HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Legs

default
Posted on Thu, 24 Dec 2015
Question: I do not know what else to do. The swelling and fluid retention in my legs have gotten progressively worse. I do not feel doctors are taking it seriously. This has been going on since XXXXXXX and progressively worse to the point where I have it all day in both legs...the entire leg. Right now my hamstrings feel very swollen. Sometimes my skin feels numb which it does right now as well. It is like a burning sensation and at times like cold water is being dumped on my legs and pelvic region. The swelling is exacerbated or gets worse during exercise to the point I cannot even feel my muscles. My feet get atypically cold as well. I do not know what else to do. My echo, EKG, ABI, and leg ultrasound come back normal. All labs and urine specimen are normal. I have pitting edema that has been diagnosed as well. Nothing relieves it....I have tried elevation, compression stockings...diet...I continue to gain weight despite diet and exercise (the Wahl's protocol to be exact), lifting weights and cardio. Doctors have no idea. I have a Moritz 1 Second degree heart block that I have had since my early twenties or that is when it was diagnosed. I am up to my wit's end. I am so distressed about this. My legs feel heavy a lot of the time as well.

An update: I took the advice of a doctor here and got an MRI with contrast and it all came back normal.

They are now grasping at straws regarding what to do so they are telling me to get off birth control. I feel better on BC and have tried getting off it twice per doctor order and both times I felt crappy and I gained weight quickly.

I am SO distressed and do not know what to do.
Oh and forgot to mention sometimes I have this aching pain in inner thigh. Sometimes my buttocks falls asleep for no reason.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Hormones

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry to note your bothersome symptoms. They are perplexing indeed.

Clearly you have had a battery of tests which seem to all come back normal.

I suggest you get screened for the possibility of 3 hormone related conditions:

1 Hypothyroidism: a simple blood test called TSH should rule this out.

2 Cushings syndrome: a midnight salivary cortisol tests is a reasonable start.

3 Acromegaly: a blood test called IGF1 helps screen for this problem.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC
Electrolytes
Calcium
HbA1c
Liver function tests
Kidney function tests
TSH
Free T4
25 hydroxy Vitamin D
IGF1
Midnight Saliva Cortisol

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 minutes later)
All the tests you mentioned I have already gotten and come back normal.
Also sensitivity to cold at the moment I think I forgot to mention.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
I see.

Sensitivity to cold is also typically seen in Hypothyroidism ie an underactive thyroid.

What were your TSH and Free T4 levels?
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Swelling In Legs

Brief Answer: Hormones Detailed Answer: I am sorry to note your bothersome symptoms. They are perplexing indeed. Clearly you have had a battery of tests which seem to all come back normal. I suggest you get screened for the possibility of 3 hormone related conditions: 1 Hypothyroidism: a simple blood test called TSH should rule this out. 2 Cushings syndrome: a midnight salivary cortisol tests is a reasonable start. 3 Acromegaly: a blood test called IGF1 helps screen for this problem. When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following tests in addition to a detailed physical examination: CBC Electrolytes Calcium HbA1c Liver function tests Kidney function tests TSH Free T4 25 hydroxy Vitamin D IGF1 Midnight Saliva Cortisol