Complications related to chronic weeping edema of the lower extremities
95Edema
The simplest way to explain edema is to say that edema is the left over fluid from the blood your heart pumps every day. This is erroneous because heart failure is just one diagnosis that can have the additional effect of swollen legs. Edema is more than just swelling of the legs. Often, the patient has legs that are painful, often weep fluid, are itching (pruritus) as well as burning and the legs become so severely compromised the patient is at risk of a severe infection. It is also incorrect because even with the heart pumping blood the patient may also have a diagnosis of venous stasis, where the fluid in the lower extremities is not properly balanced.
Balance? What is this balance thing?
Your vessels, venous as well as arterial, maintain a balance by exchanging oxygen and nutrients through the walls of these vessels into the surrounding tissues. This keeps your tissue alive and functioning. However, if your circulatory system is unable to meet the demands of that exchange then your vessels cannot shift or move the proper amount of fluid and the circulatory system becomes unbalanced. When that occurs, often the first sign is visible in the evening, after you have been up most of the day.
First sign?
The first sign is that the ankle bones and sometimes tops of the feet are swollen. If you take your finger and push gently on the skin, it would be like bread dough; the skin indents but is slow to come back to the surface. Eventually, if nothing is done, and often it is indeed overlooked, the legs and feet remain swollen most of the day and night.
Second sign?
The next thing you will notice is pain. Remember, pain is your body's number way of communication. If something is wrong within your body, you are going to hear about it loud and clear from your nerve endings! It is an efficient way of communication as well, right? It gets your attention all right!
Third sign?
Next, you will have difficulty walking. This is obvious, your legs resemble tree trunks and you can only stumble from bed to chair. Finally, your legs begin to turn reddish blue and clear, pink or yellow fluid will begin to seep from every available open pore on your lower legs. This is when; finally, you make an appointment to see your physician. There are several reasons why you may have edema in your lower extremities. This is because swelling of the limbs, or edema is not the disease; it is a condition or a sign and symptom of a disease.
If edema isn't the disease why do you have it?
Some diseases that have edema of the legs as a "trait" or "symptom" are: Congestive Heart Failure,
Pulmonary Edema,
Liver Failure,
Renal or Kidney Failure,
Hypothyroidism,
Cancer, Pregnancy
Malnutrition.
The important thing to remember is not to let the condition get OUT OF HAND! Your physician will take care of the disease, whatever it turns out to be, your job will be to keep your legs as healthy as possible!
Why would your heart do this to you?
Why? Because your heart is very selfish! Your heart will take care of itself and its surrounding areas and that is it! Nothing else! Unfortunately, your legs are NOT in "its surrounding area" so it behooves you to get your skin clean, dry and free of any and all open areas. If not, the risk of infection increases exponentially. Worst case scenarios include infection, cellulitis with staph and or psuedomonas, open sores that will not heal, constant painful itching, constantly weeping fluid with odor, and finally a systemic (one involving your whole body) infection that will inevitably lead to hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
Of course, hospitals are soooo nice; everyone wants to be a patient in a hospital right? After all, hospital food is TASTY! Ha
What can you do now?
When the fluid starts building up remember to keep your legs elevated as much as possible to help bring the fluid back to the upper torso. On the other hand, be sure that you do not just go to bed. While the majority of fluid overload may well be in your legs, it may also be in and around your lungs and heart. This makes it difficult to breathe, causes fatigue, respiratory distress, cough (especially at night). Your physician will be the one to best decide your course of treatment which may include diuretics, potassium and perhaps heart medication to help your heart pump the blood around your body as efficiently as possible. You physician may wish to test your lung capacity or assess your lab values such as basic metabolic panel that checks the overall function of your heath, lungs, liver. You may or may not have oxygen added to your medication list and of course, wound care or skin care for both lower extremities if there are open, weeping sores.
What kind of wound care?
Before any orders are given to you, the patient, on your skin care it is imperative that you understand how vital it is that you use care and cleanliness at all times, not just with skin or wound care but for the rest of your life. Depending on the number of open sores on your legs you may be able to care or yourself at home. If so, your physician and or their nurse will be the person to instruct you on the physicians order for skin care. The physician and their nurse will stress to you the importance of strict hygiene, hand washing and using supplies that are sterile and or very clean.
The easiest thing to remember about hand washing is to DO IT! If you have to think to yourself, "Self should wash my hands now?" it is already too late...GO WASH! LAVE LOS MANOS! You will be glad you did! Besides, hand washing is the perfect time to exercise your vocal cords! Really!
While you wash your hands, if you sing the ABC or the Happy Birthday song to yourself you have washed your hands for fifteen to twenty seconds, which is exactly the amount of time it takes to kill the bacteria present on your hands!
As for wound care, it really depends on
1) How much fluid?
If there is an exorbitant amount of fluid then a dressing that will wick it away would be best, but be careful that you do not make the dressing so big that when it fills with drainage the dressing will slide down the leg, causing further harm
2) How many open sores?
If there are less than half dozen it will be manageable and should heal well, and quickly
If there are multiple open sores the risk for cellulitis increases and additional steps must be taken to keep you and your legs as healthy as possible
3) How deep are the sores that are open and what color are those wound beds?
If the areas are dry and red, without any heat around them then let it stay this way, dry dressing, skin propectant such as skin prep and open to air
If the areas are draining fluid and the wound bed is pink your physician may order an antibiotic ointment such as bactroban, then a non adherent dressing and wrapped gauze such as kerlix.
4) Is there pain associated with skin care or cleaning or walking?
Pain is actually the body's first sign of any infection! Not redness, temperature, odor...these come later; but pain...so pay attention! Inform your physician so evaluation will be done and proper steps taken to address this issue
5) Any surrounding redness?
Again, signs of infection...notify your doctor!
6) Any odor?
Bacteria are what causes odor, infections; all bacteria has odor; this is what happens when bacteria and oxygen meet for the first time. However, after cleansing the area or areas there should not be that much odor. If there is a noticeable odor after cleansing that is a sign of an infection or a complication so what should you do?
Oh you guys are soooo smart already! Absolutely! Notify your physician.
7) Finally, after two weeks your physician will probably see you for a follow up, if that appointment is not made on your first visit, call and make one yourself; even if your legs look and feel better.
Unfortunately, edema and chronic weeping legs means it will probably not "just go away by itself" That is the hardest thing to accept. But, once you do, then you know you can handle it; because the condition will come and go, and now you have the information you need to take care of it any time it raises its ugly little head!
Please check out the links below for any other information and I will be posting an article on how to perform a clean technique for any type of wound care in the near future
- Leg swelling: Causes - MayoClinic.com
Leg swelling: Symptom Overview covers definition, possible causes of swollen legs and ankles.
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not Pagets Disease? Any weeping with the swelling?kyphosis or spondylosis of the vertebrae? trauma? remember that old game of hlding a heavy object at arms length to see who can do it the longest?the 1st place that hurts is your arm and especially your shoulder but later its the lower back...any of that type of repeated movement perhaps at work? arthritis? spinal stenosis? any history of really bad infection like brucelliosis or staph or TB? a long history of chiropractic manipulation? just wondering...nurses are horrible/we are NEVER to diagnose I'm just asking if any of these questins were asked by your MD LOL
and I know it is not funny/pain and I do not speak to each other...I can give the lecture/convincingly/but I am a total wimp!
remeber no salt added to your cooked food!! remember elevate walk elevate and repeat :)and never ever miss your neurology appointments and always always take all your meds/in their bottles/with you to all and I do mean ALL your MD appointments! mean ole nurse kratchet aint I :)
Good hub, very informative.
thak you probyte2u
thank you probyte2u/oops posted twice/'scuse me
This was a Amazing artical.
You mentioned that Edema is a trait of some illness. Could it occurs on a healthy elderly person? Thanks.
well, before I automatically answer yes/there are a few things about normal aging persons...we are slower, we get tired, we dont drink enough water,we rarely sit with legs elevated/especially women! especially women born in the '20's and early 30's/nice ladies sit in a straight chair, feet on the floor...so see, if this is happening? that can cause edema just from being dependant position/ but if there is nothing you can put your finger on? take her to the physician! take her anyway/will not hurt!
This is an awesome post. Keep up the good work.
Please be a friend and visit me at:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Life-As-It-Really-Is
Is this the same type of edema you get when mountain climbing when you get fluid in the lungs?
Atlas Medical...no that is specifically related to altitude sickness..like the bends in reverse/I thinkthat will may make a good article :) thanks Atlas!! and thank you misstikal1 for the nice comment I will check out your writing as well and I apologize to you both for not writing back earlier...holidays and sadness why do they get worse?...another hub that, eh?
Hello, I'm searching for nursing related blogs like mine http://nursingcrib.com and I stumbled your site, nice blog!. I hope you could also include me in your blogroll.
By the way, you have a very good writing skills here. Keep up the good work.
Your article was so very helpful.. I've been battling this problem for 7 + years. I've learned so much reading this, I feel less crazy now... chronic pain takes so much out of you day after day.. thank you so much for posting this article
astrananman my blessings and hopes for less pain are with you...I am only a nurse/I cannot diagnose/all this means nothing within your physiciian so be sure that you you keep all your appointments!!! ugh I know hard enough to walk to the bathroom much less go to the MD but do it anyway/take ALL your med BOTTLES with you every time and if you like, copy and take this article with you. ANy mistakes I may have made the cardiologist will be able to straighen out (I hope its all correct!!)
much love to you astranama
thankyouuuuuu
I am overweight i have high blood pressure and swollen legs and feet.One of the tablets i take to help with the pressure is a diuretic(Bendrofumethiazide)I have had a cut/sore (about the size of 2 £5 coins)on my shin for a couple of weeks!!This wound wont heal and now gets very hot with a yellowish discharge which runs down my leg.No great pain until recently where the wound feels like its burning and i can feel a sharp pain where the 'discharge appears' to originate from.There is also an odour from the wound like a slight rotten smell.I will be visiting my GP but on reading i can self diagnose cellulitis
yes if not worse...that yellow pus worries me...cellulitis is usually intact reddenend skin...but a frankly open wound with a foul odor is probably staph infection...MD will clean it out and then you will have to take care of it yourself at home/MD will show you how plus it absolutely must be elevated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your flexyx ( Bendrofumethiazide) is also a potassium sparing diuretic...no true salt substitutes for you!!!! and read the labels of everything your eat...avoid canned goods with potassium K?
but first on the list is the wound
my puter crashed big time and isnt fixed yet...I am hahaha sharing with hubby so if I dont get right to you it is HIS FAULT!!!!!!! hes so mean dont ya think? lol I love him
love you too/take care...let me know what the MD says okay?
nice hub RNMSN. I hope I never get that! I'm kinda wimpy, so I think I would see the doc pretty early in the progression of this condition. I could see where people would put off going to the doc because of budget and insurance issues. What would happen if you just let it go? Would you lose your leg? Or would it be too painful to let go indefinitely? Anyway. Good info. Thanks.
yes it could get really painful and bad then eventually no feeling at all but hopefully one wouldnt go THAT long...thanks for the comments and love to you kimh/bb
Finding your article has been very helpful to me. I have had lots of swelling in my feet and legs for at least 3 years now along with large weeping sores on both legs, feet ans now my arms.I am finally getting to see a specalist on July 5 and I hope she can help me. Thanks for listening.
Elaine from BC, Canada
proud I can help however remember I am only an RN, the MD has the last say and I am glad you have an appointment...take this to show him if you like////be sure to be your own ADVOCATE!!! Speak up ask questions dont need to be a you know what just make the MD explain everything...they get in such a hurry treating they leave out the teaching part sometimes/// I hope your MD isnt like that and will have plenty of time and answers and help for you!! love to you, barbara b
My mom has been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis in the spring and now is in the hospital for weeping leg edema. She has taken lactulose since her diagnosis and it had been very effective in reducing the swelling in her abdomen and legs. However, fluid built up yesterday and her abdomen is filled and she has weeping legs and weakness--too weak to walk. Is this the moment when the lactulose has stopped working? She is not very forthcoming with what the MD is telling her and we have been down the liver failure road before when my dad died.
I am not familiar with lactulose being used as a method of relieving weeping from the legs and addomen...lactulose is a very strong laxative...it wont relieve edema that I am aware of but I am only a nurse,,,this sounds like a physician needs to really be looking at your mother and he is as she is in the hospital......I will keep her in my prayers love to you, barbara...in the meantime as far as weeping edema when you get her home...the best thing to do and very easily done as well as a comfortable way to relieve the problem is this: wash legs twice daily with antibacterial soap and water, pat do not rub dry, wrap with four inch wide kerlix or wrapping gauze but not tight!! never apply any copression at all!! EVER!!!start from the feet and work the Way up to the knees and do not wrap back down again!!then take four inch wide ace wrap and again no compression FROM THE FEET UP just to keep the gauze in place...and tape the ace wrap dont use the clips or else get the ones with the velcro..get several as you can re wash the ace wrap but not the kerlix...always wash your hands too before and after and use gloves...you knew that :)dont buy the supples from wmart...too expensive/go to a home health agency that sells these supplies it will be cheaper in the long run and if Im not mistaken dependable nursing on swan and 22nd sells all that or can tell you where to go but as she is in the hospital right now she is where she needs to be and she is in the place she needs to be she will be in my prayers...I am only a nurse and could be way off base with the use of lactulose but thats the first thing id ask the MD whats the lactulose being used for? Id expect a true diuretic to be in use but again the physician is the only one to ask!!! I hope she will be better soon!! barbara b
I have a friend who's husband has really bad weeping legs. they have to be cleaned and re-wrapped at least every other day...as anyone every heard of using silver nitrate on such a thing? And if so how succesful was it?
burns it too much then you end up with pitting holes that weep more...silvadene now thats used sometimes as is gauze prepared with an iodine type paste called xeroform but only for a little while...too long and it will make it worse...washing with soap and water, light wrap feet to knees with wide soft kerlix then ace wrap without any compression...just enough to hold the dresing in place and do it daily thats the ticket clean and dry as a bone as long as there are no signs of infection and its just oozing...but the best thing is go to the doctor and have the doctor decide because there may be other issues involved about the circulation of his legs itself that we cant know without a physician..they always are the best and first resource...but thats the ticket clean and dry and elevate if there are no arterial compromises involved...good luck!! encourage your friend to take him to a wound care doctor...a plastic surgeon and a cariologist...they will help him better than anything I am sure! love to you barbara b
My mothers legs are trrrible. She has an underling heart condition that started this condition, which has since been addressed, and now we can't seem to cure the weeping. Presently, we are going to the Wound Clinic three times per week, and we don't seem to be making any progress. We only seeem to be changing bandages every day. I have to change the wraps on the days we don't go to the wound clinic. Sometimes twice a day.
The nurses are wrapping her legs with first with a medicated strip they call silver, then a absorbant pad, then gauze, followed by an ace bandage tightly wrapped, followed by a compression wrap called Ciric-air. The raw legs never get any fresh air or a chance to breath. I's really getting discouriging lately. I sure hope she finds some relief soon.
that wound care will work but you must be patient...the silver dressing is an antimicrobe and will help decrease infection...if you left them open with the weeping they would soon become heavily infected and with more open areas than there are nw...dont give up!!continue to stay with the physician plan and continue to encourage your momma...it takes a long time for legs that are vascular compromised to recover...the heart is very selfish..it will take care of itself and its surrounding area only...it doesnt mind pumping the blood to the toes but it wont go out of its way to pump the blood back up to the lungs again!! thats why the legs need to be compressed with the wrappings..to help with the pumping action on the way back to the lungs... I hope your momma gets relief soon as well...dont forget to encourage her to prop her lgs up when shes sitting and to walk as much as she is able..walking is an automatic upward pumping action for the blood...I know it is hard but she will get better!! love to you both!! barbara b
believe me, attempting to self treat edema once your at the stage of severe weeping, is virtually impossible. at least for me it was . it literally broke my spirit. i stuck it out 4 weeks guessing what it could be. thankfully , common sense finally snuck up on me at 2am the day after memorial day. i was basically useless. 10 -15 min to put my socks on . no joke. 3 huge white leathery patches on my lower leg. @ 3" x 2" each. i could only breathe comfortably while standing up. cong heart failure never crossed my mind. i could have just died any given day at that point. and my leg, well its been 10 weeks and i can finally go without a dressing on my right leg. it feels great. in my first 4 of 6 days in the hospital, i got rid of 40 lbs in fluid i was retaining in my lower body , torso , heart lungs , carotid , jugular ,liver ... yeah , who knew. i was thinkin leg infection. goes to show you theres times when were not supposed to think, ,lol, let the doc do that. listen to your dr and the first time it happens should be the last. meds and diet and quitting smoking have kept me feeling better than i have in 20 yrs. im 36 , btw. depending on the dmg on ur legs, it can be a long recovery. a scary one at that. i wasn t prepared to slowly let my flesh die and turn black then using a debriding agent on it. i just wanted to tell my story because im so happy that i got through it. i thought id never be back to my old self again . it got that bad. my prayers go out to all of you out there who are living in a constant puddle. a week in the hospital is nothing compared to what youll lose playing dr at home.
oh jm362010 my prayers and love go to you I am so glad you woke up at 0200 hours that day and got yourself to the hospital!! bless you for sharing your story!! yes I am also so very proud of you for quitting smoking you go!! you rule!! love to you...barbara
3 weeks ago, my brother was diagnosed with liver cancer and kidney failure. One day he just woke up, not able to walk, a stomach that looked like a basketball, and now weeping edema from his left leg, ankle and foot. These areas are very swollen. The doctor still has him on the lactulose and refuses to put him on a diuretic. Why would they not give him something like hydrochlorothiazide or something like that to help with getting rid of the fluid? The doctors are giving him a month to live and are not helping him at all. My neice is taking care of him through one of the hospice places in Flint Michigan. The doctors say that there is nothing else that they can do for him. They just want to keep him all drugged up on morphine. I'm really worried about more fluid around his heart and other parts of his body. My brother is only 55 and he still looks younger than any other man in my family that are in there 60's. Do you have any suggestions on what we can do for my brother to make his last days more comfortable.
one of the problems with diuretics especially with heart failure is it will speed up the process of the heart failure...it would make him feel worse physically than he already is...if your brother is on hospice that is good...the hospice nurses are wonderful and will make sure he is kept as comfortable and still able to participate with his life for as long as he is able...I am so sorry you are having to bear this and my prayers are with you...try to listen to all the physicians say and what they do not say and definitely the hospice nurses and be with your brother on the phone or in email as much as possible...this will not be an easy time for any of you. love to you and your family barbara b
posted twice/my fingers slipped
my ankles have been swollen for 3months. I have visited a physician and they have done all these test- liver, kidney, heart, blood sugar, pressure and they are all negative. my legs are still swollen though. wha t could i be suffering from? i am also weighing 110 kg and i feel very heavy.
just your ankles? first of all let me reiterate that you must continue to stick with whatever your physicians are telling you/but I was just wondering do you spend alot of time with your legs down,sitting at a desk all day? that could cause swelling just in ankles so could a lot of salt in your diet...and not enough water and not walking enough...be sure to let your doctor know all of these things... they are important pieces that will let the doctor make the best diagnosis! good luck!!
my mother has had a uterus removal operation a year ago. For the past few months she has developed swelling in her legs and hands and it feels like dough. She is diabetic and has low bp, condition known before the operation too. Because of the swelling, she is finding it difficult to walk, sit for long times, prefers to sleep and has physicological issue(halucination) at night(the sugar is under control). She has not recovered after that operation now.
your poor Momma! What does the physician say? It is strange that with LOW BP she is having swelling in her legs...they are not weeping fluid are they? sometimes just not walking enough will cause the legs to swell, its the walking that helps pump the fluid back into the torso but I am stumped/I hope she is seeing an internist! good luck and love to you and your Momma as well its horrible to feel helpless when its your Mom/I know! barbara b
An excellent Hub very interesting and full of good practical advice.
thank you Maggie! This one I have used several times as an inservice! love to you, barbara b
Thank you for this article. I read it a few months ago when my Dad's legs suddenly began weeping exactly as this article described. He was end stage metastatic prostate ca, heart failure. We were nursing Dad here at home with support from the local palliative care team and his legs had only started to swell two weeks earlier. It wasn't something that we were expecting but I wasn't really asking questions about what may happen to dad, we were just dealing with what was happening. Dad only lasted 6 days after his legs started to weep - yet even the 24 hours before he passed away the Dr and nurses thought it would settle. I just wanted to thank you for posting a factual article in simple language. It helped us to understand what was going on. Thanks.
I am glad you had you had the palliative nursing team/those nurses have hearts of gold!
I know you miss your dad, I miss mine.
It is my pleasure to give you and others information that is easy to understand my love to you and yours, barbara b
I am currently being treated for venous insufficiency with venous stasis ulcers. I have to wear una boots for up to 6 weeks at a time to heal the ulcers. Occasionally I will experience the weeping from the legs. I have a weight problem which I am also working on as hard as I can but not being very ambulatory due to the una boots makes it difficult to get the exercise I need. Does drinking alot of water help with the edema? How much do I need to drink daily? I am a 51 yr old male. 6'1" and 300+ lbs. Love your column and appreciate any help you can provide!
OK Rob you have the best treatment there is for venous stasis ulcers/thats a whole different thing from CHF but the same result/chronic weeping edema...and the zinc oxide as well as the compression the unna boot provides is what is healing your open ulcers...now you say 6 wks at a time but usually the wrappings are changed once a week/sometimes twice if the weeping is excessive correct? and you get to take a shower before the rewrapping is done correct? and hopefully you have a home health nurse who is monitoring this and actually providing the wound care and calling your physican with updates? or do you have the wrapping done at the MD office? either way its the best and one of the oldest forms of treatments for venous stasis ulcers...walking of course helps because that pushes the fulid back to the top of your body...your heart is selfish as I have said/it could care less about your feet and legs it only concentrates on your torso and maybe if it has to, your brain...like a I said your heart is very selfish...so prop up your legs and walk as much as you can
now about the fluid intake/you need an ok about this from your phsyician...you need to weigh yourself every day same time, same set of clothes or none which is actually best and you dont need an expensive scale just one that is just for you...keep a log and call the physician with a weight gain of over 3 pounds in 24 hours or over 5 pounds in a week...but as for the fluid intake itself too much is as bad as not enough...your MD should be the one to tell you what he wants yiur dry weight to be...hes the boss :) so until then stick to 6 to 8 glasses of water a day gross I hate water...I can smell it and it wont go in my mouth :) there an honest nurse eh? but water is the best flusher of your kidneys and the best way to help that excess fluid come back into the vessels and back to the top of your body where it belongs as well...
this is a lot of info to throw at you Rob...the most important is dont give up and it is the absolute best treatment for your diagnosis!!! dont cut the wrappings!! dont let a nurse cut the wrappings off (you cant order you MD not to do it...) dont pick at the ulcers, dont try to get all the white (or pink) unna boot stuff off...and dont give up!!! much love and prayers to you and for you and write me back and let me know how you are progressing!! barbara b
I have had edema in my legs for 4 years now. 1 year ago I was diagnosed with lymphedema however when they tested my lymphatic system they said there were no blockages. Lately my legs have been draining through the skin. When I ask the doctor about what is causing this they say they do not know. I suspect it is due to me being overweight. I do not get a lot of exercise and am afraid due to my weight that if I mis-step I could injure myself big time. I currently weigh over 300 lbs. I am a 40 year old man. I think part of my problem is my metabolism is way low. I do wear tubigrips F-20 rating and use a leg pump every day. Do you have any suggestions for me?
lymphedema is very difficult to control and you are definitely doing what you need to do with the compression stockings. I am sending you over to jackie (Bayoulady) because she knows more about it than I do, hang on a minute, let me get the link up for you...here you go...
http://hubpages.com/hub/Lymphedema-Leg-Care-Stocki
much love and prayers to you, barbara b
Angus, it has been 5 days and you havent gone over to bayoulady hubpage!
