Mystery sores on LE arm?

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Whatjusthappened
Whatjusthappened Member Posts: 283
edited December 2019 in Lymphedema

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone has had a similar experience to mine. I have mild LE from lymph node removal/radiation and some pain and fibrosis in the muscles of my shoulder. I also have cording that popped up a few months ago.

I went through physical therapy to learn drainage, improve range of motion, and break up the cords but I'm out of PT and the cords are coming back. I can feel them all the way down to my wrist. I have areas of my arm that are "thickened" for a lack of a better term, and very painful. I don't wear my sleeve because the pressure on these areas hurts too much from it.

Now I've developed itching and weeping sores in the crease of my elbow, like an excema or something (this is new to me). Is this related to the LE or cording? Anyone else experience this?

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Comments

  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited November 2019

    If you are draining clear fluid it is probably from the Lymphedema. If the site is red, hot, and growing it might be cellulitis. In any event you should go to the doctor and have it checked out. If you have small red dots it is probably from scratching. You need to be concerned about infection.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited November 2019

    Get to a walk in clinic or ER ASAP. Have that looked at. If it is cellulitis you want to start antibiotics NOW, or you could end up in hospital on IV antibiotics. It’s not something to ignore.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited November 2019

    Ditto, ditto what Spookiesmom said. In case you need a little push, It's not worth a week in the hospital hooked up to IV antibiotics.

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  • Whatjusthappened
    Whatjusthappened Member Posts: 283
    edited November 2019

    Thanks all, I'll have a doctor look at it. I didn't know that cellulitis made sores. I thought cellulitis was caused from a sore.

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited December 2019

    It usually is, and it doesn’t have to be a big one. Just a tiny scratch or cut somewhere can do it. Or on your arm, as I found out 3 weeks ago. A chair jumped out and got me on my LEG. Bled like crazy. But didn’t notice the cellulitis till 2 days later on my ARM. Then I got sick. Was really lucky I wasn’t put in hospital.

    Please go ASAP.

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  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited December 2019

    But don't wait for a doc appointment. This is holiday weekend. Like Spookie says, get to an urgent care clinic or an ER. Tell them you have LE and are concerned about cellulitis. Good luck.

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  • Cowgirl13
    Cowgirl13 Member Posts: 1,936
    edited December 2019

    Definitely go to the ER.

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  • Whatjusthappened
    Whatjusthappened Member Posts: 283
    edited December 2019

    I sent a couple pictures to my doctor and he said it looks like it could possibly be cellulitis. He gave me some instructions for tonight and told me to call him tomorrow. Thanks ladies, I didn't realize the urgency.

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