Swollen hands?? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

DeeDee7 · 10-28-2007, 12:41 PM

Does anyone have any experience with extremely swollen hands appearing out of the blue? My Mom, who is in stage 7, got a small skin tear a few weeks ago on her arm. They started her on antibiotics, cultured the wound, the next day she had a mild fever. The labs came back on the culture,they changed the antibiotics to another one that is more effective to her situtation, and she just finished on Thursday that round of meds. That wound is healing nicely.

Yesterday she started in with a slight fever again, and now today her other arm is so painful she is in tears with it, and her hand is twice it's size and the other is swollen but not as bad. They are giving her pain meds and calling her doctor. She will not let anyone touch the arm or hand. No open skin or joint redness either. She only has one kidney, and some heart disease, we are at our wits end, and are so upset with her being in tears. I can't bear the thought of her in pain. They are doing warm compresses and elevated her hand.

We live five hours from her, and my Sister will follow up. What could it be? When her skin tear was found, her feet swelled slightly at the beginning, but went down in a day or so.

Thanks in advance! DeeDee

Ballykissangle · 10-28-2007, 01:27 PM

Sorry to hear of your mothers pain and discomfort - i am 44 years and am currnenty trying to get over the effects of a reaction to antibiotics and asprin which has caused my face and hands to swell along with a very high fever (like the flu) which docs told me is the normal for 3 - 4 days of the allergy ....they first put me on anti-histamine which brought my face down however but not the rash - then my hands swelled up so i am now on a course of steriods for 3 days and the anti - histamine which seem to be doing the job - make sure to have your mum checked for an allergic reaction to the drugs she is being given - I to suffer with cysts on both of my kidneys

angel_bear · 10-28-2007, 05:26 PM

Sounds like Cellulitis to me (inflammation of the cells) which needs aggressive antibiotics ...... however, due to her other 'issues', an aggressive antibiotic could cause more damage......

she needs PROPER pain control/relief to start with. If that means a morphine patch (Durogesic transdermal patch) which won't whack her out but will help calm her down

She needs antibiotics plus a 'gut regime' to the antibiotics don't damage her other limited organs

You need to make some phone calls to get the ball rolling asap.

Hope this helps.

DeeDee7 · 10-28-2007, 07:10 PM

Thanks for your replies. I never thought of an allergy to the antibiotic, but will mention it to my sister and follow up with the nurses.

Mom is allergic to all narcotics, so they are limited as to what they give her for pain. My Sister will follow up in the morning and I will let you all know what she finds out. Thank you again. DeeDee

DeeDee7 · 10-29-2007, 05:32 PM

Update tonite: Mom has a 101 temp today, her hand and wrist~arm is now red and warm to the touch, still very swollen. They have her on a strong pain med, and compresses and are elevating her hand. She has cried off and on all day, she can't say where it hurts, just responds yes that she is in pain, they are concerned too. She cries out when they attempt to touch or move her hand.

The did phone her doctor, he ordered blood work, the pain meds, and an X-ray of her hand. Should have these results tomorrow, will post more as soon as we hear something. Thank you all for your support, DeeDee.