I am a nurse yes but besides the physician I think you should go read jackies hub and find out as much about the lymphedema first hand as possible!!
and when I say first hand thats exactly what it will be!!!
so go on now and read her hubpages on lymphedema! :) love to you!! barbara b
there I just tested the link and it goes right over ther!!! here it is again anyway :) nurses are such naggers arent we?????
Hi guys I had extremely bad edema but its finally going away my legs are back to being skinny as before, but i still have wheeping coming from my inner thigh? any reason for this? and should neosporin be put on the sores at all. They are not open or infected, but there are many purple marks on my inner thigh.
Of course first and foremost when is the next physician appointment? call him!! in the meantime:
I hope you are not wearing tight britches?
no chaffing of any kind?
getting air and keeping the inner thighs clean dry and maybe some gold bond powder on them? also sleep in cotton and always wearing boxers?
too many personal questions too I know :)
if the sores are shallow desitin would actually make them heal faster...its the zinc oxide in it...just put it on at night and do NOT wipe it or try to scrub it off in the shower...and if the sores get too yellow or the drainage turns yellow of course go back to your physician...which you need to do anyway as long as there is weeping regular physician appointments are an absolute must!!
much love to you ad let me know how you are doing...barbara b
thanks for the great advice. I have narrowed it down to one tiny sore on my thigh maybe a centimeter in diameter. It just drips and drips and drips, the little sucker refuses to stop or scab. Very annoying!
And also i did call my physician he determined via phone it was slightly infected but not bad enough to take worry unless other symptoms occur. I do have an appointment with him wed. but it is just so hard to constantly have to wear shorts. One little tiny sore leaves quite the wet marks on any fabric no matter how much dressing is applied.
well I am so glad you get to see the MD tomorrow!! I hope it is nothing!! let me know :) love to you
barbara b
Article very helpful--working with an elderly shutin (I'm not a health care provider) who refuses to take most her meds (i.e. heart,BP,) but does "play with" her insulin based on blood levels,now is taking her lasix
(but says its not working)experiencing edema-itching,painful,weeping, trying to get her to agree to doctor appt next week and will probably request referal to hospice --Doesn't want to be hospitalized to bring this undercontrol but needs relief
man that diabetes I hate that disease/poor ole thing I know she is just worn out if all she is doing is "playing" with her meds...its the diabetes that will make everything else so much worse
I pray she gets some relief soon
and as her caregiver take care of your own health!!
stay well and bless you for your kind hands and heart as you take care of her
love to you
barbara b
You seem to have some of the best overall and specific advice I have found on the web, so I hope you may be able to help me. My mother is in end stage liver disease. She has extreme ascites, varices, jaundice, malnutrition, anemia...etc. The last time they tapped her they took 8.1 liters, and it was back in 1 week. 2 weeks ago they did a TIPS procedure. The shunt clotted in 24 hours,but they got it open again & it seems to be working. Even though her ascites has gone down a bit, the edema in her legs is worse. She has developed large blisters on her feet that burst and weep. She is on lactulose, lasix and aldactone. I am extremely worried about the infection risk. Any ideas as to how to mitigate this symptom? I look forward to your reply. Thank you, and Happy Holidays!
I forgot to ask you what you think about leg compression machines. My mother said she had a lot of relief using one in the hospital. I've done some web research, but they seem to run in price from $50 on Ebay to $500! I'm not sure about how they compare and which features are essential. Are you familiar with the various models available? I cannot afford one over $100. Again, I thank you for your time. Janelle
And one more thing.... I noticed that 4 months ago Tucson Mom posted about her mom with cirrhosis. You said you were not familiar with lactulose as a treatment for leg edema, but I thought Tucson Mom might benefit from knowing what it does do. It is a laxative that targets ammonia elimination, which tends to build up in end stage liver disease. Excess ammonia causes encephalopathy which is swelling of the brain that makes the patient very 'loopy' and can even lead to coma and death. My mother hates it because it causes very frequent, very loose bowels.
Hello Janelle I hope your Momma is doing better...one thing the stent from the TIP will do is help reduce the ascites of course but it will not help with the edema of the legs...and of course at the neck where the TIP went in that area must be monitored for infection/pain, redness, swelling, drainage, warmth...hopefully the bypass of the the stent in the liver will not cause more toxins to build up in her brain and thank you for reminding me to look up the use of lactulose again!
Man that stuff is something isnt it?
I am only familiar with it as a very strong laxative/it is always good to learn!!
thank you!!
now, about the blisters on the soles of the feet/see they are VERY far away from your Moms heart...it is doing all it can to help our her liver/it is NOT watching out for her feet!...but really it sounds as if your Momma and her physicians have things well under control...as for infection keep her feet dry as a bone and clean as spic and span clean and dry as possible!! wrap them loosely with gauze if the weeping soaks the socks or linens but always wash them with soap and water and pat /never rub/ and dry as dry as possible/leave them outside the covers if she can stand it and float them" on just a tiny pillow/just enough to keep her heels off the bed or the sofa or the chair shes sitting in...this MUST be done at all times or her heels will break down...other than all the care you are already doing stay as well as you can/you are her first line of defense so dont let yourself get sick!!!!
this is not going to be easy to hear but of course you know end stage renal disease is not a good prognosis...keep all her MD appointments!!! keep up with her medications and watch for any changes in level of consciousness...at the slightest sign that she is not as lucid as she was the day before...back to the physician!!!
my prayers will go up for you and your Momma
I love you
barbara b
Hi,I was diagnosed with severe c.o.p.d. and chronic adema. I do not have weeping anything but I do have swelling and extreme excess water. My legs constantly ache and itch. I also have high blood pressure so I take blood pressure pills that also work for the adema and I take lasix. I recently lost 27 pounds in two days which was all water! This article really helped me understand the edema better then when my DR. tried to explain it to me. I read this and called my DR. she informed me that I have severe chronic pulmonary edema and that it has to be monitered very closely. Now I know why I take the same tests over and over. Thank you very much for explaining it in a way that a normal person can understand.
carlswife50
you are so welcome!! I am so glad my writings help!! thats what nurses live for :) to hear "oh NOW I see!"
that just made my day!!
thank you so much carlswife now you take good care of yourself and dont forget to put your feet up!! :)
love to you!
barbara b
hmmm. i already read and commented on this one, and I'm back. Dad had edema with CHF and had to go have it drained in the hospital. I think that's why this hub grabs my attention every time I see it.
I always put my feet up when I'm on my laptop, which is a lot. I have been thinking it might not be good, and that it would be better to have them on the floor; like maybe I was cutting off circulation. Now I can prop my feet in peace, because you said so RNMSN. Thanks!
way to go kim!! the only time its BAD to raise your feet high is if you have peripheral arterial disease which despite the stupid TV commercials is mercifully rarer than any other heart disease!!! with PAD legs stay dependent or neutral
with fluid diseases like CHF, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, peripheral vascular disease then absolutely prop those poor aching dogs up after a long hard working day :)
love to you and thank you!
barbara b
hi ,
It was a releif for me to read your site my mum has weeping legs and is in soooo much pain.Now I know why and can try to explain it to her,She has had several ulcers on her lower legs and now the weeping legs .I have rang her dr and told him she needs to be in hospital so he will TRY to find her a bed.She is 87 and lives alone he has her walk over to his surgery every day just to get her to walk a small distance but she is in so much pain she is crying all the time from it.
thank you for your site it was a great help for me to understand what she is going through.Lyn Australia
thank you Lyn and my prayers for your mum and for you
love to you
barbara b
Like Lyn above, my Mom, 87, has had weeping edema for about 4 years-doctors and nurses have tried everything that was discussedin earlier posts. To my Mom's lack of credit, she doesn't stay off her feet as much as she should, can barely walk, and absoultely refuses to go to the hospital where her doctor advises she should be. She lives by herself and is in constant pain. She is now considering going to a pain management doctor (shots or patches). Antibotics are no longer curing her infections and she is allergic to many antibotics which limit her doctor's choices...
uh oh
a home health nurse dilemma for sure...which brings me to: have you gotten home health to see your momma? even if she wont stay off her feet something as old as I am (cough cough) like unna boot might help a little...doesnt compress to the point where shes cutting it off with scissors (or her skin) but its just gauze impregnated with zinc oxide...yep...desitin :) dont you love it?
theres also that in itself...just desitin but youll go through two tubes in 2-3 days I bet/then rolled gauze from walmart or walgreens but it must be 4 inches wide and you absolutely MUST NOT pull ii on tight!and of course roll from foot to knee never top to bottom...circulation... then tape the ends then long strips of tape from ankle to knee never knee to ankle...circulation you know
but unna boots the same thing sometimes its pink so its zinc plus bismuth sometimes just white/zinc alone
it stays on 5 days!! then let her take a shower with the stuff still on and it will fall off...do not scrub the white stuff off!!!! pat dab never rub scrub
then put it on again
easy peasy and a home health nurse can do it!!! and maybe in the meantime add reinforcement with smiles on keep
scuse me just had to get the red ryder out...javalina eating the quail block!!!!! scared me to death!! my David said OK thats enough Boo I want him to come back!
AS IF!!!! in the yard? NOT
whew...where were we oh yes and encourage your momma to stay off her feet a bit
you know with edema it hurts to put them up,,,the circulation starts trying to work and the blood brings back feeling to the nerve endings
thats why staying on your feet keeps the pain away and after all how often do you look at your feet and legs when you are on your feet?
out of sight
out of mind
I probably havent helped much but I do so pray you ask about home health wherever you and your moma are...try to be there on the first three visits so you can see how whatever the MD orders is working and be sure to take her back to the MD if there is NO change or its worse within 14 dys or less if its worse of course....
make sure shes taking her diuretic whether its lasix or hctz or whatever along with all her other meds...they make her feel bad/hurts her stomach thats why home health nurses suggest a big 10 dollar pink or blue weeks medication box from walmart or walgreen that can hold 4 times of meds each day for 7 days
then you can tell whats being taken
be unobtrusive...if momma catches on youre checking up on her remember she your mom and knows your tricks!!!! :)
much love and hope to you and your momma
I love you
Barbara b
have read with interest but what if you have some psiorisis -scalp and 2 leg spots w/edema and hbp -the sores sta the same and ith w/dry crust anything to help thst
I am glad I found this article, I am 50 years old and I am on my 4 bout with these nasty weeping edema sores. Mine are like burns not ulcers, they do not hurt, but they weep yellow fluid all the time. I take a lasix 40mg daily, exercise 6x a day 10 minutes each time. I change the bandages 2x a day using triple antibotic ointment per Dr. orders. This time it seems they are harder to heal, First one healed in a month, second one took about 3 months, 3rd the same, these I have had since before Christmas. it is like the sore grows in one direction while healing in another (if that makes since). I elevate my leg for an hour a day, My problem is I have severe arthritis in my hips and it is nearly impossible to elevate my legs while sitting so I extend it and exercise it as much as possible and I stand and move about every hour. Is there anything I can do to speed healing, any advice is greatly appreciated.
Kelleigh
Joan..the old stuff for psoriarsis still works the best/black tar soap...I know sounds gross but it works
Kalleigh
please you poor dear...unfortunately it will get longer and harder to heal eavery time...why hasnt your MD put you into ted hose or compression hose yet? and youve stopped the salt of course and inceased the water?
and do you wrap your legs with kerlix and ace wrp or just put the antibiotic ointment on? be sure you see a vaxcular surgeon asap!! I know you are seeing your cardiologist as well? if not you MUST have !
internal med
cardiologist
vascular MD/surgeon
and make sure they all are on the same page together!!
my Daddy used to write/type long letters to ALL his MDs and it worked like a charm!! keeps em on their toes :)
much love to you both
barbara b
Thank you Barbara,
Yes I have been to a cardiologist, vascular specilist, and to wound care. I don't eat any salt and avoid food with high salt content. I could drink more water. I have had test after test and I don't have anything wrong except the arthritis, No heart, kidney, liver or cancer. I am supposed to use a large ace wrap but it is every difficult for me to put on myself. I did however find out something at wound care, I have been using hydrogen peroxide everytime I change bandages, and that was a big NO NO, so now they have me using saline. Which has helped, I am seeing scabs on the small wounds...Yay!
Kelleigh
oh thank goodness, you scared me a minute with the mention of the h2o2...that will KILL good tissue now so you are doing good...the tricke with ace wrap is getting it started right at your foot cloe as possible to your toes and that takes 2 wraps the around your ankle and under you foot 1 sometime 2 wraps then keep the ace wrap on your skin...only give it a gently tug when it is at your shin then wrap, dont pull on it all the time and try to wrap it so your ace wrap is held in your hand right side up/not upside down
thats a hard thing to explain with out pictures but you can do it
my question is why all the ace wrap? there are compression hose that come with this thingy that pulls it on for you! or even ted hose!! ask yor MD :)
love to you
barbara b
Oh, see I have been trying to start the ace at the ankle and that just does not work, thanks for the idea. I will ask my Dr. about hose, My leg is swelled 3x what it should be so it is very large while my right leg is normal size. (working on that too).
hmmmmm that sounds like lymphedema and bayoulady knows more than I about that/ususally called elephantisis but here in the states where the parasite from africa does not exist to cause elephantitis its lymphedema and needs compression hosing...but absolutely you MUST begin the ace wrap at your top of your foot////depends on how much swelling you have as to how many ace wraps it will take to cotrol it but as I said before the ted hose or compression stockings/shoot/ even profore 4 layer wrap would do you more good than just an ace wrap
ask your MD!!!
I have weeping, itching legs cause from my obesity and lower leg edema eczema. I was wondering if washing them with Hibiclens will help them heal or relieve the itching.
I have weeping, itching legs cause from my obesity and lower leg edema eczema. I was wondering if washing them with Hibiclens will help them heal or relieve the itching.
Hibiclens will kill the staph bacteria on your legs but it will make the eczema worse soooo I must say back to the ermatologist!!! you may need a dose of antibiotics by mouth as well as a special cream for your legs...you of course know not to use anything with steroid in it like cortisone?
I knew you knew that :)
but plain ole soap and water and a lotion like Nivea is always a safe good prudent advice...pat dont rub
dab dont scrape and do not scratch!!!!
wait until your legs are as dry as you can get them after washing to apply any lotion...
good idea for another nursing hub too/eczema so thank you Donna and let me know what the dermatologist says!
love to you
barbara b
thank you!
Have had cellulitis for over a year now.
It started at ankle in the leg which has poor circulation.
Doctor treated it like a simple infection.
She told me not to worry about it. Months later it climbed to mid calf..she said she didn't think it necessary to come in.
I finally was is such pain I went to E.R. E.R. gave me hell for going to them when I had a doctor.
Doctor gave me hell for going to E.R.
Doctor finally relented and saw me again.
Since that time I have been put on oral sulfa drugs...three separate rounds of keflex...two 10 day period and a 1 month period.
Currently the raw weeping skin damage is just below me knee steadily creeping higher.
After finishing last go around with Keflex...my body started breaking out in red bumps..kind of like chicken pox would look like.
My scalp is covered now with tiny scabs which in three days have progressed up towards the crown and somewhat downward between ears and eyes.
Fever and hotness is gone from skin but the 'rash' continues everywhere.
I read hospitalization and i.v. antibiotics was what should follow failed oral antibiotics.
Is this correct ?
Any hlp you can offer by way of advice would be helpful as I'm losing confidence in my doctor.
barbaruss
you have a severe reaction to the cephalexin (keflex)
wouldnt have been my first guess for cellulitis but then I am only an egg/slightly cracked :)if I culd which i cant/I would have guessed the MD would have done augmentin because it sound as if the edges were even, (sharply demarcated) werent they? which makes it one step up from just plain ole oops I scraped my foot and now Ive got a skin infection
also I wonder did the MD give you a tetanus shot or ask if you have had one in the ast 2 years? the shot for tetanus is to help stop the spread of the bacteria called staphlcoccus...
did anyone EVER culture your leg? it amazes me MD will just write a script and hope its the one that will kill whatever bacteria is causing the cellulitis
cellulitis as you know is bacterial infection of the three layers of the skin dermis, epidermis and subcutaneous
its USUALLY streptcoccus but can be klebeciella or staphlcoccus or even, and this sound lke you/to me/ methicillin resistant staph aureus
strep staph kleb, e coli,all those bacteria are on and in us and around forever and nothing keeps them dead forever
if its MRSA you absolutely need IV Vancomycin, through a central line or a PICC line and don't get scared, sometimes it takes months of treatment to get it down to a colonized state...good thing is the treatment is only once a day, you can learn to do it yourself, a home health nurse can teach you and come once a week to draw blood work (through the line so you wont get stuck every week) and to change the dressing and the cap on the end of the line
or you could go to outpatient clinic if you arent old or dont have the insurance ability for home health
but if I were you I would go to an INFECTION CONTROL DISEASE MD
one who specializes in infections of all kinds
and I would INSIST he/she culture your leg FIRST!! though if the doc is worth his/her salt that wont be a big fight
thats what I would what for you, if you belonged to me...oh by the way did I tell you that now you DO belong to me???? :)
OK so heres the plain common sense you are doing already and know but you get the lecture FREE!!!!
Wash your hands well and often sing the ABD"S :) or your happy bday to me wile washing do NOT use a washcloth on your leg!!!! stick you left foot in the biggest tub/basin you can find...there n the feed store a 5 gallon metal one is the best
soak yur foot/leg with warm not hot water and witch hazel....get the witch hazel at the dollar store and use a fourth of the small bottle to a 5 gallon of water and scoop the water with your clean hands over your knee over and over again
do this two or three times a days if possible
do it for 20 minutes or until the water is cool/tepid like
take your leg out of the bucket and wrap it in a clean towel and just sit there with it no fair rubbing or patting or touching just wrap it up kinda taut and let it dry on its own
as for the rest of your body go to walmart or frys or food city...get a bar of fels naptha or octagon soap/same soap different names on either side of the mighty mississip :) and do not use a washcloth and use that soap on your hair/scalp/body wash from the the top to the bottom and end with the private parts...no fair using the bar on your body you have to lather it your hands then was then rinse your hands then lather with soap I know its a long process
but it will work!!
now get the phone book out and or the net and check out another MD/one with nfectious disease control after their name!!
good luck and God bless you
this has been too long for you to be suffering....makes me angry...I will say my prayers for you/itll be easy name to recall :) sounds like mine
barbara b
Thank you Barbara for your response.
I know that my infection is either some sort of strepto...?? I do know it is not MRSA.
I went on line to (holiday..nothing open now)our county disease control office. Described my condition and asked how I could ascertain the validity of my fear the infection went systemic. Reason for this is that my leg is still swelling up.. the swelling is going higher. While the surface infection remains below the knee the leg continues to swell (widen ?).
Another thing that concerned me was that the skin on scrotum and penis thickened to a frightening degree. That area was purple red...with raw abrasion like patches with weeping up until a couple days ago.
There seems to be a moderate decline in the swelling, The rawness and seeping seemed to have stopped.
I am wearing a leg wrap called an Unna Boot which is medicated plus has calamine lotion in it too.
I changed it this morning, and while there are still some severe cracks where foot bends the rest seems to be covering over the raw wound with new skin....this is a first !! The coloring leg looks like a chunk of skinned deer rather than a human leg.
Will follow your directions next time I have to change the Unna Boot.
Thank you for loving kindness Barbara. I am grateful to know I have finally been listened to and offered tangible help.
I have been a nurse for over 20 years, normal treatment has always been dry dressing and change as needed for saturation. Usually Telfa over wound then wrapped with Kerlix, in recent years there has been a change to AMD dressings. My new DON that has only been a nurse for less than 2 years has decided to have the wound covered with vaseline gauze then wrap with kerlix, only change the kerlix when saturated and leave the vaseline gauze on for a week before changing. I feel this will increase the risk for infection and will macerate the wound and surrounding skin, what do you think?
barbaruss..the unna boot has zinc in it and should have healed it after all this time...theswelling in your periarea makes me worry about a blood flow blockage/a cot/especially with the swelling above your knee...holiday or not healthcare is 24/7 and if you are in PAIN all day/night then seek immediate attention!!! if you are using the unna boot then soaking your foot will NOT help...because the zinc and bismus (the pink stuff in unna boot) needs to stay on your skin from change to change...I am glad to hear about the new skin growth thats good but still want you to seek another MD!! my nurse kratchet experience is making the "In case of PANIC PUSH" button going on and off bright red about you!!!
hello nursejohn!!! I have to say that the young ones seem to want to switch things up a bit eh? I used to do like you, wash the leg/wound with soap and water, dry dressing and daily dressing changes
but that is essentially a wet to dry because when I would take the telfa off the wound would be stuck so Id wet it or try to gently peel it off and it took forever to heal!! then the WOCN changed to moist wound healing properties at all times for all wounds and things improved a little bit...a dry dressing is not a skilled need/in home health or n a hospital setting or in geriatric care...and moist wound healing works faster...but does NOTHING to correct the chronic weeping that comes with edema of the lower extremities...if you are in a place where you can make or ask for MD orders ask for an arterial venous index/an AVI test to see if there is a problem with the blood flow and determine specifically if the wound is due to venous or arterial problems...how its treated then will be VERY different!!! thats another reason I want Barbaruss to seek another MD opinion...and a good reminder for all of us in healthcare John...look at all of the problem not just tunnel vision on what we think we have always seen or always treated it with...you know? and always always go with the MD/dont buck your DON...remember as per Louis A'Mour "if you are outnumbered the majority always rules"
A VERY hard lesson for nurses in the rank and fle/we are always outnumbered arent we?
love to you both
barbara b
Last night was a bit rough, but not as bad as before.
I can wait until my Dr. appointment tomorrow, and then to (hopefully) hear from disease control.
I will try to find another doctor as soon as possible.
I did want to tell you that my right leg (where this mess is located) has had a malfunctioning valve (located I believe mid calf) for over 40 years. There has always been swelling in that leg...that ongoing condition went ballistic when I contracted the bacterial infection.
Couldn't locate either witch hazel or fels naptha soap.
Will call around later today.
Went back to re-read what you had written earlier...no I did not get a tetanus shot nor have I had one in years.
Thank you again all you do.
oh goodness barbaruss worser and worser!!!
now I have more of your info I am even more concerned and am so glad you are seeing your MD tomorrow and so very glad to hear you are trying to obtain another opinion!!! you have suffered so long its time to stop it!!
if you cant find witch hazel or fels naptha then you must be in the UK?
in whch case I think its harder to get home health nurse? or easier? I dont know...just know I want you to get well!!
love to you
let me know how it goes...
barbara b
Saw doctor...she changed unna boot (after swabbing leg with iodine).
Two thirds of leg is semi dry (as opposed to the heavy seepage I had earlier) new skin is still trying to make a go of it. The leg is still wet/sticky to the touch over all....with a bit of heavier seepage above heel and ankle extending upward about 5 or 6 inches inches. I'm assuming that bending from when I when I walk, or move the foot why that area is slower to heal.
