Lymphedema & Cellulitis

AuntyJane

I have right arm lymphedema (moderate) and had a recent incident of acute cellulitis. Spent 4 days in hospital with massive IV antibiotics followed by 7 days of 2 different oral antibiotics. Due to infection, swelling, extreme redness, heat, I could not wear any compression garment. Now 2 weeks after the incident first occurred I tried to wear my sleeve and instead of helping reduce swelling it's made it worse. Any insight and suggestions?

vlnrph

Oh dear AJ, what an ordeal! By my calculation, you tried wearing the sleeve (as well as hand protection I hope) only 3 days after completing antibiotics. If I had been in your situation, I might have done a period of wrapping prior to resuming compression. I would think the hospital people should have made sure you rec’d proper follow-up...

Is there an LE therapist who can evaluate, measure and provide decongestive massage for you?

ck55

Oh AJ, I had the exact same thing happen to me in September. Ended up in the hospital with IV antibiotics for 4 days due to acute cellulitis which led to sepsis. It all happened so fast. From the time I woke up until around 10:00 AM that same morning my arm turned red and swollen and I had a fever of 101.5. Felt absolutely horrible. Worst thing that I have ever been through! And the part that gets me is that I have absolutely no clue where it came from? According to my Onc, that is how it often happens? Do you know what caused yours?

By the time I left the hospital the Dr treating me said I was free to wear my sleeve (which, honestly, I had been very neglectful about wearing. As in not at all for the past 5 or more years). She wanted me to wait until all the redness had disappeared, which was also a condition for my release.

Afterward I also went to an LE physical therapist for treatment in getting more of the swelling down. Also got a new sleeve. Do have a physical therapist you have worked with before? Might help with the increased swelling.

Hate this condition!! As if having cancer wasn’t enough.

Good luck!🍀

Cy

AuntyJane

Thanks so much for taking time to reply. The hospital doctor told me I should resume compression after I finished my oral antibiotics which was a week after getting discharged from hospital. I went to my oncologist and she's now referred me to the Lymphedema clinic as well as an infectious disease doctor to see if I can do anything to prevent in the future. I have a feeling I’ll need to do bandaging again then slowly transition back to my compression sleeve. My arm was so red, hot and swollen...and IV antibiotics did not kick in right away. It was very scary and on top of dealing with my 3rd reoccurrence over 25 years! But like all of you...we will prevail and get through whatever comes our way 😀

AuntyJane

Hi ck55 thanks for sharing your story as it really helped a lot to hear you had a similar incident. My doctors don’t know how it started either...could be I was in the yard and pulled up 3-4 weeds and didn’t have a glove on...big mistake which I’ll never do again! Similar to you it came on and escalated very quickly. I feel like now the cellulitis has cleared up I can focus on getting the swelling back down and see the Lymphedema clinic tomm. I thanks again for taking time to reply to my post and I may reach out to you in the future with questions. Blessings

ML1209

Hi all .... I have cellulitis for the 3rd time in 1 1/2 months. Anyone else keep having recurring issues with this? My NP called in another antibiotic, but wants me to come in to see dr since this is 3rd round with it. Of course, they don't have an opening until May 8th!!! It clears up once I start the antibiotics, but then shortly after... here it comes again. So painful and you feel so crummy. My LET has told me no compression or massage until I am on antibiotic for 72 hours.