Lower limb swelling

[Festie]

Hello. I've been struggling quite badly with my chest of late. I'm copd stage 4. I tried several courses of antibiotic and steroids and they didn't help at all. I am on steroid inhaler, 2 puffs, twice daily. I also take braltus once a day and carbocistene...a couple of days ago my feet started to swell. It is making its way up and is now up to the thigh area. I went to see the GP who sent me for blood tests. I asked for a dueretic to reduce leg swelling. Strange thing is, it's made my chest better but after taking it for two days, has had no noticeable impact on my legs. Anybody had any similar experiences? My chest must have been caused by excess fluid. I'm hoping they will start to work on my legs soon.

[Kristicats]

I would suggest having your legs raised above heart level( if this makes sense) Also don’t hesitate to get medical advise again ASAP I.e 111

[claque]

Hi Festie

I was recently hospitalised for excessive fluid in the legs , feet and also the lungs.Like you I have severe copd. Have you been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Its quite normal in the advanced stages of copd. This will lead to fluid build-up I was admitted and given Iv furosemide at a high dose . It shifted the fluid very rapidly I had to keep my legs up for quite long time (even now several weeks later) the diuretic has now been changed to Bumetanide (i think that's how you spell it) Its a bit kinder to the kidneys and since taking the diuretics and getting the legs up when necessary i have had no particular problems. But please note this was all down to A+E not my Gp. I had been on at my Gp for diuretics for ages . He just did not want to prescribe them A+ E sorted it very rapidly

I hope this may help and I hope you get relief soon

Regards

Chris

[Festie in reply to claque]

Hi Chris. Not been diagnosed with a heart condition yet but after blood tests done by my gp I am waiting for me am ecg appointment . I am expecting it to be abnormal. I had to pester my gp for the dueretics. I never see the same one twice. I can't believe the difference it has made to my breathing. It is so much better, after being terrible for weeks but with no leg swelling. I had been taking repeated doses of steroids and antibiotics thinking it must be an exasperation. Don't know how long I will have to wait for my ecg appointment but I hope it's quick. Thanks

[claque in reply to Festie]

Hi Festie Glad that you have some sort of relief. I am surprised you have to wait for an ecg . Most modern gp practices have the equipment to do an ecg on the spot With the fluid in the legs your best bet until you get professional advice is to keep your legs up level with your heart and restrict your fluid intake ( I am restricted to 1.5 litres a day, give or take a little bit) and also to restrict your salt intake.

Hope you soon get some joy

Chris

[Festie in reply to claque]

Thanks Chris. May I ask what treatment you have for your heart failure? Has your chest got any better since the dueretics drained the fluid away? Cheers

[claque in reply to Festie]

Hi Festie Sorry to be so slow in responding I have been catching up on some sorely needed sleep

My lung consultant referred me to cardiologist I was diagnosed with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.and given digoxin and diltiazem. Lung consultant promptly stopped the diltiazem and prescribed bisoprolol Bisoprolol was soon stopped and I started taking spironolactone I also take warfarin because of the AF.

The chest does feel better and my ankles and feet are almost back to normal I am on a high dose of bumetanide but it does seem to be effective

Keep pestering your Gp I know they are under a lot of pressure but that is still no reason not to act . They can get things done very quickly if they have a mind to

Best of luck and please keep me posted

Regards

Chris

[greatauntali]

For some reason, diuretics made the swelling in my legs much worse. Furosemide made them balloon after taking just one pill and my GP can offer no explanation.

Hope you have more luck xx

[Hidden]

After two years of increasing breathlessness and swollen legs etc whilst being told that I wasn’t controlling my bronchiectasis I finally bullied my GP into doing an ecg in the surgery. Heart rate 175 and all over the place. In the cardiologists room the next day.

I had developed dilated cardiomyopathy and AF and everybody, including my lung con had missed it! Now nicely controlled with drugs. Fluid collecting in your lungs which is not due to your copd is not a good sign. Get after them to sort it now.

[Festie in reply to Hidden]

Thanks littlepom. Think i need to toughen up a bit and put some pressure on my gp. I am pretty sure I have developed a heart condition. In my eyes everything seems urgent but the gp drags his feet.

[Hidden]

Well mine dragged hers for two years until my daughter told me to insist. Hopefully you will get something sorted before that.

[Festie]

Got my "self referal" for cardiology today so went online to book. So much for choosing which hospita! 2 of the 3 have no appointments available and the 3rd is a 99 day wait!!!!

[HungryHufflepuff in reply to Festie]

Did you choose the 99 day appointment? Isn’t there someone else you can see in the meantime, like your GP?

Sorry, this is not a very helpful reply.

[Festie]

Update. Had a heart scan and have found arterial fibrilation was causing the lower limb swelling. I've been struggling to contol my breathlessness and taking antibiotics and steroids more than I should. GP says most of it is being caused by the AF. Treatment starts today so I'm hoping to be feeling better soon. Thanks dudes!!

[stamford1234 in reply to Festie]

That's sort of good news, it's half the battle if you know the cause, then you can deal with it. I hope you feel better really soon

[skinnylizzy59]

Hi Festie, I was recently in hospital with pneumonia/serious lung infection. I saw a lovely doctor who pressed his thumb quite firmly just above my any which left a white mark which means I had fluid retention and he prescribed Furosemide which he said would help my lungs as well. I have COPD Bronchiecstasis which doesn't usually cause me too many problems, the leg swelling has reduced, depends how much I am on my feet. Take care. Love Lizzy x

[skinnylizzy59]

Sorru, third line, ankle. X