Chronic infection & inflammation can result in swelling. It can range from mild edema, to anasarca (gross swelling).
Any intravenous medication burns, even normal saline.
IV fluids pool in the legs causing pain and swelling.
This complicates IV treatment with pain and additional swelling.
How do you get through IV treatment? Do you need more than a LLMD? Did you ever see any other type of specialist, such as a vascular surgeon?
The infection causes endothelial damage.
I suppose the endothelium of any organ could be damaged ...heart, kidneys, liver, etc...
Compression garmets help keep the fluid down. Sometimes diuretics help.
Any advice?
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
up
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
What does your LLMD say about the swelling? Have they seen how bad it gets? Do they know that you/ your loved one is not tolerating the IV medications?
Your questions are kinda vague and I don't have background information to help me see.
It sounds like you/your loved one needs to be evaluated by a cardiologist, nephrologist, and or a very good internal medicine specialist ASAP. You need to rule out potential causes for the fluid overload. Find out why the body cannot handle the IV's. What is causing the swelling. What can be done to fix this problem.
The answer might be as simple as switching to a different type of IV fluid. Possibly restricting oral fluid or sodium intake. But you won't know until you have been properly evaluated.
Seek treatment. Don't wait and see with these kinds of symptoms.
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Fluids were switched from lactated ringers to normal saline ---no difference, still burned & pooled in legs.
I agree there should be evaluations by a cardiologist, nephrologist, and internist.
I don't think the LLMD believes it gets as bad as it does, but recorded anasarca in the record. Doing nothing unless the skin begins to weep or split is not an option, as suggested.
Lymphedema specialist diagnosed mild edema and recommended the compression garmets, diuretics, and water therapy. Diuretics had been prescribed by LLMD. But at follow-up visit lymphedema specialist had obviously talked to an IDSA type and completely reversed approach & attitude.
At times the edema resembles someone with congestive heart failure.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Just a note.
My neighbor's mother (CDC positive for Lyme) is dealing with kidney failure/problems.
Per scope yesterday the doc mentioned that the scar tissue present
Appears to be related to some type of chronic infection.
This after being told 3+ times that she has Lyme.
The doc is now interested enough to at least read up on it.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Geneal! I haven't seen you around in a long time. I trust you and your family are doing well.
I failed to mention the long-standing edema is present in the absence of IV or fluids. hands, forearms, lower legs...
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
I had horrid edema in legs...actuall6y from chest down but legs the worst.
Compression stockings up on to thighs helped but augggh. I felt like walking in waist high water.
Tigecyl has helped alleviate that plus getting thyroid taken care of.