The deep split skin in the still seeping area seems to be slowly healing.
Doctor put on unna boot, and sent me home with another one for me to put on in 3 or 4 days.
She wrote prescription for Sulfamethoxazole twice a day for 10 days. This is the stuff she started me on prior to Keflex.
Some tenderness exist at edges of upper wound area.
A 'painful to the touch' ( narrow 'line' for lack of a better description up my leg to a point above the knee.
It seems to be between two sets of muscles. There is not surface color or change to indicate blood poison or anything along those lines
Swelling of leg remains the same....the body wide rash remains an aggravation to contend with.
Doctor said to use 5% permethrin cream body wide as a precaution against the possibility that the rash might prove tobe be scabies rather than a keflex allergic reaction.
Note came via email from Public Health Nurse at disease control..her response was: 'if you are not having trouble breathing nor are you feeling ill, the staph is not in the blood stream.' She suggested I go to E.R. should any such symptoms arise.
Have a touch of lower back pain which may be kidneys complaining about all the stuff they are processing. Back of knees are eaten up by rash and it is difficult to walk unless I walk knees forward like an Indian following a game trail.
I/m not in the U.K....I'm in Northern California.
Didn't have it together to drive to a city large enough to have witch hazel and fels naptha soap.
So there you have it..an update however minimal today days information is.
As before bless you Barbara for your kindness..ditto Nurse John
gracious barbaruss and she didnt culture it this time either?
well, if the MD is using iodine along with zinc then lets not add anything else to the mix except another opinion!!
problem I am having with this is it alarms me but not the MD? all these changes but still not able to get a handle on the edema/skin issues?and its been so long right? a year and its still diagnosed as cellulitis? and now you are on a sulfa drug...OK so obviously I am missing something here...this small town where you are/just this MD and the small rural hospital ER/thats your options?OK then call the nearest big towns hospital or get on the net and look for a plastic surgeon...yes because they know so much about skin :) and if possible get another look at your leg.
Sometimes small towns have MD's from big city come to thier hosp and do outpatient...see if thats a possibility too then you wont have to make a long trip...but after a year/for real/you must get another set of objctive eyes on this issue!
there nurse kratchet over and out :)
I do tend to go on and on
love to you
barbara b
There was culture taken....no blood tests ordered.
The town isn't that small and Santa Ros is just 12 miles away. The E.R. got on me the time I went there (when my Dr. refused to see me). The basically told me I should not be tying up their E.R. staff when I did have my own doctor.
The good which came from the E.R. visit was that it caused my doctor to take my complaint seriously, but by the time she did relent and see me the infection was a huge mess.
The edema may well be a 'catch 22' situation,as I couldn't walk with out causing skin to split. and not being able to walk caused swelling to continue enlarging leg. I did notice something this morning...the leg in question was less swollen. After getting up, and doing a few the swelling was back to what it was when I went to bed last night.
It's pretty clear that for now I'm going to have to remain on this worrisome wait and see status.
Thank you for being there for me. I realize there is little more you can do..but the simple fact of knowing there is a person I can turn to is both calming and reassuring.
any time!! thats what nurses like to hear and we are always there for our patients :)
take it easy/
I'm now 38 and had lower adema since I was 20 I have no weeping or sores I had all kind of test with no luck it mostly act up during the summer. Whenever the swelling occur my head hurts and I feel bad I tend to sweat alot and lately my hands are starting to swell. Because my legs have been swelling for a long time the bone also tend to dent when you push it in. Can anyone please help me?
Man I hope it isnt really the bone that ndents dude that would HURT! It loks lke it dents but thats because theres so much tissue swelling....What does you MD say about all this
wait I forgot you are young
I have a 28 yr old and man is she determined to NEVER see the physician!!!!
Well I dont have a clue where to start
20yr old and swelling of the legs? are you type I diabetic? if so whats your HgbA1C? do you have other underlying diagnosis or a chronic condition of any kind? Do you have heart trouble. I am afraid without a full istory I must say plaese see you physician and do not withhold any information! sometimes the thing you will be of no consequence will the the one thin the MD will see as "smoking gun" in order to diagnosis you the the fullest I am sorry I cant help...please let me know what you find out!
Barbaruss are you out there? Dude I so hope you are piled up in a hospital or a SNF with a central line or a PICC with Vacomycin 3 times a day and a twice daily visit from a WOCN!!!! Hospital food!!! YUMM!!!!
Please write and let me know whats happening dude!!!
love to you sophia and barbaruss!!!
barbara b
Hi Barbara and John
returned from hospital around 12:00 noon today 6/9/11.
Wanted to get back to you to let you how things are.
Went to E.R. Sunday a.m. because next Dr. visit was days off and I was fast becoming a huge mess.
It turns out that I do have M.R.S.A,
A pik (?) line was installed yesterday.
Am currently on a twice daily i.v. drip of Vancomvcin 1259/75ml 0.9NaCi. Cute little gal was here for about
1&1/2 hours, walking me though paper work, and giving instructions, so I can deal with this stuff from home.
I am getting the impression I'm in for a 7 to 10 day run of this stuff.
Along with this is 4 days worth of Cipro 500 mg twice daily. Some one thinks there may be a secondary infection.
I have a topical ointment triamicinilone 0.1% 3 times daily after cool shower to be applied everywhere (but raw wounded part of lower leg).
On 13th of this month I go to a wound care hospital for whatever care and instruction they might provide.
Can't think ahead far enough to second guess any questions you might have.
Glad I had you two to let me know that serious means serious and to not screw around any more.
Thanks again
Russ
Daily amount drip dosage was increased the following day to 1750/75ml.
No other news.
well good to know you went and fantastic to kow you are finally on the raod to recoery
do NOT get discouraged if the osage goes up and down, the cute little nurse will come once a week (minimum) to change the dressing on your PICC lic (peripherally inserted central catheter) and to take a trugh level of the vanco in your bloodstrema...the MCD will be watching your diney function carefully!!!!! the thing not to be surprised about s that you will probably be in for much longer than 10 days of IV vanco....this stuff takes a while to get under control so do not get discouraged
be aware that the cute nurse should always wera a mask and gloves and gown to change the dressing on the PICC. She should always tell you to turn your head away form the site (so you dont breathe on it) she should always measure your bicep and the length of tubing utsde the site, she should always ask if you have had gastric distress, rash, overall reddness, new red or open areas or chest pain.
Dont forget the best way to prevent the spread of infectin is handwashing :) sing the ABCs or the Happey bday song before and after meds, meals bathroom etc
be sure that yu remember this MRS is not due yo anything you or anything else someone else has done
MRSA and all other bacteria resistant antibiotics started form the MOMENT enicillin was first used
the bacteria in the entire WORLD smartened up at that point and had an AH HA moment of their own...we have een tryng to stay a step ahead of bacteria ever since with only a fraction of success compared to the havoc bacteria has wrought.
so, take the antibiotic as it is prescribed, remember to take it out of the fridge about 30-45 min before the next dose, remember to change the tbing every day, remember to SCRUB the cap on your PICC line HARD HARD with alcohol whenever you access it...you will be fine..
write me anytime with questions but your home health nurse is your go to person :) arent they cute?
much love to you
what a relief to know you are in good hands now :)
BARBARA B
Am already doing my best to drop home care nurse.
Neither wore mask/gowns/nor did anything you have mentioned so far.
The only one to have done all the preventative measures that you've outlined was the nurse (in hosp)who inserted picc.
There was some confusion as to what was really going on...too much focus was on making sure payment was assured rather than that proper treatment was being facilitated !! I was sent to wound care clinic this a.m. and while there noted that the wound care quality there was exactly like the work done at hospital..and that the home care nurse just tossed a slap dash bandage on !
Now I'm just yammering at this rep and that rep until it goes the way I prefer. I may sound rude but this old body has been mistreated from the beginning re;this disease, so now I'm trusting my gut and going with what seems sanest and 'surest'. Thanks for heads up re; the duration of treatment...I always feels a bit better know what I'm in for.
The only thing that is up in the air now..is who will maintain care and keeping of picc.
I'm very careful regarding keeping things clean and following procedures. But that's for the reminder...!!
You're a Saint Barbara
Thanks again
Russ
what a horrible reflection on home health curses
I wish I could pinch their heads off!
Your wound care sounds best done at the wound care clinic and I am sure/hoping there is a WOCN nurse available to oversee the progress (wound ostomy certified nurse)
Your Picc line can be maintained as an outpatient basis at the hopsital/bet there is an infusion clinic around the hospital grounds or best yet, the place that sends the vacno...like fox infusion or critical care or whatever...they will all have nurses as well.
most imortantly of all Russ/so glad to use your name vs your avatar and hoping you do not mind the familiarity/
MOST important is to call the home health company and report what is going on, lack of infection control, focus on money instead of on care, lack of detailed and succict, written instructions etc to the administrator. Dont call the nursing director or a supervisor...call the administrator
thats shameful...it seems so weird that I learned my home health in Baldwin Co, Alabama...good thing I had a passport eh? and yet here, back in hubby and my heart home, its all backward and wrong! I fled the south to find enlightenment and peace and I did
but that was in 1979...we were gone from 1995 to 2009 trying to give the 2 kids a stable place
when we returned we found many differences but I never expected to be ashamed of home health nurses.
I swear, we are better than that dadgumit!!!!
well, now you really have to pay attention to that PICC line site
you can take a shower if the wound care clinic allows it but you have to wrap a kitchen towel then a kitchen garbage bag around your PICC site and tape it securely
Watch and feel your bicep above the site daily, make sure it doesnt get a hard spot or a sore spot or a redness and swelling
PAIN is the first sign of infection, not temp sides vanco is so strong you may never run a fever for the next 20 years :) but also watch for seepage around the place where the tube enters at the PICC site as well as odor, warmth, reddness
you absolutely must either find another home health or get the labwork you need done (usually weekly) and your dressing changed (minimum of weekly) and the injection cap changed minimum of weekly...thats the little blue or sometimes whte thingy that you screw the IV tubng into
that cap MUST be removed for labs...dont let anyone draw blood through the cap/thats procedure is always done hub to hub/meaning the syringe screws directly onto the bare end of the PICC line, the first 7-10 ml of blood is thrown into the red box, then another tube is drawn for the labwork then 10 ml saline is pulsated gently into the line, a newly primed injection cap is attached and another 10 ml of saline is pulsated through the cap.then the blood is transferred to the lab tube with a safety needle.
just like you do it except 20ml saline after bloodwork
dont give up
dont stop this treatment!
be strong
be mean if you have to but dont let this get to you
this is what you need, I knew it (nurses cant diagnose you know) and I dont want you to get in a rut or miss any IV treatments because of the stupid nurses/its been way too long and I dont want it to make you septic!
if
and this is only an if
if the insurance you have says you must have this agency or you will be responsible for the bill...then make that administrator come to your home with the policy and procedure for
1) changing a PICC line dressing
2) drawing blood through a PICC line on PICC lines
3) the policy stating what to assess on PICC lines/thats where the measuring of the catheter outside your elbow area (antecubital) and your bicep should be written
3) a copy of your plan of care called the 485/this is your right to know exactly what the nurse is supposed to perform, assess and instruct to you while they are in your home
4) dont be afraid to use thngs off the internet and absolutely use terms like "best practice" or "prudent nursing" and especially "evidence based" to describe how the nurses were negligent in infection control! the end of that catheter on ends in the superor vena cava of your body closest to but not quite entering the right atrium of your heart!
:)
knowledge is power...sides....
you wont be using you knowledge to corrupt absolutely
you just want to get well!!
get the folder the cute nurse left at your house with the name of the agency and the nurses name...inside you should find at least 3 pieces of yellow papers/copies of what you signed...find the one that has the HOT LINE NUMBER listed on it....a 800 number...thats your ace up your sleeve just in case the administrator is less than helpful
make a list of all your options and get on the phone... what has happenend to our society Russ? How can anyone go into the craft of nursing thinking of money?
What happened to the laying of hands on someone who cannot help themselves? What happened to the nursing creed of first do no harm?
did they at least wash their hands with soap and water/wear gloves and wipe off their stethocope etc with a wipe?goodness I hope they didnt ut their bag on your bed or on the floor or hang it over the doorknob!
oh dont tell me/I will just get upset/
I am and have been doing my prayers for you and that is a huge thing!!! and you have an MD thats seen the light and a PICC line and vanco and a wound care clinic...the rest you can work out now that you have a list of options and if I think of something else I will
oh I just thought of something else you can do! You have to call your insurance/HMO/Mediccare whatever coverage you have and GET a case manager...ask for a nurse kratchet like me :) to fight for your best interest and give you a break from having to fight all the beuracrats/i dont thing I spelled that correctly/ but put it in the lap of the home health administrator FIRST and do it today!
now you have 2 ace's...hot line # and your insurance representative!
most agencies are contracted to the insurance companies :) the administrator will NOT be pleased to have a problem with them :) money can work in our favour too eh?
I am thinking and praying hard for you and I know the other hubbers here are doing the same! we are a tight bunch and watch out for one another! so...when more than one gathers in His name...:) miracles happen!!!
so dont give up and dont get mad and dont stop the treatents!!!
last resort is you have to get yourself to the outpatient clinic of the hospital every day and its done there/good thing about that is the nsurance will pick up more of the bill not just the 80% of some commercial insurances/if you are on Medicare of any kind ( I am not a fan of HMO but oh well another story another day) then theres no charge regardless of where you get the IV med
much love to you
barbara b
Hi again Barbara,
Finished call to administrator of home health nursing.
Told her that I wanted to drop her services and why. She was indignant, and insisted only her nurse could change picc line (administer too picc line /). My response was I do not want the services anymore and would contact first my doctor and secondly the hospital for care of picc.
Administrator tried to say that Dr. would soon want line out...I'm thinking not...fees far to early to stop this process. Any comment here ?
Person at hospital wound care that I visited this morning indicated that this would be a long process...not something finished and done with in 7 to 10 days...any comment here ?
I won't let doctor pull picc until I have gotten answers from both you and the hospital wound care facility I am now using.
My mind is a bit scrambled by all the contradictory responses I've been getting so in order to stay sane you have just become my gold standard.
Until later
Love indeed my friend..much love to you as well
Russ
More confusion
My doctor called wanting me to come in tomorrow morning.
I have enough vancomycin for tonight, tomorrow, and tomorrow night.
She was a bit upset that I dropped the home nurse program as it turns out that that program is attached to my vancomycin supply.
My primary care doctor tells me that the disease control expert from the hospital where I stayed feels I need no more than a maximum of 10 days (all tolled) worth of vancomycin.
Primary care doctor will need to shop around to find a source for the last couple of days worth vancomycin.
There was an M.R.I. done of my leg and the readings (according to my primary care doctor) had no hidden pockets). I'm not reassured by any of this, but it looks like I'm not going to be able to buck the disease control doctor.
My Primary care doctor insists that the areas on my body other than the original site(lower right leg) which became open sores, wept, covered over with new skin were in reality just reactions to earlier antibiotic use.
It is also looking more and more like the picc comes out at the end of the 10 day run.
All of this seems to run contrary for what I have read and been told, so I'm going to have to trust your judgment here. In other words it's now in your court.
Thanks again
Russ
well that is what I was /worst case scenario/afraid of.
I bet your insurance has a contract with the home health agency and without that in place the infusion company that supplies the vanc and tubing, flushes, caps all that stuff in the two bags they bring every week;
you end up without either home health OR the vancomycin!!!!
so I gather the disease or rather infecton control doctor is going to be dictatorial in all this and force you to accept med and agency or nothing?
what a crock
but thats the way it seems the healthcare industry is going, that is just sooooo wrong
pray that socialized medicine never goes to fruition in our lifetime! it takes all control and rights away from the patient themselves
well you have choice no choice
you cant let this infection take your legs or your life
you have to cowtow to the MD and the agency
and after its all done...report it all
it wont help unfortunately for our generation but sooner or later with enough documentation and case studies to back it up, we, the patients and devoted, committed to quality care healthcare professionals may...may...win
one can only hope and pray
I feel so helpless Russ nd as if I have failed you I am so sorry/brbara b
in the meantime please dont buck them...they have what you need so go with them
what a crock...ever read 1984?
Hello -- thank you for all the info.. this is my situation -- I'm overweight - obese - sit all day working on a ocmputer. The edema started a few years a go, but the dry cracking skin around Dec 2009 -- then a few months later the weeping sores. I don't have health insurance and can't afford reg doc visits. Went to free clinic and they treated me with some anti-biotics and some anti-bacterim but gave me a prescription for a creme that was $90 do couldn't afford it. It seemd to clear up then returned. I'd tried some natural healing methods such as Manuka honey and so forth but didn't work. I was cleaning my legs with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria then used neosporin before wraping them in gauze bandages. The condition worsened, the weeping spread and I had slatherd on so much neosporin I broke out in a rash all over my body. So drove myself to hospital, they hooked me up to IV gave me mega dose of antibiotics and other stuff (blood pressure pills/diuretic), potassium, etc., then left the IV plug in and had me come back nex day for a second dose. Sent me home with six different medicatons -- more antibiotics, bacterim stuff, blood pressure pills, potassium, and two other meds and some bandages. I took the meds, ketp my legs clean and bandaged and all seemed to heal... This was last year around spring time. Then about two weeks ago, I noticed the cracking of my skin again and some weeping -- I'm at my wits end. I've been cleaning wiht the peroxide, then wrapping with clean bandages. I dont' typically eat salty foods but had consumed some at a party which is what I think set this off again. I changed my diet to juices from the Trader Joe's like Defense and their green juice, ate alot of bananas and things seemed to get better but when I stopped the juices and banana, it's back again. I don't have health insurance and only have Medicare part A, can't afford part B but dont' qualify for any medical assistance aid so wondering what I need to do. I an go to free clinic again but there's a two week waiting list. I hate tht idea of taking more antibiotics -- I don't want ot become resistant to other bad stuff. I'll probably hit the hospital this week if I can't find a way to clear this up. Just buying bandages / gauze is putting a strain on me financially so what other things can I do short of another hospital visit? what about calimine lotion? And after reading your comments, using peroide to clena the area is really bad? I thought it was good because it killed germs. What should I clean my legs with and and what should i put on them to help them heal and is there any alternatives to gauze/pads that I could use -- things I could wash and reuse? I'm so frustrated -- I was planning on going back to the gym when this started up again -- and I'm afriad to go work out because gyms are sort of like the CDC -- lots of nasty stuff loating around but if my leg is covered, would I be okay going to the gym as long as I'm not using the pools or jacuzzis? Any advice to how I could self manage this and clear it up woudl be helpful. What foods woudl be good to eat? And I do drink alot of water -- and I can elevate my legs if necessary -- just neeed to know what I can do to help heal the wounds. The edema i know is from my weight and from sittig. I try to get up and walk around as much as possible but work on computer a lot so that's a problem. Thank you for your help.
my dear sick and tired I am so sorry/here is what I would do if I were you
1)use the free clinic in 2 weeks,hope you have made your apoointment? 2)wash your legs with ONLY soap and water and do not use a wash cloth...wash your hands then lather your hands and wash them with soap then rinse with clean tepid/not HOT!! water and pat dry only with a white or the palest coloured towel you have...this towel gets washed daily so you can do all of this again at night or else use two towels same type 3)now, instead of buying all the kerlix and 4x4 bandages and all the cremes or antibiotic ointment (that didnt work anyway) go to a diabetic store or a durable medical equipment company actually I think wal mart carries them as well as walgreens and buy two pairs of TED HOSE/if the edema is just to your knees just get the ones that are knee high but if it goes all the way up into your thighs you need the long pair...if your legs are very large get one large and one extra large becaue your legs will change as the swelling comes and goes...
4) DO NOT give up...I add this cause the TED HOSE are tight and uncomfortable and you will be calling me all kinds of names by 1PM :) thats OK long as you keep them on!!! you sleep without them, you get a footstool to put under your desk and you prop your feet up long as you can stand it and you go to the bathroom every hour whether you have to go or not and if possible walk down one flight and take the elevator the flight back up. 5) stop wasting your money at trader joes cept on moscato wine :) ooops forgot I was a nurse there a moment :)
5) lets back up quit spending money for exotic juices...drink water!!!!!!! drink 8 thats eight, ocho, glasses of water a day...so see you wont have to pretend you have to go to the bathroom!!!! if you have to buy water then it comes out to 64 ounces of water per day. and you know you cant drink alcohol/I was just messin
6)GO BACK to DES and take all your paperwork with you/all of its online/and see if you qualify NOW for medicaid or achccs or whatever it is where you live...a lot changes in a yr and with your having to be in hopsital and all the money going for a now chronic condition I am afraid you are probably in first or second degree heart disease but I am just a nurse...you MUST go to the free clinic in two weeks!!! never mind if by that time the hose and soap and water have brought it under control again...go anyway!!! FINALLY 7)no more hydrogen peroxide, it does not kill germs/bacteria/fungus or viruses...hydrogen peroxide eats EVERYTHING!!!
until a physician subscribes what I hope/expect to be zinc wrap called unna boot then use only soap and water twice a day and wear the hose all day every day and take them off, wash and dry again at night and let them drip dry/another reason you need two pairs,takes almost 30 hours to drip dry one pair and you cnnot put them n the dryer or the washer...get the woolite and use a teeny tiny bit otherwise the itching will drive you batty for sure!and do NOT scratch!!!!!!
OK if the itching and dry skin that I hope will happen(because I want the weeping to stop not cause I am a mean old nurse...well actually I suppose I am a mean old nurse but...oh well never mind that :).... drives you crazy and you cant sleep then you can get a big soft well worn beach towel to lay your legs on top of in bed and another beach or two big, pale colored towels with cold water wrung out tight and placed over your legs to sleep in at night/just drape it over your legs AND LEAVE IT ALONE/ but wring it out tight!!!! I dont want your skin to turn all white and pruney/that would defeat our hard hard ooopps YOUR HARD WORK :)
I especially want to speak about your toes and feet, be real sure you wash between your toes and dry them out really well before you put the hose on
about the hose itself...you will spen 25 dollars for 2 pair and they come with instructions on how to put them on but heres the gist of it
they are now labeled right and left but also look at the sole of the hose and the blue writing goes on the inside of each foot...theres a little hole down there do not allow your toes to poke out or youll cut off the circulation.
take a hose and put it on your dominant hand like you are putting on a glove/make sure the top of the hose goes on the top of your hand and the toes are at your fingertips and palm of your hand
now slowly turn your hand palm up.
Taking your thumb, grab a piece of the hose from your wrist and drag it into your palm and hold it there by closing your thumb then all your fingers over it
DO NOT TURN LOOSE!!!!!!!!!
Turn your hand palm side down
With your free hand remove the hose starting from the top and dragging it off your forearm ONLY down to your wrist!
OK be slow and careful and gather the bunched up part of the hose and remember do not ever let your fingers turn loose of the sole of your hose!!! thats the only way you know top from bottom on the blasted things...oooppps did it again so sorry :)
Once you have it around your wrist keep your thumb in place, still palm side down but turn loose of just your fingers!
now you can see your tips of the toes on the hose!
put the hose on the correct foot...I forgot that part...try to member which one you are dealing with :(
and pull and tug and keep it straight until its over your heel.
