perplexed RA seronegative with extremely swollen sore lower legs

[Jetxav]

Has anyone else on here got unsightly swollen patchy lower limbs that are itchy and sometimes very painful?

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I’m too s - negative and my legs get very swollen. My ankles were unrecognisable. I sent photos to my Rheumy nurse and showed my Rheumatologist. I get pains in the joints and ligaments sometimes not always a rash.

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I am also seronegative and have swollen ankles and legs. The very swollen part of my legs is just under my knees and much worse on the left leg. Also thinking about it, my left knee is in a worse state that my right knee. My ankles have been so swollen that the doctor prescribed Furosemide (water) tablets for me and although they have helped a bit, my ankles are still swollen.

My rheumatologist never looks at my legs or fingers which I feel is wrong. I went to my GP about the fact that the bottom part of my legs seem a darker colour that the rest of my legs and that they often get what looks like dark bruises on them. She didn't know what it was and called in another GP who specialises in dermatology and she didn't have a clue about it either. I am puzzled about it as well.

[rab1874]

Hi I’m sero-negative and get very sore legs below knee, especially the right one as had a blood clot a couple off years ago and have varakous veins which kill me at times

[Jetxav in reply to rab1874]

Hi Rab1874. That sounds similar. Somewhere along the line I read an article connecting this to Rheumatoid. I saw a Vascular Surgeon a long time ago who said I do not have varicose veins but it must be deep routed arteries but he was not worried. Since then the skin on the lower legs varies from orange shades, bruised colours, red and purple. One GP said it looked like scar tissue??? Next one said I needed steroid cream, which helps stop the itching but not for long and otherwise made no difference. Now I have Dermovate cream and was told to be careful as the creams thin the skin and it might in one particularly deep spot develop into an ulcer. The GP organised a Dopler ultrasound and I was informed I must wear support stockings. None of these things have ever materialised. The right leg has what looks like a plastic sort of skin and is now more swollen than the left. A GP recently told me to be careful as I might get blood clots but otherwise I have no answers and nothing so far to help. Where do we go from here?? I would be interested if you hear any other information about yours - meanwhile I continue to wear only trousers or jeans. I might mention my feet are not terribly swollen just lower legs below the knee.

Regards Jetxav

[rab1874 in reply to Jetxav]

I will do, on holiday in Spain for a week so hoping some sun 🌞 will help, always wear elastic socks on plane since I had the blood clot but my right leg looks like theM1 😜

[Jetxav in reply to rab1874]

What could be better relaxation and sunshine enjoy!