Cold/Flu/Bronchitis makes LE worse???

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Suzybelle
Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I've had a chest cold or something for the last two months and it's gotten steadily worse.  I've noticed that my LE arm is really swollen...what the heck???

I went yesterday and got a chest x-ray that my onco. had ordered just to rule anything really bad out, and started on antibiotics.

Is this normal to have more swelling when you have an infection?  I suppose it makes sense...

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Suzy, not sure the mechanism, but my LE therapist always says colds/sinus infections/bronchitis makes things worse and can even cause cellulitis.

    Feel better!

    Likely it's due to inflammation, like everything.

    Kira

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited November 2010

    I have this phenomena also... in fact I usually know that I am getting sick long before I get sick because I can feel it not only in my arm, but in my axillary nodes on the opposite side of my lymphedema. I just think it is an extra load on the lymph system - as that is your "filter' for illness. My biggest tip - as with most illnesses (and lymphedema) is: keep those pumping in those fluids! Not only will it help you get rid of your upper respiratory illness, but it will help your lymphedema too! Good luck and sorry you are feeling so crummy!

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  • mrsnjband
    mrsnjband Member Posts: 1,409
    edited November 2010

    Suzybell,

    I believe they can be related.  I started to have swelling issues on right trunk where breast cancer side.  I was also having swelling in the hand. Had gaunlets but made the hand worse. I went to LE therapy & learned how to do the MLD, manuel lymph drain.  In some ways it helped in other ways I had more issues. 

    Any way, to make a long story short.  I have been sick with sore throat, cough etc all this time.  Last weekend I started running a fever, ended up in the hospital with Cellulitus! 

    After 3 days in the hospital I am feeling better but symptoms have not completely resolved.  Sitll on oral antibiotics.

    So you are most likely correct & they are related.  All the more reason for us to be pro-active about our condition.

    sending love & prayers. NJ

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Suzy, back in August I developed pneumonia. At that time, my truncal LE flared more than it had in a very long time. The nodes in my neck were also inflamed. You might recall that I also broke my foot earlier this summer (I had an exciting one, didn't I?!), but by the time I had pneumonia my cast was off and much of the swelling was gone. However, that foot was on the same side as my LE, and the pneumonia caused it to swell a bit again. I told my dr. my LE was flaring and asked her to make sure the antibiotic was one that would also help prevent cellulitis. 

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010
    Thanks, ladies - I always learn so much more on this forum than I do anywhere else!

    Tina, you have had one heck of a year.  I wrote a friend of mine last week who has been struggling with a sick child all year, 'We deserve a damn break in 2011."  I am definitely including you in that pronouncement!!!!
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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited August 2013

    Suzy, can I be in the "We deserve a damn break in 2011" also? And could you throw Jane and Binney in too? Please.

    I had a peak at my shrunken hand, between cast changes, and realize that this is going to be a long road...

    Watched a Celtics game with my DH and SIL last night, and a player--Delonte West--fell on his outstretched hand and seriously broke his wrist, and his break is worse than mine, but watching it brought back the memories of the fall.

    Binney says if he worked for my employers, he would have been in for the second half..

    Sorry to hijack your thread, but when I flew home from the NLN, I got a cold/sinus infection and a finger cellulitis--started antibiotics right away, but needed to lance my finger--gross.

    They are linked, IMO.

    Kira

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Suzy, I couldn't agree more about this forum. Yes, please count me in on your "We deserve a damn break in 2011"! While you're at it, just include all of us!!! I hope you are feeling better and the swelling in your arm is backing down.

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    Kira, you can definitely be in the 'we deserve a damn break in 2011' club.   Although, I have to say, you kinda already got a break, literally!!!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Suzy,  I don't wish my break on anyone: I keep thinking of the show "Breaking Bad"--I got a bad break, so I'm desperate for a good one.

    Ten more days of the cast, maybe, then time to my newest "normal".

