Lymphedemajourney

I’ve just had a flare up of my secondary lymphedema due to radical mastectomy and 14 lymph node removal. It will be 2 years May 16, 2018 since my surgery. I’ve been able to control lymphedema with compression sleeve. But now I’ve had this flare up—swelling, upper arm & elbow redness & hot. Also spots on lower & upper arm similar to foliculitis. I have a call into my surgeons office—I’m hoping it isn’t cellulitis. I had washed the sleeve in regular laundry soap & air dried it. Wore it to work Monday under a shirt. When I took it off it was very tight. Next day I had the flare up. Also I had put some baby powder w/ cornstarch on arm to help get the sleeve on. Don’t know if this contributed or not. Any thoughts?

[lymphite]

Please go to an emergency room if you cannot see your doctor in a couple of hours at the latest! It sounds like cellulitis and if it is it needs to be caught quickly or you could become seriously ill!

[Lynora]

Agree with lymphite - get to ER - sounds like cellulitis.

[Hidden]

Thanks ladies. Doctor prescribed antibiotic for 7 days 500mg 2x’s a day. I should start to feel better soon.

[Lynora]

You may need a longer regime than 7 days - are you in the USA?

[Hidden in reply to Lynora]

Yes, Southwest Pa

Actually. Everything is looking and feeling much better today Friday 4-13-18. My doctor is staying in touch to make sure I’m doing okay.

Thanks Lenora I appreciate your reply.

[Lynora]

Have a look at lymphnet.org (the US based support group - this site is based in London) - you may be able to find the information about treatment of cellulitis in the US - it is recommended by the International Lymphoedema Framework Committee, to be at least 14 days.

If this is your first experience of cellulitis, I’m sorry to say it may not be your last, so you need to be vigilant to the symptoms, and seek urgent treatment if it occurs again. And, please, if you are in the least bit suspicious, don’t ask for opinions on a forum - seek medical attention as a priority. Many of my clients carry antibiotics with them, as it invariably jumps up and bites them at 5.30pm on a Friday - just as the doctor leaves his surgery for the weekend!!

[Hidden]

I have lymphedema in my leg so unrelated to yours.. however anytime I have cellulitis it spreads quickly and requires medication otherwise it gets blotchy red skin is tight and it hurts ....... normally i have no pain or discomfort . sugerions are often very busy and refer us to therapists who are trained etc. I have an outpatient clinic I go to when necessary for treatment and or ER in an emergency with staff infection too

took me 13 years to learn all I know yet I too will have this till my last breadth..