll want to find ways of making that better and you might need to be refered to a specialist. Mine was possibly internal (abscesses?) and a course of IV antibiotics seems to have seen it off, as I've been free of it for a couple of years now. So there is no one-size-fits-all solution but it is worth plugging away at this - have a read of this forum as there a numerous discussions about the different causes of cellulitis and how people have dealt with it. There is no harm in talking to doctors and suggesting solutions - mine were positively grateful.

5

Thank you, that's actually really helpful to hear. I'm also glad you've been free for years now!

I also don't understand how it doesn't make the infection stronger though. I would have thought it had time to fight/adapt. I don't understand these things amazingly though. 

I will go back to the doctor tomorrow. It's actually gone cold, again, now, which is strange. It's not pain I feel but it feels uncomfortable, and goes hot then cold. If I can find out what's causing it that'd be a step I suppose.

I'm just scared about sepsis & necrotizing...fisc--- what's it called? Flesh-eating infection progression. Knowing I keep getting somethng that has even minor risks of these things is terrifying. 

6

You'd need to read up about it, but I believe the main problem is not on an individual level - you aren't too likely to give your own bacteria antibiotic resistamce, it is more that in a population if everyone fails to complete their full run of pills then it could emerge in one person and spread to others (hence hospital's strict cleanliness policies to prevent the spread of things like MRSA).

Sepsis (and necrotising fasciitis) are scary, but you can't let the fear of it ruin your life, try and use it as incentive to make sure you get the help you need. Which is what I did because I was underinformed and underprepared the first few times and didn't get the prompt treatment I needed, which put my life at risk. So I did my research, kept pushing the doctors and I still have a bag packed ready to go to hospital, just in case.

7

I'll do my best not to worry. It's just knowing that it's always a risk now while this remains unhealed. But it's kinda'... I guess there's 101 risks everyday, everywhere. 

I think I'll just try to ask for answers and maybe if they can take a culture & find te bacteria or... i dunno, ECG? Whatever they need to do. I can't just keep taking antibiotics every 2/3 weeks & hoping for the best. It's not safe and if it safe then it's not good for me. I'm run down. I think my immune system is shot. 

Thanks for your rapid responses. I'll let you know how docs goes.

8

Been to the doctor today. 

She said it didn't feel too warm, and didn't appear to be Cellulitis. But I don't know, it looks kind of the same as before... Anyway, she said I should be trying to avoid antibiotics for a while if it's not Cellulitis so gave me steroid cream for the burning/dryness. 

It's really helped the burning in my leg so far but now my hands feel like they're burning. They don't feel physically very warm is the problem but I can't stop feeling like everything's burning. I don't know if this is a mental problem or something else at this point. But given the context of having had this infection it's kind of SCARY. Any ideas? :c

She said keep an eye on it, see if anything spreads. 

9

Good to hear the steroid cream is working, ohers have reported some success with it. It not being warm is a good sign.

On your hands: I can't think how cellulitis would reoccur there. It might be just that your mind is latching on to any thing else. You don't seem to be at high risk of sepsis as long as you get any cellulitis treated, but if the fear of it is a problem, then you may want to look into getting help for that - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or there are medications available (I know people with anxiety who have found both helpful).

10

Thank you! I've had some CBT before that worked well. I'm going to look into that again. c: 

I'll update you in a few days hopefully. Thanks for all your help. Have a good day!

11

I have a question. 2 weeks ago I had an I&D for a perianal abscess and I had cellulitis as well. I was on antibiotics for 10 days and I'm done with them now. But now I feel weird pain on the side I had the cellulitis going down that leg and my stomach is this normal am I just overreacting