Wow, I am so irritated and lost. I have had my truncal LE under control for about ten months, although it does take quite a bit of time every day. Maybe I haven't been so consistent lately? Anyway, there is a spot on my back that is pink and painful. I have lost about five pounds: could my garments need to be adjusted already? I assumed I would have to lose more before that became an issue. The weird thing is, I have all these appliances and garments and still don't know who to turn to for help in this situation: is my FlexiTouch not getting the right spots, and if so, do I call the person who trained me? Do I call my PT? Do I go see the fitter and see what she says? Do I just buy a Swell Spot and stick it on there and see what happens?
do other people have spots that come and go? Do you have to give extra attention for awhile, or is there something you do that causes the flare-ups? I hate it when I think I have something under control and then it slips away from me!
Thanks,
April in Texas
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Leah_S Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 667 |
Nov 4, 2009 10:33 am
Leah_S wrote:
If the spot is pink and painful, check with your doc to make sure it's not an infection (cellulitis comes to mind). Best of luck. Leah Diagnosis: 11/3/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIb, Grade 3, 6/17 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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otter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,948 |
Nov 4, 2009 11:38 am
otter wrote:
April in Texas, I'm waiting for Binney or someone with more experience than I have, to step in here. In the meantime, I'll predict that most of us will agree with Leah. A "pink, painful" spot doesn't sound so much like an ill-fitting garment as a possible infection. I guess it's possible that some part of your compression garment(s) is pressing or rubbing on that area, but even just that simple thing could cause enough of a skin abrasion to lead to an infection. As Leah said, the main concern would be cellulitis, which needs to be dx'd and treated very quickly. So, call your doc and see if you can get in today to get it checked out. A sympathetic, LE-savy doc would be ideal, but really, any doc would do. otter Diagnosis: 1/14/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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aprilintexa… Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 27 |
Nov 4, 2009 11:46 am
aprilintexas wrote:
leah and otter, thanks! I knew I needed to post, since I was missing the most obvious possibility. DUH. I am so distracted by the ear infection I have at the same time that I didn't even think of cellulitis. Which now I am pretty sure is what I've got. And I've got an appointment with my GP this afternoon, and after I see them I can call the infectious disease doctor if I need to. yes, this needs to be taken care of quickly. And I think I know which garment may have caused the problem so it's on its way out right now. Thanks for bringing my attention back to the obvious. I am so busy trying to control everything I can that I sometimes forget there are things I can't! I'll let you know what happens. April in Texas |
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Binney4 Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,617 |
Nov 4, 2009 12:50 pm
Binney4 wrote:
April, until you see your doctor, do NOT use compression or your Flexi or do any self-MLD. Just take it easy, drink plenty of water and take some deep breaths. If the pain increases or you note spread of the pink area, don't wait for your appointment but just go show up and make noise -- a few hours can make a difference with cellulitis. Very gentle hugs, |
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aprilintexa… Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 27 |
Nov 4, 2009 04:44 pm
aprilintexas wrote:
Hmmm. By the time I got to the GP this afternoon it was feeling a bit better, and she couldn't see or feel anything. ??? But she gave me a Rx for antibiotics and said I should wait until tomorrow if possible to start them. So, I don't know. April in Texas |
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txred9876 Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 634 |
Nov 6, 2009 01:55 pm
txred9876 wrote:
I had a problem this summer due to my bike shorts and the heat. Mine got controlled by my flexitouch and getting out of my bike shorts asap after riding. Since I have lost over 40 lbs I had to have my flexitouch refitted. I just called up flexitouch and they arranged a refit. Mine is now working much better again. Tina Diagnosis: 8/10/2005, IBC, 2cm, Stage IIIb, Grade 3, 2/9 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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