My left leg is so swollen all the way to my foot, it looks like I have an elephants leg/foot. It is sooo swollen you cant even see the bone definition of my ankle.

I called doc, but no call back yet.

It is also tingling.

I am also on anti inflamatory for joint pain, and heparin. So I am really concerned about the swelling.

Please respond

Sandra
 

I'd leave another message with the doc. This could be "normal" as long2b said, but always check it out with your doc until you know what is typical for your body's responses.

b
 

If you are talking about what I THINK you are talking about.. this is NOT normal "edema"... or swelling.

Is it one leg.. HUGELY swollen.. so much it is hard to see your toes because they are folded in the balloons of swollen skin and so swollen they merge together are a big lump??

It can hit suddenly with not much notice and with the skin looking like it might burst open it is stretched so much? And if it splits.. the water coming from it would be like Niagra Falls?

OK.. if that is the situation... I have had that happen to me.. out of the blue.. and I have no clue what caused it.

I was simply sitting and working on the computer and notice a slight tingling at one time.. looked down and saw that.

I was not on antibiotics at the time. I sort of kind of thought it MIGHT have something to do with the thyroid or the thyroid meds I was on.. but that is only a stupid guess.. not to be taken as fact.

Although I thought my leg would actually explode.. it happened at night.. very late.. I refused to go to the ER. (I don't recommend YOU do that.. I just didn't).

I elevated it after walking around a bit.. and went to bed. The next morning it was nearly gone... the swelling, not the leg.

A few days later the other leg did the same thing. Yes. It was really freaky... to say the least. I actually looked like the children and adults you see in pictures in third world countries that have "elephant" leg disformities.

I think you should contact the doctor.. and elevate the leg above your head in the meantime. (From a laying down position.. don't try to stand up and lift your leg above your head.)

Ever since that episode I have not had the "elephant" leg again... but I have had normal edema in both legs at times.. and in my hands.

I use dandelion tea as a diuretic when the swelling starts, and it works great. One cup a day.. mixed with some other tea cause it isn't the nicest tasting stuff... is what works for me.

Now.. be VERY careful using any thing that reduces fluid.. to NOT dehydrate yourself. Once the swelling is reduced.. a day to three days.. stop the diuretic.

Hope this helps ease your brain.. so you know you are not alone. Of course if the doctors can't help you in this situation.. I will be sure to run to the grocery store and get you a big bag of roasted peanuts and a big blanket to lay across your back.

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If you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

So, The doc called back and told me to go to the ER to get checked out. He wanted to make sure I didnt have a blood clot.

Like a good patient, I followed his advise. Believe me I was scared.

Spent 6 hours in the ER. They did EKG, (normal) Ultrasound on both legs (normal) and ran some blood test. Liver normal and other blood tests normal. One came back slightly elevated for something that could cause blood clots so ER doc did CT scan of chest to make sure no blood clot there also.
Also, came back normal.

The decided I was possibly having an adverse reaction to naproxen (anti-inflammatory, non-steriod). Advised me to discontinue this med. and take 800mg of ibuprofen in its place.

Basically having adema symptoms. The also prescribed a diuretic to take for a couple days. Suspose to follow up with my MD if symptoms dont go away.

Woke up this morning, and alot of swelling had gone down!! Yeah, no more elephant leg.

All the hosptial staff was great though,, very through in testing out heart related symptoms.

Thanks for the replys,, and hope this doesnt happen again

Anyone else have adverse reaction to anti-inflammatorys?? or suggest anything else??

Thanks again

Sandra
 

My right ankle started to do this starting in 2000. Then when I actually BROKE my right ankle in 2001 ... well, you can imagine.

Sometimes the swelling goes all the way up my leg.

The left ankle sometimes swells as well, but never to the extent of the right.

When they swell I try to keep my legs elevated. I avoid diuretics since I can't stay out of the bathroom as it is!

Glad your tests didn't show anything else.
 

The swelling is done alot more tonight, but still puffy. The other thing I noticed tonight is my lymph gland on my left side of head is really swollen and tender. Doesnt that usually indicate an infection?? Only seems strange that is was not swollen before.
I stopped taking the anti-inflam med and now my joints are very sore. Hips, knees and tailbone area. Also my hands!!

I just want this to go away , wah, wah, wah

Thanks for the response you guys.

Sandra
 

Did you try taking some Ibuprofen? My bottle of the stuff has been my best friend for the past 8 months. I don't leave home with out it and it helps me a lot!!!
Lynette
 

Yes I did today. The ER DR told me to take 800mg of ibuprofen. It did work pretty well.

Any response from anyone regarding the lympth glands being swollen?? Legs are better, still a little swollen, but lymph glands behind my ears are very swollen on both sides?

Sandra

[This message has been edited by salydega (edited 05 June 2005).]
 

Just a thought.
Carol
 

I have also been elevating them both as much as possible.

Sandra
 

I don't know about the swelling, but I don't think you can take ibuprofen with heparin.

My kids were on heparin and they cound not take Advil. Their doctor prescribed Tramadol/Tylenol for their pain.

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