Cellulitis??????

[Hazmat35]

I have been getting this redness in both legs; from my knee  down to my ankles.  Right in the middle of my shins; it is very RED and Hard to the touch; with some warmth to the touch. 

I had a Nephrologist look at my leg; and he told me it was Cellulitis and started me on an IV drip of antibiotics.  He also sent me for a Doppler Scan; to make sure it wasn't blood clots; but that turned up NEGATIVE; everything was good.  After the IV's nothing really happened; I still have the redness. 

Yesterday I went to my Primary Care Dr.; and he said that it is a common thing among Kidney patients.     I did not know this...and I think he is blowing it off.   He told me to wear compression socks; but that doesn't help.  It goes away for a while; but once I take the socks off; it (the redness) comes right back.   

Do any of you have this REDNESS in your legs? 

[kickingandscreaming]

I've had 2 rounds of it in the past few months, but in my case it is a very itchy rash. You don't mention that yoursitches, so what I have is probably different. I react a lot through my skin.  This rash started at my ankle and then crept up my shin and calf.  Also seemed to have outcroppings on my wrists and shoulder and elbows.  It is pink and thickened and bumpy. And I scratched it to bleeding and possibly infected it.

My PCP gave me some steroid cream and mupirocin and that didn't help much.  My PD nurse saw it as cellulitis.  My dermatologist called a xerotic exzema and treated it with very strong steroid cream.  It receded and went away.  But recently has returned.  Very itchy.  This time I quelled the itching with apple cider vinegar so it receded much faster. Now it is gone.

[iolaire]

Yesterday I went to my Primary Care Dr.; and he said that it is a common thing among Kidney patients.   

I'd be interested to know if its "Kidney patients" or diabetic's.  I've assumed the leg issues are diabetes related and I'd need to know if I'm wrong...

Just last week my DaVita clinic checked my feet with the socks off.  They said they are checking everyone's feet once a month now and it didn't matter if I'm not diabetic.  In Brussels I watched them cleaning people's feet and maybe putting on treatments, they also added bandages to some.

[kickingandscreaming]

Although I used to consider myself a diabetic, a recent visit to an endocrinologist told me that I'm not.  My A1c is in the normal range for a 74 year old woman (which is what I am).  He would not prescribe medication and would not label me as diabetic (and this is after "swimming" in PD sugar for months).

I do think it has to do with inflammation-- which goes along with both diseases (and most other ones to boot).

[Charlie B53]

I've had a couple of rounds with 'cellulitus'.  The first time I was taken with extreme chills and fatigue.  It was in the 90's outside.  I went to bed with my dogs.  Wife later came in and took my temp.  104.5  Called the VA Hospital and they told her to get me to the nearest ER.  Of course there was no way I was going to get up, I didn't know what was going on, I was COLD and TIRED, LEAVE ME ALONE!      She called my Son.  He is bigger than I.  And I am big enough.   Justin somehow got me up and into my truck.  They took me to the ER where they took my temp and immediately started an IV with two of the very strong antibiotics, only after the IV's were in did they pull labs but with the AB's in they couldn't properly identify the bug.  My whole right leg was swollen and bright red like a Yakima Washington Red Apple.  They put me in isolation as they couldn't be sure if what I was was contagious.  EVERYONE, EVERY TIME has to gown, mask, and glove coming into my room.  12 days later I was able to go home.

This was about a few years or so before I started dialysis.  My kidney function tanked.  A Neph came in and told me I may be starting dialysis immediately.  This was maybe my third day, my temp was down a bit and I was conscious of everything again.  I told the Neph to just go away, leave me alone, deal with the infection and my kidneys would rebound and be alright.   He was seriously P.O.'d, told me I couldn't know that.  I told him to just wait and see.   Sure enough, once the unknown infection they labeled 'cellulitus' was gone my kidneys returned to what was normal for me, then about 40% IIRC.

The last time or two wasn't near as severe and only a few days in-patient at a time.  Otherwise near the same thing, just nowhere near as bad.

I suspect Dr's use the label 'cullulitus' when unable to determine exactly what bacterial infection is present.  Like a generic name for infection.

