Seeking Insights on Persistent Symptoms Following Cellulitis Diagnosis
Greetings all, As I wrap up my final day of antibiotics for what’s been diagnosed as cellulitis, I find myself in a worsening situation, which I’d like to share in hopes of finding some guidance or hearing if anyone has gone through a similar ordeal. Here’s a bit about my situation: - **Age/Sex**: 34/Male - **Vitals**: Height of 186 cm (6'1"), weighing approximately 130 kg (286 lbs). - **Lifestyle**: My job is largely sedentary as a remote manager, which contributes to my current weight issues. **Timeline of Events:** - **3 Weeks Ago**: I experienced several days of unexplained fevers that self-resolved. - **1.5 Weeks Ago**: Symptoms began manifesting: - Noticeable redness, intense warmth, and slight swelling around my ankles, with my right ankle being particularly affected initially. - I also noticed significant stiffness developing in my Achilles tendons and along the sides of my ankles. - A return of fever accompanied by flu-like symptoms and a general sense of discomfort in other joints. - **Doctor's Diagnosis**: Upon examination, I was diagnosed with cellulitis in my right leg. Given that I reside in Malta, where mosquito bites are common (I even had a recent bite on my right leg that became inflamed), the doctor may have identified something similar. I was prescribed a week-long course of Penicillin, along with Voltaren 50 mg and Paracetamol for pain relief and fever management. - **During Treatment**: Although I went through some challenging days, my symptoms improved to a degree, allowing me to shift between working from my desk and resting in bed with my legs elevated, while taking ibuprofen for pain. - **Recent Weekend**: Unfortunately, I had a significant deterioration, with fever returning more intensely and increased pain in both ankles, accompanied by a resurgence of redness and heat. - **Fever Behavior**: Taking Paracetamol breaks the fever briefly, causing me to wake up drenched, but it inevitably returns within a few hours. **Reasons for Doubting the Diagnosis of Cellulitis:** 1. **Bilateral Symptoms**: Both ankles exhibit similar symptoms, which seems uncommon for a typical cellulitis case. 2. **Deterioration During Antibiotics**: On my final day of Penicillin, I find myself feeling worse than just a few days prior. 3. **Widespread Symptoms**: The mix of persistent fevers, stiffness around my tendons, and general joint discomfort suggests a scenario more complex than a skin infection alone. I have a follow-up appointment lined up with my doctor, but I must admit feeling quite anxious about my condition. If anyone has encountered similar experiences or has insights on potential issues I should discuss with my doctor, I would be profoundly grateful for your advice. Thank you!
Answers (1)
7/27/2025, 2:31:03 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with quite a complex situation following your cellulitis diagnosis, and it's completely understandable to feel anxious given how your symptoms are evolving. Here are the main points to consider:
-
Persistent Symptoms: The return of fever and worsening symptoms while on antibiotics could indicate that the initial diagnosis of cellulitis might not be sufficient to explain everything you're experiencing.
-
Bilateral Symptoms and General Discomfort: The swelling and discomfort in both ankles, alongside systemic symptoms like fever, might suggest a different process or condition that your current treatment isn't addressing.
Explanation
Cellulitis typically affects one area (often unilaterally), and your experience of both ankles being involved, along with significant joint stiffness and fever, raises a few possibilities. These might include:
-
Infectious Considerations: Sometimes, cellulitis can progress or develop alongside other infections, or a different infection entirely may be present.
-
Non-infectious Conditions: Bilateral symptoms can be associated with autoimmune conditions, inflammatory arthritis, or other systemic issues.
Next Steps
Here are some specific, prioritized actions you can take:
-
Document Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of your symptoms, including when they started, their severity, and how they change throughout the day. This can help your doctor better understand your condition.
-
Prepare for Your Follow-Up: Write down your concerns regarding the bilateral nature of your symptoms and the return of fever. Clearly mention the worsening condition despite antibiotic treatment. Consider asking about:
- Additional diagnostic tests (such as blood tests or imaging) to rule out other infections or conditions.
