first bout of cellulitis

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mags20487
mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Yesterday I noticed a small red patch on my arm--my lymphedema arm and within a couple of hours my whole arm was engulfed in a hot red rash looking thing.  I called the doc and was sent to the ER and given iv antiobotics.  They sent me home and gave me a script for more antibiotics for the next 10 days.  Really never though this would happen to me.  I am still in the middle of treatment for my LE and just got to the point where I did not have to wrap the arm and was wearing a sleeve with finger bandages.  Should I be wearing compression while the infection is there or should I wait for it to clear up?  Therapist was not clear on what the protocol should be for this.

Maggie 

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2012

    Maggie, this truly stinks. The general rule is no compression until the antibiotics start to work, and the infection is on the wane--the thought is that compression could impede the antibiotics from getting to the area.

    I'm so sorry!! It's NOT supposed to happen when you're doing everything right. LE rots.

    The infection doesn't have to be fully clear for you to resume compression, just considerably better and responding to antibiotics.

    Hugs and hopes for rapid healing.

    Kira

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2012

    thanks Kira...again I knew you would know...

    Should stop thinking this is not going to happen to me and start realizing that the risks are real.

    Maggie

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited May 2012

    Maggie, I'm so sorryFrown! Awfully glad you acted quickly and got good help, though. Rest up, drink PLENTY of water, elevate that arm as much as possible.

    Well, and chocolate, of course.

    Please keep us posted. Be well!
    Binney

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2012

    chocolate....yes chocolate fixes everything Laughing.  Pain is bearable so far as long as I am not moving around too much..Been in bed napping with it elevated on a pillow..unfortunately the hand is ballooning back upCry

    que sera sera!

    Maggie 

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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited May 2012

    Mags, I have no further advice, just want you to know that I feel your pain and want to give you a huge hug. And I agree with Kira - lymphedema rots.

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  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited May 2012

    Mags--Hope you start feeling better today.  Maybe a chocolate sundae is called for in this case--with chocolate ice cream.  Take care.

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2012

    woke this morning and the redness is subsiding --woohoo!  Hopefully it will go away so I can get back to my therapist!

    Maggie

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited May 2012

    Maggie~what good news that the infection is responding to the antibiotics.  Kudos to you for reacting so quickly.  I hope your hand simmers down without a lot of fanfare.

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2012

    doc today said to get that arm wrapped back up so here I sit with that lovely bandage again...oh how I have missed it--NOT!!  arm is still a little tender but the redness is now just a small patch on the underside of my arm.  She--my MO--also suggested that since I am a biter of nails that I should get fake nails to stop myself from biting them.  I know it is a terrible habit and her reasoning is the risk of infection is higher from biting my cuticles and leaving open sores. 

    Maggie

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited May 2012

    Mags, there was a long thread about nail biting and LE and cellulitis. I'll search for it. Binney was going to address it on SUSO:

    She did, with the assistance of Jane/Onebadboob:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/How_You_Can_Cope_with_Lymphedema.htm#Nail%20and%20Cuticle

    I have a friend who is a psychologist and she always says that nail biting is very hard to cure, but the stakes are so high here.

    Glad you're feeling better, and that wrap will help, even if it feels like torture right now.

    Kira

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited June 2012

    went back to therapist today and wearing my "professional" wrap again.  Doc cleared me for MLD again too.  Not as swollen as it could have been so good news there.  Also got my nightime garment in today.  It is a farrow wrap...only $144 which was the least expensive one I have found.  She got it cut to fit me today so as soon as this bandage comes off I am good to go with a sleeve and glove day and farrow wrap at night.  Welcome to my new life with LE

    Maggie

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited June 2012

    Maggie, this is a bit OT, but Wade Farrow, on the board of directors of the NLN and creator of the Farrow wrap, emailed us through SUSO to get the cording treatment videos, and I didn't recognize who he was, and quizzed him about his credentials.....He was very nice about it. I just figured out that he is a surgeon who sits on the NLN, it wasn't until later that I figured out the Farrow wrap connection. Color me clueless.

    I hope the SUSO page on nail biting helps.

    Hopes for constant improvement and rapid adjustment to the new normal.

    Kira

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited June 2012

    Maggie, cheers to improvement in your arm.

    What is a farrow wrap?

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2012

    Marple, Farrow's new trim-to-fit arm wrap works along the lines of a Juxta-fit--it has a series of strips that you wrap around your arm for an effect that is somewhat similar to wrapping. It can be done with one hand, which makes it especially helpful for women with a dependent arm, rotator cuff problems, or other issues that make it difficult to tug a garment on. Here's their information:
    https://www.farrowmedical.com/index.php?q=node/656

    Maggie, when you've had a chance to try it out we'd all love to hear how it works for you, since we're always looking for better solutions to garment issues!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited June 2012

    Thank you B.

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  • mags20487
    mags20487 Member Posts: 1,591
    edited June 2012

     I will keep you posted.  Purchased it through the Acadamey of lymphatic studies.  think its acols.com and it was $144...not bad as all the other night time garments were 3x that cost

    maggie

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