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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]

6 likes, 58 replies

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  • andy_80910
    andy_80910 Guest

    Posted

    Hi,I am a diabetic, with liver cirrosis for about 10 years and I just startrted with this itchy legs . Althought I have had it for a while off and on, now it's really bad. Even if I just lightly scratch it it leaves scatch marks and sometimes bleeds. I have been using some  aloevera lotion which seeems to help a little but I will go to the Dr. later to see what he says.
  • jacqueline40411
    jacqueline40411 Guest

    Posted

    hi im exactly the same but its my body that itches. doc gave me 2 lots of antihistmines plus some cream in a big tub which does help a little,but when i get too warm its horrendous.i sit with my legs up and massage them until they cool down,also dont have duvet over legs as it makes them even warmer.if you can sleep with the window open in a cool bedroom.tabs can make you not sleep as well if you read leaflet that comes with them.hope this helps.
  • mike03008
    mike03008 Guest

    Posted

    My legs from my knee caps down get so itchy I scratch them to the point I draw blood. As for the swelling it was terrible at first and had to incur a hospital stay twice, the second time my scrotum was so swollen they kept me in the hospital for a week feeding me with Dilaudid & oxycodone. Well let me tell you this that narcotic mixture helped with the pain but the itching went through the roof Then they decided to put me on Lasix. That makes you urinate constantly but at least the swelling has gone down. I myself also have high BP and have to take medication for it. It's just a big pain in the butt all the way around.
  • gillian15250
    gillian15250 Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I have really really itchy lower legs, have been back and forward to docs for over a year, finally will be getting bolood test today.

    the itch is terrible I will say one doc prescribed 180mg fexofenadine hydrochloride they are really strong anti histamine but don't make you drowsy.

    They are about all that helps for me, ice packs help a little bit not practical overnight.One tip is I do cut my pills in half cos you can only take 1 a day

    good luck

  • jacqueline40411
    jacqueline40411 Guest

    Posted

    hi i was exactly the same as you i went to my docs and he gave me antihistamines  and epaderm cream. then he changed me too dermacool a nd put me on steroids.omerprazole sleeping tablets and  vasaline type wash and i use baby bath too wash in.go to your doc and ask him for these.hope this helps.
  • gillian15250
    gillian15250 Guest

    Posted

    Thank you, I have more than one problem, I also suffer bad psoriasis, so use vasaline,  and occasionally steroid cream.. But the fluid retention and extreme itchy is another problem, not my psoriasis.

    have tried steroid creams, steroid tablets, the only thing that actually helps with the itch is the antihistamine fexofenadine 180mg, the strongest one.

     

    • bill98804
      bill98804 gillian15250

      Posted

      Hi, I have ESRD, so swelling of my legs is practically a constant "given". I was told that the itching was caused by excessive phosphorus in my blood. I took my phosphorus binders on a more regular basis, until my blood levels were nearly normal most of the time. The itching subsided almost everywhere, but my legs. The redness, itching, swelling, hardening of the muscles, pin pricks, and other constant pain, remained in the legs, and perhaps increased. My Dr. recommended vitamin B-12 & Magnesium, but I don't notice any change, yet. Is the antihistamine you recommended prescription or OTC? Thanks for any advice or help.

  • janice46673
    janice46673 Guest

    Posted

    hI: Thanks for the post.I also have terrible itching and burningfrom  The  Drs think the Edema is causedby Mirapex, which I have been on for years for Restless Leg Syndome.  I alsotake Vicodin for Chronic Back Pain and I understand it  can also cause  itching I have tried Eurax,Sarma,Gold Bond, Aveena, etc. etc.   All to no avail.  I have found plain old mout wash mixd workw better than athing I have tried.Will try anthisistamine.
  • karen62535
    karen62535 Guest

    Posted

    I have a barrier cream that my Lymphodema nurse gives me. I've had bilateral Dvt's and now wear compression tights every day and take Dabigitran(anti coagulants). Itching is terrible and skin does feel tight but I put on the cream after every shower and every night and let my legs soak the cream in before covering them again. The cream feel cool so eases the immediate itch and if enough is put on, will stop the itch altogether for a long while. Its called QV cream. Hope this helps

  • mary62783
    mary62783 Guest

    Posted

    Thanks Karen I will look for the cream.
    • karen62535
      karen62535 mary62783

      Posted

      Good luck and if you can't find it, let me know and I will ask where it comes from.

       

  • amanda27018
    amanda27018 Guest

    Posted

    I'm having the same issue I woke up one morning this week with itchiness assummed it was it was possible due from hyper tension retention of water because recently got diagnosed with that . But I'm wondering if my sodium dropped again . The last time I itched everywhere when my sodium dropped ..but I ruled that out when I started seeing clear bumpsbut I'm not for sure my shins are very red itchy a bit puffy ..elvevating helps some but it seems to worsen under the covers . Looks like a heat rash but itches like poison ivy but aches like allergic reaction

    But I can't find anything to the cause no pictures or images look like it on the internet . Someone please point me in the right direction

  • amanda27018
    amanda27018 Guest

    Posted

    I'm having the same issue I woke up one morning this week with itchiness assummed it was it was possible due from hyper tension retention of water because recently got diagnosed with that . But I'm wondering if my sodium dropped again . The last time I itched everywhere when my sodium dropped ..but I ruled that out when I started seeing clear bumpsbut I'm not for sure my shins are very red itchy a bit puffy ..elvevating helps some but it seems to worsen under the covers . Looks like a heat rash but itches like poison ivy but aches like allergic reaction

    But I can't find anything to the cause no pictures or images look like it on the internet . Someone please point me in the right direction

  • NatalieRP
    NatalieRP Guest

    Posted

    mine started with severe itching, but mainly at night. I also noticed teeny pimples on each temple and then I swelled up - probably around 5-6kilos worth of swell. My feet, legs and face. I went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with budd-chiari syndrome and vasculitis. Really very dangerous, so please make sure your doctor checks you out thoroughly. With regards the itching, nothing really helps, but I do put jojoba oil in my bath at night and it does offer relief. Careful as sometimes the more lotion you use, the worse it becomes. I have been better for 2 weeks, but just today, as I write this, I am itchy itchy itchy.
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