swollen and leaking legs

[Tucobear]

hey all, long time since I’ve posted. Update on hubby - he has had no alcohol since Jan and his blood results have improved dramatically. His jaundice, HE, sleepiness and diarrhoea have all stopped and he is up and about walking the dog etc. He doesn’t want any testing on his liver, so although the gp has said his is likely cirrhotic with the healthier parts recovering since his abstinence, we don’t have any confirmation on cirrhosis or decompensated v compensated.

One new symptom he does have is swollen lower legs and feet. Gp thought it likely he had cellulitis and a course of antibiotics cleared that up but he still has the swelling. He also has lots of blisters that come up and burst. A blood test ruled out the usual heart/liver/kidney causes. He wears compression stockings but it has been probably eight weeks now . His legs are hard and red and the skin from all the burst blisters is getting thick. Any ideas what this could be other than just odema and does it indicate anything?

[BritishLiverTrust8 Moderator British Liver Trust]

Dear Tucobear

If you would find it useful to talk things over, our nurse-led helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm on 0800 652 7330 (excluding bank holidays)

Best wishes

British Liver Trust

[Kristian]

I was going to suggest that it sounded like oedema. However, when you mentioned blisters I wasn't quite so sure. I did have what sounded like similar in my legs. Both would swell up and fluid would weep through the skin. I remember once just rubbing a finger over 1 area and that did result in a patch of skin delaminating, but I wouldn't describe it as a blister as such but that may just be semantics.

A quick test for oedema would be to press on the affected area and see how long it took for the depression to disappear. If it takes more than 15/20 seconds or so (i cant quite remember the suggested time), then the chances are its oedema, or at least some of the issue may be.

However, your description may also point to other possibilities too. Cellutis is one but perhaps also there could be blood flow issues or even something else. So if it is persisting then it is worth seeking further advice and seeing the gp again. Better to be safe than sorry with these things.