bloodwork reaction

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purple32
purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi all

I had some baseline labs done for kidney function etc .. last FRI because I am having the breast MRI this FRI.

I have always wondered about my  right " good" arm as it sometimes aches etc ...since the LX and LE in the left, but I  am told it is probably overuse  etc... though I dont really buy it. I just dont feel like I overuse it.

Naturally, I am concerned since it is my dominant arm, but I see it as highly unlikely ( but we never say never with LE)

in any case, when I went for the lab work, I asked the girl to clean the area well with 2 wipes insread of one ( this annoyed her ) and to use  a butterfly needle , which is always standard with me anyhow.

All seemed to go well.

In the past, I might keep the cotton and tape on right til the next morning when I showered.  Instead, I removed ti within the half hr.  Hardly enough time to cause an issue.

Where the tape was  it was  very red which is unusual for me (in the past)
Since my LE, I occassionally get ' red areas' ( but usually on the LE/ left side)  I use calming cream <eucerin> and it fades away.

Anyhow, I finally cleaned this area again and used the cream where the tape was and it got lighter overnight. Looked pretty good today.  Just took a ( warmer than I should have ) shower and it is " highlighted " again.

This is really odd to me and concerning since I'll be getting an IV on Friday.

Does anyone have any insights into this ?

Yes, I know it sounds like an allergic reaction to the tape, but I have never ever had any issues like this with labwork prior to LE, not I have I had occassional ' mystery areas' turning red.

I am not thinking cellulitis- they respond to Eucerin, and I have no other symptoms.

I am starting to get very concerned about this MRI with GAD  IV.

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Comments

  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited April 2013

    Purple, I get allergic reactions to some bandage tapes but not others. At home I know which brand of bandaids to use, and at med facilities I request paper tape, so that might work for you.

    Best of luck with the MRI.

    Leah

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited April 2013

    Tape is not used on me after blood draws - Vet Wrap is.  It does not stick to the skin but stays in place by 'hooking' to itself.

    Allergies can develope at any time.

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  • Outfield
    Outfield Member Posts: 1,109
    edited April 2013

    Purple, it sure sounds like an an allergy.  Kicks is right, they can develop any time.  I even have a personal example.  My daughter and I are both allergic to flexible fabric bandaids.  She's been since ?3, I've been since about 40.  

    There are also tons of different adhesives in all the sticky products used on people these days.  I had a terrible reaction to something used when my port was placed, and since then have been pretty careful to test things that will be applied to my skin on my leg first.  

    Good luck with your MRI.

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    hmmm...ok, thanks to you both. I wonder if perhaps I can ask for something ' non tape' for that IV though.

    The med personel sure do seem to get annoyed when anything special is asked of them!

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  • Marple
    Marple Member Posts: 19,143
    edited April 2013

    Purple, I learned of a tape allergy after my bx.  Never knew I had one before that and maybe I didn't.  We seem to feel so helpless when in a situation such as yours but if you explained to them (and gave them that lovely smile of yours) perhaps they'd be a bit more compassionate and try to accommodate your wishes.  Some Kenesio tape I'm allergic to and some I'm not.  Perhaps they've got some hypo-allergenic tape as obviously there are quite a few of us with various tape allergies.

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited April 2013

    You may want to check this thread:   

    Topic: Adhesive TAPE - help need to find non-allergic

    Sorry, but I cannot post the actual link.    

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  • purple32
    purple32 Member Posts: 3,188
    edited April 2013

    OK , many thanks to all- I appreciate your help and concern. At least I am not quite as worried it has something to do with LE- just coincedental timing I guess.

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