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What Causes Enlarged Veins Throughout The Body, Dizziness And Swelling In Limbs?
Question: New enlarged veins everywhere, dizzy, swelling all over - what could be going on?
Hi, I ve been having odd symptoms over the past month. In the past week I've developed bulging big and small veins everywhere on my body. It looks like a sharpie tatooed me, even my palms and fingers are showing them. This is odd for me as I am someone with very hard to find veins and theyve never been prominent.
Before this new issue, 4 weeks ago I awoke with a racing heart and after I had massive swelling that still lasts (though with cooler weather it comes and goes through the day - pitting edema to my feet, ankles and lower legs, hands, and my stomach it feels like. I've been home testing my blood pressure and its been consistently high. The right arms way higher than left. I have some stomach pain, muscle pain, and my neck glands hurt. I feel like there is a lump at the base of my throat pressing in. Ive had some funny vision, but my eye doc said all seemed okay. I have white spots that show on my skin now and again with pins and needles.
I am taking folic acid now due to a low level diagnosed before this as I have been fatigued and have some pins and needles in my toes/feet.
I have elevated liver tests - alt of 58, due to having a fatty liver diagnosed by blood and ct 2 years ago.
I had a UTI earlier this year and had an ultrasound of the kidneys with nothing showing except my fatty liver and fatty pancreas.
I saw a cardiologist 2 weeks ago and he ran an ecg and echo with nothing bad showing.
I went to the er after fainting one morning with numbness in my hands and feet and they gave me a chest xray which was good. They said my bp was bad, but my bloods were okay and had no answers as they felt it wasn't a emergency.
I have no sexual diseases and am in a solid relationship.I did have a bad miscarriage last year and had tranfusions.
I m 40 and obese, but except for allegies and reflux I was doing okay until all this.
Im really frightened by the emerging veins all over, throat/neck pain, swelling thats still here, and how dizzy and tired I feel. Please advise what I should do next. All I come across is its heart, kidney, liver or immune? I m not sure who to see or what to do. Thank you, XXXXXXX
Hi, I ve been having odd symptoms over the past month. In the past week I've developed bulging big and small veins everywhere on my body. It looks like a sharpie tatooed me, even my palms and fingers are showing them. This is odd for me as I am someone with very hard to find veins and theyve never been prominent.
Before this new issue, 4 weeks ago I awoke with a racing heart and after I had massive swelling that still lasts (though with cooler weather it comes and goes through the day - pitting edema to my feet, ankles and lower legs, hands, and my stomach it feels like. I've been home testing my blood pressure and its been consistently high. The right arms way higher than left. I have some stomach pain, muscle pain, and my neck glands hurt. I feel like there is a lump at the base of my throat pressing in. Ive had some funny vision, but my eye doc said all seemed okay. I have white spots that show on my skin now and again with pins and needles.
I am taking folic acid now due to a low level diagnosed before this as I have been fatigued and have some pins and needles in my toes/feet.
I have elevated liver tests - alt of 58, due to having a fatty liver diagnosed by blood and ct 2 years ago.
I had a UTI earlier this year and had an ultrasound of the kidneys with nothing showing except my fatty liver and fatty pancreas.
I saw a cardiologist 2 weeks ago and he ran an ecg and echo with nothing bad showing.
I went to the er after fainting one morning with numbness in my hands and feet and they gave me a chest xray which was good. They said my bp was bad, but my bloods were okay and had no answers as they felt it wasn't a emergency.
I have no sexual diseases and am in a solid relationship.I did have a bad miscarriage last year and had tranfusions.
I m 40 and obese, but except for allegies and reflux I was doing okay until all this.
Im really frightened by the emerging veins all over, throat/neck pain, swelling thats still here, and how dizzy and tired I feel. Please advise what I should do next. All I come across is its heart, kidney, liver or immune? I m not sure who to see or what to do. Thank you, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are very complex. Let me explain:
1- The increased venous visibility may be a sign of increased central venous pressure (related to vena cava or the heart). Liver disorders can also cause this symptomatology.
