Oedema in left leg

[fraid]

Does anyone have this after OP # s? Had it before when immobile years ago but back again even though more active now. Tried all the usual, diuretics help but reluctant to take again. Waited 6 months for BT that pharma from GPs said may help diagnose, never happened so cancelled as then ok. I can't stand/ walk for more than few mins but am up and down all day, do static ex. etc. so don't know why it's back now. 🤔

[Fruitandnutcase]

That sounds very uncomfortable and unpleasant. It sounds like you could do with getting in touch with your doctor to have those blood tests done, maybe even get some physio massage to help with the swelling. Do you have any sort of compression stockings you could wear? In the meantime maybe it would help to keep your legs elevated as much as possible.

[fraid in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for your reply -but gp useless, never got bt done atall, over a year ago now, not covid and flu vax either yet, just told to wait as short of staff re home visit. I actually still live with ex, an osteo who today spent only a few mins massage which helps, but he cba (why he's an ex!😁) can't bear compression stockings and my legs always elevated at nights, most of day re # spine. Looks like diuretics tom. My left leg already bigger than right from suspected dvt years ago, ambulance never came atall! So it's bad down here, very much diy now. 🙄

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to fraid]

Goodness me! That is no sort of care at all. Whereabouts are you based? Maybe you should list your ‘lack of care’ and send it all to your MP. It is so bad.

[fraid]

Ha, ha, thanks but was written off a long time ago, left to it. Which is why I try to help myself as much as possible without 'professional' help. 🤷‍♀️ People on these forums have taught me so much, it really helps, thanks. Shall take Bumetanide tomorrow a.m, just the relentless trips to the loo gets the swelling down! 🤭

And MERRY XMAS to all! 🧑‍🎄🤗

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to fraid]

Merry Christmas to you too. Hope things improve soon. 🎄

[fraid]

Oh, I'm in Kent just before you fall into the sea. 😁

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to fraid]

Gosh, that would put you off moving to Kent wouldn’t It! When I was young and fit and carefree never in my dreams did I think that choosing somewhere to retire to would be influenced by what the local medical facilities were like. Little did I know what the future held 🤣

Hope you can get sorted out soon.

[MWZ3]

Yes I have swollen legs and unless I keep them up they swell even more. I’ve had it for years now. It’s been assumed to be lymphoedema but not really diagnosed. I don’t think there’s much you can do and I wouldn’t take any diuretics after an excellent GP said years ago not to and she was emphatic. I’m looking at going for lymphatic drainage which has to be done by the appropriately qualified person. I can’t stand either but I’ve always blamed my back. But, yes, it could be this as well.

[fraid in reply to MWZ3]

Thanks, sounds like yours is constant whereas mine has only just surfaced again after being fine for many months. Wonder maybe if I have been huddled longer on the sofa keeping warm so less active than before? Just taken Bumetanide, gp prescribed them so can't see a problem and told if swelling not addressed can damage kidneys so will take just a few days. Not sure if it's the constant walks to the loo that really help or the pills though! 😂

[Frodoles]

To be written off by your GP practice is just appalling. Initially could you get a telephone consult. At least describing your symptoms should make them realise they need to see you. With my practice you can ring at 8.00am and hopefully get a face to face appointment. I did on Friday and managed to get an afternoon appointment. I've got similar symptoms but it's from a cyst behind the knee. The swollen leg is because the cyst is probably leaking. I really hope you get some help soon because things just isn't right. Take care xx

[fraid in reply to Frodoles]

Thanks, hope you get yours sorted. But, I need home visit, phoning 8 am each day is ridic as everyone else phones too, can't get through atall, when I do I only get to speak to nurse practitioner. Last time was pharmacist who ordered bt , was horrified sed would chase it up but each time I was told district nurses short of staff so never happened. They wait till you sort it yourself, nature resolves or you die! 🤷‍♀️

[MAosteo]

With one leg swelling, this is often a vascular/venous condition rather than metabolic. I recommend a vascular surgeon evaluation with venous duplex assessing for obstruction, thrombosis, and venous reflux. Such conditions may be present in the 'deep' venous system (above the groin), so both lower abdominal and the left leg imaging would be helpful. (I am a vascular specialist in the US.)

[fraid in reply to MAosteo]

Thanks! Wow, you obviously have majorly better care over in US than here! I can't even get my covid/ flu vax, nor a blood test re previous oedema year+ ago. When I had suspected DVT in same leg 2 yrs ago, the ambulance never came atall, paramedic said it was borderline but as I hadn't died overnight it was probably okay! It is still 2 x the size of my right leg. I was just wondering if it was to do with my 6 vertebral # s or something else. Taken Bumetanide and pitting much less, lost nr. 3 lbs so shows how much water retention there was. Thanks, is there anything I can do myself? It's diy over here and have tried most things but it's bobbed up again- in time for Xmas. ☹️

Merry Xmas to you and the US! 🧑‍🎄🎄

[MAosteo in reply to fraid]

I am sorry about your poor care. A DVT is never 'borderline' - you either have one or you don't. With such a discrepancy in the size of your legs, it certainly deserves a workup with the imaging I mentioned. Bumetanide would not help with post-DVT syndrome, but it is entirely likely you have more than one thing going on. So you can continue with the diuretic if it helps, leg elevation, compression garments, and exercise (walking) to the best of your ability. Physical therapy/edema massage can also help, though I recommend finding out if you actually had/have a DVT first...

I am curious as to which 'blood test' they are referring to - possibly a D-dimer for DVT? Or are they monitoring your electrolytes while on the diurectic?

[fraid]

Thanks. A pharmacist based at the surgery wanted the bt re a possible protein missing that could affect the heart and lead to oedema, presume this theory was poohooed as never happened. Was given potassium tablets ( just thrown away as ood) and told didn't need after all years ago. I am using old stock Bumetadine, will only take few days as oedema improved already. Problem is I'm housebound so need home visit, so bottom of the list. I am not monitored atall, can't even get attention! Should I scream louder? It doesn't hurt like dvt did, I walked/ massaged that away ( told shouldn't have, but hd to do something!)🤔

My question was- is this related to my OP, 6 vertebral # s re lack of circulation/ drainage/ nerve impingement? And apart from treating the symptoms which I do, is it something I should worry about if only happens occ.? 🤔

Thanks so much for your time- expect that would cost a fortune in US. 🙃

[MAosteo]

I cannot comment on your treatment. In the US, diuretic treatment with bumetadine requires monitoring of electrolytes and supplementation with potassium as necessary (by the lab test). If you are homebound, I will presume that you are also mobility restricted, which will contribute to edema and is a risk factor for DVT. DVT is a serious diagnosis and should be evaluated with duplex imaging. Diagnosis of DVT above knee level requires a blood thinner. If you develop chest pain or trouble breathing, you should get emergency attention.

Vertebral fractures do not directly cause leg edema. However, the immobility may contribute to fluid pooling in the legs (both legs). Swelling in only one leg that occurs occasionally is more likely related to venous insufficiency (a number of causes for this, including post-DVT). Again, without a venous duplex study, diagnosis is only speculative.

I hope you can get the care you need after the holidays. Best wishes to you for 2024 🙂

[fraid]

Thanks so much for your expertise, it helps to understand what may be going on. I was given potassium tablets initially ( recently thrown away as out of date and unused) then told didn't need them after bt. I only take Bumetanide for a few days, 2 this time and oedema gone down nicely plus reminds me to walk more off/ on back allowing.

Thanks for your help and a Merry Xmas and Happy New Year! 🤗🧑‍🎄🎄