My husband's legs have always swollen when he was on his feet to long - at least since he had Lyme. But now, it's like he can't stand for any time at all, and his right leg from the foot to the knee is swelling.
When he props his legs up, it does go down, but does not go away.
He started Ceftin Wednesday. I wonder if that could have anything to do with it. He is showing definite signs of herx (we both are). I started a new abx Wed also.
Has anyone had this severe swelling? When it happened once earlier this year, our doctor did an ultrasound to rule out deep vein thrombosis.
I'd appreciate any help or ideas. Oh, and besides Lyme, he has Hepatitis C which we can't treat while he's on abx.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
what about maybe a Diuretic like lasix? maybe there is too much fluid?
But not a doctor so take my opinion for what it is worth.
MElissa
Posted by Paula 007 (Member # 8002) on :
Thank you, but lasix is a prescription drug, isn't it.
He insists he's not going to the doctor before Monday. I told him to just keep his leg above his heart.
We don't see our LLMD for another month, but he did say he'd go to another doc Monday.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
is his knee area swollen and RUNNING A HOT FEVER???
if yes, get him to ER; this could be blood clot!!
MINE WAS!! hospital dismissed me w/swollen/HOT knee after my hip surgery; i learned the hard way.
DON'T MESS AROUND WITH BLOOD CLOTS! they killed my father-in-law 50 years ago!
better safe than sorry!
Posted by Paula 007 (Member # 8002) on :
His knee is warm, not hot, to the touch. The main swelling is more in the foot and ankle area. It's more obvious now that he's been off it since yesterday. His foot and ankle are discolored also, sort of dark or red depending on where you look. It is primarily his right ankle and foot.
He said he'd stay off it and go to the doctor Monday morning - Urgent care at our clinic opens at 7 am.
It just looks so bad. Before it had always gone down; this time, it's just not going down very much.
Posted by Alv (Member # 15192) on :
This sounds like he has bartonella...Read Dr J S book about bartonella...
NO he need treatment for bartonella and would improve.Me and my daughters foot went back to the normal size.Yes it swollowed up right at the ancles .
Posted by Nutmeg (Member # 7250) on :
Does he have any wounds or recent cuts or scrapes on the leg or foot, even superficial stuff?
Look into cellulitis and see if that fits the symptoms. It's a bacterial infection in the deep layers of the skin, and I believe it causes discoloration as well as swelling.
Also look into the potential side effects of the drug he's on. It could be a drug reaction, especially since he just started it a couple of days ago.
Another thought would be impaired lymphatic system causing fluid accumulation. Elevating the foot is good, as well as doing ankle pumps, if it doesn't cause too much discomfort.
Ankle pumps are exercises where you flex your foot up and down to mobilize the accumulated lymph fluids out of the tissues where they pool up.
Not sure accumulation of lymphatic fluids would cause the discoloration and warmth, but it might be a factor.
Wishing you the best, Nutmeg
Posted by Paula 007 (Member # 8002) on :
We think it must be Bartonella. Did a couple of things this weekend, and his foot and ankle are almost back to normal.
Changed his antibiotic to Zithromax - appropriate for Bart. Continued the elevation. Started him on a baby aspirin every day.