Cellulitis - how long to take antibiotics for?

Public Archive
1

HI All

I was dx with breast and arm lymphoedema quite recently. The second time I saw the lympho nurse she called the dr in who dx cellulitis in my breast and put me on a high dose of antibiotics on a Thursday. The following Tues I saw my breast surgeon who immediately admitted me to hospital for i/v antibiotics. This was a real trauma as it took 11 stabs to get a line in - in the end it was a PICC line, nightmare. I was in Tues - Fri then left to pack with 2 hours to do it all for a 3 week holiday for a family of 4!

I am in Alaska! I’ve been given 10 days of Clindamycin which I’ve finished now I’ve started ciprofloxacin for 7 days but I’m not sure whether to carry on taking them. My breast is much better but still sore. I’m not sure whether it is just oedema or still cellulitis - it is a different colour anyway because of the rads. It is still a little warmer than the other one.

Anyone know how to tell for sure it’s gone?

Thanks

Having great holiday apart from this!!!

Kinden
x

2

Hi Kinden

What rotten luck! But glad to hear you are having a fantastic time anyway.

I would defintely finish the course; I believe the infection can still lurk in the bloodstream after symptoms have gone.

You might be interested in this link:

lymphoedema.org/lsn/consensus_on_cellulitis_dec_06.pdf
(gives details of anti-biotics and how cellulitis should be managed)

X

S

3

Dear Kinden,

Breast Cancer Care would always advocate checking with you Consultant, Lymphoedema nurse, BCN or GP if you are in any doubt about how to take prescribed medication. I appreciate this may be difficult whilst out of the country, but it sounds like it would be worth trying to call for some guidance.

Have a lovely time in Alaska!
Kind regards,
Kate, BCC Facilitator

4

Thanks Bahons, and Kate. I have finished the latest drugs today and it is still warm. I have some of the original penicillin left which I brought with me and will now take, then it will just be a few days till I am home and see my consultant. Fear that I will have to re-admitted to hospital to get rid of it. Might just ask her to chop off my breast, which is one way of solving the problem!

Have been having lots of adventures, with brown grizzly bears and glaciers!

Thanks again

Kinden
x

5

It came up twice, so deleted it
x

6

I had my surgery for BC on September 2nd, 2008, half way through the RT ( mid October) I developed Cellulitis, was admitted and given Vancomycin via IV. I have been in antibiotics ever since ( 11 months now), sometimes 2 or three at a time. I saw my surgeon last week, she anticipates I will remain on them for another 3 - 6 months at least.

Make sure you keep a close eye on it and if you suspect the infection is still there, see your GP, or surgeon. Also ask to speak to your Lymphoedema Nurse about managing the condition ( Often one of the BCNs is qualified to help). SLD, MLD and Kineseotaping can be beneficial in managing it, too, although not always available on the NHS.

7

Thanks Zoe, sorry to hear that you have been suffering for so long.

I finished the penicillin on Thursday night, and am home now. My breast is redder than when I finished the drugs, swollen and sore but no where near as bad as it was when I was hospitalised. Am seeing breast surgeon tomorrow.

Kinden
x

8

Hm, saw breast surgeon yesterday and she had a good examine of my breast, which is much less hard and red but still a bit of both. She said it was rads damamge. I asked why the whole area that was irradiated is not red and sore, she said that the breast was given a higher dose. It is true that the worst bit is around the scar, where I had 5 boosters. She said she didn’t want me to have any more antibiotics, but to see the lympho nurse and learn how to do SLD on the breast.

Today my breast is really sore again. I’m wondering if it’s just cos she prodded it so much yesterday. Will see how it is tomorrow. Don’t want to be a moaning minnie, but it’s sore and red and hot!

Hope all are having a good day

Kinden
x