Now all the bunched off part is now hanging off your end of your foot and you shake it and say, Bethard must be out of her mind!! Now what do I do?
Finally this is the easy part, reach down, get the elastic band and it will come up over your foot and you just keep on pullin the rest on like a sock but stop now and then to get out the wrinkles...NO NAILS!!!! DO NOT scratch yourself!! the weeping is hard enough to deal with without bacteria from your nails!!!
and see the physician in two weeks
What do you mean I heard you? OH OK so I am redundant is that it???????? :) I know....its the fault of nure kratchet ////have you met her?
I love you
I will pray all your angels shelter you and your heart and your legs
barbara b
You are one amazing human being -- though I suspect you have wings :-) Thank you so much for all the informaton. Big hugs!
oh thank you
yes I do have wings
(deep chuckle stage right)
DRAGON WINGS :)
oh man I crack myself up...
Thanks for the great post,Nice information
thank you!! hello htodd thank you for stopping by!!
barbara b
Sorry to not be consistent in writing.
Have been up and down mentally/emotionally...and in some ways more like sleep walking than anything else.
Wound seems to be healing over... lots of fish scale dry skin to remove. In the past few days the weeping stopped, and for now care is washing and then just a coat of petroleum jelly covered by a light gauze wrap to keep dry skin from splitting. The wound care people decided that between their treatments (bi weekly) I should wash and wrap my leg on the off days. This is what seems to have turned the tide (seepage wise).
I washed leg with Denorex shampoo.
Today's wound care nurse was a nun who she said she felt like Mary Magdelene washing Jesus' feet. Told I wasn't too sure about that...but whatever she does don't tell the patriarchy, or they'll accuse her of being a hooker !!
The agency which home delivers bandages etc has be slow to send supplies promised, but I have managed to keep everything clean and cared for despite their lethargy.
The skin rash is now just red/pink patches of skin. Smooth normal skin...just red/pink.
Inner ankle area feels like it's receiving jolts electricity, but other than that pain is pretty much gone.
Since just below the ankle area is where the skin keeps splitting open I'm assuming that the pain is related to those tears.
Nothing much else to tell you other than how grateful I am to know your are there whenever I'm in need.
An that is so reassuring.
Russ
and fnally now a name :)
hello Russ how wonderful to hear from you and that your leg is getting better! Thank GOd!
I am so glad! Denorex shampoo! Who' a thunk it? I willl remember this one! wonder what is in it that has helped?
what do the wound care clinic guys do twice a week? do they use denorex on your leg as well or something else?
a
did you have to have a central line or a PICC line for IV antibiotics? are you on antibiotics by mouth?
nosey ole nurse arent I? how wonderful to have a nun for a nurse!! now I know you have a service oriented RN who has your best interests at heart! Thank God! I cannot say that enough Russ, I was really worried bout you!!
much love to you!! 'member to wash your hands before you wash your leg!!!
much love and sweet dreams
barbara b
Hi. My mom had an infection in her foot which traveled up to her thigh. She was in the hospital for three days on vancomycin PICC line and then in a nursing facility for 14 days. A total of 10 days of antibiotics. She is at home now and walking gingerly, however both her legs are swollen from the knees down to and including the feet and one foot is peeling and weeping. She has an appointment on July 18 with doctor, but I'm concerned about the edema in her lower extremities. Any suggestions? I believe she's sneaking some salty chips into her diet but she seems to be drinking lots of water. Love your blog! Mic.
OK so today is the 10th, Sunday...is your mom alternating walking and propping her legs up?
are her legs both the same size?
are they warm or hot to touch especially the affected side?
is the sore on her foot closed or open?
is there any drainage?
does she have any pain when her leg/foot is propped up or any pain at all at rest...Im sure it hurts to walk
if she had vanco will she or did the MD do another culture at the end of the vanc? did the MD take an xray to rule out osteomyelitis?
is your mom diabetic, have hypertensin or circulatory problems?
Is the PICC still in place if so who is flushing it weekly?
signs that need to be reported and ask for a faster follow up date than the 18th include: sudden fever over 101.6 consistently for 24 hrs.
increased swelling so weigh your mom daily starting today and record it, if 3lbs in 24 hours or 5 lbs in 4 dys call the MD and get her to him asap.
any increased unresolved pain(actually most important sign of all).
increased warmth or redness or any new or changes in colour of drainage odor or amount.
oh and YOU eat the chips and or throw them away and dont buy anymore :) also watch for processed foods, tons of salt there...
if none of the above occur in the next 8 dys and your mom stays status quo/just like she is today/then OK see the MD on the 18th
getting over MRSA/which is what I suspect the bacteria was in her foot,can take MONTHS and your mom may well require additional episodes of IV vanco and or Zyvox in order for the infection to either colonize or resolve...make absolutely sure she does NOT go barefoot except in bed!!!
NO BARE FEET ON THE FLOOR!!!!
same for you/staph bacteria is on, around and in us all the tme...problems arise when it gets inside where its not supposed to be/the tiniest cut and it will mutate...remember even a simple pimple is a staph infection so frequent and proper handwashing is MOST important!!!
Not to forget housekeeping and cleaning and guess who gets the duty? you're up grunt!!
whatd you say?
ma'am yes ma'am?
I thought so :)
think my son is a jarhead? :)
everything will be OK...my love and prayers for your mom and for you too xman
stay strong and vigilant!
love to you
barbara b
Thanks, Barbara. Wow...you are spot on here.
Her "good" leg, ankle and foot is swollen but not red, hot or seeping fluid.
Her "bad" leg, ankle and foot is also swollen. The foot continues to peel and when it does, then it's wet/weeping.
There is no sore on her foot.
She doesn't prop her leg enough in my opinion. She's the fidgety sort and is scampering from the bed in the family room, to the chair (with her feet on the floor and not propped), to the kitchen to cook something.
I think the visiting nurse took a culture. I know she took blood samples.
Not a diabetic, takes blood pressure meds, no circulatory problems that we know of.
PICC line is out. No fever.
She's had bouts of cellulitis in both feet, but we've usually caught it with antibiotics before it traveled. Cultures have come back positive for MRSA.
This latest episode occurred due to her insistence on waiting before going to the doctor.
She's 85 and stubborn as an old mule at times.
My retired sister is staying with her over the summer. I, on the other hand, wish to retain my sanity and live in my own place in Seattle (she's in Shoreline).
My other sister and brother are nurses and so I get the "20 questions" game when giving them the updates.
Good advice on the bare feet situation.
You're the best:)
oh bless you,
I too wish to retain my sanity so my older sister and younger bro live close to my mom
shes in bham and Im in Tucson...so I think I am one up on you on the sanity part
besides, I am the only one in healthcare, my other 4 siblings and my mom say "Oh you don't know, Boo, you're always saying the worst things that could happen!
the last time I heard that I was actually IN Bham and mom had pneumonia (which I diagnsed even if nurses arent suppose to do that)but mom wouldnt go to the MD and when she did she refused to go to the hospital!
so....stubborn? really...really???????and mom is only 78!
well at least now you have lots of answers for the next 20 question game your siblings pull on you!!!
and if you dont know say youll get back to them and I will tell you :)
and if I dont know I will look it up!
between the 2 of us we will hold the sibs at arms length!!! lol
as for your mom, dude, thank god for home health nurses eh?
make sure she eats some yoghurt and honey and stuff with protein like all milk products, beans, canned salmon, and ugh... meat :)
love to you,
barbara b
Russ, something other than just google Panda has mesed up my mesages/am trying to sort it out/I am so sorry your home health experience was NOT optimal...neither has mine been/seems my standard of care here is not the same as it is in Alabama how weid is that?
well anyway your message showed up on a hidden page...I need you to contact me via email...its under my picture...that way I can get in touch faster...or do both..write here and send me an email saying hey bethard look its me :)
I totally agree with your MD/this will be long and drawn out...home health was there probably once a week just to tke labs through the PICC and change the dressings
its OK..RN at the wound clinic will do it with the MD script...youve probably fixed that already as well
I am way lost now since your message was dated 5 wks ago!! so email me or write here again...why didnt your message show up here and in my gmail acct I wonder? dumb computers!!
Hello! I think all of your advice is wonderful, and done in such a caring way with a sense of humor. Excellent!
OK, here's my situation. like another person here, I am obese and spend the day at the computer (as well as driving a three hour commute (90 min each way) every day. Also on the list: hypothyroidism, depression and anxiety, sleep apnea, rosacea, ocular rosacea (awful! getting reated now) plus exophthalmus, hypertension, very minor "normal" mitral valve prolapse with regurgitation (my doctor said not to worry about it), various allergies.
Meds (every day): synthroid 88mg, lamotrigine 200mg, venlafaxine 150 mg, gabapentin 300 mg, amlodopine besylate 10 mg, Benicar HCT 40/25, Bystolic 10 mg, omega-3 fish oil 2000 mg, Vitamin D 2000 iu, aspirin 81 mg, doxocycline 200mg (for the ocular rosacea), genemicin (sp?) for the ocular rosacea, and the occasion analgesic.
Current problem/ question: a couple of days ago I sort of absent-mindedly picked off a small scab (less than 1/4" on either side) on my lower leg. Since then, the wound has been weeping a clear liquid constantly. It is not infected I have never had this before, so I went to a clinic at Walgreens; they put a gauze pad on it, took my BP and it was really high, saw that I had a lot of edema, and they sent me to the ER. The staff at the ER check my BP (pretty decent results for me), did blood and urine labs, did a C-T scan (wow--expensive--I think they were responding to my headache and making sure I didn't have an aneurysm?), did a chest X-ray, and looked at the wound (declared to be not infected). Everything came back with normal results, and they sent me home (what an expensive 4 hours!) with instructions to keep wearing a gauze pad and to change it 2x a day. I suppose it could have been a lot worse.
However, my small wound continues to leak a lot and saturates the dressing rather quickly. It is midday on Monday and this has been going on steadily since about this time on Saturday.
What can be done to get this to heal? I assume there is little or no clotting factor in the liquid, which looks like water. I'll be seeing my doctor (actually her colleague) this week, as directed by my doctor (who is on vacation) to see whether I need a medication change. However, my doctor just raised my dosage of Bystolic from 5 mg to 10 mg just last week, and is making changes very cautiously.
What can be done?
Thanks so much!
hello Kirinphoebe
the clear liquid is actually not blood but insterstitial fluid (its the fluid of your edema) that is being pushed out of your vessels because of the back up...back up meaning the heart/selfish expletive that it is/ will pump the blood/fluid down to your legs but will not do anything about getting it back to your heart..so that fluid just pools in your legs
you knew all of this
however now you have a leak
same as a garden hose with a pinpoint hole you know? and the water squirts out?
just like that...may not be infected...YET...so keep it clean with soap and water and dry as possible...try not to put too much pressure on the pad with tons of tape you know? trying to get through the work day...that will just make it worse...end up with a larger hole and an indentation as well..
get home...put your feet up..drink your water do not make the mistake of thinking if you stop drinking water your legs will go down...they will actually get worse...avoid caffeine..avoid salt of course..avoid soda...avoid processed foods, snacks
just avoid pretty much anything that tastes good haha until you see your MD!!
oh no...dont thank me!!!!
Im just playing trying to get you to laugh...this is not funny and you are doing all you can to help youself...you have a ton of disease processes going and a lot of meds... you keep your chin up kirinphoebe...gorgeous name. phoebe...
and let me know what the MD says...
here are signs that should send you with your legs to the emergency dept
redness around and moving up your leg, skin warm and paiful to touch, foul odor to fluid, skin all leathery in feel...
and thats the complication to the leaking of fluid and its called cellulitis..infection of the top layers of skin itself...from fluid sitting on top of your skin or of bacteria getting into the hole in your leg....
the way it will heal? control the fluid..I am afraid you can expect another medication...ugh...or maye not..MDs never do what nurses expect!
let me know too, OK? and be OK...
love to you
barbara b
writigng for my 80+ year old mom who has had swollen legs for years, worn compression stockings but recently they are bothering her and now has weeping edema as diagnosed by internist. Question is: what kind of dr. treats this? Idon't know who to take her to. I getting worse last couple of weeks since she fell, from new symptom - balance problems. She also has sciatica, diabetes (mild), is hypothyroid. Help!
my father is a 60myrs old and he is is having a renal failure ,kidney patient for the last fifteen to 2o day his legs are swollen ,we r using dytor 100 mg 2 times still swelling does not reduce .recently water is weepin out from lower legs ,iam applying bactroban still no relief suggest siutable treatment please
goldilox
I wrote a long answer to you yesterday but it isnt here...guess I pushed the wrong button (I am good at pushing buttons lol)
but thats OK cause I am going to answer yours and Madhu comments together
OK goldilox and madhu
first of all let me praise you both for your wonderful care of your parents/it is a rare thing and a very very difficult thing that you are both doing!
also your parents are wonderful to LET you into their lives that is wonderful to see
OK both parents would benefit from seeing BOTH a plastic surgeon and an infection control doctor
I know sounds weird..plastic surgeon? but they deal with skin! and hence they know sooo much about ulcers and open areas and weeping skin etc...and the infection control MD because even if doesn't look ifected, with diaete, kidney failure, heart issues etc believe me their immune systems are on the floor and they will get infected!!
madhu just to omplicate your head I want to advise that you stop using the bactroban...its not doing any good anyway is it? just slides off with the weeping? makes you want to put a bandaide over the spot then the bandaide leaves an indentation or worse takes the skin off and the hole gets bigger? right so here goes
Clean and dry as bone
watch the salt/they will probably both be craving the salt too so throw out all the junk food and the salt shaker and try to avoid giving them frozen foods like veggies cause salt is the preservative for frozen foods
encourage water, not juices etc except at meals they can drink other stuf then/water rest of the time
UNLESS the MD has put a level on the amount of water...madhu with renal failure sometimes this is necessary to get the fluid down...ask the nephrologist/if your dad does not have a nephrologist get him in to see one...renal failure-kidney doctor...absolute necessity!
next wash their legs as many times a day as necessary/nothing worse than both legs propped up all day and fluid pouring out...their skin will peel off in sheets/use a gentle soap (like baby shampoo or ivory or even glycerin as long as it doesnt have perfumes in it) I know the tempation is to use an antibacterial soap but wait until the plastic surgeon and infection control physicians finish their assessment and order the treatment
you both may end up with parents at the wound care clinic or with home health...good thing about wound care clinics is they come with wound certified nurses :) so all they do all day long is help heal skin!
cool eh?
try not to wrap or rub or peel or anything I know you wont
the hard thing is keeping your parents fingers off their legs!!
salt comes out with the fluid and that itches like crazy!!!
washing legs and patting dry may very well have to be done many times a day depending on the amount of fluid be careful dont squeezze their legs or rub...just pat
try not to use a thick towel under their legs...a pillow case on top of a plastic sheet is better cause the nubby parts on a towel leave marks and the marks are more likely to open and fluid will come out all those tiny indentations
do not panic!! you are both doing great jobs you may not know it but I know that your parents love you...even when they get cranky and grumble at you! they are miserable/you are helping! dont give up!
so plastic surgeon, infection control, soap and water clean and dry as a bone until the MD's say otherwise!
much love and many prayers for your mom goldilox and your dad madhu
barbara b
What a wonderful page! I was trying to do some research in place of my doctor's lack of giving a care. Anyway I have all the wonderful signs and symptoms of CHF including being able to push on my legs up past the first knuckle on my finger, and stairs becoming dreadful things to me. Blood tests usually come out okay (Potassium is usually high, last time was 5.5, then got it down to 4.9), and my stress test came out fine from what they said. I'm on Furosemide, and spironolactone with HCTZ, and it just doesn't help much. I've gained/ lost as much as 8-9 lbs in a day, and can't lay down flat for long. I'm slightly overweight (lot due to water, the rest due to the fact I can't breathe well enough to do anything). I used to play street hockey and skate for miles until my legs got to swollen to fit. It's been ongoing for a couple years now (the edema was there for a couple years prior to that). So I don't know, doc's answer to everything is 'lose weight' and that's it, no diagnosis or anything. And mind you, I'm only 28... I think it's time to find a new doctor, eh? Anyway, thanks for letting me put my little story here :)
hello Michelle
absolutely time for another MD
this time get yourself a cardiologist and a nephrologist! (heart and kidney MD)
My boss, extremely overweight, and a smoker, has swelling of the legs, has had an operation on his legs, now has ulcers, and has been told this should not happen.
Hes now off work cos the ulcer have split, any advice?
absolutely! get two docs at the minimum...infection control, vascular surgeon and skin doc (dermatologist)if the diagnosis is PAD, peripheral arterial disease, which I suspect it is because of the "op on his legs" then he must NOT elevate them! and compression will Not be used either...and absolutely do nothing without MD approval! if he has PAD he can get gangrenous rapidly so stick rigeidly with the MD plan! and at the slightest HINT of trouble get him to the vascular surgeon ASAP
Hey there, I'm Scott and I am so glad I stumbled across this place because I have some issues!
In 2003 my hip and knee joints really started to ache, then 2 small, symmetrical bruises appeared on the middle of my shins. Over the next few days my lower legs swelled to a humongous size(especially my calves), and the bruises became so large(and black)that they stretched from my ankles to my kneecaps, and the pain was SEVERE. The skin on my shins was so damaged and discolored that it started sloughing off in layers and I could hardly walk, but that was just the beginning of things.
During this time I started to develop ulcers along my gumline, both top and bottom. The ulcerations along my gums were so bad that my lips appeared to literally separate from the base of my gums completely. Then on top of that, my hair started to break off and fall out! I was in so much pain, and I had no idea what was wrong with me, so I was scared and miserable.
I went to see my GP, and he ordered blood and urine test. I wasn't told what the blood test results were, but the urine test said I was passing blood...Now I was really scared! The doctor sent me to the hospital for some kind of kidney scan, and the results showed that my kidneys were really swollen, almost by 50% according to the doctor.
The doctor called me into his office and informed me that I had Lupus, then he prescribed a bunch of steroids. I took the steroids as directed, but they made me balloon from 185 pounds of muscle to 265 pounds of fat misery, but my symptoms got better. The doctor wanted my to continue on low doses of the steroids, but I refused due to the side-effects I was having, and fear of the ones that could occur.
Anyway, over the years until now(9/11/11) I've had more minor experiences like the first one in 2003, but nothing near as severe. I've had kidney stones, and a back surgery due to a work injury. But now my legs are swelling again, but so far without the bruising. I also have severe fatigue, sometimes so bad I can't be awoke long enough to eat.
My current doctor prescribed Lasix, and gave me something for the pain, along with an anti-depressant and arthrotec. But nothing seems to help! He says I need to see a rheumatologist, but I have no insurance and I'm currently not working. Between my back injury and the Lupus I've been unable to do much of anything socially, or otherwise, and I really need help. I've filed for disability, and Medicaid to try to get the help I need, and I'm slowly working my way through their hoops.
Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks, take care and have a blessed day.
Scott
Fatigue
Fever
Weight loss or gain
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
Butterfly-shaped rash (malar rash) on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose
Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure
Mouth sores
Hair loss (alopecia)
Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud's phenomenon)
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Dry eyes
Easy bruising
Anxiety
Depression
Memory loss
I am in the midst of my second large statis wound. Without insurance when I had the first, I had to find a way to treat it myself. Progressivedoctors.com has a wonderful medication for statis wounds based on iodine, also a formula for those allergic to iodine. I purchased bandaging supplies by the case online. My original wound drained heavily for 3 mos. After the drainage slowed a lot, I started applying the medicine. I found using bladder control pads much more effective then gauze. They acted like a sponge, no leakage, lasted up to 12 hrs before changing. I was changing the gauze every 4 hrs. When I finally got my medicare, I made an appt. to the wound clinic. The wound was still open at the time but mostly healed. By the time I made my appt, the doctor said it was completely healed. I had had 4 doctors tell me I was in grave danger of losing my leg. Im not affiliated in any way with the doctors site, just passing along what worked for me and its reasonable and used by other medical facilities. I also found Tena pads to be the best. They are softer to the touch, dont irritate the wound, hold a lot of drainage and are relatively thin. I buy the ultimate that are 14 in. long since my wound went almost halfway around my leg. It took 3 pads to cover the wound. With this medicine, the wound heals from the inside out. The edges start shrinking and showing pink skin first. It did take 6 mos. to completely heal after I started using the meds but I didnt use the meds but 2 mos. as a film grew over the wound preventing the medicine from being absorbed, but it still healed. I did get a strong antibiotic from the doctor when I first started using the medicine. My family doctor couldnt believe I healed it myself as he said statis wounds are the most difficult to heal. Just wanted to pass along info to those who cant afford a wound clinic or whose treatment isnt working.
Also, if anyone is thinking of amputation, check with a plastic surgeon first. An old lady I know did and he was able to cut away the diseased part of the leg and do a skin graft and save her leg. She was already scheduled for amputation and thought of the plastic surgeon herself.
I am so glad you are well Diana!
Funny too, as iodine is no longer considered best choice for stasis ulcers but everyone is different. I hope you never have this problem again!
My father in law died last week in a hosital in Belgium. He was suffering from pneumonia for one month and a half. When we saw him he was great, even doctor said he would be out in a couple of weeks. He had horrible bed sores and edema. The first three days when we saw him he had pressure bandages on his legs, the hospital didn't even bother to change bandages, we had to keep ordering them and take them home and wash them ourselves. He had fluid leaking from his feet three days before he died and looked like a Michelin man from waist down. I coulent understand why The doctor didnt tell him to elevate his feet. He was drinking water, but not so much, just mostly an evian spray to keep his mouth wet. They would give him a medication in his oxigen once per day, I'm not sure what it was. Over his last 5 days we watched him age more than 10yrs. He was only 64. The hospital didn't seem to care. Can u explain to me why you think his legs went raised and if pressure bandages are used in extreme cases? His last 72 hrs were aweful his eyes rolled back and his mouth stuck open in a spasm, they didn't even put him on iv to prevent dehydration. He groaned/ screamed with every breath. I just don't get how a healthy man can deteriorate in only 5 days and do t understand why the hospital didn't do more tests etc and try to find out real problem. Please help us.. Any sort of clarification will help us understand or notify hospital of what to do next time they have a similar case. Hospital was Jolimont in La Louviere, Belgium
Before he died doctor told us that his organs were shutting down from the fluid retention, was there anything they could have done to help him, could they have put drains in for the leaking fluid to drain faster, like the small hoses they used on my breasts after breast surgery. He was so healthy, I just don't get it, and to die slowly in Dehydration and pain for 72 hrs is this normal. I know that he was given morphine for pain. Is this normal with edema and pneumonia ?
