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What Do Soreness In The Leg Below The Knees Indicate?
Question: Two days ago I had a phlebitis like soreness in my right leg below the knee. I put on compression stockings and have kept them on for 36 hrs. This afternoon I have had some vision difficulties and some feelings of dizziness. Is this a problem that requires more attention or would an aspirin be useful? I am a white male, 90 yrs old. Just had an annual physical and passed with all systems go.Have BPH for which I take doxazosin and until the physical took metfornin for borderline Type II diabetes. Doctor took me off the metaformin as he said the Hb1c was good. I am the caregiver for my partner an 88 year old who is quite dependent and I can ill afford to go to the hospital unless absolutely necessary.
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I understand you well apart from the soreness there is no swelling of the leg, no warmer to touch (compared to the other side), no change in color. In that case I wouldn't see a cause for alarm.
Vision difficulties and dizziness are a little more tricky, they are very non specific subjective complaints which might be related to trivial issues but also threatening conditions, so generally I do advise to be seen by a doctor. I wonder what you mean by vision difficulties. If it is seeing things double, or difficulty seeing thing on one side of your field of vision it might be a manifestation of stroke and would require urgent attention. Symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side, balance and coordination issues would be other symptoms of stroke. If no such symptoms are present, given your situation with your partner, perhaps one could opt for the wait and see approach for the moment taking only aspirin.
In the meanwhile you could check yourself at home blood pressure, pulse rate and regularity and if you have a glucometer at home blood glucose as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If I understand you well apart from the soreness there is no swelling of the leg, no warmer to touch (compared to the other side), no change in color. In that case I wouldn't see a cause for alarm.
Vision difficulties and dizziness are a little more tricky, they are very non specific subjective complaints which might be related to trivial issues but also threatening conditions, so generally I do advise to be seen by a doctor. I wonder what you mean by vision difficulties. If it is seeing things double, or difficulty seeing thing on one side of your field of vision it might be a manifestation of stroke and would require urgent attention. Symptoms such as headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness or numbness of the limbs on one side, balance and coordination issues would be other symptoms of stroke. If no such symptoms are present, given your situation with your partner, perhaps one could opt for the wait and see approach for the moment taking only aspirin.
In the meanwhile you could check yourself at home blood pressure, pulse rate and regularity and if you have a glucometer at home blood glucose as well.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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