[PrimeTimer]

Wonder if it's possibly MRSA. I once woke up to a small red hard lump above my ankle, about the size of a quarter. Day 2 and it moved up my leg a bit on the side of my shin bone. That's when I went to the doctor. It felt sore but no open wound or oozing. Sometimes MRSA will look like a bug bite but in my case, it was just a hard lump under the skin. No fever or other symptoms. Just the red lump. They said I got to the doctor just in time. Another day and it might have started oozing and I would have had to be hospitalized. I forgot the antibiotic they put me on but MRSA is a staff infection that is resistant to a lot of common antibiotics. Not just any antibiotic will kill it. I had to be on it for a month. Have no idea how I got it but it never came back. I'm not on dialysis but read that MRSA is common in dialysis centers. In either case, hope they figure out what's troubling your legs so you will have a peace of mind and feel better.

BTW, the doctor first thought it could be cellulitis. Yes, there was definitely some inflammation going on but because of the MRSA.

[Michael Murphy]

I've had Celluitis several times in the last 25 years.  I sometimes get a rash on my legs that itches.  Out of habit I use the side of my shoe to scratch the itch.  That is not a smart move because it creates small breaks in the skin that become infected and the best treatment is IV antibiotics.   If not treated it becomes very painful. 

[Hazmat35]

I have been getting this redness in both legs; from my knee  down to my ankles.  Right in the middle of my shins; it is very RED and Hard to the touch; with some warmth to the touch. 

I had a Nephrologist look at my leg; and he told me it was Cellulitis and started me on an IV drip of antibiotics.  He also sent me for a Doppler Scan; to make sure it wasn't blood clots; but that turned up NEGATIVE; everything was good.  After the IV's nothing really happened; I still have the redness. 

Yesterday I went to my Primary Care Dr.; and he said that it is a common thing among Kidney patients.     I did not know this...and I think he is blowing it off.   He told me to wear compression socks; but that doesn't help.  It goes away for a while; but once I take the socks off; it (the redness) comes right back.   

Do any of you have this REDNESS in your legs?

Well I'm on my last day; of the 2nd Treatment of Antibiotics.  They are giving me Vancomycin Intravenous during my treatment w/ some Benodryl.  The redness hasn't gone away; if anything it's gotten worse.  But now they DR. said his last visit; is that I have too much fluid on me; and if it is Bacterial infection; like Cellulitis; the excess fluid is pushing on the insides of my calf and ankles and making it RED.    I never heard of such a thing...but then; I'm not a doctor. 

I do NOT have any itching on my legs; just sore when I stand up and walk.  Also, I am not a diabetic.  I have my glucose checked regularly. 

A few weeks ago; they were ready to throw me in the hospital and do a 72 hour Antibiotic bombardment of my system; but now it's just to much fluid.   I don't know what to do!!!!

[cassandra]

So do you have really excess fluid in your legs?

Love, Cas

[Charlie B53]

For a great number of years the lower half of my calves have turned a very dark redness.  It isn't anything to worry about.  It is a result of long term damage, much of that quite likely from the swelling that I never paid any attention to as they were always covered with socks and my laced up boots.   At the end of every day I did notice the obvious imprint or indentation left in my calves.  How the area immediately above the compression of the boots was enlarged and was larger , leaving and obvious 'step' down in size where the socks and boots seemed to act sort of like compression.

I haven't worn my boots for many years already but the color remains.  Dr's and Nurses tell me that is another of the proofs of kidney problems.   Maybe they should have had me take off my boots and see my calves and feet all those years ago.  I may have had some earlier warning of future kidney problems.  Oh well, that's history now.

If that area has normal temperature and no apparent signs of local pockets of infection, it is very likely you may have these kidney related discolorations.    Very long ago mine was almost the color of rust.   I used to tell the Nurse this is just proof that Seattlites do not tan, we rust.

[Hazmat35]

So do you have really excess fluid in your legs?

Love, Cas

WOW...the last few weeks have been crazy!  My Nephrologists'; Nurse Practitioner has been coming in to the Clinic; and he said that that I have way too much fluid pooling in my calves and ankles.  We started a 2-week process where I went in for [1] hour and pulled 2-kilos of fluid (no cleaning); then I do my regular four [4] hours of Hemo. 

After two weeks; they pulled 28.6 lbs or 13 kilos of fluid off me!!!!! 

However; the redness hasn't gone away; the Dr's say that it is the pressure of the excess fluid pushing against the 3rd layer of skin and the blood is pooling there; but in time; it should go away.

[cassandra]

I'm always stunned how 13+ kilo's of liquid can be overlooked, but I'm hoping with you the redness will go away.