2- The swelling in your limbs, can be another sign or increased venous pressure or a lymphatic drainage dysfunction. There are several causes of fluid retention (heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, metabolic disorders affecting the thyroid or adrenal gland).
3- Pins and needels in your limbs could be related to a peripheral neuropathy, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, or inflammation.
4- Throat gland and neck pain, muscular pain and gland hurting are signs of inflammation or a chronic infection.
High blood pressure could also be related to increased inflammation. The increased liver enzymes may be related to an infectious disorder affecting the liver more than just fatty liver.
A chronic infection could be the clue to the connection between all these signs.
That is why I would recommend performing new test:
- an abdominal ultrasound to examine your liver, spleen and kidneys
- repeat liver and kidney function tests
- NT pro BNP for possible heart failure
- PCR and sedimentation rate for inflammation
- fibrinogen levels
- Vitamin B12 plasma levels (as vitamin deficiency may be the cause of pins and needels in your limbs).
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction
- cortisol plasma levels for adrenal gland dysfunction
- a nerve conduction study is needed to examine your nerves and exclude possible peripheral neuropathy
Consulting with an infection disease specialist and performing some tests (for mononucleosis, Lyme disease, hepatitis, etc.), especially if altered inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate, fibrinogen levels).
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms are very complex. Let me explain:
1- The increased venous visibility may be a sign of increased central venous pressure (related to vena cava or the heart). Liver disorders can also cause this symptomatology.
2- The swelling in your limbs, can be another sign or increased venous pressure or a lymphatic drainage dysfunction. There are several causes of fluid retention (heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, metabolic disorders affecting the thyroid or adrenal gland).
3- Pins and needels in your limbs could be related to a peripheral neuropathy, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, or inflammation.
4- Throat gland and neck pain, muscular pain and gland hurting are signs of inflammation or a chronic infection.
High blood pressure could also be related to increased inflammation. The increased liver enzymes may be related to an infectious disorder affecting the liver more than just fatty liver.
A chronic infection could be the clue to the connection between all these signs.
That is why I would recommend performing new test:
- an abdominal ultrasound to examine your liver, spleen and kidneys
- repeat liver and kidney function tests
- NT pro BNP for possible heart failure
- PCR and sedimentation rate for inflammation
- fibrinogen levels
- Vitamin B12 plasma levels (as vitamin deficiency may be the cause of pins and needels in your limbs).
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction
- cortisol plasma levels for adrenal gland dysfunction
- a nerve conduction study is needed to examine your nerves and exclude possible peripheral neuropathy
Consulting with an infection disease specialist and performing some tests (for mononucleosis, Lyme disease, hepatitis, etc.), especially if altered inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate, fibrinogen levels).
You should discuss with your doctor on the above tests.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. Iliri, thank you for your help.
In follow up to what you've outlined:
1 - Would Vena Cava show on a chest xray? I've also had an echocardiogram and I believe they may of tested me for BNP at the ER as the doctor said it was a special heart test, but I'm not 100% sure..
2 - I had an ultrasound of my Kidneys about 5 months ago and theycame out clear. I had albumin tested by the cardiologist looking at nephrotic syndrome and it was clear/good.
3 - My B12 tested good, my Folic acid was slightly low.
Thank you for your help.
In follow up to what you've outlined:
1 - Would Vena Cava show on a chest xray? I've also had an echocardiogram and I believe they may of tested me for BNP at the ER as the doctor said it was a special heart test, but I'm not 100% sure..
2 - I had an ultrasound of my Kidneys about 5 months ago and theycame out clear. I had albumin tested by the cardiologist looking at nephrotic syndrome and it was clear/good.
3 - My B12 tested good, my Folic acid was slightly low.
Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again !
Thank you for the additional information!
Vena cava is examined through cardiac ultrasound and chest X-ray study.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with an infection disease specialist and performing inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate).