Also not sure if they were bed sores as was not open skin, just purple bruises all over his body. His edema on his feet were leaking enough fluid to fill a shit glass every half hour. I have photos if you need them
oh Jasmine how horrible for you and your family! but why?
oh wait and it was pneumonia?
then thats it...the death statement will say pneumonia with complications
how horrible...did your dad have COPD? was his heart already compromised?
as for the dehydration, dont get upset, but when death is imminent, if fluids are given it makes the body "wake up" then it goes into death spiral all over again, so morphine was the best thig to do, giving fluids cause severe physical pain and most of the time the patients cant even say hey that hurts!
but I think the death statement will say pneumonia with complications...sometimes, for whatever reason we may not know, the body cannot recover from some things and it shuts down. But 64 is so young...I am sorry Jasmine. I know your heart is broken. I love you. barbara b
I am 37 weeks pregnant and have been having issues with edema for the past number of weeks. I have put on an obscene amount of weight this pregnancy. Have tried everything I can think of, find on the internet, etc...but it just keeps getting worse. My dr seems concerned, but all she told me to do was soak my feet. It's from my toes to my knees, and my left foot and half is now very hard. Also have suddenly developed a yellow pus bubble on top of my left foot. My lower limbs are turning red and becoming very painful. I'm at a loss at how to proceed. If you could please help me, I would greatly appreciate it. Your article was very informative, and you sound very knowledgeable on the subject.
well good news DarkAngel!! Your cure is labor and delivery! and you get a present yippee!! course he will keep you running for the next twenty some odd yrs but hey! its good!! :)
you didnt say anything about pre-eclampsia but thats probably whats going on with you...watching your BP? scheduled for induction probably? if you are already 37 wks whats the MD waiting for?
never mind Im just an egg...its so exciting...a baby!! whats his/her name? you lucky thing you have pics from the sonogram!! Im so old all I got was kicked!! seriously! Baby Girl stood up the entire time and hit me with her head under my ribcage and my son learned the martial arts/ALL of them/ in utero!!
suggestions? DO NOT pop that blister I dont care how bad you want to!! put your feet up, how come you arent on bedrest now? avoid salt I know you are probably craving it like all get out and gently gently rub oil, like baby oil, on the leathery feel on your legs...but only at bedtime and very light, not much...just a little too.
soaking your legs is for comfort...but dont use a machine that makes bubbles like a foot bath cause it may cause the blisters to pop...thats it I think...if I find more with my research/and yes I am researching it cause high risk L&D was the 1st nursing job I had and
uhhhh how can I say this..oh well...
that was like two lightyears ago :)
then I will get back to you...in the meantime take care and know I am sending up prayers and good thoughts for you...these last few days will not be easy but they will be worth it!!
My mom is 85 yrs old. She had a calcified aortic valve and had open heart surgery to put in a new "cow" tissue valve. Since the surgery she has had swelling in her ankles. It occurs mid day, gets worse in the evening, and goes down again in the morning when she gets out of bed. She is doing her upper and lower body exercises daily prescribed by the OT and PT, is walking several times a day, and elevating her legs when sitting. Her cardiologist put her on 20 mg lasix and 20 MKG pottasium pills. Recent BMP bloodwork was fine, except SLIGHT elevated pottasium and uric acid. The doc took her off pottasium pills, but said to continue the lasix. The doctor who performed the surgery prescribed digoxin to keep her heart beating strong (this was two months ago.) He seems to think the lasix is not necessary, but the cardiologist disagrees and wants her to continue the lasix. Her internist thinks the ankle swelling is from the Norvasc she takes for blood pressure; however, she was on the Norvasc before the surgery and did not have any problems with the edema in the ankles. Her blood pressure is at the normal range with her meds. She has become very anxious and depressed over this whole situation. Help ! We're so frustrated. Is it common to have swelling of the ankles after open heart surgery...and if so for how long? The cardiologist said it may take months but should get better eventually. I am worried it is a sign of another problem going on. Is it time to get another opinion?
as frustrating as this is going to make you, no, you are in good hands. It is usual and the norvac is making the swelling worse and no, you dont need another opinion
however! another opinion will settle you and your mothers minds so go on and do it!
now...the reason the norvasc didnt cause swelling before but has now is because the graft site in her leg is so new that any stress o it, even stress from a medication! will slow down the healing process...see, at the points where the cow vessel is attached, usually aboe and below the knee, those points will leak fluid, getting worse during the afternoon, better is your mom sleeps well all night and then starts all over again the next day. Exercises help because it simulates pumping action of the vessels and "teaches" the new raft what to do and how to act. Doing nothing is the worst thing that can happen, course you guys know that already/walking after all will be a daily part of your mothers life from now on!
and probably you have hear this too...the graft sites takes the longest to heal...your moms chest will be totally well an that inside leg will still be giving her trouble! that of course is because of the selfish heart again...its all excited/got new plumbing yippee/having a party practically! and ignoring anything below the waist! hence the need to walk, pumping action remember?
it sounds as if your mom is textbook post open heart surgery normal! not to you of ourse but it sounds great! also remember the entire time of healing, however long it takes and everyone is different, too...watch for signs of infection at the graft site...Pain (number one and this pain is worse and different) reddness, huge amount of swelling that lasts all day and is rock hard to touch, warmth and of course any opening must be looked at immediately. :) you are doing great!! Keep up the good work/ I know how difficult it can be!
Dear RNMSN, I have just read this monumental helping Hub and comments in its entirety. I commend you on your tireless work. You have brought hope and solace to people in dire need of direction. If there is a hero's award on Hub Pages I will nominate you now. I won't take any more of your time, but just want you to know that you've shed some much needed light on questions I've been asking about my mother's care in hospital last fall. Thank you for your dedication.
oh my snakeslane you cannot know how much your words mean to me! Especially now, this day! I am honored and humbled. All I have wanted to do is help.You have shown me that is what I am doing and I Thank you so much! Barbara B
Thank you for your quick response and the helpful info you gave. I just have one more question...
I guess I didn't clarify enough in my first post,
but the surgery was just to replace the aortic valve
(done with a vertical incision through the chest ). She did not have any blockages, so there was no incision in the leg for any bypass surgical procedure.
With this info given, I'm just wondering why there is swelling (fluid) in the ankles? Is it related to the heart?
Also, another concern is that one doctor (the surgeon) seems to think that the digoxin is enough to be on and feels that she shouldn't take lasix; however, the cardiologist agrees with the digoxin to help the heart beat strong, but insists that the lasix is necessary. Are there any negatives as to taking lasix for a long period of time? It has been three months so far... and why the two different opinions regarding the lasix from the two different doctors??
Thank you in advance for taking your time to read these post and I await your reply.
worried: I am so sorry! I apologize for not reading your question properly.
swelling in both ankles but worsens throughout day and better when she sleeps?
has to be related still to the heart trying to repair itself after surgery I think..
as to opinions/MDs will rarely agree with one another! especially from different specialties...I lean towards the heart MD, stay with the diuretic/she or he will keep her on it another 3 mo I bet and it will not take that long I bet to get rid of the swelling...stay with the exercise and propping of feet and did either MD put your Mom in TED hose? compression stockings to the knee?
as to the reason I think surgical stress but I am only an egg/wonder if they had a cooling blanket or something with some weight across her groin? that would put pressure on the lymph nodes and that would cause swelling...no, that would make the entire legs swell and never come down at night... its only in the ankles..gotta be circulation and that brings us bak to the heart and its trying to get well...ask the cardiologist but I think I am right/but I know nothing ha and am not supposed to have any opinion at all!...again, I am sorry for the poor reading...stay focused and positive for your Mom! and get some rest and down time for yourself/caregivers get sick faster than the patient you know!
last year i had edema that caused my feet and ankles to swell as well as my stomach to become swollen. i could barely walk 5 feet without become fatigued i had protein in my urine and i was told i had an enlarged heart i was put on lasics i am now completely healed but noby ever told me what i had and as of late ive been trying to figure it out if anybody has any suggestions as to what i may have suffered from id love to hear from you
I am glad you no longer have any symptoms as you did last year! I was wondering, are you diabetic? have you had a heart attack? is the iron in your blood extremely high? ere you born with a heart condition? Had you had a bad infection?
protein in your urine is usually a sign that something is wrong with either your kidneys or your heart and likewise with an enlarged heart. Untreated high blood pressure, disease of the heart valves,low red blood cell count,or something that was present from the time you were born could be causes for an enlarged heart, just to mention a few.
http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS01129/
I am surprised the physicians never gave you an adequate explanation, even one that included "it could be a number of things from blah to blah..." I would suggest you go back and pin the doctor down :) not just for peace of mind Cory, but so you can know what to call them about when it happens again.
yes, unfortunately it could be something that may return one that comes to mind is heart failure or chronic renal failure, but again, I am only a nurse and you must get your physician to tell you what was going on with you last year....it could have only been a severe infection that caused the protein in the urine and heart problems.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/protein-in-urine/
It was, of course, the heart that caused the swelling of your legs...selfish thing, the heart, only takes care of itself and its surrounding area!!!
I hope the information on the links help but really, the one with the answers is the one you saw a year ago...hey...take a lesson from my Dad and type the guy a letter!! nice and professional looking and you will get a printed answer that you can study!! My Dad and I are the kind of people that learn slowly and by repetition...seeing something in print helps cement the answer in our brains!! gracious I miss my Dad...anyway go back or write the MD or both!! its your information Cory, and its different from anything found in a book,learned from someone else or online! go get it!
ive never had heart problems nor was i born with any.
i began waking up in excrutiating pain so id go lay in the tub in a hot bath and i would relax then my ankles and feet started to swell as well as my legs but not severely then my stomach became hard and swollen i could barely walk at home and had to use the riding cart to shop i would become short of breath i couldnt even walk a block i knew i was in trouble they x rayed my chest andf told me my heart was enlarged and they put me on lasics and they made me diet and soon all symptoms were gone even my umm this embarrassing my boys if you will even became swollen but now i am down to 264 lbs i workout daily i take vitamins and feel wonderful but i would be lying if i said i wasnt scared of this reoccurring i have 2 young kids to think about thats why ive been wanting to know and i appreciate all the awesome help thank you everybody
I am so glad your health is improved!! and that is exactly what is done for this symptom; diuretic (lasix) diet and exercise.
However, continue with regular visit to your cardiologist or primary doctor and always remember an emergency is shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness or chest pain!
thank you i am too and i love weight training that was part of what killed me was being unable to workout or playing with my kids. i am unfortunately on a very low budget so i avoid hospitals and docs unless i feel like im dying ive never felt that close to death i just wish i knew what caused it all to happen
I wish I knew as well..just keep on taking care of yourself...and dont neglect any MD appointment!
especially with lasix...its usually given with potassium as lasix takes all your own potassium away from your body;but sometimes your potassium level is good enough not to require it so blood tests are needed about every quarter to check your potassium level.
this is very important! stay well Cory!
thank you i plan to ive been watching mystery diagnossi alot and i started thinking abotu my situation i was told here take lasics change your diet or your going to die thats all i got told after they saw my heart. no heres whats wrong i thank god every day that im back to normal just scary to think it could happen again
stay well Cory!
i plan to im just glad to know how to get the info i want
I have had over the last 10 years major problems with my legs. I have had Flesh eating disease, blood infection, cellulitis, blood clot, ulcers, weeping. Today I have the worst weeping I have ever had in my life. The fluid was coming out so fast that when I walk I left a wet foot print. I am using menstrual pads to collect the liquid and wearing compression stockings. I have my legs elevated and I also have taking Furosemide 20 mg. I have soaked 8 pads today. If I can't get this under control by Monday I will make a Doctors appt.
Judy, I am so worried for you! I am so glad you are going to the MD!! But I would add that no matter what! you go! and of course, if you cannot get the weeping controlled with the pads, if bare tissue is exposed, if you are not urinating enough, if there is a foul odor to the fluid from your legs you need to go to urgent care or preferably emergency room this weekend! I want you to pay attention and get yourself looked at this weekend if anything happens! OK?
My nana is 100 and has swelling in both legs from the knee down. She was on oral antibiotics for 5 days and then intraveinous for 6 days and it is not improving. Otherwise, she is well and has good blood pressure and a strong heart. She has pressure bandage on her legs which were weeping fluid too. Any thoughts on why it is not responding to antibiotics? Thanks
I am afraid I cannot answer this Tania, I'm sorry. The swelling must be related to an infection, with your Nana getting antibiotics? I'm sorry I don't know. Keep talking to your Nana's infection control MD..the one who is ordering the antibiotics, and see if you can find out what the infection is.
This is a great hub with lots of info, but I'm confused. Fourteen months ago, on the subject of wrapping legs that are weeping, you advised Tucson Mom to "wash legs twice daily with antibacterial soap and water, pat do not rub dry, wrap with four inch wide kerlix or wrapping gauze but not tight!! never apply any copression at all!! EVER!!!" And further, "...then take four inch wide ace wrap and again no compression..." I'm questioning the "no compression" because it seems in every other post where you discuss weeping you give the opposite advice. So when to apply compression and when not? My husband suffers from terrible edema in both legs and I've been wrapping them tightly with ace bandages - one has begun to weep so I'm wondering how to proceed with the wrapping.
Good morning JUW thank you for your comment and I will explain my reasoning: compression is used when a vascular diagnosis is the definitive diagnosis. to err on the side of caution, don't used compression without an MD order. The problem comes with an arterial problem is the cause of weeping edema.
Albeit, vascular is most common as to a reason and compression is often used for vascular however I will always err on the side of caution and of course, never do any kind of wrapping without physician advice and continued evaluation. Also don't forget the edema and then the weeping is not the problem/it is only a secondary symptom of the problem itself. And for that, you must see a primary MD, probably a cardiologist and maybe a vascular MD as well. I hope that cleared up your question and I hope your husband improves. barbara b
Hi RNMSN, I just came across this post after getting home from the ER due to extreme swelling in my calves, feet, toes, etc. I've had it for 3 days straight now, and has not decreased. I have little/to no pitting, my legs are almost 3 times the size now, and very tight n painful. There is no weeping, and not really red. Pronounced veins tho. Only time I had swelling like this was while pregnant 5 yrs ago, and had a small vein clot in the back of my knee. Before continuing, let me tell you that I have a very long medical history. I have MS, seizures, fibromyalgia, fractured t-6 vertebrae, c-4 thru c-6 herniated discs, and osteoarthritis due to all the steroids I've needed to take for my MS.
My question for you is, could my fracture in my t-6 be impinging my spinal cord n causing this swelling? The ER dr. told me that I had no swelling, did a ultrasound and found no thrombosis', etc. They did no urine or bloodwork, and told me that I was exhagerating, and she saw no swelling, and had no edema since there wasnt a pit mark when she touched me. But when I showed her pics on my phone of how my legs normally look, and that theyre now 3 times the size +, she still told me there was no difference and I'll live, just avoid salt n put my feet up. (Which I've been doing, Im not dumb. But after the way she treated and spoke to me, I feel it now.)
I don't know what else to do. I have Medicaid, and my Medicare thru my SSI n SSD wont kick in until Jan of this year. I can't find a dr, Im treated as an addict since I'm on heavy duty chronic pain meds, and in NJ finding a dr to take Medicaid is almost impossible. I've been waiting 8 months for an appt with the clinic thru the local ER I just went to. Should I find or go to another ER? Could this be a symptom of my fractured back getting worse? I've kept a picture record of my legs for the past 3 days since its started. What else can I do? Should I be worried? I'm at my witts end, and Im glad I found your page. Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much.
Kris
I just wanted to add to my last post and give you a little more info. I am a 28 yr old female, with the aforementioned medical problems. I've had a complete/total hysterectomy in Nov. 08 due to severe Endometriosis. So it's not due to period weight or anything like that. I'm not sure if this helps, but figured the rest of my info/story may add some insight to this. Thank you again.
Kris
Hello Penny
Waiting to see a physician is frustrating I know! Pictures of yur legs are good but your weight is actually the hallmark way to monitor edema...
there is edema that is very tight but usually makes your legs look shiny and tight...pitting edema is just one kind of edema...
if you cannot do your weight every day, same time of day, same type of clothes and write it down then you could use a tape measurer, like the one used for sewing, and measure your calves at the fullest point/usually 6 inches below the top of your knee
these two ways really show the physicians exactly what is going on and how much
although the MD still wont get worried without other sysmptoms such as difficulty breathing, weeping of fluid from your legs, irregular heartbeat....and of course if you have those types of symptoms then the numbers would just be gravy...
the fractured areas of the thoracic vertebrae would/I expect/ also cause tingling, numbness, pain, even worse difficulty with mobility than is already present with the multiple sclerosis so I am at a loss as to the cause.I will be thinking about you and I think keeping a written record of your weight and calf measurement would be an excellent tool until you see a physician!
My husband was diagnosed with a huge ulcer on his leg, his one leg is always swollen due to MS also he had a heart attack 3 years ago then he was hit by a car, then he had shingles and now this ulcer on his huge leg. He was given some antibiotic for his leg and is told to keep it up above his heart or he may loose his leg. He is stubborn and thinks it is not a big deal.
Before I tell my story, Ijust want to thank you.
The information here is outstanding to say the
least. You have given people hope and a peace of
mind.I have been to the clinic and Cleaveland
clinic sites and the both give the same information
ver batim. Your Hub is golden.
Now about me.
I have been diagnosed with chronic vein
insufficiency. I have two sores on my legs for
about a year now.I go to a veterans clinic. They
tried several things and finally put the unna boot
on both legs. It did not work.
They sent me to the ER because they thought I might
have a blood clot. I didn't but I did have an
infection in my leg.I was given an antibiotic, I
take the last pill tomorrow. My problem is both my
legs are still very painful. My left leg feels as
if something inside it is twisting and untwisting.
My right leg just plain hurts. By the time I go to
bed both my legs are swollen to the max and are
just screaming. It takes at least 4 hours for them
to unswell and stop hurting. I would elevate them
and they would hurt even more so I would take them
down. I just read in an earlier post of yours that
this was normal.
My question is, if I am sitting in the bed is that
elevated enough or do I have to put something under
them to lift them higher.
Another problem of mine is that one of my wounds is
leaking a clear fluid at a rate that I can't afford
all the bandages since I have to change them every
30 minutes or less, any suggestions?
I will be getting something called SNAP but that is
not until November, meanwhile I hope that there is
something I can do for the pain and leaking fluid
as I am not getting much sleep.
Thanks again for all that you do.
Oh I forgot to ask if there ws anything wrong with
using a heating pad on my leg if I don't put it
directly on the wound.
Jean. You must be nearly frantic about your husband! The worst thing is knowing what to do (elevate the leg) but not being able to get the person to comply! Be watchful for signs of complications and call or get your husband to the MD if these occur: severe pain, swelling more than what is there now, reddness, warmth and of course foul odor.
commercialjunkie, thank you for your kind words. I wish I were smarter and could send you to the person that would be able to fix your legs :)
For myself, the pain you are going through would be my undoing...and since pain is the bodies way of telling us there is something really wrong here I would add that I want you to pay attention to any changes in that pain! It gets worse...call the physician!and the worst part is that pain is always worse when the sun goes down isnt it!
unna boot didnt work eh? more absorbent dressing...I am betting you are already doing the four inch gauze wrapping? Then the answer has to be with a product that will wick the moisture and keep it off the good skin and let the product stay in place....makes me tink of calcum alginate or seaweed dressing...they are pricey but might work...what is snap? a type of ins? I know about the food stamp snap program...at any rate, once the next couple of wks go and you get into Nov I would hope you can get into a wound care clinic and get some consistent and paid for! help with your ulcer.
no, you cannot use a heating pad! save it for your back or your neck :)
no, sitting in bed just cuts off the circulation at your hips/waist cause your legs are bent and with your vascular inconsistency you cannot afford to cut off the circulation on purpose! elevtion for you means 2 pillows and make sure you put them under your knees and the other under your calves.any higher and you cut the circulation off at the hip again.over your heart sounds like you should be standing on your head all the time doesn't it? but all it means is to get your toes level with your nose when you are flat...thats just an increase of 20 or 25 degrees right? (math and I are extremely distant relations)
Wow, amazing site. Love your humor and interactions with the people. Think most times I prefer (and trust)the nurses over the doctors, certainly more human. Like so many others I am guilty of being very obese (340 pounds, 5'3", very sedentary- work is at the computer and life very out of control. Walking and daily life becoming very difficult. I have had edema for 5-6 years but much worse lately. Have high blood pressure, untreated for 5 years as I did not appreciate the damage it was causing and treated for 5 years. Blood pressure still out of control averaging 150+/100+ on 4 meds . Taking Lasix 20 mg, atenolol 25 mg, ramipril 10 mg, and Cozaar 100 mg, plus synthroid .112, very faithful taking everything but the lasix. It has been suggested by the nurses (who I see mostly) but not proven that my heart is probably enlarged. Dr has vetoed tests that she wanted when I asked if we know if my heart is ok. Thought if I knew this for sure I would not be so afraid to push myself a little more as right now I have to lean on the cupboard just to manage peeling potatoes. Feel fine sitting and want to do things such as clean, then when I stand up I am lightheaded and my head sometimes "throbs but doesn't hurt" if that makes any sense and feel like I can't do it, give up and go sit back down. I have told them this, they acknowledge this but do not remark about it. Anyway back to edema, legs often weep,have had it up to a week. Had one sore (cat scratch took 9 months to heal) and now left with a hard core there. Legs and feet so swollen they do not even go away after a nights sleep. My big question is , I am supposed to take Lasix every day but many, many days I am not comfortable taking it. Sometimes it is because I feel dehydrated. My urine can be very dark, or very deep yellow, despite trying to drink the water, and then it will finally go light, but then again later back to being dark. Also, it is such an inconvenience if you need to go out places, etc and I skip taking it if I have to be going out for the day . I am not sure how to manage this. I feel like I need the lasix and want to take it but that I should not take it sometimes. Meanwhile, my legs and feet are still huge and leave indents. Often the skin is shiny and peels. Hands get so fat too if I don’t take it. Doctor is very "old school" and I get flustered trying to talk to him. Health care is free here but very difficult to be able to change Drs, and if he does not agree to tests etc there is nowhere to turn as there is no private care here. Only thing ever done was bloodwork, which they actually do often, no urine, no other tests. Supposedly kidney function, and all is well. They don't really give you any numbers for the most part, just say it is good. Try to ask for more info and end of feeling stupid. She said she will watch the numbers. They do watch the sugars quite often A1c 6.2 few weeks ago, but I am not diabetic. 52 years old. I know I feel much better when I take the lasix (lately when I haven't taken if for about a week I get extremely exhausted trying to do anything and hard to breath, and can hear noises when I breath out. If I start taking the lasix this all clears up to some extent. Then I will take it for a few days because I know I am reaching a crisis point but then the cycle starts all over again, I feel good, maybe feel dehydrated yet legs still swollen and not sure I should take it. But should I still be taking it when my mouth is dry and urine is dark -- please I don't feel like I can discuss this with the Dr's office. Love your column, I know it must use up a lot of your time, and you are not a Dr. Nurses are underestimated. Our doctors are now using a lot of health practitioners (RN's with much more training) and they are amazing but they can only do so much without the Dr's support. Thank you in advance for your help.
Just wanted to say sorry for the length of previous post.
Good Morning Susan! Don't worry about the length of the comment, I don't mid :)
you know you answered your own question dont you? yep, gotta take the lasix. It sure is a pain having to go to the bathroom so often isn't it? and if we really do as we are supposed to then add 6-8 glasses of (ugh) water a day to that and we are doing nothing else but going to the bathroom!
However :) did you know if you get into the habit of taking lasix every morning and drinking a glass of water every 3 hours that in a month you won't be going to the bathroom all the time?
Its the changing of the habit that does us in. the body will accept the lasix and settle down to a dull roar on the water making department but the instant you skip a day/wanting to go shopping or a movie etc/ then the body says "wait now what oh great I have to go through this again!" and the cycle will start all over.
and yes, getting past those several weeks are a drag but remember it will settle down :)
as for the edema thats the one thing that will help the most,taking the lasix, course remember about salt, pickles, saurkraut all those foods that cause fluid retention have to not be seen by you again :) and of course elevate your legs, as in a recliner every day, walk in the house if thats all you can do, that will help the pumping action and get the fluid back to yur heart.
and it sounds like a contradiction but 6-8 glasses of fluid (ugh water is the best but OK tea will do) actually creates the shift in fluid! sort of like priming the pump, you have to add water to make water come out of your body :)
you keep on working at this Susan, I will be thinking of you!
