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My legs where itchy , and so swollen at times the skin o...

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Guest
Guest

My legs where itchy , and so swollen at times the skin on my shins was red ,shiny and I felt my legs would burst, so uncomfortable. A visit to the surgery resulted in being told my B P was up. I do also suffer from water retention, hence the swelling. The nurse had a talk with my Dr. (I didn't actually see him) The outcome was increase dosage of B P tablets, and the cause was the hot weather. I was to return in a month to see how B P was . Nothing said about the awful itching.

Two days later my legs where still swollen, painful and the itching was sheer torture, luckily I work at the local hospital and was advised by a colleague to go to A & E. I eventually gave in and asked to be seen.

The result was scans on my legs and later being told I had a DVT in my lower left leg. For three days I was given a daily injection in my stomach and then started on Warfarin. Apparently the itching is one of the effects of DVT. Antihistamine tablets were recommended, but with no gauranteed improvement, which is what happened. Good old Calamine Lotion does nothing at all. I now even have a rash on my arms & back and the itching is horrendous, my legs look as if I have been through a thorn bush ( it's imposible not to scratch ) A couple of hours sleep is all I get, I,ve even put towels in the freezer to cool my legs down with. I finally found a cream( Eurax )that helps , but i used the tube in less than 3 days !! I,m going to try the lotion to see if it lasts any longer.

Has anyone else had to cope with this and HOW did you deal with the itching ???? sad :?

[i:023cbfa2f5]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:023cbfa2f5]

6 likes, 58 replies

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  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Wow,you have just describe my legs exactly. So what is it. I am actually working out of town this weekend and I cannot wait to get home and get to the doc. and find out what is causing this miserable itching and pain. any thoughts?,
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I'm into my second week of warfarin following a DVT. I went to my local MAU yeterday with exactly the symptoms you describe. The concensus was it was some type of contact allergy and nothing to do with the warfarin or DVT. However, although I am itchy all over and have rashes on my torso and back, I only have rashes on my 'bad leg. My other leg is completely clear. I was drip fed hydrocortisone and have been put on steriods for a week and anti-alergy tablets.
  • joshlyn14338
    joshlyn14338 Guest

    Posted

    I was diagnosed with crohns disease at 17, still am not in remission. I was getting my remecade infusion and told my doctor about my legs getting fire red, itchy, and if I even have water hitting them its pain I've never felt before. My doctor thinks I have lupus or fibromyalgia.
  • kathy71073
    kathy71073 Guest

    Posted

    I had surgery last summer, I ended up with DVT in my lungs.  Was on warfarin for 11 months, I am on low dose aspirin now.  Having alot of trouble as a result of the DVT.  I did find out one thing though.  the itching was terrible, I've tried several things.  The last thing I tried worked better than the rest and that is Frankensence essential oil.....I first put Coconut onil on my legs (like you would lotion) then I put of Tee Tree essential oil to heal the sores, then I put on Frankensence essential oil, it stopped the itching almost immediately.  you can get the essential oil off Amazon or at a health store.  I wish you the very best.  
    • bubbe1
      bubbe1 kathy71073

      Posted

      Hi Kathy,

      I just read your post from a while back.

      I am struggling with swollen, red and extremely itchy legs and feet.

      I do not have a DVT.  Doctor said I have dermatitis and possible venous insufficiency. She prescribed Cortisone cream for the dermatitis and told me to give that two weeks, to see if it helps. I tried the Cortisone for a couple of days but not only did  it not help, it seemed to make the itching and burning even worse. 

      I have tried just about everything I can think of to sooth the itch but so far,nothing has  worked.

      I am not able to sleep more than a couple of hours and am getting desperate, especially since I have an ill husband to care for.

      I am thinking of trying the Frankenscence oil and looked it up on Amazon.  However, there are many brands, so i wasn't sure which to buy.

      If you are still reading this site, could you tell me which product you use.

      Thank you.

    • chris41937
      chris41937 bubbe1

      Posted

      Hi I'm happy to say my legs are a bit better now but not due to anything realy I cannot say thay still itch but not as hurendelesey as before. My doctor had no idea. Now please take what I say as it my or my not be the case. I had a burning sensation in my mouth bad I could not eat my doctor was rubbish once again. I looked through the website and found out i had low viitem B take im now on

      folic acid this may have contributed for legs new bill of health and my taist back I don't know so please ask doctor

    • jacqueline40411
      jacqueline40411 bubbe1

      Posted

      hi bubbe1. i have had all your symptoms of late and occasionally now.i take antihistamines off doc and use Dermol cream also from doc.i also tried frankencence it didnt work on me.Im no doctor but it sounds like you have lymphadema like me. please get doc to refer you to the clinic to see you have nothing to loose. they are very helpful.please keep me informed.
    • bubbe1
      bubbe1 jacqueline40411

      Posted

      Thank you,Jacqueline,

      Someone else suggested lymphadema as a possible cause of my problem.  

