GRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE..........

GmaFoley

I don't think it is there yet - but the other bites I got about the same time are not that big.. so it is just a precaution - they did tell me he was full and to go down to urgent care - but those docs down there are stupid and just want to push you out the door - so I opted to leave a msg with him first.

Marple

Gma, I don't want to be the first one to say it but I will.  Time to go to the emergency.  Do not wait.  As many before me have said, mention cellulitis and be insistent.  If it's not.....all the better but why wait?

Edit to correct a hasty post.

GmaFoley

GRRRRRR- I went it urgent care - saw a lady doc that said it was a skin infection - walked out the door said she knows my allergies I will give you something like penicillin but not - the nurse came back in and I said hold on - I'm not comfortable with the med she gave me - I'm allergic to penicillin - if it is related to mold I break out into a rash - He told me he wasn't going to bother the doc and just ask the pharmist and have him give a call back if it is the wrong one..  Say what!!!! - of course, now its lunch time - I left a message with my doc - wanted a second opinion on the med... waiting - oh the doc did say - if you get streaks up the arm to come back for IV anitbiotics... I still don't have any and went home to eat something - just really crappy how they treat you downstairs....

Edit Just got a call from my PCP. He said let's try it - the I said - how is it related to penicillin? I am waiting for the answer... on hold... He said try it.. Here goes - hopefully no rash with it... 

duckyb1

Cookie.................hysterical, wish we could all go down.............well my son backed out of going....he said a vacaton for him would be staying home, and sending my daughter-in-law down with his kids and the babies............lol, so now it is just Friday night till Sunday, coming back Sunday...........No room for me in the car, so my decision of going or staying home has been made................I'm content to stay here.................lol

Marple

I'm glad to read you got on top of it Gma.  Fingers crossed for you that it simmers down quickly.  Gentle hugs.

GmaFoley

My PCP wanted me to try the Keflex even though I get bad rashes/hives with cipro and ceclor..They both agreed this should work ok - The pharmasist had a cow and wouldn't fill the prescription until he heard that from the doctor... Waited an hour for them to call after talking on the phone with them ..

I took my first pill about a half hour ago... waiting to see if the itching starts...

Marple - I really didn't want to go because they treat you like a number not a person, but I must admit - once I threw the 2 words around: LE and Cellulitis - I only waited about 20 minutes... 

mags20487

Gma...really hope they fix you soon!  and hoping it is not cellulitis...so painful

Well it is official...I have bilateral LE.  @$^*&   that is me cursing out loud.  Really pisses me off because I was really taking care of my good, only 1 node taken right arm.  Now my PT says I need to wear a sleeve on both and hopes that the hand does not swell from the sleeve and if it does I will need a glove for that side as well...pretty sure I am gonna die right here right now.  Could it be any hotter outside?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR I HATE LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maggie

Estel

Mags20487 - 

GmaFoley

Maggie - I'm so sorry you are joining us - Breathe.... we will be ok - we have each other!!! But GRRRRRR all you want!

Correction: Skin infection IS cellulits - we caught it in time... When Marple was telling me to go not wait, I heard Binney and Kira in the background in my head saying, "You heard Marple... Now get going!!!" LOL - so I drug myself down there... Guess I'm glad I did they did give me antibiotics and told me if it didn't get better they would do IV antibiotics and get back in there.  The vent earlier was when I just got home and didn't talk to my PCP yet and worried about rashes/hives.... Now, I guess the doc wanted me out of there to go get my prescription so I could get this skin infection under control... Why do I always panic and feel they don't do their job... maybe cuz they look at you, hand you a prescription, and boot you out the door before you can say anything... 

Edit: Thought you all might want to see this... Copied from my FB status: "Ended up going into urgent care.. started out being a insect bite on my lymphedema side and turned into a skin infection - Thank you Lord for not making me too stubborn to listen to some great ladies that said 'Go Now'!"  

Binney4

Gma, good for you for heading in to the Urgent Care (and thank you, Marple)! This "skin infection" is not a precursor to cellulitis, it IS cellulitis. That's what cellulitis is: a skin infection. So you done good! Now keep an eye on it and head back in at once if it gets worse (you might want to draw a line around the red area so you can tell if it's spreading or getting better). Whew!

Mags, I am SO SORRY! For goodness sake use at least a gauntlet with the sleeve--preventing hand swelling is a whole lot better than trying to treat it once it's there. And hey! It's almost cool-off season! (Thank goodness...) So glad you caught it early and will be able to keep it in control. How can we all help?

Gentle hugs and a whole pan of fresh, warm-from-the-oven brownies,
Binney

Galsal

Just peachy.  I'm now bound up around the chest with Comprilan and a layer underneath.  Yes, it's made things quite warm as expected.  It has me baffled though that she wants me to wear it for 23 hours.  Insight?

GmaFoley

Thanks for clearing that up Binney - DH has drawn another circle. it is huge compared to this morning... WOW - you were right! It does spread fast... I hope these hot flashes I'm getting isn't the SE's from the antibiotics... kinda remember that before the rash started with penicillin.... 