As all your performed tests have not concluded any specific organ dysfunction, bit you have several symptoms involvin some organs, testing for certain types of infections ( mononucleosis, Lyme, hepatitis, etc.).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again !
Thank you for the additional information!
Vena cava is examined through cardiac ultrasound and chest X-ray study.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with an infection disease specialist and performing inflammation tests (PCR, sedimentation rate).
As all your performed tests have not concluded any specific organ dysfunction, bit you have several symptoms involvin some organs, testing for certain types of infections ( mononucleosis, Lyme, hepatitis, etc.).
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi Dr. Iliri,
I wanted to follow up further with you.
I spoke to the cardiologist today and he feels its not my heart. He said the 24hr holter monitor showed a few blips but they were deemed normal and he was happy with the ecg and echogardiogram results.
I inquired about the racing heart at times, but he didn't feel anything was needed for that. Should I look into that or those few blips further? Should I do or take anything if my heart races non stop again (it happened last time for hours on end). I have had a few occasions where it feels like my heart has jumped - is that normal?
I asked if it could be a heart infection but he said it was very unlikely. I had dental work a month before the swelling and had an infection from gum cutting and then cleaning at at that time. He felt that, that was not a cause.
I inquired about a blood clot causing the veins. He said they would not appear throughout my body if so as it would be more in one area or side. Is that the case or how it would be?
He said my ALP on my liver test did come up/was flagged and that I need a liver ultrasound at some point.
He said my albumin, protein and creatine were all good.
He felt I should see a dermatologist about the swelling.
He felt no urgency was needed, but I'mstruggling with it daily and its effecting my work and family life :/ .
Let me know if you have any more thoughts on the above. Thank you for your help.
I wanted to follow up further with you.
I spoke to the cardiologist today and he feels its not my heart. He said the 24hr holter monitor showed a few blips but they were deemed normal and he was happy with the ecg and echogardiogram results.
I inquired about the racing heart at times, but he didn't feel anything was needed for that. Should I look into that or those few blips further? Should I do or take anything if my heart races non stop again (it happened last time for hours on end). I have had a few occasions where it feels like my heart has jumped - is that normal?
I asked if it could be a heart infection but he said it was very unlikely. I had dental work a month before the swelling and had an infection from gum cutting and then cleaning at at that time. He felt that, that was not a cause.
I inquired about a blood clot causing the veins. He said they would not appear throughout my body if so as it would be more in one area or side. Is that the case or how it would be?
He said my ALP on my liver test did come up/was flagged and that I need a liver ultrasound at some point.
He said my albumin, protein and creatine were all good.
He felt I should see a dermatologist about the swelling.
He felt no urgency was needed, but I'mstruggling with it daily and its effecting my work and family life :/ .
Let me know if you have any more thoughts on the above. Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Regarding palpitations, you should know that they can be quite normal during anxiety or physical stress.
As all your performed cardiac tests have resulted normal, a heart infection (endomyocarditis) and cardiac arrhythmia have been excluded.
So, coming to this point, as all your tests besides liver function tests have resulted normal, I would recommend performing inflammation tests ( fibrinogen levels, PCR and sedimentation rate) in order to investigate for possible a active inflammation or infection.
If these tests result abnormal, I would recommend consulting with an infection disease specialist in order to perform further tests for certain types of infections which can trigger this symptomatology.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Regarding palpitations, you should know that they can be quite normal during anxiety or physical stress.
As all your performed cardiac tests have resulted normal, a heart infection (endomyocarditis) and cardiac arrhythmia have been excluded.
So, coming to this point, as all your tests besides liver function tests have resulted normal, I would recommend performing inflammation tests ( fibrinogen levels, PCR and sedimentation rate) in order to investigate for possible a active inflammation or infection.
If these tests result abnormal, I would recommend consulting with an infection disease specialist in order to perform further tests for certain types of infections which can trigger this symptomatology.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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