swelled and very painful leg - what is it??

Question

My 85 year old mother has a very swelled up, very painful leg. Other leg is OK. This started 10 days ago, she went to the ER – they did a veinous Doppler looking for a blood clot, test came back OK, they diagnosed cellulitis and put her on antibiotics. It improved for a few days, then got bad again, swelled and very painful. Went back to ER, they did some x-rays and gave her pain meds. Her own doc has now referred her to a vascular specialist – appointment is later this week. Doctors don’t seem to be able to figure it out. Has anyone had anything like this or known anyone who has? What was the diagnosis and treatment? Would appreciate any input. Thanks.

Answer 1

A deep blood clot that the Doppler couldn't detect. She needs to go to hospital immediately.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

all I've heard is that when the legs swell it means high blood pressure. Cut down on the salt, eat very small meals, vegetarian meals, some but not a lot of liquids, stay off caffein and sugar drinks (actually switch to only water, doing that saves all the figuring out which has or hasn't caffeine, salt, sugar, sodium in it, stay off the soups)....try to drop a few pounds if you're heavy. Have her lift her legs when she sits.

Does she have diabetes? I suspect the pain comes from the swelling. I'm thinking that maybe cellulitis means the cells are holding too much water. you know...cellulite holds water when you take in too much salt and sodium.

The only other thing I found on the net was:
"Why Do I Retain Water in My Legs and What Can I Do? By Elizabeth Smoots, MD, FAAFP

May 21, 2001 -- I've seen many a patient with swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet. This condition, common in people who stand for long periods of time, has a number of possible causes and is often quite correctable.

Let's start with the basics. Every cell in your body is bathed in watery liquid -- fluid that constantly cycles back and forth between your bloodstream and the gaps between your tissue cells called the interstitial space. Any disruption in the flow of fluid between this space and your blood can cause water retention, which can result in swollen ankles and legs. ...Blood backs up in your legs, where it causes excess interstitial fluid that may result in swelling.

A number of other conditions may contribute to leg swelling, also called edema. In idiopathic edema, leg swelling occurs for unknown reasons after standing for several hours, especially in hot weather. People with congestive heart failure often have trouble with swollen legs as the heart pump fails and blood stagnates in the veins. Those afflicted with malnutrition; disorders of the liver, kidney, or intestines; or conditions like allergies, burns, blood clots, insect bites, or bacterial infections may suffer from swollen extremities for a variety of reasons. Blockage of the lymphatic system -- such as from cancer or lymph gland inflammation -- as well as pregnancy can also cause leg edema.

Whatever the cause, there are several simple and effective ways to relieve swollen legs:

Elevate your legs. Swelling goes down faster when your feet are 6 to 12 inches higher than your heart. Do this at night and at least several times a day by putting pillows under the foot of a mattress. If that's not possible, sit down and prop up your feet on a footstool or sofa" http://www.webmd.com/content/article/43/1689_51511.htm

Answer 4

Not CHF, This and other Systemic Causes I Would Expect to Be Bilateral. Offhand, I Don't Know What It is, The Blood-Clot Scenario, Sounds Most Probable to Me. From your Description this was Sudden, Again, Not CHF.

Answer 5

Hemorrhoids are associated with constipation and straining at bowel movements. How to get rid of hemorrhoids https://tr.im/Vc32P
Pregnancy is also associated with hemorrhoids. These conditions lead to increased pressure within the hemorrhoidal veins that causes them to swell. Other conditions, for example chronic liver disease, may also cause increased venous pressure and may be associated with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are very common and are estimated to occur in up to one-half of the population by age 50.

Answer 6

could be a kidney issue, liver issue, could be neurological disease such as gullian barre-the worst kind is CIDP.

if she elevates her leg and the swelling improves but doesn't and it swells up again, have her checked for CIDP...(chronic inflammatory deymation polyneuropathy) it is when the mylen sheath of the nerve endings are being eaten away...blood flows down, but not able to return. CIDP is thought of a latent virus that has reactivated.

good luck, hugs and prayers!

Answer 7

my husband had the very same thing and they found that it was deep vein thrombosis, that was about 10 years ago and his legs still swells and get very purplish in color the Dr said that his veins have like little pin holes in them and the blood seeps out and pools in his legs and ankles. you might want to mention this to the vascular Dr.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

You should insist that they also test the profusion of her heart. this could be the start of Congestive Heart Failure.....many times this is one of the first signs.