swollen finger - lymphedema?

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winter_flower
winter_flower Member Posts: 31
edited July 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi lovely ladies,

I woke up yesterday with the pain and a swollen thumb, there's no pins/needles sensation and it is just a thumb. I called my lymphedema nurse and she said "LE never happens in single digits". Is that true?

The day before I was playing with my cat and he kind of chewed on my thumb (but there were no scratches/wound/etc). So, the next morning I had a swelling. I'm not sure whether I should be asking for antibiotics  or wearing a glove or both?? :) any advice?

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

    I'd be checking with an MD ASAP! CSF (Cat Scratch Fever) is a possibility with a cat chewing on it. It does not take much in the way of an 'opening' for it to get in the body.

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  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013

    Thanks for your reply! I'm going to see my MD today. I was wondering though does lymphedema occur on one finger only?

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

    Winterflower, lymphedema can start in the thumb, usually the base of the thumb near the palm when that happens. That's uncommon, though. Do let us know what you discover. Be well,
    Binney

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  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013

    Binney, thanks for your reply! The whole thumb is swollen like a sausage, not the base. Never a dull moment ..

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  • winter_flower
    winter_flower Member Posts: 31
    edited October 2013


    my update:


    -went to an MD, he prescribed antibiotics for 2 days just in case, although he thinks there's no sign of infection (no redness, fever, etc).


    -went to see Dr. Rockson (the LE specialist with MD), he said we should watch it, but LE doesn't happen in single digits


    -going to see LE specialist Monday, she said over the phone LE CAN happen in 1 finger only and/or start from one finger


    Grrr, so frustrating, which story is true that it can or can't happen in 1 finger only?

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


    Winterflower, do let us know what the LE therapist says. She's no doubt seen it all, so I'd bet you can trust her. Glad they're trying an antibiotic anyway--if it works that kinda tells you it was an infection, and if not you can move on to treat it as LE and see what happens.


    Keep us posted, please!

    Hugs,

    Binney

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  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited October 2013


    Just wondering, was that Stanley Rockson who told you lymphedema never starts in a single digit??


    Member of the Club has moved on with her life, but that's how hers presented.


    Listen to the lymphedema therapist. I had swelling in the top of my hand, and moved up to create a sausage finger, that lasted for months.

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  • DeliriumPie
    DeliriumPie Member Posts: 1,370
    edited July 2014

    hi ladies. I know this thread is quite old but I found it while searching for answers about my swollen thumb. I have not been able to see my LE therapist for two weeks while waiting on Insurance approval for continuation of treatment. Meanwhile, my trunctal LE has gotten worse and pain on the top of my hand in the L between my thumb and forefinger. Today my entire thumb is swollen about 1.5 times the size of my other thumb and the tip is huge and painful. There is no redness. I texted my LE therapist for advice on anything I can do myself to help the swelling but she has not answered. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. 

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2014

    Sheila, if you're wearing a compression glove I'd take it off until you figure out what's going on. Is the thumb swelling brand new (last couple of days), or has it been going on for a while. If it's new I'd suggest you watch carefully for any signs of infection (cellulitis).

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Emergencies_and_Med...

    Elevate your hand/arm as much as possible (at night on a pillow too) and stay really well hydrated. Keep us posted!

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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  • DeliriumPie
    DeliriumPie Member Posts: 1,370
    edited July 2014

    thanks for the response binney.  I don't have a glove yet and don't wear my sleeve, which was initially only for flying, because it makes my hand swell. I am supposed to be getting a glove and some garments for trunctal but waiting for the rx from the PT and I guess now she is waiting for my insurance approval before she talks to me again. The thumb swelling is brand new today. My lower arm ( near my elbow) and top of my hand near my thumb have been sore for a couple of weeks. It doesn't seem to have any signs of infection, though it's kind of hard to tell, being that it is a thumb. I've gotten pretty used to the pain in my thumb today, its the pressure that is scaring me. I mean, I'm pretty sure that my thumb isn't going to grow so large that it bursts open, but it sure feels like it's going to!

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited July 2014

    Sheila, considering the long weekend coming up, if I were you I'd get it seen today--PCP or Critical Care. Nope, it's not going to explode (!), but you need an explanation and a way to get it under control.

    Keep us posted on what you discover.

    Gentle hugs,
    Binney

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