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

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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]

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  • kathy71073
    kathy71073 Guest

    Posted

    My heart goes out to you.  I went thur the same thing, only with blood clots in my lungs.  After I was out of the hospital for that......as time went by (6 months) my legs started swelling, my legs got all red, and the itching was AWFUL.  Here is the solution I found after trying stuff, researching, etc.   For my legs, I put coconut oil on them (like y ou would a lotion) then put tea tree essential oil on them,  (again like a lotion) then I put Frankensencce esstnetial oil on them ( as a lotion).  When I put the frankensence oil on them, the itching stopped almost immediately.  I continue to use this formula every morning and every night before I go to bed.  Along with the compression hose, which I wear every waking moment....I can function.  Hope this helps y ou......Good Luck.....Kathy
    • jack1957
      jack1957 kathy71073

      Posted

      hi kathy i tried your soulution but intially it  seemed to help but then sadly just reverted back to the old state i am going to persevere a bit longer with it  has i am getting desprate now
    • kathy71073
      kathy71073 jack1957

      Posted

      Sorry it did't work for you....it works for me great!!.  I haven't had any of that horrible itching since I started it.  Keep looking, searching,   I read somewher that a lady had this stuff and tried.  the kind of lotion/paste that mothers use for the baby's but rash.  Maybe 'Butt Paste".  Also, I think I would have tried the paste that farmers use on the cows teats.   I was going to try that next, but the tea tree oil and frankensence works well for me.  Good luck....keep searching.....
    • kathy71073
      kathy71073 jack1957

      Posted

      Forgot to urge you, if you are trying the tea tree and frankensence...you can  put it on 3-4 times a day.   Use some kind of oil, I use coconut oil, then Tea tree  (heals the sores) first then Frankensence.   (takes care of the itching)
    • mary62783
      mary62783 kathy71073

      Posted

      Thanks I have been fighting this for mths. now so im going to try your solution and see how my body reacts to it. I am so glad I found this site.

       

    • catbird1956
      catbird1956 kathy71073

      Posted

      This is crazy...I too have this problem. So you put the compression hose on when you wake up and you leave them on until you go to bed? I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM, MY LEGS GET VERY HARD. MY LEGS ARE SO SWOLLEN THAT I CAN HARDLY BEND MY KNEES. THEY ARE ALSO DRY AND FLAKES. MY LEGS ARE ITCHING SO BAD, AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A RASH, BUT NOW I THINK IT MAY BE LITTLE SORES. I AM GOING TO TRY THE OILS THAT YOU ALL HAVE TRIED. I HAVE SOME COMPRESSION HOSE. THEY SEE A LITTLE TOO TIGHT. THEY ARE LIKE 20-30. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT WILL TAKE THIS,AWAY OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.MY DOCTOR SAID THAT IT WAS A VENOUS INSUFFIENCY. SHE SAID KEEP MY LEGS ELEVATED HIGHER THAN MY HEART. THAT DOES HELP, BUT WITHIN 20-30 mins they are swollen as bad as they were before. Keep me posted ya'll. Thanks, Kathy

      (Not the same Kathy)

    • Whatisthis
      Whatisthis catbird1956

      Posted

      Hi Kathy,  i have the identical symptoms as you, which started about six weeks ago. I noticed within two days of pulling something in my lower back my legs started to swell and become red.  Mostly my calves now are hard as tree trunks and everything from both knees down is swollen, including the tops of my feet. It's painful, hard to bend the knees and impossible to wear shoes.  I can't crouch or kneel and I've found it debilitating.  I went to the E.R. x 3 within the last six weeks.  After blood work, 4 ct scans, 2 x-rays, and an ultrasound they were unable to diagnose my problem.  They said there are no clots and my heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, sugar, etc are fine.  I was referred to a lymph specialist who is scheduling for JUNE 2018!!  I read your venous insufficiency diagnosis which seems superficial.  The 20-30 minute problem is IDENTICAL to mine and I know we have the same thing.  After 16 hours of keeping my legs elevated, they seem to almost go back to normal but the minute I'm back on my feet the problem comes back.  If my legs aren't completely red and burning, there are blotches of red and burning parts.  Within the last 3-4 days I noticed the itching had started mostly around my knees and it's getting worse.  Aside from the itching, have you gotten a better diagnosis?  Have you found treatment?  This is affecting every aspect of my iife and I would greatly appreciate any info you can provide. I can give you my number, email, etc  if we can somehow private message or I'll likely leave my email on your reply .  Help please, I'm desperate.  Thank you.  Mark

