Is this truncal lymphedema?

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knowledgeforpower
knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

What the heck???  I have radiation   fibrosis in my shoulder and have had pain and stiffness for the last year and a half.  I also had cording and very mild lymphedema, I had 2 nodes removed.  For the past several days I have had pain and tenderness under my arm and now down my rib cage.  Last night when I undressed I was quite surprised to see the lower half of my breast (lumpectomy site) is bright red (it wasn't this red with radiation).  So what's causing the pain and redness? Could it be truncal lymphedema, I don't see any noticeable swelling in my side or breast.  I am almost 2.5 years out from diagnosis.  My oncologist only sees patients on Friday, so it may take me a while to get a hold of her.  Just wondering if anyone has experienced a similar problem....  Thanks !

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge-If you can't see your oncologist before Friday, it may be a good idea to see your internist. It's impossible to know for sure but you may have cellulitis. This skin infection can progress rapidly without treatment, especially if lymphedema is present. Cording is considered a risk factor for developing LE. If the skin over the reddened area is warmer then the other side, you should try to see a doctor today!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2011

    I totally agree with toomuch--the redness and pain are very consistent with cellulitis, and it can progress rapidly to a serious infection.

    Please see a doctor ASAP

    Kira 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, I'll up the warnings here to say you need it looked at immediately. Either a doctor or the ER. When you get there say the words "lymphedema" and "cellulitis" to them to get them in the right frame of mind to take you seriously.

    Here's information on this possibility:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

    Do keep us posted!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited May 2011

    Hi,

    Thanks to all for your responses.  I did see the doctor this morning.  She thinks it cellulitis, she had never seen anything quite like it.  I started on an antibiotic and will go back to see her on Friday...  Hopefully it will be resolved by then.  I have some fluid along my side and will see a lymphedema specialist if that does not go away....

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2011

    Knowlege, I'm going to put in a gross picture of cellulitis--I'm so glad you saw the doctor, and when I did a recent review for stepupspeakout, I found a NE Journal article about delayed onset of cellulitis in the breast.

    I'm sorry it happened, but glad you're getting the antibiotics--get a script for emergencies when you're all done.

    cellulitis" mce_src="cellulitis" alt="" border="" hspace="" vspace="" width="" height="" align="" />

    Here's the article with the photo--she was almost a year out of treatment:A 54-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of fever (temperature, 39.3°C) and erythema on the right breast and right arm (Panel A) and on the right side of the back (Panel B). There was no history of trauma. Eleven months earlier, she had undergone a wide local excision with axillary lymph-node dissection for an invasive ductal carcinoma (T2N0, 2.5 cm in diameter) of the ipsilateral breast. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she did not receive perioperative antibiotics. Surgery was followed by six courses of chemotherapy and 50 Gy of radiotherapy on the right breast. Examination of the breast revealed erythema, tenderness, and warmth, none of which crossed the midline, but no masses or lymphedema was palpable. The white-cell count was 13,300 per cubic millimeter. Ultrasonography showed no evidence of a soft-tissue abscess. The diagnosis of cellulitis was made, and the patient received oral antibiotics, with complete resolution of symptoms. A follow-up mammogram 6 weeks later showed no evidence of recurrent cancer.

    Gheorghe Peltecu, M.D., Ph.D.
    Carol Davila University of Medicine, 010455 Bucharest, Romania
    peltecu@dnt.ro

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited May 2011

    Well, I failed my trial of oral antibiotics.  I was admitted to the hospital yesterday for IV vancomycin.  The scary thing is I had a punch biopsy yesterday to rule our inflammatory breast cancer.  My rash is not totally consistent with cellulitis.  I should have the biopsy results on Tuesday.  Not sure how long I will be in the hospital.  I've also got a headache and a pain along my side.  Keeping fingers crossed it's not IBC.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, hang in there--hope it responds quickly to the vancomycin and the biopsy is "just" cellulitis.

    Healing thoughts.

    Kira

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, letting you know I just read your thread and I'm adding my prayers that this is resolved as cellulitis! Gentle hugs, sweetie...

