Infection from lymphadema?

momtotenkids · August 2014

I have had my lymphadema under control for the past 7 months. On Thursday, I took a kickboxing class for the first time since diagnosis. I do karate 2-3 ties a week so didn't think anything would go wrong with kickboxing.on Saturday, I woke up with a little swelling in my arm and a slight tenderness to my breast.I have a seroma that they drained inDecember that has been leaking again so I figured I irritated it. By that evening I was very tender. I used my pump yesterday but this morning I woke up in severe pain, running a fever, chills nausea and my breast and under my arm is red and swollen. My surgeon is in surgery all day so I called my family dr. I have an appointment at 3:15. Has anyone else had this happen?

glennie19 · August 2014

no, I haven't, but i'm glad you are seeing MD right away as it sounds like you need antibiotics STAT.

hugz4u · August 2014

I wonder if the seromas fluid is causing cellulitis infection which can be extremely serious. Please do not miss your dr appointment and mention that LE people get cellulitis very easy due to the protein rich fluid that hangs out in your limb. Fever and chills,nausea, fatique, redness all signify cellulitis, especially if the redness is growing. Take note. This calls for an emergency visit with antibiotics. Catch it early and you will be safe. Maybe it's irritated from you pump if your not use to using it. I have no experience with pumps though.

Drink tons of water, elevate arm on pillow and do deep belly breaths to move your lymphatic system. Rest.

Let us know what happens please so our experts can guide you better.hope it's not cellulitis and only irritation.

carol57 · August 2014

momtoten, it's not that LE gives you cellulitis, so much as it makes you more susceptible to it, as Hugz explained. I cannot imagine how kick boxing would trigger cellulitis, and it's entirely possible that a bug was brewing and you didn't realize it. Any opening in the skin, visible or not, opens the door to it. I sure hope that when this episode is behind you, you will be able to get back to the activities you love--I sure wouldn't hesitate to return to kick boxing again!

momtotenkids · August 2014

ok have some antibiotics. My surgeon called some in for me and she talked to my family dr. I go into see the surgeon on Wednesday or my family dr tomorrow if I start feeling worse. I think you are right about the seroma causing it. It has been leaking again but not so much that I felt the need to see the surgeon. I think I will take the week off from karate and kickboxing and start back again next week.

vlnrph · August 2014

You should probably also not use the LE pump while treating this infection. Good idea to take it easy & heal before hitting the gym again.

momtotenkids · August 2014

I was wondering about that vinrph and forgot to ask the doctor so thank you.

momtotenkids · August 2014

Had an appointment with my surgeon today. She drained a lot of fluid out of my seroma. I also had a lot of fluid in the tissue surrounding the seroma so she had me bound my breast with an ace wrap. She to expect to run a fever for a few more days and she extended my antibiotic treatment to 14 days. Also no karate or kickboxing for two weeks and no over using my arm. I go see her again in two weeks or sooner if needed. Thank you all for your help. Anyone else have a seroma that is not going away?

Infection from lymphadema?

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