FireKracker

Binney--If you go back to my last post I would love to hear what you have to say.

Im still confused but im fine...no swelling since the first bag of peas.lol.

No pain either except the normal which is where the nodes were removed.

#1-pt =edema...#2 LE....and #3 if its anything which she dont think it is its stage 0.

Goin Sat.to MY&Co.for the cami she was wearing that looked reall good with no seams to bother me under my arm.

Binney4

grannydukes, I think two things, both of which are JMHO: first of all what you're dealing with sounds exactly like breast (truncal) LE, and the peas probably had less to do with the reduction than the fact you were resting and holding still for a reasonable period of time; and second that it's really important to hit it off with your therapist, so since you like this one, stick with her. Do what works with the swelling--if gentle compression and some self-MLD helps, then do it. If they aggravate it and make it swell, then don't. As far as dealing with your therapist's disbelief in breast LE, give her time. If she's willing to work with you to solve the problem it doesn't much matter what she calls it.

Go with your gut. And for goodness sake keep us posted!

Hugs,
Binney

Binney4

Galsal, I'm stumped--I've never been wrapped for truncal LE, so I don't know. Are you able to breathe okay? Did she give you some exercises to do while wrapped? Keep us posted on your progress!

Hugs,
Binney

GmaFoley

Galsal - My LE therapist has me wear a breast binder that seems to come up high enough to keep the swelling down in my armpits - but that is as far as I have gone.

FireKracker

As i look back over that week i suddenly realized i did a lot.way more then i usually do with lifting and pushing heavy objects.I too think its mild LE sooo im takin extra good care now.

thank you sooo much.I will keep you posted and I just cannot wait to go to NY&co.on Sat.That bra she was wearing looks like it just might do the trick.

She also gave me the swell spot that covers my entire breast...soooo soft...just to wear it to sleep.

thank you for all the help.hugggggggs K

GmaFoley

My arm aches so bad this morning while trying to do my work on the computer this morning... but because of the cellulits - No sleeve over the bite? Correct? Just water and elevation when I get the chance??

Binney4

Gma, you need to give it a rest! No compression, no MLD. Just water and elevation--not just when you get the chance, you need to MAKE the time. Cellulitis=sick. Rest, stay hydrated, rest, deep breathing, rest. The Keflex can't do this all by itself, y'know? Gotta help it.

Wish I was closer, I'd come by with a plate of brownies and sit on ya'!
Binney

proudtospin

new treatment from Binney!  plate of brownies sounds like a perfect solution, who can resist them?

rest rest rest, and a brownie~~

GmaFoley

YES MAM!!! LOL Remember a while back when I said I elevated my arm on pillows with the keyboard?  Well, I am sitting on my butt at the computer with my arm elevated and a glass of never-ending water... Hope that works, because i got to do my computer work.. no more sick leave available and it is our house payment.. Binney, i really look silly with my arm that high...thank goodness for ctrl C and ctrl V - the left hand does all the work while the right arm is elevated ROFL... brownies sound good - our boarder likes to bake though - made some berry apple cobbler - too sweet for me though but was from our blackberries and apples out in the garden...Keep encouraging me and telling me to stay put - I know after work, I'm just going to bed - I can't believe how drained I feel today...

Teka

GmaFoley,

I believe you're drained and need a lot of rest.

MO examined breast then called Radiologist who reviewed mammogram images, and both feel pain from scar tissue.   However, having an ultrasound next Friday for my peace of mind and to cover their butts.   I was way to frisky April through July.

Binney4

Aw, Teka, that's reassuring even if it's not the final word. Peace of mind is worth gold! So glad you'll soon have lots of it!

Be well!
Binney

Teka

GmaFoley

What I said on the Cellulits discussion:

No fever, rash is within the lines still, but I now have glands in my neck that hurt and a sore throat - Also a weird burning sensation on my neck and chest, but as I said, you can't see red or rash... Is the antibiotic doing that... I am really starting to feel like crap....

GmaFoley

Ok Ya All, Off work... going to go lay down and elevate my arm... there will be a water bottle next to me.... Ok??  I am really trying to be good - I'm tired of others saying, "Its just a bug bite, what's your problem"

 

PS EDIT: I will have my IPOD to see when you ladies laugh... but won't be typing back on that thing. 

FireKracker

No GmaF its not just a bug bite....everyday something else with you really means in my books that things are not under control.

Ya gotta get to the bottom of this.if you are allergic to anti-biotics as i am i would be very careful if i were you.And please rest rest rest and then rest again.

Ill come with Binney to hold you down!!!!!

sandcastle

Can....Someone please tell me how the water works??  Liz

GmaFoley

Ok called doc to update told him: no fever, no rash, redness is down, still a little puffy,  just burning sensation in my neck and chest off and on, glands in neck are sore and it is hard for me to swallow... my doc is out of the office... the doc on duty said to stop the keflex and go to urgent care - I called urgent care to try to talk to them first... I really don't want to drive down the hill :-P

Binney4

Gma, holding my breath and praying for some good answers, and quick. Urgent Care sounds like a good plan to me.

Hugs, prayers,
Binney