How screwed am I?

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gb2115
gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
edited November 2017 in Lymphedema

Ok, been getting quarterly lymphedema checks for the last year. This time she has me coming in 2 months early for a recheck because my measurements were on the cusp of being a problem this last time. So that appointment is on Friday.

So I just fell in the parking lot (got some abrasions on my knee, hit my head but gently), and the brunt of the fall was on my bad arm/hand. I fell so hard I smashed my umbrella up. It was horribly embarrassing.

My skin is all cleaned up and bandaged and my head is ok, doesn't even hurt, no dizziness or anything but will keep an eye out. My concern is my arm. I'm back at work and need to be here for another couple hours. When I go home, should I prop my arm up? How often should I do that? Just tonight and tomorrow if I notice swelling? I realize that it's probably good I will see my CLT on Friday, but I'm going to be pretty anxious until then. I would call her but I know she's already out of the office for the day and they aren't there on thursdays. I don't feel this is bad enough to see a doctor...what are they going to do. It's not broken or anything, and the skin is intact. It's really a waiting game to see if anything swells. My arm hurts a little bit, but I really fell on it, so i'm not surprised.

If someone could talk me down off this cliff, I'd truly appreciate it...

:-(

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited November 2017

    Hi, You should post your problem at one of the active lymphedema topics - Like Kicking LE's Butt.... Can you go home, lay down and keep your arm raised above your shoulder? Don't take a hot shower, keep it cool, if you have a sleeve use it. Don't lift anything heavy. I think you will know by tomorrow morning if it's swelling.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited November 2017

    Thank you for writing back. I have been elevating my arm. It hurts a little, but of course it would... I fell quite hard on it. I don't have a sleeve yet, we were going to decide about that on Friday.

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  • marijen
    marijen Member Posts: 3,731
    edited November 2017

    Do you have a long tight stretchy sock, you can cut the foot out and use it to sleep in. I did that with a compression sock. Then I found inexpensive sleeves at Amazon. What size is your arm up by the armpit?

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  • hugz4u
    hugz4u Member Posts: 2,781
    edited November 2017

    Don't fret yet but do keep that appointment and relate your experience. Elevating is good anytime but don't tire your arm elevating to much. If able raise your arm up high like your going to give an answer and pump 25 times s l o w l y to move fluid if your swollen. Try not to sleep on that side. Drink lots of water and if your swollen this will help move fluid move.

    Otherwise you should be fine till fri. You can't do much till your looked at anyway. Sounds like you'll be fine.

    Antibiotic your scrapes especially on your arm your worried about.

    Yup it's the new Murphy's law here at lymphedema thread .... If you have LE then you WILL fall on that side. That's right ..in August I got a crush wound on my le hand. No where else. Ugh. Dang. Sent me to emerg and I had a badtwo month problem. Dang but that's life!

    Don't EVER put an ace bandage on that arm. We have special short stretch bandages that work on different principals. I think you can wait to see what you need to do from a pro. But if you are in trouble before fri then post here for help. Let us know to how it goes on Friday.

    We're in your back pocket


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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited November 2017

    Thanks guys. I just woke up and my arm appears ok so far. I tried to sleep with it propped up but I don't think I stayed like that long once I fell asleep. Thankfully my tendency is to sleep on the opposite side.

    Off to take some Tylenol... I can really tell now how much I landed on my hip too. I need to be thankful the only thing I broke is my umbrella.

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  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited November 2017

    Got measurements today and the arm is a bit smaller than last check, so it appears that my fall, at least so far, didn't cause huge problems...haha hopefully saying that doesn't make it happen.


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  • ksusan
    ksusan Member Posts: 4,505
    edited November 2017

    Glad to hear it!

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