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  • barbe1958
    barbe1958 Member Posts: 19,757
    edited May 2011

    Have they considered Shingles?

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, adding my prayers - just wanted to tell you to hang in there...and try not to worry 'too' much - I know it's impossible to not worry at all, but if it makes you feel better, both times I've had cellulitis, it didn't look like the traditional solid red showing in kira's photos (!!!!!!  That poor woman!!!!  ARGH.).  Mine looked more like an angry rash both times I've had it...and I felt like total crap...running fever, no energy, etc.

    Let us know how you're doing.  Cancer is such a biotch.  Every little thing from now to eternity has to be biopsied.  THANKS for that. 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, I'm so sorry you've landed in the hospital with this.Frown Rest up, elevate, make them keep you well supplied with plenty to drink. And get better quick -- no detours to anything really scary, y'hear?

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited May 2011

    Best Mother's Day present, I am going home today.  The vancomycin did the trick.  I will go home on an oral antibiotic....  I am very hopeful the biopsy will be negative since the rash and swelling started clearing up so soon after the vancomycin.  To all you moms out there.

    Happy Mother's Day

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited May 2011

    knowledgeforpower, did you ever think you'd be glad to have cellulitis?

    I'm so glad you're going home!

    Leah

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  • toomuch
    toomuch Member Posts: 901
    edited May 2011

    Knowlege-I missed the earlier post about being hospitalized and am just seeing this now. I'm glad that the IV antibiotics did the trick and now you can go home and enjoy your mother's day!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011

    Wow, knowledge, that's great news! But there's got to be a better way -- next year insist on chocolate and flowers instead of "only cellulitis" and "home-from-the-hospital" as presents!Undecided

    Happy Mother's Day anyway! (And thanks for the beautiful bouquet -- gerbera daisies are my favorite!)
    Binney

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  • Valgal
    Valgal Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2011

    Hello All,

    I just wanted to say Hi and Happy Mom's Day to All. Binney I left you a post on the swimming LE thread! Hope you are all well.

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  • Valgal
    Valgal Member Posts: 247
    edited May 2011
    Knowledge I'm so happy for you! Have a wonderful day and be good to yourself!Cool
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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2011

    Knowledge, you total sweetheart--to wish us all happy mother's day, after all you've been through. I echo Leah--who knew you'd be glad it was cellulitis?

    Best wishes for a smooth and rapid recovery and NO recurrence. 

    Happy Mother's Day to all.

    Kira

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited May 2011

    Glad to hear you are doing better.  I am just getting over my 3rd accute bout of cellulitus.  I am getting treatments & hope to get a scar revision and hope that makes the cellulitus go away.  I am so tired of it.  NJ

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011
    NJ, please let us know how the hyperbaric treatment is going. Are you bored out of your mind lying there for that? Is it every day? Do you notice any improvement in the LE? How in the world are you?!!
    Hugs,
    Binney
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  • knowledgeforpower
    knowledgeforpower Member Posts: 184
    edited May 2011
    Just a quick follow-up.  I saw my oncologist today and the punch biopsy showed inflammation and absolutely no sign of IBC Smile..  The redness and swelling is slowing disappearing and my oncologist feels the infection is under control.  Thanks to all you awesome ladies for following my posts and boosting my spirits.  I hope everyone has a fantastic week-end.
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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2011
    There are some circumstances where we're actually thankful for an infection!Laughing Whew! Great to hear things are under control again. Take it easy awhile longer get all better quick,
    Binney
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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited May 2011

    I am doing okay.  The cellulitus was getting better with the treatments enough that I thought I could ease back into the MLD, that was a mistake. It got worse & now it is staying the same.  I think part of it is do to the fact the doctor didn't renew my topical antibiotic gel. That seems to really help me get over it the last time. 

    The HBOT isn't too bad, I have watched many movies in the last two weeks! I think I am entertainment for the mostly male techs.  Many chick flicks, mr. hollands opus & John Wayne in McIntoch! Hopefully will see the doc soon about my revision.  Only 4 more days of school!!! NJ

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