Good luck, strength and love, Cas

[SutureSelf]

WOW...the last few weeks have been crazy!  My Nephrologists'; Nurse Practitioner has been coming in to the Clinic; and he said that that I have way too much fluid pooling in my calves and ankles.  We started a 2-week process where I went in for [1] hour and pulled 2-kilos of fluid (no cleaning); then I do my regular four [4] hours of Hemo. 

After two weeks; they pulled 28.6 lbs or 13 kilos of fluid off me!!!!! 

However; the redness hasn't gone away; the Dr's say that it is the pressure of the excess fluid pushing against the 3rd layer of skin and the blood is pooling there; but in time; it should go away.

What more is going to have to happen before you finally realize how bad of a clinic you are going to and having a disinterested nephrologist who hasn't kept up well enough with you to notice a gain of 13 kilos?  What's keeping you there?  Since you don't self-cannulate, is it having a regular staff member who puts you on and afraid of losing that security by going somewhere else?  How much longer do you think your body can put up with these insults?  At the least, please consider "transient" treatment at another nearby clinic for 2 weeks or so to see how it goes.  Medicare will pay for it.  maybe consider doing PD so at least you'll be at home.  While you should feel unsafe, it's not like there are no options available to you.  I hope you will use them.

[Charlie B53]

On ME, that much water would be obvious.  While I normally wouldn't ask, in this case I have to.

Hazmat are you a large person?  I can imagine that for some large person that is and has been large for a long time the 'padding' over, or in front of the shin may be difficult to assess the amount of water swelling.  This could make it very difficult to realize a problem exists.

II met a Lady that had been very large.  For a very long time.  She had a stomach procedure done and lost a great deal of weight,  Felt great! But her skin had been stretched for so long it had become 'Normal'  Dr's told her it could take YEARS before her skin would shrink and fit her correctly, loosing the loose folds that hung from her now healthy body.

This concept still does not excuse any medical team from not further assessing Hasmat, only that it is a complicating factor that needs careful consideration.

I hope you are doing much better and now have a plan to keep doing well.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[cassandra]

I have been getting this redness in both legs; from my knee  down to my ankles.  Right in the middle of my shins; it is very RED and Hard to the touch; with some warmth to the touch. 

I had a Nephrologist look at my leg; and he told me it was Cellulitis and started me on an IV drip of antibiotics.  He also sent me for a Doppler Scan; to make sure it wasn't blood clots; but that turned up NEGATIVE; everything was good.  After the IV's nothing really happened; I still have the redness. 

Yesterday I went to my Primary Care Dr.; and he said that it is a common thing among Kidney patients.     I did not know this...and I think he is blowing it off.   He told me to wear compression socks; but that doesn't help.  It goes away for a while; but once I take the socks off; it (the redness) comes right back.   

Do any of you have this REDNESS in your legs? 

After 20+ yrs D I have for the first time cellulitis. I have seen it with other patients before. I have it in my fistula arm. Mainly caused by dry skin, followed by irritated skin through the anti septic soap, en chlorhexidine. I'm on antibiotics now. Only discovered through some NHS site that it could easily cause sepsis. Hence the quite high dose of 2 different antibiotics.
I will definitely moisturise my skin more so dry skin will be less of a cause of contact eczema, so less chance of a repeat bout of Cellulitis, I hope.

Love, Cas

[PrimeTimer]

After 20+ yrs D I have for the first time cellulitis. I have seen it with other patients before. I have it in my fistula arm. Mainly caused by dry skin, followed by irritated skin through the anti septic soap, en chlorhexidine. I'm on antibiotics now. Only discovered through some NHS site that it could easily cause sepsis. Hence the quite high dose of 2 different antibiotics.
I will definitely moisturise my skin more so dry skin will be less of a cause of contact eczema, so less chance of a repeat bout of Cellulitis, I hope.

Love, Cas





Sorry to hear about the cellulitis, Cas. Hope you are doing better. My doctor once told me that we should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to our skin after bathing to help create a "protective barrier" against germs. I'd be careful tho around buttonholes or needle sites so nothing seeps down in them by accident. Get well soon!







EDIT 2/14/17 Charlie B53 - Corrected HTML Tag

[cassandra]

Sorry to hear about the cellulitis, Cas. Hope you are doing better. My doctor once told me that we should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to our skin after bathing to help create a "protective barrier" against germs. I'd be careful tho around buttonholes or needle sites so nothing seeps down in them by accident. Get well soon!