- Referral to a specialist if needed (e.g., an infectious disease specialist or rheumatologist).
-
Symptom Management: Continue to manage your fever with over-the-counter medications like Paracetamol as directed, staying hydrated, and resting as much as possible. Elevating your legs can help reduce swelling, but be sure to monitor how you feel throughout.
-
Seek Immediate Care if Necessary: If you develop new severe symptoms like difficulty breathing, severe pain, or persistent high fever, consider seeking immediate medical attention.
-
Follow Health Guidelines: Make sure to adhere to any general health guidelines recommended by your doctor, including dietary adjustments and activity modification, given your sedentary lifestyle.
Your follow-up appointment is vital, and sharing your ongoing symptoms and concerns will help in refining your diagnosis and treatment plan. I hope for your improvement and clarity about your health! If you have further questions or need more guidance, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Assessing Potential Ear Infection: Seeking Insights
My daughter, who is 16 months old and weighs 30 pounds, has been taking 6mL of Tylenol, with her last dose given at 8 PM on July 26. She also completed a 10-day course of Amoxicillin, dosed at 7.5 mL twice daily, for an ear infection that followed a viral illness, with her final dose on July 23. Aside from some unusual fussiness and her tendency to tug at her right ear, she shows no additional symptoms. It’s worth noting that she has already cut all her teeth, so teething isn’t a concern at this time. We do have a referral to an ENT for a potential discussion about ear tubes, although the appointment isn’t scheduled until September 8. After a rough night where she was awake for four hours crying from 1 to 5 AM, we took her to an urgent care facility on Friday. The medical staff mentioned that while they could observe some fluid in her ear, it did not appear to be infected. Since the initial phase of her viral illness, she has not shown signs of congestion or fever. The doctors indicated that if she continues to appear uncomfortable in the next couple of days, they would prescribe Augmentin. However, I’m hesitant to start her on Augmentin unless absolutely necessary. I’m uncertain whether to reach out for the prescription or if her current distress might simply be attributed to a sleep regression. I attempted to examine her ear using an otoscope, but I’m unsure what I’m seeing and whether it indicates a problem.
Navigating Chronic Headaches: A Frustrating Journey
I am a 38-year-old male, weighing 280 pounds and standing 6 feet tall. My health records indicate that I manage high cholesterol and major depressive disorder effectively, for which I am prescribed 40 mg of Vilazodone and 40 mg of Rosuvastatin daily. Please bear with me as I outline my situation in detail; it has been a lengthy and challenging ordeal. Over the past five years, I have undergone routine blood tests. While it revealed a few issues with my cholesterol levels (specifically low HDL) and somewhat reduced testosterone levels (around 300), there have been no significant findings. For more than five years, I have been plagued by persistent headaches. They began gradually, without any clear trigger. The pain typically hovers around a level of 3, occasionally spiking to 6, but rarely dropping below 2. These headaches are frequently accompanied by sensations of dizziness, a feeling of being faint, brain fog, struggles with word retrieval, difficulties in concentration, and very mild tinnitus. I do not experience any sensitivity to lights, sounds, or smells. Interestingly, I find slight relief when lying down. In addition, I have suffered three isolated episodes of vertigo over the past five years, each lasting from mere seconds to a few days. Around the same period my headaches started, I experienced a pinched nerve in my neck, likely due to an awkward sleeping position. The associated arm tingling improved with physical therapy. I consulted with a neurologist regarding the pinched nerve, who ordered MRIs of my brain and spine. Those results did not reveal anything alarming, except for a mildly slipped disc in my neck. Subsequently, I sought help from another neurologist who attempted various treatments for my headaches, trialing medications such as topiramate, NSAIDs, Sumatriptan, CGRP inhibitors, and Botox. Unfortunately, none provided any lasting relief. The neurologist speculated that my symptoms might be linked to the two antidepressants I was taking: Effexor and Wellbutrin. After tapering off these medications under psychiatric supervision, I saw no improvement over a six-month period. This prompted me to switch back to a different antidepressant due to a significant exacerbation