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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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  • nayann
    nayann Guest

    Posted

    I have DVT, Rt lower extremity since 2001. Scrub your leg but be very gentle while you do if having open non-healing ulcers. Itching not necessarily happen during winters, but all through the year. Apply coconut oil around the leg twice a day, but not on the wound site if u have. Itching comes thru certain sour food intakes, pickles containing garlic, mango and tamarind. Fried foods and aerated water also triggers. There are various effects observed as an individual. Right leg swollen from calf muscles till toe fingers and always stays hot, whereas on left leg feel cold since there is ample blood circulation with oxygen flowing through the blood vessels. Right leg only with 10% recanalization present. Been wearing class II compression stockings and once removed at night, apply a thin layer of coconut oil and wear free elasticity cotton socks. Since all through the day the leg s are wrapped due to stockings. If need be, available on whatsapp +919427809191. I had been working in multi-speciality hospitals as a health check counselor for over 18 years. May GOD heal you of your sufferings.
  • Slinkybear
    Slinkybear Guest

    Posted

    What is DVT,they told me with my legs sounds just like your legs,but they told me it was poor circulation in my legs,from diabetics,which in on the border line of,but my legs mostly or leg mostly itches at night,are our legs that smart,they only itch at ni
  • Camilla101
    Camilla101 Guest

    Posted

    I have the same problem.  EURAX lotion worked well, but it is now discontinued.  I have tried the Cream, it helps a little but nothing as good as the Lotion.  It is made in Germany.  Any other suggestions.   I have used Cortisone Cream that helps,   There must be a reson for this itching.   I take Fruzimide tabs to release the water, but it is not that successful
  • Angel753
    Angel753 Guest

    Posted

    I can highly recommend Chlortrimeton for itching.   Can be bought over the counter.
  • cindy71868
    cindy71868 Guest

    Posted

    I feel for you my lower legs are also beat red to my toes, swollen, and on fire. Theres lesions all over them and their draining. Last year a dr closed off all the superfical saphenous veins at first it seemed to help but now it has returned to a full blown inflamatory reaction. Im so sick of this happening. I elevated ny legs above my heart. Something with all of it. Ive got to find a dr that really knows how to treat legs like mine. Ive got tkr in both knee joints ive amhad numerous prior surgeries to both legs. I fell down getting out of my truck and ran over both kegs it wasnt in park. I also have dermatitis that breaks out on the top of my feet. HELP ME!
  • janice46673
    janice46673 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Cindy...dthanks so much for taking the time to reply to me.

    I feel your pain, as I have baeeen diagnosed with both Edema and Neuropathy  I have been.  I had back surgery for Scelerosis (sp?) in March, and after that is when the terrible itching started.  I have been on Mirapex for years, and I thought ai was becoming allergic to that, so my Neurologist referred me to an allergist, and he prescribed Benedrkyl, even though I knew People with RLS should nodt take antihistimines....well...I ended ujp back in dthe hospital with seizures, and spant a terrible couple of nights there.  As soon as I got back home, as my Neurologist came and got me released, the seizures stopped.

    To make a long stoay short Cindy,I have some good news.  I went off Ambienand Vicodon on my own, since they were causing nausea.  My Neurologist prescribed Lyrica, and THE ITCHING HAS STOPPED...AND i AM SLEEPING.  I take 2 50 mg pptablets along with a Mirapex arojnd 4 in the afternoon.   

    I also have Dermatitis, and have found the best thing for it is Vannacream, available at Walgreens,Wal Mart, etc.  Also  Is your Dermatitis cause by Edema?  I also take Laxis for Edema and wear compression hose, and these things help control it.  I am a member of Weight Watchers,and notice the Edema is improved when my weight is down.

    Apparently, the Lyrica stopped the itching, because it was caused by a nerve problem in my legs,and not an allergy....So the only advice I can give you, Cindy, is to GET A GOOD NEUROLOGIST....AND TRY LYRICA.

    Would love to hear from you again.  where do you live?  I am in Arizona and was raised in Utah.

     

  • christiaan93627
    christiaan93627 Guest

    Posted

    i have this swelling of legs and itching from time to time as well

    i use aloe vera gel fresh from the plants 

    takes the heat out of legs-

    take cold showers to keep legs cool

    i find hot showers aggravates the itching condition

    I also applied coconut  oil and teatree oil wth frankincense oil since last week and had an immediate positive effect

    i also found my diet has an impact on my itching

    avoid sugar,&wheat 

    my legs has improve d-can see daily improvement

    i 

  • jeanette_64401
    jeanette_64401 Guest

    Posted

    My legs are similar but I don’t think as bad as yours .mine are red, almost brown incolour, but stops at knee level. I suffer with diabetes and have been to,d that why I have probs in circulation which causes this. However, I have a Charcot foot also and my podiatrist sent me to A&E as I had bruised a toe. After about four hours and visits to dr, nurse, X-ray, dr again. Was told I had couple of broken bones in foot, quite old, which had mended wrongly. Fusing together wrongly as it hadn’t been found at the time. Waiting now to see Consultant next Friday. Will ask again about discoloured and swelling in legs but I don’t think he could help me with this. Dont know where to go. 

    I also have had back itching for nearly a year, do try and tear this to bits. All lotions don’t seem to help. Need ad ice on this too.

    thanks

    jeanette briggs

     

  • kim12689
    kim12689 Guest

    Posted

    A year or so,this Dr changed my blood pressure meds.Then my feet,ankles and legs started swelling.For 45 days,I kept trying to figure it out.I stand all day at work but been doing it for years.So one day I googled the meds and sure enough that was a side affect.Lots of people had same problem but they couldn't even walk.So,I went to a cash clinic where I've gone when I didn't have insurance,at that time I did. So,it was still cheaper to pay cash then use my insurance.He out me back on my regular meds.It took 3months or more for my legs to get back to normal.I used aloe Vera for the burning and itching.Last 2 weeks,I ran out of meds, for a few days.Well my feet ,ankles and legs swelled up.Now,the swelling Is down but I have terrible red rash that itches,on my right leg.Today ,I was only standing for an hour and it started back on my left leg.Was gonna go to emergency room,but I will wait since others have this too.Its true about taking Benadryl everyday cause I would break out on my arms,alot.I have had allergies .Will stay posted, and will try that cream someone posted! Good luck everyone!

  • tracey63719
    tracey63719 Guest

    Posted

    I have to same problem and the only thing I’ve found that stops the itching is Clove oil...it’s a  antiseptic so it keeps skin from germs... clove oil is good for so many things google it
  • wanda70310
    wanda70310 Guest

    Posted

    Hi gues. I'm going through the same thing. But my have itchy thighs and I agree with you. It feels like torcher. My whole left leg from bottom to top gets like that. I have complained to my primary doctor and he got me an appointment next week to see the vein specialist. Can't wait to see them

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