Legs again.....

[linda49]

I posted few days ago about my leaking legs. The diuretic medication has really helped to reduce the swelling in the legs and amazingly I have lost eleven pounds in weight in just 5 days. Being able to bend my legs at the knees again is wonderful.......Saw my named GP yesterday who has diagnosed me as having cellulitis in the legs and prescribed flucoxacillin. I also have a thrombophlebitis in the leg which is not leaking fluid! This is my third course of antibiotics in 6 weeks, the previous two being to deal with chest infection. The hydrogel dressings prescribed to dress the legs have been great and I feel quite guilty at the cost to the NHS. Before they arrived in the pharmacy I purchased just one dressing and it cost£8! Yes £8 just for one......So the plan is to exercise the legs and muscles when standing ( similar exercises to those suggested when doing long haul flights) and elevate the legs ( where possible) when sitting or lying down. I am to have blood tests next week to check kidney function etc. I am feeling so much better in myself today and hadn't realised just how anxious I had become about the whole situation.

And finally, the results of my dexascan were available and no signs of osteoarthritis or osteopenia, so no need to take AA! Hoorah! Will continue with the Calcium and VIT D tablets.

Thank you for your previous advice, suggestions and support. This is such a good place to share!

Linda

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well that all sounds like a result! Bet you won't ever lose 11lbs in 5 days again - and it is a big incentive to take the tablets isn't it! Wonder if you'll lose any more?

Always elevating your legs when you sit is a good habit to get into! Above the level of your heart is said to be best but be careful - it is better to lie back and raise your legs on pillows than to sit upright with your legs at less than a right angle to your body as that tends to trap the vessels in your groin. And if you have phlebitis in one leg, try supporting your legs at the ankle so the calves haven't got too much pressure on them. Raising the bottom of the bed is also good, doesn't need to be a lot, but you said it went down overnight anyway didn't you?

[linda49 in reply to PMRpro]

Stood on the bathroom scales this morning and found that total weight loss since starting the furosemide is 14 pounds! Wow! Legs ankles and knees are much more comfortable and makes activities like putting on socks easier.

I agree about the elevation and angles. Just wish we'd had room for a larger sofa when we downsized to this house. It's easier to elevate my legs in bed.

I have one more week of this medication. Wonder what will happen when I stop taking it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to linda49]

Jealousy, jealousy!!!! No, not really but what a fantastic effect!

Have you a foot stool? I have a lovely (if a bit large) one from Ikea. There are smaller ones that you can put pillows onto to make them higher. Absolutely my favourite is a garden chair from Lafuma but other companies make them too - they call them zero gravity chairs, just google that. They fold up small so they get in the way less but you can lie with your legs really above your chest level! And the family can have the sofa

I would be inclined to keep a close eye on your weight when you stop the tablets - I would be surprised if it stayed off though it might. My husband started with a tablet on alternate days but then changed to 1/2 tablet every day and now mixes 1's and 1/2s. Even if you just need a tablet every few days it should keep it from getting to the stage it was again. If it really is cellulitis and the antibiotic has worked it shouldn't get as bad again - but keep an eye on it.

[linda49 in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRPro

Thanks for your reply. Yes I will look at footstools or the zero gravity chair you suggested. Thank you for that.

Would be wonderful to keep the weight off even once the diuretic is stopped. I have gained almost 3 stones in 15 months on Pred.

I will have to be really careful and watch the carb intake etc Have been reading a book called Wheat Belly by Dr William Davis in which he suggests removing modern wheat from our diet. I find homemade soup,useful to keep me feeling full and of course doesn't have any added sugar like commercially produced brands. Quite a comforting activity to do too when the weather is miserable. Today in Sussex we've had some lovely sunshine after the rain and gales over the last few days. Quite cold though. The daffodils think it is spring and are flowering in some places already. Not sure what we'll see when springtime arrives- roses?

Linda

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to linda49]

Knowing the weather in the UK it'll go straight from spring to autumn!

Think about it though - of that 3 stones, 1 was the fluid you have just disposed of!

I have an allergy to modern wheat - I can eat spelt, kamut (another "ancient" wheat), rye with no problems, anything made with highly commercialised hard wheat and I itch! I can, however, eat French breads, they are made with Canadian soft wheat. Even the NHS website says this is a recognised problem - so it isn't just my imagination. I'm lucky, our village bakery makes breads with spelt and kamut, but even so I don't eat a lot, half a roll is quite enough at a time. Cake is a very special treat, as are desserts.

If you notice the fluid creeping back - don't hang about. Tel the GP straight away and stop it getting so bad again. Loads of people our age need a bit of help!

[HeronNS]

So glad you are feeling better. I don't know how you tolerate various foods, but as you have been on a lot of antibiotics lately you might want to consider how to repopulate your gut with a friendly microbiome. Rather than pre and probiotic pills you can try all or some of yoghurt, kefir, various types of fermented vegetables (e.g. sauerkraut, kimchi, and others) even some kinds of cheese (brie, hard cheeses) are supposed to be helpful, and kombucha, My husband and I are now in the habit of having at least one of these every day, and are very lucky that at the local farmers' market a young couple are constantly producing new kinds of fermented vegetables (carrot and ginger, cabbage and sea vegetables, etc., etc.) so we're becoming more and more adventurous. The jalepeno kraut was almost too much for me! 🐉 😂

[linda49 in reply to HeronNS]

Hi HeronNS

I agree that I fo need to think about the health of my gut after 3 courses if antibiotics. Interestingly my pharmacist and you are thinking along the same lines. He recommended a fermented milk prouduct which you get in single servings and drink with breakfast. I have bought some now and will start tomorrow. I also have probiotic yogurt regularly as I can't tolerate the PPI's. The fermented vegetables at your farmers market sound interesting and would certainly cheer up cold meats and salads. Once I get out into the world again, I will have a look for fermented veggies.

Thanks for your reply.

Linda