of depressive symptoms. I was then referred to a cardiologist to investigate potential conditions like POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). A cardiac ultrasound appeared normal, and the stress test revealed vasovagal syncope but ruled out POTS. My psychiatrist later suggested that my symptoms could be anxiety-related, leading me to enroll in an outpatient anxiety support program. While I could relate to some aspects of the symptoms discussed, my own anxiety levels were quite mild. To manage my attention difficulties, the psychiatrist prescribed Adderall, which turned out to be the most effective treatment for improving my symptoms. However, the side effects, such as insomnia and irritability, became challenging to handle. Eventually, I was referred to a prominent academic medical institution where I consulted with five different neurologists specializing in various fields and was directed to a headache clinic. At the headache clinic, I was advised to limit my caffeine intake from three cups to two or fewer daily, but this change did not alleviate my symptoms. They also scheduled a sleep study, which revealed mild sleep apnea. I received a CPAP machine and adhered to its use for over a year, yet this did not lead to any improvement. The headache clinic subsequently connected me with a doctor involved in research on spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Following a series of at-home self-assessments, this physician recommended advanced imaging techniques (a CT myelogram with contrast) and suggested an epidural blood patch. The imaging results were negative, but the specialist estimated there remained a 30% possibility of a CSF leak undetected in the scans and noted areas that appeared "suspicious." I underwent four separate blood patch procedures aimed at addressing these areas. While recovery sometimes brought temporary relief, the benefits were fleeting. Furthermore, the neurologist team referred me to an Otolaryngology specialist for vestibular testing, which included various assessments. These tests indicated slight issues with vestibular function, leading to referrals for physical therapy. Six months of vestibular rehabilitation passed without noticeable improvement, and conditions like BPPV and vestibular migraines were ruled out. Lately, I have taken a six-month break from treatment, mainly due to fatigue from the endless cycle of appointments and the absence of definitive answers. However, I am now eager to resume seeking solutions that could enhance my quality of life despite my ongoing symptoms or perhaps lead to a real understanding and resolution of my condition. Thus, I find myself asking: Where do I go from here? Should I revisit the headache clinic at the academic center? Is it worthwhile to consult with a neurologist again? Or am I better off exploring alternative resources?
Concerns Over Early Morning Vomiting in 7-Year-Old
I’m feeling quite anxious and am searching for some insight. Recently, I took my son to see the pediatrician, where we consulted with a physician assistant. Approximately 11 days ago, he had an episode in the early hours where he vomited multiple times over a span of three hours—starting with food remnants followed by yellow fluid. After that incident, he seemed perfectly fine for the remainder of the day. However, I ended up feeling fatigued and chilly later, though I had no gastrointestinal issues myself. Then, a week later, he again woke up in the early morning and expelled a small amount of water. About 20 minutes later, after trying to go back to sleep, he coughed up a little more. Just a few days later, he experienced another bout early in the morning, this time bringing up more food. Given these recurring episodes, I decided to take him to the doctor, which led to a recommendation for a CT scan to exclude the possibility of a brain tumor. The thought of that was incredibly distressing. Fortunately, the results came back normal, but the doctor advised that if it happens again this weekend, we should head to the ER for an MRI, which could potentially detect smaller masses. Now, I’m overwhelmed with anxiety, dreading the thought of waking up to another episode of vomiting, fearing it could signify something serious like a tumor. We do have an appointment with a gastroenterologist tomorrow, but I feel the urgent need for clarity and want to ensure there’s nothing I might be missing. In light of the serious nature of the doctors’ concerns, I’ve taken the initiative to compile a detailed log of his symptoms and eating habits, utilizing ChatGPT to help organize the information clearly. What do you think? Should I advocate for an MRI sooner rather than later? Initially, I thought this was a simple gastrointestinal issue, but the focus seems