    • charles44734
      charles44734 Whatisthis

      Posted

      hopefully you've gotten a good diagnosis by now.  Sounds like your life is pretty miserable right now.  Sorry to hear that.  

      Since you haven't been diagnosed with DVT, this observation will probably not apply to you...but to others here, it might offer insight:

      The leg has "back-flow prevention" valves....with DVT, these valves can get destroyed. 

      My first DVT, persisted, undiagnosed and untreaded, for about 9 months, and the valves in that leg got destroyed. So, now, when I stand/walk for a period of time, the leg will become thick, heavy, and painful.

      When I have an active DVT (like right now), the pain comes within minutes of standing.  Elevation helps.  It's really the only think that improves it.

      When you had your leg U/S, did you pay attention to where the tech was looking?  My latest U/S, the tech was about to end the exam without checking the veins in the back of the calf...which is where the problem was.  Amazing.

    • whataguy
      whataguy kathy71073

      Posted

      Hi Kathy, just ran into this post and wonder if you are still using this remedy (if you need it) or if you have found any more recent info regarding this. Sounds interesting and if it does offer relief would really be a blessing. Don in MI
  • jack1957
    jack1957 Guest

    Posted

    wish i could offer you a soulution i have been going through this for 5years now and it gets worse my doctor dismisses it has poor ciculation been over weight and blood pressure even though thats well controlled by tablets

    i get perscribed the same cream time after time which only seems to work when the condition is in a rare mild form has you say scratching is nigh on impossible and the bottom  half of my legs are constantly swollen the long sleepless nights with this take there toll

    i wish you  more luck than i have had from my gp

    • jeanette_64401
      jeanette_64401 jack1957

      Posted

      I had similar problem, swollen ankles,horrendously itchy. Seen two doctors at my surgery. First one gave me the usual hydrocortisone ointment, told me when this is over, she will contact the vascular department at the hospital to get me an appointment. The other Doctor told me to raise my legs at hip level, four times a day, for an hour at a time, it is a vascular problem. She has written to hospital, vascular consultant. I do have diabetes also. And have had operation in each leg for vein removal. Also suffer with something called Charcot foot, so could never have an op on that leg. The lack of sleep is the problem. I'm like a zombie. Last night on waking with the itch/scratch syndrome, I exercised each foot, creating more circulationin the legs,by putting each leg in air and circulating ankle 20 times each way,  I did not get up as usual, I then put the cream on, went back to sleep and got at least three hours, which is the best all week. Will see what the vascular consultant says and let you know. Jeanette 64401
  • jeanette_64401
    jeanette_64401 Guest

    Posted

    Hi I'm having same problems. For last two days. Itching keeping me awake. Just had a operation, well a couple of weeks ago and am wondering or worrying about DVT. SO after reading yours will try and get a doctor appointment, although difficult as can't drive at moment.op was on left hand and I'm left handed. Will keep you posted but am just going to get onto AMAZON for f
  • barbara70182
    barbara70182 Guest

    Posted

    I have the same... suffered once for 4 months with just the lower legs itching.  Cold towels helped.  I tried every cream on the market the only one that cured it was

    Triamconolione 0.12%  It comes in cream or lotion... I prefer the lotion.    I get this periodically and I cannot determine the cause.  Now it is affecting my ankles and they are itchy and swollen.  The cream works for a few hours.  Finally it disappears if you keep using it.  Hope this helps.  I know how horrible it is.  Been there.

  • lisa79951
    lisa79951 Guest

    Posted

    My mom is 90. Type 2 diabetic, high BP.  Her legs are swollen and very red and shine.  She itches on her legs and all over her body.
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