Lymphedema flare following the flu

WendyK

Before Christmas I had a bad flu, fever, cough, aches etc,,,sinuses . After the flu left, I started with a truncal lymphedema flare...back, breast and rib area. I started wearing my compression garment and have a lymphatic drainage scheduled. Are the flu and this flare up related?





Wendy

kira66715

Wendy, definitely. So many of the women here have reported a flare after an illness, and lymphedema is an inflammatory condition, where stagnant lymph fluid causes inflammatory changes.

So, your flu which triggered an inflammatory immune response, could definitely have caused the flare.

Hope you feel better soon.

Binney4

Wendy, the other part of this nasty business is that a LE flare can cause an emotional downer for many of us, seemingly out of proportion to the problem. So if you're reacting that way too, give yourself some room--you're doing all the right things to regain good control, and you'll soon be back on track.

In the meantime, stay well hydrated, do some deep abdominal breathing throughout the day, and do try to get enough rest. Keep us posted!
Gentle hugs,
Binney