Thanx PT, sofar I don't see much improvement. Will have a nurse looking at it when I find the time








EDIT 2/14/17 - Charlie B53 - Corrected HTML Tag

[Xplantdad]

Not so much a reply to you CAS (even though I hope that you are feeling better ) this is more to the person above (Hazmat35) that had cellulitis and was on Vancomycin...My daughter was "diagnosed" with this as well at Mayo (had the same symptoms)...and was prescribed the same med....Vanco

I kept telling the docs that my daughter had something similar happen when she was younger and it turned out (then) to be a reaction to one of the blood pressure meds. Way back then, they spent all sorts of time and dollars doing the Doppler echoes, too...all while ignoring what I was trying to tell them. Back then, They only listened when I pulled her off of the blood pressure med and the "issues went away".

Fast forward to the doc at Mayo, he did some quick research and figured out that it was again a reaction to a blood pressure med that she had been on for two years, that was causing medication induced Lupus...oh...and she was also allergic to the Vanco!

 

[Charlie B53]

........................ My doctor once told me that we should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to our skin after bathing to help create a "protective barrier" against germs. .....................

The Dermatologist Team at the VA tell me to use Eucerin or Petroleum Jelly.  I probably misspelled Eucerin.

Either make a huge difference in the dry flaky skin I get on both calves.
After completely drying use a small amount and make sure it is well spread and rubbed in.

I was really surprised how a petroleum product was actually good for human skin.

[Michael Murphy]

Two things the two cases of cellulitis I had occurred several years before I even New about my future dialysis. Second I am allergic to any medication that is in a ointment, that is anything in petroleum jelly.  I use Cortaid Cream when my leg starts to itch.  If I don't I find myself rubbing my leg with my other foot usually in a shoe this causes small scratched and then I am off for my IV treatment. The proactive use of cortaid keeps the itching under control.

[Hazmat35]

On ME, that much water would be obvious.  While I normally wouldn't ask, in this case I have to.

Hazmat are you a large person?  I can imagine that for some large person that is and has been large for a long time the 'padding' over, or in front of the shin may be difficult to assess the amount of water swelling.  This could make it very difficult to realize a problem exists.

II met a Lady that had been very large.  For a very long time.  She had a stomach procedure done and lost a great deal of weight,  Felt great! But her skin had been stretched for so long it had become 'Normal'  Dr's told her it could take YEARS before her skin would shrink and fit her correctly, loosing the loose folds that hung from her now healthy body.

This concept still does not excuse any medical team from not further assessing Hasmat, only that it is a complicating factor that needs careful consideration.

I hope you are doing much better and now have a plan to keep doing well.

Take Care,

Charlie B53

Wow; it's been a long time since I've been here.....OK..lets see...yes; I guess I am a "large man" but not extremely large; I was @ 300+ lbs...now I'm still under 300.  Getting closer to my goal. 

I still get the redness occasionally; and fluid still builds up in my calves; but now I know how to spot it; and what to look for; so I talk to my PCT at my Dialysis center; and she takes off some extra fluid until we can't pull anymore. Sometimes it takes a few treatments to pull extra and get to where we need to be.   

[Charlie B53]

I'm glad to hear that you have learned how to tell the difference.  I too had become 'larger'. After breaking my back and no longer anywhere near as physical as I used to be, I began gaining.  Only about 5 pounds a year, but 15 years makes that add up to way too much.   As my kidneys worsened, nearing total failure I started gaining a LOT of water.  Legs puffing up so tight they were leaking  all afternoon and into the evenings until I lay down for bed at night.   Dialysis changed ALL that.  Besides taking off the water and reducing the swelling, PD causing so much pressure on my stomach I barely ate maybe a third what I used to.  I figured that was a good time to start making a serious effort to stop, or reduce the white flour in my diet.  Switching to that 35 or 40 carb bread I can still have a sandwich a couple times a week.  Between the 40 pounds of water I lost, in the next two years I lost almost 70 excess pounds.  I was down to 202 WITH 2 liters in me.  Then the gout reared up and I started prednisone, which caused me to eat MORE, and re-gained 30 odd pounds.  I've been off the presnisone for months, and trying to watch my carbs very closely, just not close enough yet to re-lose those pounds.  Still about 236 again, but not bad considering I was 220 in High School and the Army.  I could be very happy if I was to lose the 'jelly roll' I have just above my belt.

Be happy that you are doing better.  Give it time.  Even small improvements over a long time can make a huge difference.  We just have to be patient.

Take Care,

Charlie B53






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