Thank you again, I will attempt to be better with the lasix.
way to go Susan and I will keep thinking about you so dont feel like you are alone out there...you need to just complain or need a shoulder or anything...you drop me a line here! :)barbara b
This article was very informative ... thanks SO much!! :)
my pleasure Karla! thanks for the encouraging words :)
Hello what an interesting site I stumbled upon!! I live in Australia and my 86 year old Mum , who has had heart faiure twice, woke up 2 weeks ago with one very large leg full of fluid, which that evening let out two towels of clear fluid. Because Mum had chipped a bone in that particular foot, she was convinced that was the swelling...
Well the doctor increased the fluid tabs and an appointment with a cardiologist has been made....but Mum is flat in her voice I think she is now pondering if everything is starting to deteriorate and I could cry every day worrying for her..SO a big thank you for this lovely, friendly forum you have :)
Hello Lynne! I will pray your Mum gets relief from that leg! I am sure the physician checked for a clot? and the fluid pills are helping? Your Mum is flat in her voice? does that mean she is a bit worn out? getting diuresed can make you feel totally wiped out! and the pills will pull that fluid off her body pretty fast too...watch and make sure she doesn't get dehydrated...I know you will...be all right and let me know how she is!
My friend is in the hospital, just diagnosed with heart failure and has some sort of thick fluid sacks around her lungs. Docs still don't know what it is. She has lupus and has been recieving Cytoxin for a few months. Anyways... She has been in for 8 days and started developing edema. Her legs are constantly elevated and she has been wearing compression socks. The edema spread up to her abdomen and has been leaving two inch deep impressions at the top of her underwear. Today her abdomen started weeping, she woke up in a soaked bed from it. The docs say there is nothing they can do, but we all feel unsure about that. Is there anything you know of?
I know you are so worried about your friend. Lupus causes such stress on both the heart and lungs and it is hard to hear there is nothing else that can be done. Lupus usually causes cardiopulmonary complications although all systems of the body are affected in the most common form of lupus/systemic lupus.
Sometimes persons with lupus develop both heart failure (fluid around the heart) and pleuritis (fluid around the lungs) and of course this is very serious.
I hope your friend will have relief soon.
Hello again. I went to my appointment last week so they could take a look at my wound. T had just taken my last antibiotic pill for cellulitis. Shouldn't they have swabbed my wound again to see if I still had it. It is still very painful,warm and red. One other thing:0 why do my legs sting so much when I get out of bed in the morning.
Does this mean that while I am lying down my legs are not getting any circulation and standing starts the circulation?
bottom to top: you have circulation while sleeping but when you stand the blood really rushes to your toes and thats the stinging sensation like its just waking up
some MD will wait a few dys to a wk before getting another culture of the wound IF they want another one at all...maybe the MD thought it looked good?
you have another appt I hope?
I do have an appointment on Nov.2. There are supposed to put something called SNAP (http://www.spiracur.com/snapdifference.html) on my legs. I was wondering if I could have something called Lipodermatosclerosis. I find it very hard to stand for more than 5 minutes a time. Makes it hard to do the dishes or cook. Any way thanks for listening.
oh wow I know about this! it is like the KCI wound vac..negative pressure that keeps the wound bed moist and heals rapidly! it is fantastic and SNAP looks to be much lighter and easier to tote around than the wound vac!
so this means your wounds are small and doesnt involve your whole leg and that is encouraging!
I had to look up both SNAP and lipodermatosclerosis...I learned a lot this morning! so do you fit all or most of the criteria? more importantly the color and shape of your legs/are they like the pics? not that it really matters as the treatment will still be the same and worse, cannot involve the one thing that helps (compression hose) until your ulcers get well. And are the wounds definitely venous stasis ulcers?
shallow, below the calf,not perfectly round, surrounding skin is brown hard and painful and edges are sometimes yellow and crusty.
I know how wanting to know what is happening can override everythig else but if your hysician is going to use the negative pressure treatment on the wounds then you are on the right road now! the worst thing is, regardless of the defiintion of what is causing the wounds you will have to deal with this from now on and that will not be easy
So you hang in there, keep the wounds clean and dry until next week when you can get the SNAP! Neg pressure works great!
Kudos to a great blog and informative post. I however wanted to add that venous stasis/ stasis dermatitis and ulcer are due mainly to incompetent or absent venous valve causing decreased venous return and increased dependent fluid retention which will then change the intravascular pressure and later on cause seepage of this fluid interstitially.
thank you Bambhoo
Hello,
I posted about four weeks ago on my mom, who had valve replacement surgery, and then developed swelling in her ankles. Since then the doctor lowered the lasix dosage down to only ten mg. Then the swelling was still there so he increased to twenty mg. As of last week the swelling is not just in the ankles but also now on her lower legs as well. The area also has developed reddish blotches. She went back to the dr. He did an echogram and said he found fluid in the heart muscle, which he said in turn brings on the fluid in the legs and ankles. In the morning it goes down but increases throughout the day and she is very uncomfortable (she said her legs and toes feel tight). He increased her lasix to 40 mg now and will check her potassium level in four weeks. (She is not taking the potassium pills now as her level was a slight notch high from previous potassium pills she took.) The dr. told her to be sure to eat bananas while on the lasix. She is concerned about long term use of the lasix doing any damage to her kidneys, etc. I'm also wondering why the redness is there, is it common?... and if the lasix eventually should take care of the problem ??? She never had any swelling in this area before the surgery. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
Good Morning! I am sorry the fluid seems to be a persistant problem. I wonder if the valve surgery exacerbated a problem of fluid in the heart muscle that was already present before surgery?
taking the lasix and maybe having kidney problems is the necessary evil...otherwise the fluid in the heart will solve every problem right? and that is not acceptable. the dark red to pikish color is an affect of the fluid trying to work its way out of the vessels (cause the heart cannot pump hard enough to get the fluid back up to the heart and lungs)and pools at the surface of the legs. the lasix will not cure the problem...your Mom may have to go into the outpatient clinic every now and then to be diuresed/where lasix and other diuretic meds are given intravenously/in order to pull a lot of fluid off her heart in a short amount of time. Hopefully that won't happen for a while but your physician may well instruct you and your Mom to do daily weights in the AM, same clothes on, and record it daily...any increase of 5 lbs/wk or 3 lbs in one day and she must see the MD immediately.The number one symptom that is a red flag and means see the MD i the morning is your Mom going to urinate more often at NIGHT...so, if she usually gets up twice and then one night she gets up 4-5 times thats a huge warning sign OK? I know you are so worried and be sure to ask every question you can think of at the MD office! If you cant remember all of them take a tip from my Daddy/he wrote the MD letters! They write or call back too!course you know the admonition about writing ques on a piece of paper and taking it with you to the MD...that and the MD nurse...they are the best :)
Thanks for your response and most valuable information. I will follow up on everything you suggested.
you go :) I hope all will be well for your Momma!
Thank you for all this information! I have a problem. My Mom is 90, living alone, has congestive heart failure and severe edema. She will not see a doctor but has been promising to go since spring [we kids live 1000 miles away].
Tonight she said that after cutting her leg on something today she wrapped her leg in a towel and put a rubber band at top and bottom and the weeping and bleeding stopped. This does not sound good.
She's on lasix, but still eats food that has salt in it and hardly moves from her chair.We are all beside ourselves and wonder if she is going to die if she doesn't get medical help. She seems to think she is outsmarting us all by doing things "her own way" Any advice on how to get her to a doctor's appointment? We make appointments and she cancels them. Her heart doctor won't see her any more because he tried to hospitalize her and she wouldn't go.
uh oh I have met your Momma's type of patient so many times over the years! When I first started home health I was a definite rule breaker and would impose my nursing will indiscriminately! I would call the ambulance, go to the emer rm with them, call their family so far away and make them do what I said!
This is not the way to try and get someone help.
The hardest lesson I have ever learned is one my boss drummed into my head "You cannot force a patient to do what YOU think or even what the Doctor knows is best, Barbara"
I know how terrible this sounds to you Jayewo...I railed against it for years! All you can do is continue to talk to your Mom, offer help (MD appt, home health, clinics, even respite at an assisted living for a couple of mos if you can swing it $) and listen, listen hard and tell your Mom you love her and only want to help. I know this is pitifully little to hear but it is a BIG something to do. Bless your Momma and you too.
OK, they put the SNAP on. It did not hurt much just a small pinch. They could not get a seal so they ended up taking them off. Tomorrow home health will be putting on the unna boot again. I am supposed to get a consult to see if I have some need for vein surgery. Not sure what that means. They did say if I need surgery then Snap would not work for me anyway. I think I have cellulitis again or still. I know one thing for sure. I am going to lose weight once my leg heals as to not be in this situation again. Can I put ice pads on my legs, they burn like the dickens.
dadgumit!! couldnt get a seal! how frustrating!
well I am glad you finally get a vascular surgeon consult! I hope that cellulitis isnt acting up but only irritated from all the manipulation from the machine (snap)
no ice! I am just full of the exclamatory marks this morning arent I :) hang in there junkie!! next up for you is an ABI index and a doppler study.
I have blood work in the morning. I have edema- that I didn't notice because my legs are skinny despite my weight. I have high blood pressure and have been taking Benicar 20mg once a day (usually at bedtime). I have gained weight despite diet and exercise in the last year- 25 lbs. I joined the roller derby and cannot keep up- my legs and feet ache so bad after just 20 minutes- but then towards the end of practice (about an hour and a half in) I feel fine, no pain, ready to skate- and by then all the girls are tired and taking off their gear. FRUSTRATING. Curious about if it's the Benicar or something more- but I am so sore in my legs and in the mornings I can barely walk. This article was helpful! If you have advice on what to ask my dr. in the morning- that would be great!
Hell Donna! So what I am hearing is you have swelling and pain in your legs? Your BP med, Benicar works by keeping your blood vessels open however Benicar can also cause sweeling in your hands legs and feet and it can also make your legs ache...now that may be too easy an answer and I am just a nurse too so I am glad you are going to see your MD tomorrow! But I would for sure ask if that could be why you cant skate! :) and thank you for your comment about the helpfulness of the article that means a lot to me!
Barbara B
Thanks for the supporting comments!
You are a good person.
Thank you Jayewo. I have been thinking about you and your Momma this past week...we see and hear from the people we are supposed to learn from you know? You hang in there OK?
Barbara
I am now back on the unna boots. I had to take them off last Wednesday because of drainage. I called in to see if the would clinic would see me because I was in severe pain. The wound Nurse cleaned all three of my wounds. By the time she got finished I was in crying. she doesn't know why the wounds hurt so much, she sain the nerve endings should be dead. It even hurts when she sprays it with wound cleaner. Any thoughts as to what is going on?
everybody has different levels of pain...ever had a GYN MD tell you a pap smear wont hurt? so dont worry that there is something horrible happening...your pain level is not the same as the person next to you is all and dont hesitate to ask the wound nurse to spray the gauze 1st then lay the gauze on your leg! I have had patients hurt so badly all I could do was lay the wet gauze on their legs and just place my gloved hand over it/couldnt even dab it! and also Rhonda get a driver and then take a pain pill before you go to the clinic! I hope the weeping slows down soon for you and the pain calms down too!
Hello Barbara,
i have a very unusual one for you. (It's a dog!)
My Mastiff was diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceus approximately 2 years ago. The treatment consisted of Prednisilone and Azathioprine to "reboot" the immune system. This has successfully put the Pemphigus into remission, but i still use 20mg Prednisilone every other day to keep it at bay. (dog weighs 60kg)
A side effect of the steroids is terrible Oedema in the lower legs and feet, particularly the back left leg. In between the "toes" the skin weeps a clear liquid which is quite smelly and the skin goes from pink to very red depending on the medication. To make matters worse my vet says there is a Pseudomonas infection that has so far defeated all antibiotic treatment. I am using pure salmon oil and carrots in his diet to try to reduce/cure the swelling but after 4 months there hasn't been any improvement. My vet says that the circulation is compromised due to the steroids, his main concern is keeping the Pemphigus under control. My concern is that my dogs feet hurt when walking on anything other than smooth or soft ground.
Can you give me any advice please,
Thanks in advance,
Graeme.
oh bless him
well you have the pemphigus treatment all but the gold injections
but the psuedomonas is a fungus type infection and is best treated with acetic acid (thats vinegar water) and I am sure your vet will tell you or give you some
its really easy to make/we used to make it in patients homes just salt water and vinegar is all very weak on the vinegar of course/ wetting the cloths/nice soft whte sheet all cut up would be fine and you can wash them in really hot sudsy water afterwards/then wrap his paw in it for as long as he will allow it...you'll have to rinse it/use salt water/so he wont lick so much of it up
I bet your vet will say "for sure!" about this treatment and I hope I hope your mastiff and you will be out walking in no time!
course you have to walk at dusk and on cloudy days eh?
barbara
My mother has had this chronic weeping edema of her legs for over a year. She had congestive heart failure last year which was compounded by a heart attack 6 years before, so triple bypass was recommended which she had last year. Ever since then, she has red and swollen legs at times (not all the time) and right now she has a couple of blisters where the scab has just fallen off. One is seeping, one not but quite red. She is also diabetic and takes Lantis daily. So far, no abnormal increase in sugar or temp. She had this same thing happen six weeks ago and went to our family doc who prescribed antibiotics. Now it's happening again. Last time, nothing was done to the leg but this time I'm having her follow your directions about washing in antibacterial soap, drying and then wrapping in gauze. I think she may be seeing the doc again Mon if things don't start turning around tomorrow. My question is: should she be going to our regular family doc for these repeated occurrences, which don't seem to be solved, or a cardiologist or ? I can't see that our regular doc is helping much. He has a specialization in cardiology, but that's not the same as an actual cardiologist. Thanks. John
Good Morning John I know you are so worried about your Momma! I think if it were my Mom I would see the cardiologist/with CHF this isnt something that only happens once then its done/its a condition where the heart cannot effectively pump the blood and fluid well enough for the entire body
Now, John, if the bypass did what is hoped then of course the CHF would no longer be a problem
But if so why the edema is the question so yes, go back to the cardiologist. Many MDs carry a specialty other than the one they do regularly and are very good so the MD you are seeing may be enough/its up to you and your Mom.
Another thing as well does your Mom see her endocrinologist regularly as well? have you asked if the edema and weeping could be due to diabetes? With so many different diagnosis be sure that every specialist is seen on a regular basis! I hope she will get better soon.
Thank you. I just lost my dad in April due to a chronic infection that wouldn't go away. He too was diabetic (over 40 years) but for a much longer time than my mother (my mother has been diabetic for about 20 years with insulin for the last 3 years). She still seems to heal, but it would take a huge amount of time for my dad to heal. Anyway, she tells me that her legs have been swollen for about the last 5 years ever since she was in the hospital one time and had IV fluids. Some of those fluids, she says, never left her system. I don't know. She of course had a build up of fluid when she had CHF last year and they used IV lasix to help rid the excess fluids before doing the triple bypass. The triple bypasses purpose was really to go around the stents she had from the heart attack 7 years ago, and not necessarily a treatment for her CHF. The surgeon said her CHF might improve after the bypass with time. Her ejection factor was 35 just before the bypass. Right after the bypass, there was a lot of excess fluid in both legs and they gave her extra diuretics to reduce the fluid. Most of the fluid is now gone, but her legs now occasionally get swollen and red. If the swollen state goes on too long, she inevitably ends up with blistering and seeping. Her diabetic control isn't what I would call good, neither was my dad's. One doctor called them both "brittle diabetics". I've tried to help her control her sugar and she does eat all the right things like unsweetened oatmeal for breakfast along with 1/2 slice of wheat toast, a turkey sandwich on rye for lunch, and very often a salad with low cal dressing at dinner. Her BS in the morning often runs from 90-130; at night often low 70-85 and she must eat at bedtime. However, it is between meals that her sugar goes high. We don't check it at lunch, but when we have it's like 250-350. The doc has always told her to cover this with the sliding scale of humulin (in addition to the lantus she gets in the morning- 30 units), but humulin might take 10 hours to "bottom out" versus the normal person where it's out of their system in 3 hours. Therefore, humulin's effectiveness is slow with her and she tends not to use it because it causes unpredictable hypoglycemia. I have investigated this and I'm not sure what the alternatives are. My brother has "insulin resistance" and takes a completely different type of medicine, I forget the name, but the meds goal is to make you nauseous after eating a certain amount of food. His sugar is much better controlled, but the med is now not as effective as it was when he first started it. I suspect my mother has some insulin resistance too. She certainly doesn't eat very much, that's for sure. She also doesn't have an endocrinologist as she (and I) aren't sure how much he could do beyond what she is already doing. I do know that when she was in rehab after her bypass last year, they of course weren't great on special diets (a "universal" meal for everyone no matter what condition) and her BS ran hyperglycemic all the time, even when using the sliding scale. So, it's a baffling problem for sure. Her seepage doesn't look as bad this evening. She has been washing her legs with antibiotic soap, just patting them, allowing them to dry, and then applying gauze. I wish she could put something on the exposed areas, but she is allergic to neosporin and I don't know what else is available OTC. When my dad used to have ulcers not quite as large on his feet, his podiatrist would have him wipe each sore with Dakin's Solution or coat with Silver Sulfadiazine. If there was something to be drained, he would use the wet-dry Dakin's patch. I don't know if it would be a good idea to pat my mother's sore areas with Dakin's or not. I'm having trouble keeping the gauze on and switched to a 4x4 pad this evening held on with paper tape. I don't think this will hold well either, honestly. If you haven't guessed, I'm desperately trying to avoid another doc visit. She (and I) both get "white coat syndrome" so BP runs 30-40 points higher than when at home. Not great when the doc doesn't like the BP!
oh dear John
reading through your note I was thinking "she needs to eat more often but still little bits" and then got to where you said rehab tried that and her blood glucose was worse! a delimma...
wonder what her HgBA1c is doing? problem is with brittleness comes the rollercoaster effect and thats what most MD mean about 'brittle' is that the blood glucose goes up then down so rapidly within just 3-4 hrs
and the worst part is that with the blood glucose too high or too low the person isnt recieving the insulin (whether from the lantus or their pancreas) nor are they receiving oxygen because the two things bind together in the blood. So food sits in the system not being turned into fuel and oxygen sits there not getting to vital organs (brain, heart, kidneys, legs) which is why nurses will say take the regular insulin and check your blood glucose every 4 hrs
not an option though if, like your Mom, she isnt able to easily do this or if you have to work and arent there 24/7
and yes with the sliding scale you have to check that sugar at midnght and 4AM along with all the other 20 hrs of the day so thats just not an easy option
I love the clorox water/used it many many times in home health
but remember its for the bacterium staphylcoccus/not for a clean ulcer...but I wouldnt opt for the neosporin either for the same reason/sometimes we hurry put antibiotic ointment on something and it doesnt need it then the area will actually get worse!then it does need something so we've shot ourselves in the foot
the silver dressing is good...one option for that would be zinc/desitin/ but you have to be really careful with that especially if your Mom is allergic to neosporin she might react badly to desitin
I just keep coming back to the MD...I would want her seen...that diabetes is so insiduous that the longer we ignore or try to patch up a problem the more sorrow it is wracking up for us in the end! and of course I would also urge you to check her blood sugar more often John and keep a logbook
so I still think 3 MDs not just one ( my honey has white coat syndrome too so I definitely sympathize but make him go anyway) and if the area gets to where you cannot see any improvement in a 14 day span then its time to ask for the wound care clinic too...those nurses are so fantastic and can help so much!
and I am a huge fan of having lots of helping hands and bright minds around you to help!
barbara
thank u! you've done a great job of bringing it all together and i enjoyed reading it! bravo!!
thank you!
My Mom finally saw her cardiac doctor yesterday after procrastinating since early spring when she became unable to walk more than a few feet at a time because her legs are so painful.
When I asked her how it went she said that the subject of her weeping edema never came up [!]
She thinks it's not serious and said she is just going to sit quietly until it gets better.
No comment is needed - I just needed to share my amazement.
how can I not at least remark on the fact that my mouth is hanging open! :( Doesnt this make you want to say to your Mom what my Dad always said to me "Why don't you just come home and let me run your life!"
Hi, I read the blog and it helped me to understand things i'd never had to deal with before. Thank you for all the information.
My question is: my mom's legs are so very red and she has in the past had open sores, which have healed. What could that reddish be, just an infection? Her doctor had her on antibiotics and her legs hurt, although they're not really swollen, except after she had traveled a whole day, then they where swollen for several days.
well, of course your Momma's Md would be the best to answer this but usually the color red has to do with the circulation...the legs are so far away from the heart and the blood is working so hard trying to get back to the heart and lungs. The pressure that takes narrows the vessels and some of the fluid seeps out and gets close to the surface of the legs/hence/red color and sometimes swelling and then open sores
same thing for the pain...it would be a good thing to take your Mom to a vascular physician and get the circulation checked out. Sometimes all thats needed are support hose in the day,then wash and dry and cream at night to make a huge difference! I hope thats all it takes for your Mom!
Thank you for your response. She is seeing a doctor, just seems like whatever he does, doesn't seem to help all that much. But i'll try n get her to a vascular physician.
Thank you again.
it can be so discouraging but keep searching for answers!good luck!
my mother foot have swelling last 3.5 years. we use many type of treatment but no result. i want to advise that what we do ?
ood Morning Shekhar Swelling of just one foot could be circulation related or just an old injury. The best thing to do would be to see the doctor and let the doctor take it from there
I have had alot of swelling, numbness and recurring weepage from my leg for several years now... I am overweight (which I know isn't helping and I need to work on)have a familial history of diabetes and hypertension although last time I went to doctor blood pressure was normal to maybe the high end of normal range .... speculation among my family is I am probably diabetic as well although doctor only said might be/borderline/inconclusive ....also full disclosure... I dont go to doctors often... (poor so can't afford it plus dont really trust most of them anyway) any suggestions as far as best way to clean and treat weeping sites and what I should do in regards to the problem in general? thanks for your help
oh Tim bless your heart
and its probably starting there/your heart/ but with the maybe diabetes of course that doesnt help
ok so swelling and weeping is usually circulatory and a problem with now being able to move the fluid in your blood vessels from heart to toes back to lungs and heart again...unless there is an occlusion but then only one leg would usually be affected
so bottom line of course is the dreaded MD and usually two of them...a general and a heart or vascular doctor
in the meantime/money and trust isssues taken into account :) /care of your legs:
clean and dry of course...antibacterial soap and warm water and never scrub no matter how bad you want to get the ughies off!!!! the tiniest pinprick of an opening will cause your fluid to pour out like crazy and takes forever to close over again
so pat and dab never rub or scrub
then you can try a little lotion but it has to be the expensive kind and cannot have any perfume at all in it....so nivea is OK
and dont use a ton of it..and dont be rough...you have to rub with the lotion but no fair rubbing hard even if its itching like the devil which I know it does...
and prop your legs up of course but dont prop so far you cut off the circulation at your thighs...
then for food of course watch the sodum/salt and read the labels/max of 2300mg of sodium every day and less is best/towards the 1500mg side thats for your BP and water retention...and limit the fried foods and red meats (includes pork) to 3 times a wk or less again for your P and water retention...and if at all possible eat little meals several times a day specifically 6 times a day is best and thats for your borderline diabetes and BP and swelling
finally Tim and dont yawn I saw that :) try walking 15 minutes in one direction and 15 minutes back 3 times/wk for 2 wks then 4 times/wk for 2 wks and 5 times/wk for 2 wks then still in 2 wk increments increase the time by 10 minutes every two wks....the pumping action of walking will increase the circulation in your legs and get that fluid back where it belongs.
