Update cellulitis : Hi, Dr decided It... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

54,731 members34,257 posts

Update cellulitis

Hotie profile image
14 Replies

Hi,

Dr decided It is not cellulitis, Stasis Dermatitis or venous excema,L ankle still swollen,painful,inflamed....had bloods taken,scan no sign DVT. Inflammation has now travelled up to knee,prescribed co-co-codamol for pain works well but causes constipation,any advice,suggestion on how to prevent this?

Dr says no cure,compression stocking,emollientemollients, is the way forward.....has anyone else had this problem with poor leg circulation?

Written by
Hotie profile image
Hotie
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
14 Replies
10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

I have had venal insufficiency for years. GPI always wear trousers which helps to prevent leg damage from incidentally being knocked esp. in public and being bitten by insects during summer in the garden. recommended creaming with e45.....I also use cocoa butter cream twice a day. So far skin is fine and no ulcers which is what I was warned about initially. But i never fail on the creaming twice a day.Skin is slightly pink but otherwise quite normal with no itching or swelling .

Hotie profile image
Hotie in reply to10gingercats

Thank you,yes I wear trousers no ulcers,creams also...at the moment the swelling is the problem cannot wear shoes,pain a nightmare....am in the first stages hoping compression stocking will sort it out,did you have one ?

Casadenueva profile image
Casadenueva in reply toHotie

I have had venous insufficiency for many years, I use a steroid cream when it is inflamed and painful, every other day I cream with moisturiser, tried many, cheap ones work as well as expensive on my legs. Colour is pink/purple/brown, with lumps and bumps so yes, wear trousers all the time. (I might try thick tights and a dress this winter). After a recent op, I swelled everywhere and could not get any shoes on. I shelled out a fortune for ultra wide fitting, adjustable shoes and though I hate them, I can now leave the house. I also purchased a set of wedges, and it was like a miracle, my feet went down overnight and swelling in my legs is back to pre-op size. Hope this gives you food for thought.

Hotie profile image
Hotie in reply toCasadenueva

Thank you,like you have bought trousers wide bottoms hate them.....shudder at the thought of ultra wide boots.....this has happened recently resent it!

Am pleased you have accepted,sort out how to move forward with the situation,am grateful for sharing,yes your tips have given me serious food for thought.

cometwatcher1927 profile image
cometwatcher1927

had quad heart pass 3 months ago.

Left leg n ankle very swollen to the present day

First of all had a wound infection

Had scan for DVT that’s ok

Now been told it’s oedema , as lack vein capacity to remove blood from leg

On 2 water tablets that had limited success

Hotie profile image
Hotie in reply tocometwatcher1927

These ankle problems are a painful horror!

Have been informed by Dr that I will have to learn to accept live with it,and use compression stockings as there is no cure.

Hard to as my ankle plus up to knee red,inflamed,painful cannot get shoes on so pray stocking will help.

Thank you for sharing,best wishes.

10gingercats profile image
10gingercats

No. I tried compression stockings...well, knee length size...but could not get on with them...pulling off and putting on.What I do seems to work for me but I never had pain .When it began my legs felt sore but this eased with constant creaming. Mine is mostly ankles and does not get into the calf or above.I take Furosimide as a small dose but this is mainly for fluid around heart...not much there I am told but cardio rec. a small daily dose and the less fluid there is then the better the heart will work..so she said

Hotie profile image
Hotie

Am not certain myself about the stockings,feel at the moment they might be too difficult to put on/ off.

Thank you for sharing much appreciated.

Threecats profile image
Threecats in reply toHotie

Hi I’m sorry to hear about your leg problems. My mum has venous insufficiency and wears knee length compression stockings. She struggled getting them on due to a combination of age and arthritis and needed help which she hated as she’s fiercely independent. I eventually found a device called Helping Hand Company Ezy-on Tall Compression Stocking/Sock Aid Applicator. (Not sure if I’m allowed to post a link) It’s a metal frame that you put the stocking onto first. It then holds the stocking open and you just pop your foot into it and slide it up your leg. Mum is delighted with it as it means she can put her stockings on herself. They also do a removal tool which is basically a long-handled shoehorn with a hook that you slide down the back of the leg between leg and stocking and the hook catches the stocking and pulls it down as you go. Both simple ideas really but work well. Even the District Nurses were impressed as they said lots of folk struggle with compression stockings.

I just thought it worth a mention. Good luck to you and I hope things improve for you soon. TC

Hotie profile image
Hotie in reply toThreecats

Thank you made my day,have check these items,will definitely buy when I manage to get my leg measured was dreading trying to get them on.

Best wishes

DWizza profile image
DWizza

I was in hospital yesterday with a very swollen extremely painful left foot/ankle . I was really worried about DVT as I’m 4 weeks post total hip replacement surgery on left hip. Same as you , bloods , xray and now waiting for a scan . All day in hospital.. blood results “okay” is all I got and no broken bones . Was off my face with cocodamol 🤦🏼. I have to wait to hear about going for the ultrasound.

Hotie profile image
Hotie in reply toDWizza

So sorry to hear this following your hip op.op.cocodamol was a nightmare for me caused constipation!!

Hope you get the all clear from the ultrasound,let me know how you get on.

Thank you for sharing. Best wishes.

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop

No leg problems but laxido is great forhe constipation ( and prunes)

Hotie profile image
Hotie

I wish,these do not work! Thank you.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Cellulitis

Have cellulitis of L ankle red,swollen painful was prescribed antibiotic 500gm X 7days. 4 days ago...
Hotie profile image

*update*

Well Dr has just phoned me regarding ecg I had 12hr one.....Extra beats from upper chambers of...
Purple_1963 profile image

update

hello all Day 23, waiting for the decision from the drs who r all sitting round the table....

Short update

Morning all Just a short post cos I ain’t seen no one yet, I class myself today as totally...

MichaelJH - A Further Update

Hope you are all keeping well. Since I last posted I have had two medical anniversaries. First...
MichaelJH profile image
Heart Star

Moderation team

See all
HUModerator profile image
HUModeratorAdministrator
Luke_BHF profile image
Luke_BHFPartner
Amy-BHF profile image
Amy-BHFPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.