Swollen legs

[kaypeeoh]

The neuro noticed swollen legs and referred me to a neuro cardiologist. They did ultrasound on my legs and groin. I got the results back today. Basically the answer is no serious problems causing the swelling. No growths or blood clots, no blood disorders. The ultrasound showed dilated veins near the skin and dilated arteries near the bones. That's why my left leg is more swollen than my right. The dilated vessels are typical of someone in their '60s. There are valves that keep the blood flowing. When these break down you get varicose veins and the muscles swell with blood that's not moving as it should.

No medication for this. His only recommendation is exercise and special socks that kinda squeeze the legs to keep blood moving.

[LindaP50]

Compression socks are hard to get on, for sure! Hubby wore them for awhile due to his swollen feet. He had gone to vascular doctor and also cardiologist. Got a clean bill of health. Diagnosis was tired legs. Used to do a lot of walking daily for his job.

Dr said let's try water pills but then his uric acid numbers went up which would mean getting gout. Water pills are not an option.

Second suggestion was to elevate legs daily for a few hours. Swelling goes down a bit, not much. Hubby continues this anyhow since the reduction helps take away any pain. Mostly has pain when he wakes up.

Third suggestion was to get up and walk every hour (he sits a lot while on computer). Also have an exercise bike in same room as computer - as a friendly reminder to keep the blood circulating in his legs to help his swollen feet (had to get wide shoes).

Good luck.

[hanoverdr]

I had a similar experience this week. I was referred to a cardiologist because of low blood pressure but in the intervening weeks waiting for the appointment I started having swelling in my feet and ankles (especially on the left side which is more affected by Parkinson's). The upshot of the appointment was not to be alarmed, try compression socks, and the swelling is better explained by my age than by either Parkinson's or the medication I take to address that. It's always hard to know how many of the changes in my body are a result of a Parkinson's or if they are happening simply in tandem with Parkinson's. At any rate, I was reassured by the visit.

[felixned]

I had a similar problem and I noticed that the Pramipexole I used to take had it as a known side effect. I asked my neurologist to discontinue it and the problem went away. You can buy a compression pump and it helps to reduce swelling

[slimweiss]

There was recent posts about how Amantadine causes this. Are you taking it? Most said they had to stop it due to the edema. My husband is about to go on it for the first time. We'll see.....

[kaypeeoh in reply to slimweiss]

I used amantadine for months but stopped due to the extreme edema in my calves and ankles. I still use Rytary. There is still milder edema. The doc recommends exercise and special compression socks.

[slimweiss in reply to kaypeeoh]

He will be stopping the Rytary since we will have to start paying for it. We've been getting by with samples until now. New neurologist..... I guess he'll go back on Sinemet which he ended up having to take every hour before starting the Rytary. His last Neuro said to hang in there until the patch comes out next year. In the meantime he's a mess. The incontinence is the biggest issue right now. I have him in two different overnight protections and for some reason (PD!) he just can't figure out how to take the wrap off (which comes off easily with a slight tug) and so he ends up peeing in it. ugh.... they aren't cheap!!