Blood clot paranoia

Suzybelle

What is up with everybody being so paranoid about blood clots in my LE arm?  Do these two things go together? 

I have a hard place in my arm - probably fibrosis, and my LE therapist insisted I get an ultrasound, so I'm going at 1:30 today.  It's kinda painful, but not horrible or anything.

What is more troublesome to me is that I have developed some kind of reaction to kinesio tape - the adhesive is causing me to blister.    I love that stuff!!!!!!!

Any advice on blood clots, or kinesio tape adhesive issues and how to deal , will be appreciated.

 Thank you!!!!!! 

lisa-e

I don't have any advice, but I also get blisters from kinesio tape.  I had to stop using it.

kane744

Suzybelle, you're not having too great a summer that's for sure.  Hope it's not a blood clot, but let us know.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

kira66715

Suzy, they just have to make sure, because a clot is not something you want to miss. When I think of all the women on these boards who have had clots ruled out, I'm racking my brains to think of anyone where they found a clot.

But, just recently I was taking care a guy who was complaining about leg pain, and sure enough, clots in both legs. So, you've got to be careful.

I rash from adhesive also, and did use kinesio tape once, but didn't push my luck. I know they said to remove it with oil, so break up the adhesive, but if you've started to rash from it, it doesn't sound like it's something you can use.

Agree with Kane, this has been one challenging time for you.

Fingers crossed and waiting for news.

Kira

Binney4

Checking for blood clots is smart with any new swelling, rather than just assuming it's LE. You wouldn't want to massage with a blood clot there because you don't want to move it. There's no convenient imaging method for LE, so they decide it's just new LE swelling by making sure it's NOT something else.

I have a friend who swears that if you put milk of magnesia on your skin and let it dry before applying the tape it will protect the skin, but I've never tried it (I too have an adhesive allergy.) I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to try it on an area with LE anyway, since bugging the skin is not what you want to do. Just a thought...

Suzy, I'm so sorry you've had such a time with all this. It's gotta get better!

Hugs!
Binney

SleeveNinja

When I first found kinesiotape, I used it all the time.  I had a reaction one time (very itchy while it was on, red marks when I removed it.)  Now I use it occasionally with no problems. You may just have to "rest" a couple weeks between uses. There is an adhesive remover that comes in little packets like alcohol swipes.  I've seen it at my work but I'm not sure where you can buy it.  It's meant for removing sticky bandages so I bet it would remove k-tape. 

Hope you get the all clear!

Ninja

Suzybelle

Hi, Lovely Ladies:

Well, I am clot-free.  Hurrah!  Apparently, it's just hardening tissue from LE.  Oh, joy. 

 Binney, I'm going to try the Milk of Magnesia.  I'll let you know how it goes!!!!

sisterinspirit

Suzy,

Glad to hear there is no blood clot.  Years ago when I used tape on my back, I recall some sort of spray the PT would use beforehand to protect my skin that worked like a charm.  Without it my skin was a mess.  Might be worth checking with your LE therapist to see if this rings a bell with her.  Good luck!

Deb

kcshreve

Kinesiotape - I react to most adhesives, but have done ok with kinesiotape as long as I don't use my more tender skin areas.  There is a "how to" regarding removing the tape.  I read that if you pull it off, it can leave 2nd degree burns.  When you take it off, you're supposed to hold the tape, but push the skin down from the tape at about a 45 degree angle.  Also, when you apply it, the ends should never have any stretch to them.  They should lie entirely flat, no pull.  In spite of this, I do tend to get little areas where it's a bit red occasionally, but not too bad, which is a surprise, since I can't usually put on any adhesives at all, anywhere on my body.

SleeveNinja

TAPE - I can't imagine getting it off after a few days even according to the directions.  I have to wait about 2 weeks for it to start coming off on its own -- and even then, it ain't easy.  I don't have adhesive allergies but I do have fragile skin.  Will have to try MOM.  (LOL) 

Kcshreve, from your description in the other post, it sounds like you start your tape "anchor" in the place you want to draw fluid from and you bring the tape (or the branches) toward the area(s) you want to draw fluid to.  I was taught to do the opposite. I wonder if it matters?  Suzy, how (and where) do you put your tape on?

kcshreve

SleeveNinja - I just copied my LE therapist's tape routines.  I guess i never asked about the rationale.  I also put tape across the line from one quadrant to the other, as in my sides or tummy.  I have LE in my front tummy, and this helps keep the swelling down. For that I tape from my waist down near my pubic area, not getting too close to sensitive skin.

Suzybelle

It looks like there are several options for barriers if you have sensitive skin and a reaction to the kinesio tape adhesive - I'm going to try a couple and will let you guys know how they work.

I wouldn't go to all the trouble if I didn't think the taping helps, but it really seems to help move the fluid from my upper arm, so I'm going to do what I can to keep using it.

hugz4u

K TAPE PROBLEM: DD took it off my back last night and I have 2, 6 inch red raised welts left on my LE back this morn. We were so gentle taking it off slowly even using oil to help loosen it. Put antibiotic cream on it as Kinesio tape has lifted some skin off but now I had to put my underarmour shaper on and I can't put a bandage on it as the area is too big. No doubt cream has rubbed off and onto my underarmour leaving the area at risk to infection. Any ideas. Watching for cellulitis.

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lionessdoe

If anyone is concerned about blood clots, get your clotting factors tested. Von Lieden's thrombophylia runs in my family. There are other clotting disorders you can get checked for too. I lucked out. It goes from mother to daughter. One of my sisters and her daughter tested positive for it. My poor mother had one pulmonary embolism after another for 30 years! It helps to know if you are predisposed or not. Of course it doesn't mean I can't get a blood clot but I am relieved to not have to be so hypervigilant about it as my sister and niece have to be.

lionessdoe

I have a co-worker who had such severe lymphedema and celluulitis in his legs (paralyzed from waist down due to spina bifida) he had to have both his legs amputated to completely eliminate further episodes of sepsis. He developed an allergy to adhesives due to his lymphedema.