I took advantage of you Tim by going all through this entire plan...when all you wanted was the care and cleaning...but just know I care and want to help and wish you the best health/after all you deserve it!
love to you
barbara b
Thank you so much for your advice and I will begin trying to implement it immediately... you are providing a wonderfully helpful service on here and I want you to know that I , for one, really appreciate it thanks again =)
thank you TIm
isnt it funny that the first ones we hubbers write stay the best and most read?
ut yes, I ike helping...my sister reminded me today that when we were small/like 6 and 5yrs/I told her I was going to be a nurse when I grew up :)shes never let me forget it and I love her for that...life and work and stress all throw Jonah sized "Ketos" at us on a regular basis doesnt it? :(
but we keep on rowing nonetheless!
I am a 46yr. old female that has had edema in my legs, actually all over my body, starting as far back as 10 years ago. Like many of us struggling with this topic, I am catagorized as obese, I probably spelled that wrong, as I am sure any of us struggling with our weight hate that term so I rarely use it, but that is what they call us, so I guess that makes me that. If that makes any sense at all? I worked nights all of my life and for the last nine years have done private duty taking care of one individual in their home, working there again the night shift. There was a lot of sitting up at night without laying down for years, and if anyone has ever worked the night shift for extended periods would say that although we were off during the day, there were a lot of times things arise in the day time as they normally do, and sleeping and laying down didn't always get taken advantage of to say the least, and for myself I know this was a common situation in my life. Therefore I just recently got diagnosed with venious stasis disease. I have weeping sores on my left leg and my right leg isn't far from having the same, just is little behind in symptoms than my right. I hadn't been to the Dr. for many years, hadn't taken care of myself very well at all, no insurance and was too busy taking care of other people, not to mention coming from a very old fashioned, "old school" family of hard workers that going to the Dr. just wasn't very necessary. We were strong people that getting sick just wasn't going to happen to us. Well, I thought I could lick this too until the sores just refused to heal, and the burning pain was so long lasting when it decided to strike me whenever it darn well felt like it, that it brought me to tears which had never happened to me before, I never had cried real tears over physical pain before, I was tough as steal, or so I thought, until now that is. At which time that brought me to the point of finding a Dr. that I could manage without having insurance. I found a very good Dr. I think. Certainly compared to a lot of Doctors out there that I have seen and been aware of anyway. I do have a few questions though, and to no disrespect to my Doctor by any means. I recently was introduced to the extreme itching that this disease can cause, OMG!!! it is crazy. Fortunately I had begun to follow my doctor's instruction and had elevated my feet for like three or four days in a row, and lost eleven pounds over night, my swelling began to go down during this time and even one of my sores was beginning to crust over, unfortunately this is when the itching from hell started, stupid me hadn't come across your sight yet and no one told me that I SHOULDN'T scratch, so you know what happened next, yes I scratched like a mad woman, sores weren't in the horrible pain as they were, for the first time in months and it felt so damn good I couldn't help myself, and hey no one told me not to at this point. Then shortly afterward I begin to get this horrible itching all over my body, everywhere, and yes I mean everywhere, it was horrible, I still am struggling with it, not quite as severe but it is still a problem. Please could you help with what this is? Dermatitis? I will end for now I have fallen in love with you Barbara, you are so helpful so I am a rambling mess. I apologize so much for just blurting out all of this with no reasonable fashion, and for the length of it, I am just so excited that I have someone as intelligent as yourself, that is so kind and generous with their time to take to talk to us, and share your priceless knowledge, that I have forgotten my manners which I sincerely apologize for, but thank you,from the bottom of my heart thank you. I still have a few more questions but I will stop for now and give you a chance to breathe and other people a chance to comment about themselves..... Vera
my blessed Vera, never apologize to me!! You can ramble along however you like :)
I do!
OKAY now...the thing that worries me is that you are having itching all over your body/not just you legs so I am now concerned about your kidneys...so ask your physician about that...any urination changes? any having to get up in the middle of the night more than usual? that sort of thing
also for the itching and the sores...clean and dry of course and if you absolutely have to then OK use some very light lotion like nivea or one without any perfumes in it at all...that will be ok but really just soap and water is the main thing...
of course Vera, you will continue to prop your legs when you are off and drink your water unless your physician says otherwise but you have to prime that pump you know/if you want water to come out of your legs you must put water into your body first :) silly sounding isnt it? but its true...and try not to reach for the salt of course you know that and finally and most important
wash your hands and keep your nails filed down smooth
ha you thought I was going to say dont scratch didnt you? :) no, I know you learned that already!!
let me know whats going on now Vera!
Barbara B
Hello again, Barbara. Spoke to you a couple of weeks back about my mother. Well, this week, she ended up seeing her doctor. I tried to have her wash her legs with antibiotic soap 2x a day and then apply unfolded 4x4's over the red, blistery areas but an area on the back of her leg, just below the knee, kept getting worse. Finally, after the seeping increased, both of us decided it was time for the doc. He took one look at the affected leg and said if it wasn't cellulitis, it was close. He prescribed 10 day antibiotics, Bactroban ointment to rub on 2x/ day and a temporary increase to 160 mg/ day for 4 days of Lasix. He really didn't want her to cover the leg but she said she didn't want the seepage over her bed sheets and the doc reluctantly agreed to a light bandage, just enough to catch any seepage but no more. That was all on Thursday. Today, the leg is not nearly as red and smaller no doubt due to the Lasix. It looks like there's all sorts of dry, peeling skin around the affected areas. Seepage has either stopped or is far less. However, I can't help but feel this treatment is a temporary solution at best. I asked the doctor about stockings once the leg is healed and he didn't think it would be a bad idea. I know there are several "pressures" and I hope he will write a prescription for one. Luckily, my mother had no fever or abnormal sugar throughout the ordeal. John
Hello John thank goodness your Momma agreed to go to the MD! which one did you take her to? regular or the heart MD? doesnt matter as the problem is fixed but I agree with you, with your Mom having CHF and Diabetes,this may well come back and the TED hose are a great idea too...even if all you get are the knee highs/once the legs are well of course and if the MD says good idea...I always hesitate to say 'ask for the pressure hose' because its an MD call and really does better with the ankle-brachial index test beforehand/just to be sure blood is flowing correctly...so I am glad the MD felt it would be a good idea. another thing I wondered this time was does your Mom spend the majority of time sitting? is that why the area behind her knees are open? course there isnt a lot to be done if she isnt able to get up and about but it might be a clue and looking at the type of fabric of wherever she sits wouldnt hurt...what if its rough and causing more irritation?or her clothes/same thing...just wondering...
I am so glad she is better!
my mum recently had a surgery where they had to remove some patches of her colon since it was bleeding............... ever since it has been one problem after another first her kidneys started failing then it reversed, she contracted tb and now her legs her swollen and she is in pain...... they say she has pus in her belly that is why her belly is swollen. i just dont get all this..... oooh she is 63yrs and she has hypertension.
please explain
my mum recently had a surgery where they had to remove some patches of her colon since it was bleeding............... ever since it has been one problem after another first her kidneys started failing then it reversed, she contracted tb and now her legs her swollen and she is in pain...... they say she has pus in her belly that is why her belly is swollen. i just dont get all this..... oooh she is 63yrs and she has hypertension.
please explain
Lucy/lets take tis one thing at a time
first her kidneys started failing then it reversed
OK lets not worry about this rght now
she contracted tb
now she will have to take medication for this probably for a yr
remove some patches of her colon since it was bleeding...
Lucy this is why her abdomen is swollen and why she has infection (pus) also inside her abdomen. a lot of times with colon surgery where bleeding is concerned the persons intestines are pinricked with holes and the wate inside our intestines seeps through those tiny holes. The surgeon closes as many as possible and flushes all that abdominal area out but sometimes there still remains intestional byproducts and that sets up infection/called peritonitis
so more antibiotics of course for that and bedrest and strict diet, sometimes just liquids for a while
and now her legs her swollen and she is in pain......
OK so her legs may well be swollen because of the strain all of the above placed on her heart or it may be from bedrest and not being able to get up and walk or it could be related to her kidneys trying to recuperate.
But of course all of this is just a supposition and the best number one totally reliable answer will come from your Moms physician! just write out every thing just as you did here and hold it in your hand and ask one at a time! Physicians are wonderful teachers and are very caring so go for it! I could be totally off base with all of this after all!! I hope your Mum gets well soon! Barbara
I have written before that my Mom would not see a doctor. but recently she self-diagnosed a case of shingles [a common ailment for her] and was miserable enough to go to a dermatologist, who was not able to help.
Last week when a nurse/neighbor saw my Mom she immediately took her to a doctor. He said she was allergic to Lasix and took her off it. Without Lasix, my Mom's edema is subsiding and she says she is feeling better than she has in a year.
We kids are headed that way soon to see what's going on, but I thought I would mention the thing with Lasix in case there really is an allergic reaction to it that might affect others on this forum. My Mom had an incredibly itchy rash.
Hello again Barbara, Well, an update on my mother. Her leg just wasn't clearing up so I took her back to the MD yesterday. He almost put her in the hospital but agreed to give nearly constant elevation of the affected leg, increased diuretics (along with potassium to offset the losses), and antibiotics a final two week chance. She also now seems to have psoriasis, mainly on the hands, lower arms and upper legs. It has been developing for a while and started as small, itchy spots. She is seeing the dermatologist tomorrow because the MD feels it might be an allergy to one of her meds (we think it's clonidine). Anyway, he didn't seem to think the psoriasis was related to the cellulitis on the leg, but is not certain. As far as her leg is concerned, the MD's news wasn't all good. He feels that the artery being removed from the leg for the bypass last year has reduced the efficiency of blood being able to leave the leg and that's the cause for the cellulitis. I asked him about stockings and he says once the cellulitis is cleared up, she'll probably have to wear them. If the leg doesn't clear up over the next two weeks, she'll have to go in the hospital for IV antibiotics. So we're hoping and praying for the best. My cousin was telling me about an ultrasonic procedure(?) that can be done to legs like hers that will stop future cellulitis and the need to wear stockings. I asked the MD about it and he didn't really comment much. Do you know what my cousin was talking about? Thanks, John
that is not the best news is it but I am glad the MD is going to get your Mom into some Ted Hose. And yes of course that means the infection of the skin must be healed first...so elevation and that will get old soon! Dont be surprised to see your Mom up more than you think she should but also keep in mind the extra diuretics will be working her kidneys too
now then as for the ultasonic procedure sometimes e-stim is used but really there is not a lot of research on it as yet...it definitely helps people after a mild stroke...they used the electrical stimulation....just like an ultrasound over the affected blood vessels in the neck to improve the circulation.
but of course the people with a stroke have those blood vessels...and yes your mom does too but not as strong as the ones that were removed to use as the graft for her bypass/so really Im with the MD on that/not much to say really
but on the whole it is good John, because she is getting more treatment dont you think? I just hated to read about the arms and the rash there though cause I dont want it to be a supra infection from the weeping legs then she touched a spot on her arm and the bacteria went there...you know? and if its the clonidine be sure and mind her BP! thats a little pill that packs a whallop on high blood pressure and the last thing she needs is a hypertensive crisis right?
you hang tight John, you are a wonderful son!
Barbara
Hello Barbara,
After the MD's visit on Monday, he suggested the visit to the dermatologist asap and she saw him on Wed. The dermatologist's treatment was different and, instead of addressing just the psoriasis on the arms/ upper legs, he addressed the cellulitis as well. He said to place warm salt compresses 2x a day for 10 minutes on the affected areas of the leg. The saline is 2 teaspoons of salt in a quart of warm water, mixed thoroughly, and then a clean towel is dipped in the solution. The wet towel is then pressed over the areas for the 10 minutes. Once dry, dexamethasone cream is applied to all of the cellulitis as well as the psoriasis on the arms/ upper legs. This treatment regiment differs from the regular MD as he specified he didn't want the cream used and I mentioned this to the dermatologist, but he said to use the cream. He didn't seem concerned since she had been taking an oral antibiotic for 10 days already at that point. Well, it's been 4 days since the dermatologist appointment and not only the weeping sores are gone, but the leg redness is far reduced. The cream is also helping the psoriasis, but the process seems slower. It is 0.25% strength.
My only concern is with the cream being steroid based. She has had a recurring infection or something on her ear off an on for over 2 years. Each time, the cream has helped completely eliminate the redness but the ear always gets bad again within a couple of months after the cream has been stopped. This has all been under the dermatologist's care also and the cause for the recurring bad ear has never been found. Again, along with the cream for the psoriasis and cellulitis, a weaker cream (0.05%) has been used on the ear and helped clear it up once again.
So, for now, she almost looks like she never had cellulitis to begin with, and for that I am extremely thankful, but I wonder what steps will be taken next to prevent recurrences of each problem. She is still on a slightly higher daily dose of lasix (120 mg instead of 80 mg), and you can sure see the thinner legs. Hopefully, the extra potassium added is doing the job there.
I don't think this cream can be used for the long term (maybe I'm wrong) due to its nature, so I hope alternatives are addressed and quickly before she has future outbreaks.
Thanks for your commentary, Barbara, as it helps put everything into perspective. And how many nurses are online to address anything! Very few from what I see so you definitely stand out from the crowd.
Jon
I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LYMPHEDEMA IN 2008 IT STARTED ON MY LEGS IT HAS PROGRESSEDTO MY ABDOMEN.I HAVE FLAREUPS WHERE ILL GET LITTLE AEREAS THAT LOOK LIKE BOILS THAT HURT FOR A FEW DAYS.THEN THEY ALWAYS BUST OR WEEP. BUT WITH NNO MONEY OR INSURANCE I CANT FIND A DOCTOR WHO WILL HELP. WHAT CAN I DO? I NEED HELP
Jon Hello and Merry Christmas!! I am so thankful your Mommas legs and arms are better! You are right that the steroid will only be a temporary fix...we nurses call steroids a blanket cause it covers up the problem...but it does give the body time to heal in a lot of cases....
now if only the underlying cause can be diagnosed!
I still keep coming back around to a bacterial infectio and thank goodness for the antibiobiotics!! you just keep on keeping on now and it will be OK!! I believe barbara
Hello Annette,I think that the best thing then for the lympedema is dont let anything constrict it so no tight pants of course and how about just clean and dry as a bone and elevation? also check the net for free clinics they are a godsend!
RNMSN DO YOU KNOW OF ANY LINKS THAT I CAN CHECK OUT TO FIND HELP?
WHAT CAUSES THIS EDEMA OF THE LEGS AND FEET, MY SISTER HAS THIS CONDITION NOW.SHE WAS VERY INDEPEDENT BEFORE SHE GOT EDEMA.SHE HAS PAIN IN HER LEGS AND FEET BACK AND CAN BARELY WALK BECAUSE OF EDEMA.SHE IS OVER WEIGHT.WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY SISTER?
hello Annette! of course there is a ton of info out there on lymphedema...I like the Mayo Clinichttp://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS00609/// and WebMD is OK too but the only thing that will really help is a physician and even then it may take several! the first one, if just a primary MD may send you to a specialist! and thats the best thing of course/otherwise you could do harm...so like I said, try a free clinic, the county hosp or health dept...I KNOW you will get help!
hello Candy I know you love and are worried for your sister...I cant do without mine either! Butagain, thethng to do is go to the doctor first and foremost! Otherwise, as I said, you could really make things much worse. So start at the doctors and go from there.
I have been overweight for as long as I can remember. As I have grown, so has my weight. So, at 33 Years Old I'm about 360lbs on my 5'6" frame. I've dealt with weight-related medical issues/complications for years and years, such as high blood pressure [Benicar 40-12.5mg and Norvasc 10mg] and leg swelling/water retention.
About a year ago I noticed my legs would swell to the point of being uncomfortbale. However, with decreased salt and increased water, it would go down. Then six months ago I noticed my legs were staying swollen for a longer period of time and were very uncomfortable. So, three months ago my doctor decreased my Norvasc to 5mg and the swelling went down a bit and stayed bareable. Well, over the holidays my legs ballooned and I started to notice these red dots/bumps with no head ... Not to mention being totally uncomfortable, like walking on tree trunks and I felt like my leg was going to split open. I knew this was serious and a huge sign of Edema. I then noticed one dot that grew and almost looked boil like under the skin, with redness all around. I immediately started drinking lots of water, cut the salt, elevated the legs, took a diuretic, and put on some compression socks. [I am familar with this a bit, due to my father having issues with Edema.]
In the meantime I made an appointment with my cardioligist. He took me entirely off the Norvasc to see if it helped and also asked I stop taking the diuretic. Along with the water, less salt, and elevation my legs are looking thin and better than I have seen them look in eons! On Wednesday I'm scheduled for an ultrasound of my legs to check the viens and we'll see from that point.
Here is my concern though ... My left leg still has some of those red dots/bumps and the one that had grown is still there. Only now it's about the size of the end of an eraser. The top of the bump looks like a scab, but is not rough and actually looks like white dried skin, but underneath it is a dark blue-ish color, like blood under the skin and then it outwardly is bright, bright red to about double the size. The skin all around is red to about the size of a dollar coin. It is warm to the touch and itches as if it's healing. But, it hurts to the touch, feels hard underneath and throbs once in awhile. I have had boils before and to me it looks as though it needs to be broken open. But, I'm afraid if it breaks it will be a permanent source for weeping if I continue to have issues with swelling and fluid retention. On the other hand I am scared it's infected. I have been keeping the skin clean and applying an antibiotic ointment and then placing a bandaid over it during the day, so I can wear the compression socks. At night I don't wear the socks, so I let it air out.
I have an appointment on Wednesday for the leg ultrasound. The office will see if as is, unless I should be concerned now.
Hello Elizabeth, you have done and are doing an incredible job and its a difficult job as well! I totally agreee with you not to open the area on the left leg!! if its to be done only the MD should do it but I doubt he/she will do that...I wonder if perhaps the petechiae was a sign your legs were about to weep fluid though your skin? or perhaps a topical infection like cellulitis and it got stopped from yur good care and compression hose? either way, its good that you are about to get an answer this week and if its just an ultrasound and no MD appt then I say make an appt! I would want that area looked at
Dont you?
Take care Elizabeth, and let me know how it goes this week
my husband has ascites on his abdomen and I wondered how come the ascites go back right away the next day despite of removal of fluid on his abdomen? He's suffering from cirrchosis of the liver. Is this normal?
unfortunately yes, the ascites occurs specifically because the liver isnt able to filter waste and it is a ign that the liver might be in severe trouble
the liver is the body's big filter and with cirrhosis, it isnt able to do its job,hence the fluid accummulation in the abdomen (or ascites)
I am so glad that I've somewhere that actually know what they are talking about and is just a 'real person'. My hubby has been sleeping in his recliner now for over 3 months because it's the only place that he can actually get some sleep. When he lays flat or with chest elevated on the bed he ends up coughing all night. And when he coughs he really strains trying to get the 'rattle' in his lungs up and out.
When he does sleep it's a constant wheeze andbubblingg. He smokes. My Ma died a few yrs. ago from lung cancer and she had to sleep in her recliner for 6+ months before finding out and then dieing in the next 7 days.
Oh wait, there is more. For the last 6 months his legs all the way to his toes have been so swollen that it looks like if you touched any part of it it would 'pop'.
I've been rubbing cool lotion on his legs to his chubby big piggys and occasionally putting his feet into slightly cool water for a short time. It really brings the heat down. And at night (when he's done with all of the heavy farm chores) I elevate his feet, give him all his pills, Laysiks and make sure that he has enough cool water or cranberry juice. Well, the last 3 months his testicles have been so swollen.
The first time it happened was a doozy. I'm being totally honest when I say that 'his boys' were the size of 2 large coconuts. The poor guy was having a heck of a time with his aim at the potty. It had to be this bad for him to finally say something to me.
Straight to the Dr. and she sent us straight to get admitted in the hospital for what she said would probably be a 4-5 day stay. At the hosp. were sent home, twice. No insurance. Our Dr. was furious. But we made due at home. His boys did go down but the fluctuate and never have gotten back to normal size.
My hubby is one of those men who wouldn't say crud if they had a mouthful when it comes to 'his' pain.
We've known each other for 25 yrs. and have been married for the last 13. And we were a rough crowd. We both have Hep.C, his liver #s are worse than mine. And found out the last Dr. trip that he has amurmur murmer that has gotten worse over the last 2yrs.
My Dr. I think has been trying to casually prepare me for the reality of his ill health. I've been to this Dr. for 24yrs.
Please tell me that there is something, anything, vitamins, anything to help him get better.
So sorry for the long babble.
Hope to hear back soon.
Thanks so much. Adele ;o)
adeleme Good morning How terrible for you and your husband to be going through this! I know how I am about my hubby and am right there with you!!
Hep C Virus( HCV)Definietiely causes problems with lungs, especially with persons who have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)however,the literature all points to HCV and lung complications as staying right there in the lungs....
on the other hand, the swellng of the scrotum causes me concern that it is your hubbys liver that is the problem. Sometimes with HCV the liver becomes so compromised that the blood cannot move through it normally and thats what causes the edema or swelling and it sarts at his waist and moves dowm. In your husbands case, it may well be starting in his lungs, hence the difficulty breathing and goes down.
Take a good look at his abdomen when he is in the chair. If you tap one side can you see the whole abdomen "ripple" ?
The scrotal swelling is called a cisocele or varicele...just a word to say whats happening...dont try to tighten the clothes or anything, in fact boxers are best and overalls even better especially for on the farm,just so neither cause constriction
Then of course, watch the salt, the pork, the bacon...you know all this
And using the lotion is OK as long as you do it very lightly and move your hands up towards his waist, and NEVER put lotion between his toes...you knew that I bet :)
Finally, is your husband dabetic?I dont think so/you would have said
But what I am worrying is this all stems from the hep C and a much worsening of his liver function...not lung cancer...
But because of the symptoms thats what your physician has him on lasix...thats a great diuretic...is he also on potassium?if not does he get blood work about every 3 months or so?If BOTH of you want a definitive answer then BOTH of you wll have to ask the MD...Im sorry to tell you if you just ask, unless you have medical POA the MD probably will not be able to say anything...but I bet the MD will say yes I think its _________ or yes I think its ______________
adeleme I wish I could tell you have your husband take this pilland you'll feel better. But the answer still comes down to that physician and diagnosing whats happening.I wish all of us could have healthcare hen and where and not worry about money...as a nurse, thats what I have wanted since 1976
until that happens, keep calling the doctor, find a free clinic,and of course, keep up your marvelous nursing skills!Go call that hysician now :) at least we dont have to have insurance for a phone call and he/she will help you!! I think thats the most important thing of all to remember for all of us...all healthcare just want to help...go on now and call and will be thinking of you both!!
