Hi everyone
has anyone had problems with facial swelling? Paul looks like a chipmunk at the moment, very swollen around his cheekbones, his left eye is almost closed because of the swelling. Also has problems with his tongue swelling, steroids control this most of the time, but the other swelling seems to be more a skin thing- any ideas, similar experiences or suggestions will be most welcome
Jennifer Sankey

I am not sure what to say I smotheered my face and neck in AQUEOUS cream and it was very soothing
I think it just takes time to go down.
Well been there terrible blisters and the pain


Paul

Thanks Paul, I don't think the swelling is related to anything in particular, might be partly all the medication, but some days its ok and then the next day he looks like someone has inflated him!{ Think boxers after losing a fight] . He does use face cream, it helps with pain but not swelling.Tried an ice pack last night & that was quite effective,can't really see him walking round with one permanently attached tho!

Jennifer, I seem to remember Vicki talking about swelling in her face - can't just find the posting now - she might have some tips for you when she comes on to the site. Can only think gentle massage might help (do you think it is fluid?) I have had lymphodeama massage in the past which was offered at the local hospice and found it very helpful - it needs to be done professionally and over a period of time. Best wishes to you both. Brenda x

Link to post about information on lymphatic massage

Thanks for all the info, have beeen told today by a nurse that it is probably lymph fluid, because of lymph gland removal the fluid is getting stuck. She suggested contacting macmillan nurses, they apparently have some sort of pressure bandage for the face, will let you know what happens!
Jennifer sankey

Hello Jennifer, Yes I swell some times more than others. It is just the fluid trying to find someplace to go. They removed so much in that small area and the fluid that used to be taken care of with the lymph nodes well they aren't there to do it anymore...I still look like a chipmonk and it has been almost a year...Hope this helps...Vicki Lynn

Happy New Year
Hello welcome to Hamster Club, I look like a greedy Hamster for the first few hours in the morning, couple of hours after getting up, my nose runs like a tap and the swelling goes down, this is the problem when all the neck lymph glands have had the chop; but do get it checked out, my hospital said I have to put up with it; plus my neck is rock hard, or very swollen, polo necks have become a must.

My Mom has undergone chemo and radiation, and most recently has had surgery. The surgery went well, but now 8 weeks out she has excessive facial swelling. The doctors are investigating the possiblity of clotted neck vessels. Is there anything we can do to reduce the swelling. She looks like the Micheline Man! She is in extreme pain from the swelling.
Thanks Millie

Hi Millie

Haven't your Mom's doctors advised anything? There are quite a number of reasons for a swelling and only when they know why, can they decide on the best management. Meanwhile , it would make sense to keep the head elevated, as using a couple of cushions under the head when lying down.

Best wishes
Vinod

They have done an ultrasound on Mom's neck and say that there is one vessel blocked but that the other one isn't. They do not believe that this blocked vessel is the complete reason for the excessive facial swelling. They have started her on some steroids and they are helping, but apparently they need to find out the reason for the swelling. She did have a high whitecell count and a fever, so that would suggest an infection to me. I'm worried about the recurrance of cancer, even though they assured us after the surgery that all the margins were good. She has been sleeping propted up and has been using ice packs. Will this swelling continually be a problem?
Millie

Decadron is helping Mom's swelling come down. As of yet they still do not know what the cause of swelling is. All they can tell us is that her white cell count is up. Any ideas?

Hi Millie
Has she had lymph glands removed, one possible reason suggested to Paul was that the swelling was caused by a build up of lymph fluid
Jennie

Hi Millie

Check out these previous posts on Lymphatic Massage. It will lead you to helpful links on management of lymph fluid build up.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi
Yes, her lymph nodes and glands have been removed from her neck. Today she gets a CAT scan. The surgery was done on May 30, so it sounds as though lympatic massage is too early to start.
Millie