chronic celulitis?

LoveBabyJesus said:

Lalalilala...ditto!
Hi Angela - As you already know, I'm going through the same thing. I am taking antibiotics 4 times a day, for 6-7 weeks (poor kidneys of mine). I really don't like taking additional drugs. But it is very uncomfortable to feel your breast 5 pounds heavier, swollen, and with shooting pains. I have to say there is less pain, but when I wear a bra of something that has direct contact with breast, it starts hurting - more like throbbing pains (beating).

I'm worried about the infection spreading or causing my beast to be removed because of it. I also hear that some Doctors decide to drain the fluid, but mine hasn't made up her mind yet. Plus we still don't know if there is any fluid. One thing I meant to mention, this infection started right after I had my mammo. It was so painful! I had just finished my rads a few weeks before (probably 3).

I really hope we both get better soon.

What doctor are you going to
What doctor are you going to for this? I went to my surgeon the other day. Normally my rads onc was treating me for it but he wanted my surgeon to have a look. My surgeon did a sonogram right there in his office to see how much fluid was in there. Maybe you should ask about getting one after you finish your meds? Like I said before, the meds you are on are not strong ones compared to the others out there. I am taking Cipro. I get good results from them in a week or 2 when an infection starts IF I catch it before it gets too bad. Maybe you should ask about changing meds if these don't work by the end of 7 weeks? You can take them even if allergic to penicillin. I don't think the infection would spread to cause your breast to be removed. I mean I sure as heck hope not!! Now you have given me something else to worry about Kidding~

I know it's uncomfortable as heck! I had to wear a bra today and am paying for it now. I never thought I would be going bra-less at 51!! Were you told to put on warm compresses? I keep forgetting to do it, but he said it would help.

Fingers crossed for the both of us!
I wonder if we are the only 2 here that are getting this?

Angela

LoveBabyJesus said:

I see my rad Dr. because my
I see my rad Dr. because my surgeon refuses to see me. A lot of times they just look and say "oh it's normal after treatments!". Ugh. So my rad. took it upon herself to treat me since she was the last Dr. I dealt with. Everyone else blames it on the radiation...since it changes the tissue inside. I will def. ask for more drugs if this continues. I see her on Wed. - YAY! :-/

I am not using hot compresses. Should I? Then if so I will start. Thanks for the tip!

Don't worry about what I said...LOL, I just always over think, but in our situation, I think we can be excused of that.

I so much hope this ends for the both of us. I know there were other ladies who have experienced this in the past, but probably a lot less than us.

I started to go braless last February! Ever since the surgery, I can't wear a thing. I hope THIS doesn't start a new issue...(e.g. back problems, changes in tissue because they hang low? lol).

Anyway...I will def. keep you posted on my recovery and see how long it lasts. Please keep me updated about yours as well.

Anyone else here with same issues?....

Nice surgeon!! Mine is just
Nice surgeon!! Mine is just a breast surgeon and prides himself on listening. He told me when I first went to him that if I needed anything or had any questions to call him any time night or day. He also said that no question is a dumb question if it is bothering me. He seems to care. Whenever I have called his office he gets right on the phone. But you are right, they have a tendency to say things are just normal. I don't think swelling and pain are normal! I also love my rads onc. He seems to listen also and really care what I think.

I started going braless after my surgery this feb. Never thought I would do it. I bought a bunch of tank tops and wear one under a regular loose fitting shirt and you can't tell. I am big breasted so I thought it would look horrid, but it actually looks better. They actually look smaller. Weird!

I was just laying here tonight and started to feel my breast, strange things I do now, and felt this huge lump shaped thing on the inner bottom. I made my daughter feel it too. Now, I just saw him on Monday and he felt the crap out of me and sonogramed me, so it shouldn't be anything, yet I worry. I'm going to see if it's still here on Mond and call him to see what he has to say. Do we ever stop worrying??!!

Yes, warm, compresses I was told. I was using a heating pad and that felt good, so I guess that's good too?

Talk to you soon!! What is your first name, by the way?

Angela

LoveBabyJesus said:

Hi again! :0)My first name
Hi again! :0)

My first name is Rebecca.

Funny you mentioned about feeling your breasts and feeling a "lump" like shape thing...hmmm..in the lower side? So do I! It feels like scar tissue, but I worry because the feeling is so strange, as if there was something there that didn't belong, and it's attached to my breast wall, right? Harder the rest of the tissue. Yup. We never stop worrying! What can I say? You should always triple check, but also allow some room for trust (on our doctors). We are just on the wrong boat so it's difficult not to worry all the time. I feel like i am on a raise all the time..so I get it.

I love your photo.

Rebecca,

Yes, the lower side. Mine is my right breast, so lower left side attached to the breast wall!! Yes, harder than the rest. Weird feeling. I can't find it in my other breast, but then again that one is a lot bigger too so I might not be able to? I never felt it before so it took me by surprise. I can't believe it grew in 3 days so it must have been there, I hope. I will call him on Monday if I still feel it just to settle my mind.

Thanks, that is my poor Sandi. She died 2 years ago from oral cancer! Talk about a surprise. Never even thought a dog could get that. It came fast and furious too. She had 2 surgeries but it had already spread before we even saw the lump. She was gone within 6 months at the age of 13. I will be extra careful of any pet I have from now on to always check their gums. I never want to go through that again!!

Talk to you soon. We haven't gotten any other answers, so I think we may be in the minority here.

Angela

missrenee said:

I have read your posts and
some of my situation is similar but I don't think exactly the same as what you two ladies have going on. I had a lumpectomy in Dec. '09 and a re-excision for clear margins about a week later. Well--now it's been almost 2 years and I still have a large, hard lump--sort of attached to the ribs in my lower left breast along with slight (some days) to moderate (other days) swelling. I have always had shooting type pains since the surgery. Both my surgeon and med. onc. tell me they are "post-op" changes and the swelling represents a degree of lymphedema. I have also seen a lymph.therapist. Seems like this is something I will have to live with. No one has ever mentioned cellulitis and I have not had redness or fever.

Hugs, Renee

Renee,
We have 2 things going on. the cellulitis and now we both noticed this hard lump. I never felt this lump before. It is exactly where you said yours is. And yes, it seems swollen. I too had a lumpectomy and then re-incision for clear margins resulting in a partial mastectomy. What you say makes sense because my onc did tell me I had lymphedema there a month ago! It just took me by surprise last night when I felt it. I did just see my surgeon on monday so I don't think it's something that grew in 3 days, but it is reassuring that others have it too! I don't think what you are describing is cellulitis. You would know if you had it because it makes it's presence known: swelling, heaviness, shooting pains, a low grade fever, cold like symptoms,tiredness, achiness in the breast, sometimes trouble breathing, redness, sometimes itchiness and it doesn't go away on it's own. Hopefully you will never get this~

Hugs, angela

survivorbc09 said:

I have never had this and I
I have never had this and I hope I don't. That is awful that it takes so long to clear up. I wish you the best and hope the antibiotics get rid of it soon for you.


Hugs, Jan

Thanks Jan! I hope this is
Thanks Jan! I hope this is my last encounter with it.4 times is way too many for me! My surgeon thinks it may be a chronic condition though. For once I hope he is wrong : )


angela

jnl said:

Hoping your surgeon is wrong
Hoping your surgeon is wrong too! Praying that the cellulitis will clear up and never come back.


Hugs, Leeza

Thanks Leeza : ) I sure
Thanks Leeza : ) I sure hope he is wrong too. I've had enough of this already!

Angela