Barbara
My Dad, 84 was diagnosed with Stage 4 Intestinal Cancer; it has metastasized to his liver. He is also a heart patient (stenosis) who was supposed to get a valve replacement when they found the cancer. His calves, ankles and top of feet have been swollen and now from his knees down his legs and top of feet are beet red. I called his doctor and she prescribed an antibiotic Cephalex (something like that) He has an appt. Tuesday. The thing is I was rubbing antibiotic ointments on his legs 3x a day (for two days). Now it looks as though his legs are blistering. Was that my doing? I am now rubbing Aquaphor on them. I have read on some online sites that this can be ulcers and my Dad is very close to the end of his life. Is this true? Thank you for taking the time to answer and may God Bless you for helping everyone with this site.
Reenie, stop your quilt trip right this minute!! Everything you are doing for your Dad is with love and caring in your hands! I know what you are going through, my Dad died so very fast of lung cancer, its horrible to feel so helpless then do something and worry it was wrong!
Well Reenie, it wasnt and it isnt and will NEVER be wrong!! You are doing such a wonderful loving thing just by laying hands on your Father. He loves you for it believe me, even if he winches when you touch him, he is loving your every second you are able to spend with him!As for his time, no one knows the time or the hour you wont have to ask when it is close, you wil be able to see it
But If he is Mts stage 4, get hospice urses. They are wonderful.
Geez/had to stop a bit/ made me cry.
OK so the antibiotic cephalex (keflex I think is the other name)is for a topical infection/cellulitis/cause the skin got inflamed and irritated...so see, putting an antibiotic ointment on them didnt cause harm did it.
so OK, next, see if you can get a little buttermilk or yoghurt into him...that will help him tolerate the antibiotics a bit better...wont take a lot, few swallows at this point should help a lot.
The fluid in his legs is because the heart is hoarding eveything close to the heart so it kinda just ignored his legs and the fluid couldnt get back to the top of his body see?
My prayers to you for strength and to your Dad he will rest when he is able and for peace and for no pain
Barbara
Would compression stockings help?
I am in my mid twenties. I work 12 hour shifts at a hospital and I am constantly running around on my feet. As i'm leaving work I have a noticebly painful limp. My feet are visbly swollen when I get home. My right foot more than my left. when I try to sleep it off, i still have a painful limp hours later.
I get acute chest pain from time to time over my heart area. This has been happening for at least 3 years now. I went to the ER once because of the chest pain. I was told it was likely chondritis. The said the EKG showed a normal palpitation...?
Any Advise?
Gloria
good morning Gloria! well bless you for working in healthcare and thank you!
ok so chondritis can mean any cartliage is inflammed...but if you thought you were having a heart attack thats costochondritis...just a matter of a prefix to identify where the pan was located. and that doesnt go along usualy with any heart problems becaue it was the sternum and or rib cage that was sore and inflammed/thats good!
as for the swollen feet, remember the old pictures of nurses in all white and those big clunky shoes and thick stockings?
looked so funny I know...
sure makes your legs and feet feel a bit better at the end of your long shift though!
so, long winded here :) I agree...get some knee high TED hose and make sure your shoes are really supportive...when I was working on my feet, even driving my car in ome health, I bought the old cluky type of shoe. the pretty mary janes or the walking tennins shoes or even the clogs just kill my feet! so the shoes you wear are of paramount importance and then the hose to keep your swelling down.
However, I put my hose away once I found out I needed to wear a better shoe/go figure :)
my husband is currently dealing with the yellow seepage. the wound care dr just says keep them clean, use aquaphor to keep the bandages from sticking. but i have found that diapers work best as they hold the fluid. he also has scrotal edema the size of a cantelope. he cant walk far. he can only sit on 6" of chair so that the scrotum will be able to hang off. also, he has permanent vertigo and sleeps in a recliner. he also has shortness of breath. cardiologist says his heart his fine (3xcabg) and pacemaker is fine. blood work came back normal on liver and kidneys. gastrologist is seeing him for belching issues. he cant eat or drink without an hour long belching concert. i have been doing the bandages, leg washes, shower help, and butt wiping for him. plus i work full time 3rd shift. what brand of shoes help your feet?
http://www.diabeticshoeshub.com/lamo-sheepskin-men
hello midnitevelvet!! I like to say this ind, especialy with the edema weeping from the legs...theres many others on this site, but I have had patients with this kind more than any other and they love them!
thanks for the slipper info. i was looking for more of a work shoe for myself. my hubby gets his shoes from a podiatrist office made for diabetics. he refuses to wear anything else but crocs at home. i think i will get him these slippers anyway. he might change his mind. but then again, the slippers will become soggy in 5 minutes, maybe not a good choice. i don't know. it just seems there is no one out there that helps people anymore. they just take your insurance money and send you home. we even went to a hospital yesterday for a procedure, and they had no wheelchairs available to help him from the car at the valet station.
what I was surprised and pleased about the velcro slipper is they are washable, aways a good thing
and no wheelchair my word. How ong did you wait till one came to the lobby? and for yourself I cant work without the clunky nurses shoe, now they come in black too, they are the absolute best!
Hi Barbara,
Hubby update...
He had to walk on his terribly painful legs all the way inside and he stood waiting for 10 mins while I went looking for a chair, only to find none. He sat down in the waiting room while i went to complain to whomever would listen. Mind you, this was 8:30 and his procedure was at 9. I was told by the girl at the radiology desk that she has nothing to do with the availability of wheelchairs and that i had to wait for the volunteers who come in at 9. WHAT!!! we were both fuming at this point and no one seemed to care. once the volunteer got there she got an earful. she went looking for a chair throughout this bldg and came back empty handed. i told her to call the CT dept and and least let them know he was there for his appt and if they wanted him, they would have to send someone with a wheelchair to get him. At 9:45 someone finally showed up. I am still peeved at the lacksadaisicle attitude from everyone at this hospital. by this time his pain pill had worn off and he was starving, being he couldn't eat/drink after midnight. believe me, i will be writing a letter to the hospital. i kept everyone's name that i dealt with in my phone.
once he got to the ct dept of course he was passed his scheduled time and they had to fit him in. he has to have sedation to lay down due to vertigo. it took 2 anesthesiologists to find a vein using an ultrasound machine on his arm, and 35 mins later, ureka!! Finally!!
we were out of the hospital on our way home at 12:30.
by 5:00 pm our PCP called with test results.
He has fluid in the lungs, fluid in the testicles, which we knew because of swelling, and a 9cm mass on his pancreas.
so now we have more procedures to contend with, which he can deal with fine, but it's his legs that he is having the most pain. it looks like someone took a blowtorch to them. the wound care center keeps wrapping them and sending us home saying there's not much else to do until the swelling stops. the legs and scrotum is where the fluid ends up because of gravity. they told him to keep his legs elevated in his recliner but he cant because of the pain. they prescribed him silvadene cream with moraphine. they botched the rx sheet so i have to go get another one monday. and it takes 24 hrs to make the cream at the compounding pharmacy, so he wont have relief until tuesday. sometimes i feel i am dealing with med students.
and on last note, i want to say what a godsend you are on here to listen to all of us caretakers. it isnt easy and having a kind ear to listen to us helps alot. when i read through all these posts i realize i am not alone in this. and i thank you so much for your care and concern.
ps..is there a way i can post a picture of his legs?
my word what a travesty of our healthcare system!and then to mess up his silvadene/morphine cream thats the worst to me cause your hubby bless him remains in pain.
now midnitevelvet, you know you have to buy a box of gloves...no fair getting the cheapies you can see through...spend nearly 10 dollar and get the blue gloves. Do not put the silvadene on his legs barehanded :) obvious I know but there you go, listening to the mean ole nurse kratchet :)
I hop the biopsy shows just a beningn mass...maybe a bile duc is clogged or even the gallbadder itself. That would be great. DOes your hubby have any yellowing (jaundice) at all? I bet not else you would have said...Im hoping theres something blocked!
no, I doubt that would be possible as far as the pancrease...violation of PH you know?
recently diagnosed with possible pulmonary hypertension. (not quite sure if this is proper diagnoses but am going to a doctor who specializes in this disease.) Legs swollen around calf area. Began leaking yellow fluid. Was putting neosporin and bandages on sores. Doctor started saying something about it not helping when he was interrupted and never got back to problem. The right leg healed up, swelling down in both legs but now left shin is weeping. Beginning to hurt where the skin appears to be raw. Should I put anything on the couple of sores that are left, leave it open or place bandage over it? Jeans rub the leg which does not help. Both legs are extremely dry and scaly. Any suggestions for a good lotion/cream for this problem? Next doctor's appt isn't until the end of next month and I am really beginning to become uncomfortable. 65 year old female. Thanks for any ideas.
hello kitty, see if you can get some lachydril lotion
if not, but ask the pharmacist, its at walgreens and walmart I think
then mild soap and water and gently pat dry and yes, something like a nice menstrual pad under your jeans will do the trick/I know, sounds weird but they are absorbent and if you chage them regularly they wont stick...
Thank you so much. Will try. One more question, please. I have a spine disease (no possible cure) and have a medtronic pump implanted which delivers dilaudid (sp?) into the spine. Went to have the pump refilled and my regular PA was no longer working. I was set up to have shots in my knees (really painful at this time and normally use the steroid shots 3 x's a year). The PA they set me up with looked at my legs where I had experienced some weeping and said he would not touch them with a ten foot pole until the lung doctor I am seeing ok'd it. The previous PA had seen the legs and given me the shots so I am a bit confused. She also worked with a pulmonologist and was familiar with PH. My pump is to be refilled next week but the pulmonologist appt. is not until the last of March. I hate to bother him with something of this nature and maybe should just wait until I see him. What are your thoughts as the knees are quite painful but I can still walk at this time. Until the age of 50 I had only been under a doctor's treatment for normal circumstances. Once I had the back injury and was operated on, everything just seemed to go haywire! Was forced to quit a job I enjoyed, go on disability and live on small amount of money and at one time had no medical insurance as I made $8.00 over our state's poverty level. Just ridiculous. Could not wait until my 65th birthday and finally medicare. Sorry I'm ranting but appreciate any guidance you could give me.
sounds as if the phys assistant is playing it conservatively
perhaps the side effect of water retention from steroids is why he is concerned?
or the fact that steroids decrease your ability to fight off infection...which could make your potential for lung infection high?
however, if you can stand it and dont want to bother your pulmonologist....
but remember the pain will not be controlled and that dilaudid is effective only when your pain level is kept steady..right?
and you can rant :) here to me anytime!
Thanks so much. Probably just hold off until I see the pulmonologist. Was going to age gracefully and be as alert and active as I was at 30. Mother Nature had different plans. hehe...At least I'm here to complain! Have a great weekend and thanks again for listening.
well and isnt yur sentence about aging gracefully true for all of us! so yes, I, too am happy to be here to complain :)talk to you later.
Thank you for this article. I have suffered from a swollen left foot and toes for 2 years. My toes are swollen and deformed from what I'm told is edema. Not one Dr can figure it out or make it go away. It never goes away completely, just gets worse or a little better. Dr's just shrug their shoulders. It swells more if I leave my foot hanging while sitting in a chair or in the summer. What could this be?
good morning coffewithcream.
if it were brand new I would wonder about a thrombus (clot) but since it has been there a long time and gets worse with dependence of that leg it makes me wonder if you should ask your physician about "Lymphedema" we have a ton of lymph nodes all over our body...sometimes trauma, infection, who knows what causes some to clog or not work properly
then there is also myxedema, not as usual but is an underactive thyroid...wonder if you should ask your MD to check that out?
swelling in only one leg predominantly points towards trauma and or infection of some kind but as you can see, there are other reasons.
now I am only an egg :) uh scuse me, an RN, and of course you must speak with your physician about all this and maybe your MD will just shake his/her head and say oh those nurses! But I hope not. I hope you get and answer soon and then relief. Its fine to hear oh its nothing here wear these support stockings that hust come to your knees and try to prop your leg up as much as you can. And these things work but if you are like myself (and looks like you are cause you are searching for answers) then you want to know the 'why' of it...all the rest is just like dressing next to the turkey isnt it
you hang tight now and know this ole nurse is thinking about you!
Thanks, I will bring this up to my Dr. I just had an abnormal ANA test too so I think you might be on to something. Yes, the support stockings were suggested (and I'm wearing them) but doesn't completely take care of the matter. I had one Dr tell me to take lots of Ibuprofen. UGH! Pleez!
Last year my mom was treated with a unna boot changing once a week, for 6 weeks for stasis ulcers on the leg. The tx actually made things worse, deepened wounds and created many more. So another option was used no unna boot, some debriding was done and ointments were applied which worked better. Now that some progress is being made and almost a year in, they want to return to the unna boot. I am so distressed because so much time was put into the tiny bit of progress we made. I am so worried about what happened with the unna boot happening again. Any words of wisdom.
coffeewithcream good morning! now, remember that ANA test leads the physician off in a ton of different directions so stay focused and positive as you are able! lots of advil eh? I agree with the ugh!! big ugh! :)
Hello Jay thats terrible about your mom...some people react badly to the zinc oxide in the unnaboot...but there is another form of the unnaboot that uses bismuth...its a pink wrapping instead of white bbut even before thiking of asking the physician for that I wonder if a test called arterial venous study has ever been done? It makes sure there isnt a huge problem with the actual circulation of her legs. That could be why the healing process is so slow...or is she diabetic as well?
my wife had surgery on the vula area of her vinga the surgery was to remove a spot of precancer tissue that the doctor told her was the results of having cancer several[uterious] several years agoand this was caused by the radiation she under went during that time. they said the radiation burnt her body.
she had out patient surgery on dec 8th. the stitches pulled out the day after the surgery. the doc said not to worry the wound would heal and it appears that it is very slowly. in the area that was cut out ther is a shite coating that covers the would. there is also a light yellow drainage coming from the wound.
my question is it normal to have such a drainage[ she wears diapers] and what is the white stuff covering the wound. she washes the wound using a shower as instructed.
when I asked the doctor what the white stuff was. his answer she's getting better and never answered my question. if you can shed any light on my question I sure would be grateful
hello jessewhaley
the white covering is often called slough
just like it sounds...sloughs off the wound and probably came about because the wound is in a dark, moist area. The diapers proabably didnt help either
but if your physician said your wife is getting better and you see that the area is healing slowly that is a good thing!
the only thing that concerns me is the yellow drainage. Make sure your physician is aware that the drainage is yellow and then tell him the consistency...example thin, thick, sticky, that sort of thing to be sure you get the most information across to him/her
I will be thinking of your wife and hoping to hear good news soon!
Barbara
Hello, hoping you can help me. My 80 year old mother, wh is diabetic, had one leg weeping a considerable amount of fluid. She is overweight and both legs are swollen from the knee down. She saw her primary care doc, who put her on antibiotics...first cephalexain and then azithromycin. The weeping stopped...finally. This doc referred her to a vascular specialist,, who did nothing but tell her, yes, you had cellulitis, and buy support hose. Neither of these docs is getting to the CAUSE of the edema and weeping. My brothers and I are concerned about congestive heart failure and want mom to see a cardiologist. She is refusing. Any thoughts or suggestions? We are worried.
Good evening Linda
Isn't it so frustrating when the ones you love are so stubborn! I bet your Moma knows there is an underlying cause and dones not ewant to hear it
Then you have to ask yourself which is most important/finding out the cause or the quality of your Moms life?
Remember when as a teenager you and your brothers gave her grief? I know, cause we, as women and mothers have all done it, that she picked her battles with all you guys carefully and with great love
Bless your heart for loving your Moma so very much
Barbara B
Barbara, yes, i think mom does not want to deal with the underlying cause. . Other than possible congestive heart failure, what else could cause this edena with weeping? I am assuming it will likely reoccur? Are we going in the right dire ction suggesting a cardio for her? Hard for all of us to ignore what is happening,
Good morning Linda,
if it was cellulitis there is a good possibility that will be that, even better chance of no reoccurences if your Mom does wear the support hose
our hearts are built to survive and our hearts are sefish, it gives blood and oxygen only to itself and its surrounding areas...thats why our legs often bear the brunt of that fallout so to speak
of course suggesting that your moma seek other opinions is always a comfort too,especially to us kids!
Hope you might be able to help. 56 yr old female. This is the problem: Lower leg edema with dark spots for at least 3-4 yrs now. No weeping. Started as a small type pimple (looked like a bug bite) then it got the size of a hamburger, red and hot. Went to my reg MD gave me antiboitics, went back couple of weeks later and no change. He sent me to a surgeon. He looked at it said it was a brown reclose spider bite. Went to day surgery, he said he had to go all the way to the bone because of damaged tissue. Result: large dent in my lower leg, took longer to heal because of the lower leg locale-all healed. Next year I get the same thing-started out small. I went directly to the surgeon and he opened it in his office-no drainage. He gave me antibiotics. (bioxin) After 3 weeks no change. He then sent me to a vein Doc. Vein doc said pulse is good not a vein problem. Vein Doc sent me for an Xray of the leg. (didnt know what he was looking for) X-ray fine. Vein Doc sends me to a Dermatolgy Specialist, he says its a pedicure spa infection (micro bacterial infection) he does my first bioposy. Puts me on 6 months of bioxin and minocycline. After one month I get one on the other lower leg-bioposy 2 negative. (active and hot also) after 4 months he says looking better. On, On, kept getting more and more both legs taking same meds for about 2 years now. Bioposy 3&4 done. Result-negative.(checking for fungus etc) He then says meds not working-I may have to have IV meds. He sends me to a Infectious disease Specialist bioposy 5 & 6 done, negative. This doc does not know what this is and won't give IV drugs yet. Going for an MRI w/color on Monday. Any Ideas?????
DFWArmyMom a spider bite then a micro bacterial infection and now no diagnosis but many biopsies and all those antibiotics
How frustrating and how confusing.
I am sorry, this one is one I do not have any suggestions for and I am going to research it a bit. I will be thinking about you Mon the 5th!
Barbara B
Just to clarify a little. The most recent is that they dont believe the first was a spider bite at all. These are all the same symptons. They all started small, they get larger and hot. It might not turn out to be a microbacterial infection either. They are not for sure. It's just depressing, it has been going on so long. The Infectious Disease Doc took me off the oral meds which I am greatful for right now. (I needed a break after taking them for so long) Who knows, I hope they figure this out soon. Maybe Monday will help get some answers. Thanks
I hope you get the answers on Mon too
Barbara B
OMG!!! Such a monumental work! Nursing student at present time, I am reading this post like case study scenarios and LEARNING SO MUCH!!! and referring your posts to my friends. Your Knowledge and Experience are treasure! Thank you for share. We need it, to help those you are in needs!
Good morning etarn
:)
thank you so much for your encouraging words! I nurse because I care, want to help, to serve.
And I write it down for the same reasons :) thank you
after 3 yrs of open wounds and seeping, we have finally found someone to help my husband. we go to a vascular surgeon, who is treating him with a method called "Unna boot". this is working like a miracle. why no one else knows this method is beyond me. it is so simple. makes me want to sue everyone else for the torment he's been through all this time and wasted money and energy visiting doctors that do nothing.
Your blog is quite interesting. I feel like such a freak of nature. Not one doctor in the last ten years have been able to diagnose me. I have swelling in the right leg dominantly but retain large amounts of fluid everywhere. I'm on 80 mg of diuretics daily and by noon I'm so swelled on the right ankle I must remove my shoe. I have been diagnosed in my salt 20's with endometriosis and have had several surgeries to clean up scar tissues and remove the endometriosis. I went through two rounds of ivf about eight years ago when we noticed the water retention. Ive been on three (6 months at a time) lupron treatments that had thrown me into menopause. I feel the swelling is hormone related but no doctors agree The sweeling is worse when humidity is high, I live in Oklahoma and summers are brutual. I travel to Colorado yearly and feel the sysmptons almost disappear. I went to cardiologist, urologist and general md and nothing was found. I have spent thousands of dollars on test, tried acupuncture, home remendies and lots of prayers. No relief has been found. I exercise daily but seem unable to drop a pound. I'm so frustrated. If anyone has any suggestions I am open for any and all attempts to relieve the problem.
Good evening Becky, you have certainly had a lot of stress and trauma over endometriosis,
but what was the MD reason for 80mg of diuretics?
and the invitro fertilization? as a way to produce pregnancy or for the endomtriosis?
the lupron itself for the endometriosis is the one that might cause swelling of your legs but it seems there is mre to this than just a side effect, especially if the lupron was started after the swelling...then again if you were already having swelling why do the lupron that could exacerbate it?
I am sorry I don't know more, I wish I knew all these answsers and I know you do as well.
I am so glad you have coontinued to pursue this answer with different MDs opinions and acupuncture (a goood treatment for endometriosis) and wish I could answer you more succinctly.
Barbara B
Great web site. Helped much. Have used unna boot , it does work. will go back to it again. most problems are my own fault. Do not stay off or elevate my legs enough, have to be on foot most of day. Thank-You for reminding me to wake up and take time to treat problems.
good morning Charlie :) well, thats what ole nurses are supposed to do right? you take care now Charlie!
Great Blog ...
Thank you.
Hi, I have read your blog and so much of it rings warning bells.
I am a 63 year old male who 12 years ago contracted a mystery illness which after about 5 years was diagnosed as CRMO - Chronic Recurrent Multifocal Osteomylitus. Over the next few years this attacked several areas of my body but the worst by far was my spine. Consequently I have undergone 3 separate operations to the spine including some fussion work.
Along with all this I was affected neurologically as well and was told I now have peripheral neuropathy.
I have lots of areas affected with pins and needles and numbness but have got used to it over the years.
I take large doses of MST (Morphine) 3 times a day, totalling 480mg a day for the bone pain. I have been taking this for about 12 years now starting with just 10mg a day and gradually building up.
For the last 6 months my feet,ankles and lower legs have started swelling up, then about 2 months ago my knees and upper legs followed suit and then my stomach. My weight has increased by around 25% over a 2 month time span.
I have great difficulty walking and getting up etc. My breathing is terrible, I find it difficult to get enough air sometimes and am always short of breath unless I am standing up.
I have tried various drugs from my doctore to no avail, it just seems to be getting worse, I often get yellow fluid leaking from my legs.
Last week I was out and noticed a chinese herbalist so popped in for possible help.
He gave me a session of accupuncture which made me feel great in myself and then has given me a whole load of herbs that I boil up twice a day and drink as a cup of tea.
I forgot to mention I am also suffering with prostate problems and have great difficulty passing water, I have tablets for this too but they have had no affect during the 5 months I have been taking them.
Now I find the chinese tea after one week seems to have cured the difficulty passing water which is very encouraging.
The chinese doctor, yes he is a qualified doctor, reckons that it will take about a month before I notice any decrease in the swelling.
Has any one else had any success with alternative remedies?
If you have read this far - thank you I have tried to keep to the point.
Hello Gee,
Osteomyelitis is devastating and I am so glad you have found that some alternative medicine is helping!
I wish there were a tea that would help specifically with the osteo but getting releif with the enlarged prostate is a wonderful thing!
Barbara
Army Infantry Mom 2 years ago
Oh wow,..This artical really helped me understand better, I was diganosed with a rare neru spine disease and I have had Edema in my feet all the way to my knees, at one point it lasted for 12 days straight. Swelling has been under control somewhat but the last month I have had sharp pain in my left side, doc still trying to figure out whats going on. Anyways,..Thanks for the info !!!