Question...

chicago-37

I don't have LE that I'm aware of, had a couple issues that were stupid and luckily resolved (sunburn after first surgery which was red and painful and then a bug bite that responded to bendryl).  But lately I've had something happening that the doctor's can't explain and it's happened twice.  I've walked around in this Chicago winter for recreation and exercise and the following happened:

1) Walked around a forrest preserve and was getting cold after a couple of hours.  Got in the car (parked in the sun an relatively warm) and my legs from knee to mid thigh (only covered by jeans) started to get itchy.  Peeled off my pants (my husband wasn't sure what was going on) and my legs had a big area on both that was reddish and swelled....after I warmed up completely it went away.

2) Was walking today (horrible windchill) without my hat/scarf (forgot at home) and went inside to the office while warming up my face felt very warm.  People were worried as my face was puffy and red.

I had 9 nodes removed for my AND.  My understanding of the lymph flow maps was that my legs/face shouldn't have any issues.  Should I assume this is just something else?  Maybe some weird hormonal thing from Tamoxifen (almost 2 years done)?

My doctor said "yeah it's known to happen to people with sensitive skin, which you have"  but this never happened to me prior to dx/surgery.

Thoughts?  Or am I just odd?

Thanks. 

kira66715

It sounds like "cold urticaria"--hives when exposed to cold. This is relatively common, and the biggest risk is when someone jumps into a cold pool.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_urticaria

So, stay warm (hard to do in Chicago--I grew up and went to school in Chicago, and remember waiting for the El on days when my car wouldn't start due to cold).

As with any hiving, people go through times when they're more likely to hive. Use of an anti-histamine, like claritin, allegra, zyrtec can help.

Doesn't sound like lymphedema, but do know the risk reduction guidelines, and avoid cold exposure on your at risk arm

http://www.lymphnet.org/lymphedemaFAQs/positionPapers.htm

Kira