      May I ask how that is diagnosed?  

      Thanks,

      Laurie

       

    • bubbe1
      bubbe1 chris41937

      Posted

      Chris

      Thanks for your suggestions.

      I will talk to my doctor, but so far she has not been of much help.  

    • jacqueline40411
      jacqueline40411 bubbe1

      Posted

      hi. you have to get your doc to send you.they then send you an appointment where they check everything and decide from there wether it is or not. then tell you what they intend to do for you.i found it very helpful.been going now for 12mnths. any probs and you just call them . hope this helps

       

    • Whatisthis
      Whatisthis jacqueline40411

      Posted

      Yes, I was diagnosed with lymphedema by a well known doctor at Stanford in October 2017 and am receiving therapy and treatment for it.  I apparently have a bad case of unknown origin so they're considering different treatment options.  Horrible medical condition.  It's caused me to gain 50 pounds in my legs in six months.  It's like strapping two medium bowling balls to each leg and being expected to function.

    • Whatisthis
      Whatisthis bubbe1

      Posted

      my stanford doctor simply took one look at my legs and knew.  he was telling other doctors in the room some of the "classic signs" of lymphedema include deep lines or wrinkles around the ankles and knees, sponge like characteristics of the leg, whereby pressure creates long lasting indentations, and what appears to be deformities in the toes and knees.  my legs are swollen, weak, numb, red, and itchy from the thighs down.  the symptoms are worse when i stand or am on my feet for long periods of time.  getting up from seated positions also causes the legs to hurt.  I wish you much luck in figuring this out.  It has been a nightmare for me.

    • trevor02428
      trevor02428 Whatisthis

      Posted

      Hi, I have had 4 total hip operations since 2006 and I have suffered from Oedema.  The swelling, the itching and all that goes with these situations.  I was reading all of the posts and what struck me instantly about your post was that it was like strapping two medium bowling balls to your legs, and gaining about 50 pounds in your legs in six months.  I am wondering if you have heard of tablets called 'FRUSEMIDE' 40mg ?  For one thing they definitely help with reducing fluid and for me - that was in my legs! The one thing that you will notice within 20 minutes is that you WILL have to urinate, and probably every 20 to 30 minutes there after for a few hours, and I am letting you know that when you 'have to go' then you will 'have to go'!  That is what happens to me as the tablet helps in a big way to get rid of the fluid!  I really do hope this works for you and please let me know how you go! Cheers.                                            

  • jack1957
    jack1957 Guest

    Posted

    i have had simalar now for two years the problem started some months after a ankle fusion operation my ankles swell so bad i cant get a shoe on some days my legs swell and the itching can be sheer hell especially at night

    i have seen my gp numerous times and apart from a quick glance she just says it a circulation problem gives me some cream i have asked to be reffred to a skin specialist but she wont entertain the idea saying oh they will tell you the same my mental health which is fragile at best of times is getting worse beause of this can anyone PLEASE HELP OR ADVISE

    • kathy71073
      kathy71073 jack1957

      Posted

      I can only tell you what works for me.  Tea Tree oil for the sores, Frankensence essential oil for the itchiness.  The Frankensence oil worked for me almost immediately.  You can get the essential oils at a health store.  I've also run up against a stone wall as far as Drs are concerned, no one wants to deal with it.  Hang in thre and keep searching out some ways for healing.   Good luck...Oh,yes, wearing the elastic support stockings is a must.    
    • Whatisthis
      Whatisthis jack1957

      Posted

      same problem with my feet and ankles.  my problem relates to the lymph nodes around the groin area being swollen which has caused my legs and feet to retain fluid.  It's horrible. check websites that have pictures of lymphedema patients to see if their symptoms are similar.  I've been told the condition is usually brought about by something dramatic, like surgery or actually the removal  of lymph nodes, although none of that occurred before i came down with the problem.  my feet and ankles are burning as i stand and type this and it's been going on for over six months. 

      best of luck. 

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