Why me?

[Mandy8175]

Hi all!

As most of you know, I have been severely sick for the last two years starting with a DVT in my left leg. I go to all my doctors appointments, take my meds, and try to do all that is recommended to better my situation. What happened today blew my mind!

I woke up feeling like I had been hit by a bus, so normal pain and stiffness, and started to get dressed. I went to put my right sock on and noticed what I thought was something stuck to my shin. I ran my hand over it to see what it was, and it started bleeding! I put a tissue on it and applied pressure to stop the bleeding, blood thinners are funny that way! I pulled the tissue back, cleaned the spot, and put some ointment on it then went about dressing.

After an unrelated appointment I called my primary care for an opening, which was a no go. I then went to a walk in clinic. There must be a flu outbreak here in Bowling Green Kentucky, I waited hours to be seen to no avail! I left after 3 hours to get my daughter off the school bus, and returned to the clinic 2 hours later when she left for the ballet with her dad. Another 2 hours wait and I finally get to see a doctor, all the while fearing Stevens Johnson Syndrome from the methotrexate and my other 20 meds! You will never guess what the sore was! I have been fighting congestive heart failure and have a massive amount of swelling in my legs that lasix doesn't seem to help.

My legs are so swollen that my skin broke open! My leg popped! Just like that! I went to bed normal and woke up with a hole in my leg! I am now on antibiotics for 10 days and have to wrap my leg with an ace bandage! I am supposed to recheck with primary care in a week!

I know a few of you have medical knowledge, any advice? All suggestions other that amputation welcomed!

[sylvi]

WOW darling that is a shock. I don't know anything about this, but i would advise you see a cardiologist darling asap. I would think you have to keep your legs raised as much as possible don't you? Big gentle hugs darling.xxxx

[popsmith1874]

Wow that's pretty scary stuff, I have a clot on my groin at the moment and on thinners as well, just shows how serious the complications can be with RA, hope things improve soon Christmas tidings from the West Coast of Scotland xxx

[Hidden]

You poor thing. How awful for you. I hope that you get it sorted soon.

best wishes

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[nomoreheels]

Oh my word (I want to use stronger words but fear they'd shock!) I'm so sorry, what else can be thrown at you? Have you not had any shortness of breath too? My h had congestive heart failure but his GP prescribed him steroid inhalers first as he thought it was asthma but when they didn't help & when the oedema got worse, as did his thirst, this was when my h's investigations for congestive heart failure started. Fortunately his skin didn't split though he had to buy new shoes as his feet were so swollen. It's different for everyone, some just need dietary & lifestyle changes, others need ops but your Cardiologist will be thorough & ensure you have the best treatment for your specific needs.

Keep your legs elevated as often as possible when you're sitting particularly when for any length of time. If you're carrying some weight (apart from the extra expected from the oedema) try & lose some & if you smoke try your best to stop. x

[Cherub198889]

I don't want to scare you, I really don't. I think you need to go to the ER. CHF can be controlled, but if you are left to swell, well that's dangerous to your health....your life. Uncontrolable swelling can rip apart your skin and cause more pressure on your heart. Here is my story,

Skin coming apart from uncontrolled edema happened to my father too. I'm not a doctor, and I may not remember correctly as this happened to him in 2013.

I drove my father to his GP as he was swelling up so fast and his skin was stretching so thin that it began to rip & bleed. His doctor bandaged him up and sent him home. The next day, he was more swollen & I descided to drive him to the ER. He was so swollen that he couldn't walk so my brother in law placed him on a hand truck and wheeled him in the doors of the hospital.

Anyways he was in the hospital for 2 weeks because he needed the IV form of Lasix. His Cardiologist claimed the Lasix IV was needed to get rid of the edema faster & safer. This was administered in the hopsital as he needed to be monitored. He was then given the pill form of Lasix at home.

All the best to you

Sue

[Kai--]

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Oh gawd, Mandy8175 . . . oh gawd . . . 😳 😔 🙏 . . .

If interested, kindly consider Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's work ( dresselstyn.com/site/study-... ; dresselstyn.com/site/faq/ ; drmcdougall.com/health/educ... ; nutritionstudies.org/hospic... ; healthunlocked.com/nras/pos... ) for CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) if you're not already acquainted with it. His 'heart work' dovetails 🕊 beautifully with others RA work. 👍👍 )

[Read, read, read 👓 📖 📖 📖 till you're eye's 👁👁 🔴 bleed. 😳 (Plenty of 🆓-bies online for consideration. ) He's 'the' heart 💓 dude. And, of course, (per usual) cross check ✔️✔️ with your medics 👩‍⚕️ 👨‍⚕️ on all things specific to you.]

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'Why me?' is damned right, Mandy8175?! 😳

[You've more than filled your allotment of 'medical misfortune'. 😌 ]

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On the upside (if there's an upside in this 'adventure'), better a hole 🕳 in your leg than a hole in your head 🕳 👩 ??

😳 🤔

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Time to be pampered 'n coddled 💆 by loved ones 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 & get off your (bloody) legs (& 👣 )!!

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Take care of yourself, dear lady. 🙏 (Please take loving, good care of yourself. 😌 )

You've a loving heart ❤️ . It just needs time to heal. 💗

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Let ole St. Nick 🎅 bring you the gift 🎁 of better health. ☺️

(You can beat this. You can improve. 👍👍 )

(Kick 👞 🌙🌙 , take names, & keep us posted, dear lady. 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞 )

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🎄 🔖 🎁 🎅 ❄️ ☃️ 🌨

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Hmm . . . as far as amputations 🔪 💪 go, what makes more sense? 🤔 Amputating your leg from your body? Or your body from your leg?? 🤔

😂 🤣 🙃 (Kindly keep that lovely, joyful spirit 👻 up . 😌 🙏 )

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