My leg has gone strange

[mrs_overall]

Over the course of the day, my left leg has swollen considerably, from just above the knee right down to the foot. It is not hot, not painful and not discoloured. It feels tight and looks odd.
Any thoughts?

[Sqad]

ann...... your reasoning is better than mine.....as you BP is normal, then your explanation is better than mine.

[Ann]

No I bow to your better judgement Sqad, as BP is only kept "normal" by taking the tablets ...... will still mention it to GP though, thanks :)

[Eve]

I get random swelling (over and above arthritisy nonsense) especially if my feet get hot or long journeys, especially flying - my feet feel like they are crawling and burning hot and swell up like silly. I haven't got high blood pressure either (considering I'm not exactly a waif and smoke and don't get decent exercise with the arthritis - unless you count hobbling and clicking my way up stairs :)). If anything mine is usually on the lower side but with a fast heartbeat.

Both my legs swelled up badly and painfully a few years ago. Just fluid I think but they insisted I had the blood clot/DVT test done even though it was highly unlikely that I had one with both legs swollen (usually only one I think) and I was perfectly happy to not have it done as I trusted their judgment (they are the experts), but had me stay for it as I had lawyer on my records - sad they felt like that.

[Eve]

Sorry, here's me wittering on - half asleep after a day back in the country playing with my gorgeous nephew! Glad all is ok Mrs O, was thinking of you and popped in to see this morning.

[slaney]

Sudden onset of pitting oedema in one leg is unusual, Mrs O, and something like a DVT needs to be excluded.
I would take the advice of NHS Direct and go to A&E.

I disagree with Sqad - it is possible to have a DVT without any pain or discolouration, and in fact the diagnosis cannot be made by clinical examination alone, but has to be made with ultrasound and blood test.

[Sqad]

slaney...:-)......in a DVT, if the clot is small enough not to cause pain and/or discolouration, then the incidence of embolic phenomenon is minute and the body will deal with it without medical help.

Yes, unilateral leg oedema is unusual.

I appreciate your input slaney.

[slaney]

Sqad, not so - sometimes the completely silent DVTs with no clinical symptoms can cause significant problems. Above the knee oedema does not suggest a small DVT.
I'm not sure why you are arguing with me - you must be aware this is my area of clinical expertise, and I have more than 30 years experience of treating and diagnosing thrombo-embolic disease.

Sorry Mrs O - I'm not saying you have a DVT - just that it needs to be excluded.

[Sqad]

slaney........no! no! I am not arguing with you.....just debating an issue.

It is just nice to have someone to debate with and i appreciate your input.

[Sqad]

mrs_O....please go to A&E.

[mrs_overall]

I've got an appointment to be seen.

The swelling is now mainly confined to my left ankle and still "pits"

[murraymints]

Mrs O...you MUST do what Slaney and Sqad say ...GET TO A & E NOW !!!!..I want you to be around for episode 7....please go ...we will all worry about you you old bag !!!!!...love you really...♥♥

[mrs_overall]

Old???????????????????????????? Humph!

I don't want to give too much away but I have a pre existing medical condition and I made a self referral phone call to the hospital I visit. I have a good idea what is causing the problem and it is not a DVT.

[tonyav]

See mrs o, what goes around comes back around ( ie nettle rash, knocked unconscious and attacked by a Billy goat ). Seriously though get it sorted ASAP.

[mrs_overall]

Thank you all for your concern and advice.
As I said, I have an appointment. xxx

[Sqad]

and that pre existing condition is significant.... but i have been sworn to secrecy ;-)

[tonyav]

C'mon sqad.

[Sqad]

tony.....NOPE!

[mrs_overall]

Sqad won't tell you tony - hypocritic oath and all that ;-)

[tonyav]

Doh.

[Smowball]

Any diagnosis yet Mrs O??