Truncal/breast lymphedema and cellulitis

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Kachinsk
Kachinsk Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Anyone here had to deal with cellulitis of the breast? I got out of the hospital a week ago after a 5 day admission. It was triggered by carrying a large bag of groceries (stupid idea). Within 30 minutes I had an 'angry red breast' and after another 30 I started to get the shakes and chills....(thought it was the flu. - haa!). .by the next day my breast was turning nearly purple and i had a strange symmetrical rash on both forearms, on both sides of my groin and behind both knees that was hot to the touch. (Only the left breast was infected). Responded to IV vancomycin for 5 days followed by oral doxycycline for 5 days. Now I'm scared about triggering another infection......I also don't understand how it happened so rapidly....or where the infection came from.....docs say that it was likely strep or staph and was already in my body and my immune system had been fending it off......so my question is....does triggering an acute lymphedema episode (grocery injury) effectively knock out my immunity and let the already present bacteria go wild? -Kach

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2013

    Kach, welcome! Really sorry about the events that brought you here, thoughFrown.

    I don't know the answer to your question, but wanted to bump it to the top, hoping some of our more "scientific" types will be along to comment. I can say, though, that carrying groceries is not the only possibility for this and may be entirely unrelated. Lifting loads that we haven't built up the strength for can certainly cause flares (swelling), but not so likely to cause an infection. Anything else can, though--even some very minor skin break such as dry skin. But many times no direct cause can be identified--frustrating!

    Most important thing is to be vigilant (which you sure will be after this!Tongue Out) and if there's a next time, be sure to get help at once. Do you have oral antibiotics on hand now, so you can start them promptly in case of a repeat? Here's information about lymphedema emergencies:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Medical_Care_lymphedema.htm

    Be well!
    Binney

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