hi am i just worrying?

Question

hi am i just worrying 5 weeks ago i awoke with pins and needles in my right leg that night i was in agony and couldnt stand on it at all the next day my leg became red hot and i was told i had cellulitis which i received iv antibiotics at home via 24/7 nurse team for 1 week the infection went but the swelling didnt change then they thought i could have a dvt i was given injections for a week which made the swelling go down andi was sent for a scan but they couldnt see anything. my foot is still swelling and and skin is peeling off i am still on antbiotics my gp has just reffered me to a vascular doctor at the hospital but i think i could wait up to 8 weeks for an appointment i feel i should be seen quicker am i just worrying or do you agree my gp needs to treet this as an emergency.

Answer 1

No, you are right in being worried because of the following reasons: the unbearable pain; potential loss of limb; and potential complictions of a life-threatening PE.


Deep-vein thrombosis (also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT and colloquially as economy class syndrome) is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It commonly affects the leg veins, such as the femoral vein or the popliteal vein or the deep veins of the pelvis. Occasionally the veins of the arm are affected (known as Paget-Schrötter disease). Thrombophlebitis is the more general class of pathologies of this kind. There is a significant risk of the thrombus embolizing and traveling to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism.


There may be no symptoms referrable to the location of the DVT, but the classical symptoms of DVT include pain, swelling and redness of the leg and dilation of the surface veins. In up to 25% of all hospitalized patients, there may be some form of DVT, which often remains clinically inapparent (unless pulmonary embolism develops.


Pulmonary Embolism (PE) can occur when a blood clot or fragment of it breaks loose from the wall of the vein and migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches. If the clot is large, it can cause sudden death.

Answer 2

No, your concern is valid but I think your GP is handling this appropriately. With the drug-resistant bacteria we are facing today, any delay in accurate diagnosis and treatment can have severe effects. The symptoms you describe indicate a DVT. Clots in the leg veins (symptoms vary depending on the location of the clot) may cause pain, tenderness, swelling, discoloration and ulceration of the skin. Your physician has ordered IV antibiotics for you so, even if this isn't cellulitis, you have a defense against infection. The injections you received were probably Lovenox. You can also anticipate being on Coumadin therapy for life. This would be an emergency if you had not received any treatment.

Answer 3

Foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders. The most likely of the serious causes is thrombosis. For this, an ultra sound scan is done, as this may reveal any abnormality in the tissues and blood vessels. – and you state that this has been excluded. You should observe the foot for any changes. eg: colour, swelling, sensation etc. Do not be too concerned about the skin peeling, there is a new layer underneath. If you observe more changes, you would be advised to re-consult your doctor. In the mean time, try not to worry.

Hope this helps
matador 89

Answer 4

I would recommend you ring NHS Direct now for advice. If you say it's an emergency then they should arrange for someone to contact you quickly. Otherwise it will be the same day.
I've used them before and they are very helpful. This is just what they are there for.

Contact no. 0845 4647 (looks too short for a number but does work - I just tested it!)

Answer 5

Go back to your GP if you are really worried, if you feel it is an emergency go to A&E but be prepared to wait!

Answer 6

yes i think you need to take this problem serious and like an emergency .First of all stop eating any kind of meat and stop drinking alcohol ..your leg must be seen by a doctor ...take care !

Answer 7

Hi,we always worry about the unknown.If your doctor thought it was urgent I am sure he would have got you to see them quicker.Good Luck

Answer 8

if you are concerned, talk to your GP he will put your mind at rest, you may be worrying un necessarily

take care

Answer 9

u dont always think about that even that has some influence on it, u have u treatment properly and take rest

Answer 10

TALK TO YOUR GP !!