Swelling in one leg and cramped feeling in calf muscle

[Irldino]

Hello Everyone,

I posted in Dec re a few issues I was having. Swollen right knee, costochondritus and problems with right shoulder. Had a series of acupuncture treatments for the knee which helped but very slowly. My knee was swollen but no pain. Didn't like too much weight on it. ESR and CRP had increased also. Doctor wanted me to continue reducing. I was at 1mg. She is convinced the PMR had gone and didn't see a connection. I was unsure it was still PMR as it was all so one sided Got more fatigued however as time went on and I increased my steroids to 5 in Jan. Felt normal again. Knee swelling disappeared and shoulder improved. Over 3 weeks I reduced down to 2mg before continuing with a very slow taper. Have been having physio on the shoulder which is strengthening it and relaxing the arm muscles. Great results there. I also became very aware of how much tension I was holding onto in that arm. Saw that two many hours deskbound were not helping and had probably contributed to the problem. So all good and becoming more active again. Late Jan the muscle in my left calf started to feel as it had cramped but I didn't experience a cramp. The feeling was of a very tight tender muscle which I put down to becoming more active and the muscles very weak. Then the leg swelled from knee to ankle with the swelling predominantly in the calf. Had been standing a lot that day so put it down to that. Rested etc and over a few days it all came back to normal. Now three weeks later it's come back again. No pain, no redness, just swelling and tender tight muscle in calf. Has anyone experienced anything like this'? Also my Doctor refuses to treat me any longer as I and disagreeing with her tapering advice. I am now on 1.5mg reducing very slowly

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think you need to get that leg checked out by someone - DVT does not always present with heat and pain. Better safe than sorry!

As for your doctor - I'd have given her the sack before she sacked me. Though of course - you do need a source of pred...

[Irldino in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for advice. I have had a referral from my acupuncturist for another doctor who I hope will be more open minded. I am due to call her tomorrow to arrange an appointment.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

The doctor refusing to treat you should be reported, and you should find another doctor who is prepared to work with you and not against you, Your leg needs examining, at least to rule out any clotting problem or a blockage of some sort.

[Irldino in reply to Celtic]

Yes am in process of lining another doctor up. I have more confidence in the knowledge I have gained from this forum than in my previous doctors advice. Getting along fine apart from this issue with leg. Will have it checked out this week

[Soraya_PMR]

DVT alarm bells ringing. You definitely need to get that ruled out. A&E/ER is appropriate.

[Hindags]

After reading Soraya_PMR warning re DVT and PMR, I would no longer suggest the lymphedema massage until the possibility of DVT is ruled out.

I have deleted the content of my original post for that reason.

[Irldino in reply to Hindags]

Thank you for that tip. That interesting re your friend. The leg is loosening and is ok to walk on today. Just feel a little tightness. Swelling still there and resting all weekend. Last time it took about 3/4/ days to go down so hoping that will be the case this time too. Hoping to see Doc tomorrow.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Irldino]

Please don’t massage if there is a possibility of a DVT. Rule DVT out first.

[Irldino in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Dont worry. I will see the Doc first and will follow advice from there

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Irldino]

Thanks! I shall sleep better knowing you have it in hand

(You can take the girl out of nursing.....) <rolls eyes>

[Irldino in reply to Soraya_PMR]

I saw my new doc this afternoon. She has given me a referral to A&E. Going there first thing tomorrow. She said leg swelling is quite strange. It could be a torn muscle but wants to rule out a clot. I will update tomorrow

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Irldino]

Thanks for update. I shall await tomorrow’s with fingers crossed.

[Irldino in reply to Soraya_PMR]

Well diagnosis is a Bakers Cyst. It had burst hence the fluid. No specific treatment required. They gave me stretch stockings for the leg and advised keep it elevated as much as possible. Doc also said it swelling may take quite a while to subside. Much relief! CRP has shot way up but feeling fine

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Irldino]

Interesting. I can see there might be a connection with PMR, did anyone make comment?

Glad it’s not a DVT.

[Irldino in reply to Soraya_PMR]

No comments made connecting both. I never asked the question either but I do look on it as some kind of add on. Lucky no pain. There is just the swelling and tightness in the muscle.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Irldino]

Great! No pain

Yes I think I’d view it as an ‘add on’.

Hope it resolves for you quickly.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Irldino]

I know of a few PMR-ers who have had Bakers cysts.

Get well soon - but a good excuse to sit with your feet up...

[Hindags]

I think you are concerned that with DVT there could be a clot that massage might dislodge and send to more dangerous places.

I will delete my reply about the lymphedema massage.

Thanks for the advice here.

[Soraya_PMR in reply to Hindags]

Exactly that Hindags

If DVT is ruled out then a massage may well help, and be just what is needed.

I’m hoping Irldino sees a medic tomorrow. My view is that as a DVT is potentially dangerous, medical advice be sought at the earliest opportunity. A visit to A&E is appropriate as I said above, it gets close to being a medical emergency.

But of course we can’t see the leg, and I hope a DVT is not the cause.