    Kira

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    I know - when I said you had already had a break, I didn't mean off from work - I meant a broken bone!!!!  Definitely not a good thing.

    You  deserve a good break, Kira.  I know you are so ready to get that cast off.

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Suzy, I knew you knew, I'm just can't do funny like you--I'm ready for the cast to come off, but sure don't want to deal with the aftermath (my hand is like a bound Chinese foot--shrunken, but just waiting to swell...)

    As my sister always says "worry is NOT preparation"--now, if I'd just take her advice.

    Kira

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  • KittyDog
    KittyDog Member Posts: 1,079
    edited November 2010

    I too think it plays a part.  When I was first DX with LE, I had a sinus infection.  Just recently had another one and my LE acted up.  So, Can I join that club we need a dam break in 2011?  

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    Kira, I think you are confusing 'funny' with 'smarta$$'.  Tongue out

     I am sending prayers and good thoughts your way.  If you figure out how not to worry, please let me know...that is one thing I'm really good at...worrying!!

    Kitty, you and Cookiegal can definitely join.  You guys deserve a break, too!

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited November 2010

    Nope Suzy, you are so funny it's just amazing--and so appreciated.

    The worry thing is hard-wired, but I'm working on it.

    Kira

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited November 2010

    I'll 'worry' if you don't let me join too.Tongue out 

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited November 2010

    Aw, Kira, thank you!!!!! 

    Sharon, you can definitely join.

    This is turning into a big club - I think we need t-shirts printed up.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    T-shirts . . . I've always loved the "swell girls" and "swell club" nicknames we've used here. Would love to make myself a t-shirt that says, "I'm a Swell Girl" I could even add "ask me why" if I wanted to encourage a conversation and help spread the word. Hmm . .  

    Or: "Swell Girls Deserve a Damn Break in 2011" 

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  • OneBadBoob
    OneBadBoob Member Posts: 1,386
    edited November 2010

    I totally agree guys--I seem to have developed a cold, fever and flu in the last day or so, and my arms are aching and I can seem them swelling.

    Also, my 30 lb. doggie is sick and I have been carrying her up and down the stairs to go out, so I think that  has something to do with it.

    I want that tee shirt "Swell girls deserve a break"--I don't even want a year, I want it for always!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    Jane, I'm sorry you've starting to feel under the weather and swell as a result. This must be the start of the cold and flu season. Yuck.

    One of our friends DH and I visit on Sundays to watch football sounded sick on the phone this morning. I asked and she said she had come down with a cold. Another friend was going to be there that's sick. I told DH I wasn't going since we are traveling soon and have a lot to do while away. He agreed and we are watching the game at home.

    I agree - the tee should be for always! I like "Swell girls deserve a break". 

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited December 2010

    Jane, so sorry about your pup - hope she and you are feeling better soon.  I hate to be sick, but I hate it even worse when my baby (dog - he's half yorkie/half goat = gorkie) is sick. 

    Tina, you were smart.  I can't believe how much my arm has swelled with this chest thingie I've got going on.  I am now on steroids to try and get rid of it...not sure how that is going to affect the old arm.

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited December 2010

    If I might steal your thread for a moment Suzanne I have a dog carrying tip.  For those of us who shouldn't lift our pets (or our pets are simply too large to lift) one can use a towel.  You can use one or two towels depending on the animals limitations and size.  Either put a towel under their middle like a sling to help support them as they do the stairs.  Or put a towel underneath just behind the front legs or just in front of the hind legs, or both.  That way one doesn't have to take the full weight of the animal.

    Suzanne, LMBO at the Gorkie name.

    Seems it's common for other illness to affect LE.  Oh joy!!Tongue out

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  • Suzybelle
    Suzybelle Member Posts: 920
    edited December 2010

    Oh, gosh, Sharon - hijack away - I am the world's worst about doing that...I posted about Willie Nelson in Kira's NY Post thread!!!!  I hope she still loves me.  Laughing

    That's a really good tip - thanks.  I will have to remember that.

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