Leg Infection and new Med

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Marie Davis - 27 Jun 2006 11:22 GMT

Good Morning,

This past weekend I fought fevers, chills, and by Saturday evening a
new case of cellulitis appeared on my right leg. The doctor prescribed
and antibiotic, Cephalexin, she said that it is mainly for skin and
bone infections. Let's hope it work, because if it doesn't I'm in the
hospital for IV antibiotics. I go back to see her in 2 weeks. This
appointment was my quarterly appointment, while I was there I told her
the Flexeril wasn't helping any more, I was taking 40 MG at bedtime. I
was still not sleeping because of the legs aching and cramping. She
prescribed something new, Gabapentin, it's an anti seizures
medication. Last night was the first time in months I slept all
night. Has anyone else been prescribed this? Please let me know how
you are doing with it.

Well I'm off to bed again, still running a fever and the new meds have
me slightly woozie. I think a nap is in order!

Marie

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Lyndal - 27 Jun 2006 12:31 GMT

Hi Marie

I havent taken Gabapentin myself, but its an excellent medication for
neuropathic pain (due to nerve irritation). Its an anti-epileptic and
decreases the messages sent through the nerves, less messages=less pain..
It works in a similar way to drugs like tegretol and epilim but it has far
fewer side effects. Its good stuff...

Lyndal (doc)

> Good Morning,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Marie

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Candi Bowen - 27 Jun 2006 19:32 GMT

Hi Marie, I've never taken Gabapentin but have had 2 severe bouts with
cellulitis. They never determined if it was from a joint infection or a
problem with leaky blood vessels due to anti-phospholipid syndrome & I was
seeing some of the leading docs in the country for lupus; all I knew was
that it hurt like hell & they were sharpening their amputation blades. In my
case, Solumedrol, Prednisone & an antibiotic saved me. Have they given you
any steroids? Flexeril isn't going to do anything for cellulitis, it's for
muscle spasms. The antibiotic they gave me was Doxacycline (sp?) & that,
combined with the steroids, worked a miracle. Good luck.
Candi

> Good Morning,
>
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> Marie

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Shelagh - 27 Jun 2006 20:01 GMT

I too have BTDT with cellulitis in my left leg and it spread up to my thigh and when my lymph nodes in my groin got involved, that is when the 'blades for amputation' came out for me! It can be scary but rarely do they have to amputate!!
Keflex <or cephalexin generically>, worked well for me in combo with another antibiotic at that time...... it took 2 IV Abs for me along with hospitalization for 8 days due to a high fever but I still have my leg so don't worry! the meds these days are excellent!
Good luck, watch it carefully Marie and just don't let any little changes slip by; report them to the doc asap!

I would think the flexeril was just for helping you to sleep and maybe getting rid of any muscle spasms or pain you were having that kept you awake?
... it can be a good med but I know neurontin <gabapentin generically> can be even better for the same symptoms....
I know several people taking it, ....
and LPN said it all.... re what it is for ie: neuropathic pains for nerve related issued like post herpetic pain <shingles> etc.... if it works and helps you to sleep go with it! more power to you!

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hugs,
Shelagh
http://clik.to/lupus

> Hi Marie, I've never taken Gabapentin but have had 2 severe bouts with
> cellulitis. They never determined if it was from a joint infection or a
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>
>> Marie

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