to only be directed at ruling out a tumor. **Clinical Summary** Established gastrointestinal patient with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) to egg, peanut, and avocado, experiencing three episodes of vomiting at early hours within an 11-day timeframe, with two episodes accompanied by diarrhea. There has been no known exposure to allergens during this time. Each vomiting incident unfolds in the early morning, typically waking the child from sleep without any preceding nausea or discomfort. **Event Timeline** **July 14 (Monday)** - Vomiting started around 6:30 AM with 4-5 episodes over several hours. - Initial vomits had food pieces; last episode was yellow with bits of burrito. - One episode was directly observed: child looked unwell, responded vaguely when asked about feeling fine. He vomited without retching, and did not seem distressed. - Diarrhea occurred between 7-8 AM. - Previous day's meals: popcorn, candy, soda, meat patty with fries, and a kids’ meal of beans and cheese. - Normal bedtime activity. - Parent symptoms: mother felt intense fatigue, chills, and weakness without any gastrointestinal symptoms—suggesting a possible viral or environmental cause of illness. **July 21 (Monday)** - First episode at approximately 4:00 AM with a small amount of clear liquid, followed by another at 4:20 AM. - No diarrhea. - Previous day's meals: pizza, Doritos, and gummy bears. - Activity: slept on the couch. **July 25 (Friday)** - Vomiting around 5:00 AM with a single small episode featuring partially digested food. - Diarrhea occurred from 7-8 AM. - Previous meals included a McDonald's Happy Meal, mini tacos, and a popsicle. - Activity: slept on the floor with a bedtime of 9-9:30 PM. **Symptom Overview** - Vomiting happens 8-10 hours post last meal/snack during sleep or right after waking. - No reports of nausea or stomach pain before vomiting; vague upset experienced about an hour post-episode. - Incidents have not been forceful or projectile and were not accompanied by distress; one episode happened while standing, with vomit landing nearby. - Consistently limited to morning episodes, with normal activity resuming afterward. - Diarrhea present during two of the three events, occurring early in the morning. - Clear CT scan findings; pediatricians suggested pursuing MRI should vomiting recur. - No fever, headaches, or behavioral changes observed. - The child has expressed tiredness at times but continues regular engagement, with bedtime being later than usual, waking around 6 AM. **Relevant Health History** - Diagnosed with FPIES related to egg, peanut, and avocado without recent allergen exposure. - Finished a course of antibiotics recently. - No previous issues with GERD, reflux, or cyclic vomiting. - Meals too close to bedtime have been high in fat and sugar. - Notable family gastrointestinal history includes severe reflux and medication necessity in the father and chronic reflux in a paternal uncle.
Unusual Skin Rash on Baby Boy (14 months old)
Our grandchild developed a skin rash several weeks ago, starting with a small outbreak on his arm that has since spread to various other areas of his body. Based on my past experiences as a mother of four grown children, I don't believe it's impetigo or ringworm; it appears to be more viral in nature. He hasn’t exhibited any fever that we are aware of and he doesn’t seem to be experiencing any itching. We give him a bath each night and have not changed any of the products we use recently. Interestingly, he prefers cooler bath water, as warm water seems to cause him discomfort. I appreciate any advice or insights you might have regarding this situation. Thank you!
Bumps Under the Muscle: A New Concern
Profile: - Age: 28 years - Gender: Female - Height: 5 feet 10 inches - Weight: 130 pounds - Ethnicity: African American - Symptoms duration: 48 hours - Affected area: Upper trapezius muscle - Relevant medical history: Scoliosis - Current medications: SSRI antidepressant and birth control pills Over the past couple of days, I’ve noticed a firm, somewhat circular mass beneath the skin near my trapezius muscle on the right side. Typically, I experience muscle knots due to stress or poor posture, which tend to resolve with regular use of a massage device or a proper massage session. However, this time, my efforts to alleviate the discomfort have been ineffective; the lump remains rigid despite my attempts to break it up. Using a massage gun fitted with a pointed attachment, I noticed it only indenting slightly without changing the firmness of the lump. I’m feeling a bit anxious about this, especially given my age. I would appreciate any advice or recommendations regarding what this could be or how to address it. If necessary, I can share an image for further clarity.