Mums Leaky Legs Again

[DarceyK123]

As some of you know my Mum is quite poorly at the moment. But to add to that her legs have been leaking again (she has had this before) but today they have been so bad that it has come through the dressings and onto the bed clothes.

The district nurse has been dressing them ever couple of days but today it was a different one who asked if she had any heart problems. Is there a connection?

All the GP does is send over water tablets. But i do remember when she had her recent fall one of the scans showed up some "furring to the aortia" which they said they would deal with at a later date. Could they be connected?

Sorry, but I'm worried again now.

[Buenchico]

There's certainly a well-known connection between heart problems and lymphoedema (swelling limbs) and lymphorrhoea (leakage from those limbs) but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's relevant to your mother's case.

My father went to the doctor with swollen ankles, which turned out to be a heart problem (due, in his case, to rather too many visits to the pub). Over time, despite treatment, the problem slowly got worse, resulting in 'leaky' legs. So, as I've said, there's clearly a link between heart problems and lymphorrhoea.

However I've also got swollen legs without any heart problems. (My problem is linked to cancer). So there's not an automatic link between lymphoedema/lymphorrhoea and heart problems; there are other causes as well.

[Sqad]

I think that we should stick to simple terms here....Swollen legs and Lyphoedema are two different things with mainly if not always ,different causes.

Your mother has swollen leaking legs because she has had failure do almost certainly to poor circulation to the heart.
Water tablets is the treatment of choice as well as attention to other underlying conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
There are ,as Buenchico stated, other causes,but in your mother's case, extremely unlikely.

If she can keep her legs raised, that might help and although you haven't mentioned which Water tablet she is taking and what dose, then I cannot help further.

She could return to hospital to monitor and initiate a forced diureses( make her pass more urine),but I think that would be unacceptable and perhaps cruel to all sides.

Her heart is failing and all you can do or indeed anyone can do, is to make her comfortable........not as easy as it sounds.

[DarceyK123]

Thanks both.

Sqad, she is taking Furosemide, 20mg.
She has her legs elevated most of the time, because as you know from my previous thread, she wont get up!
I do keep thinking 'it cant be long now'but then she bounces back, like she did in the week by eating and drinking a little but then something else happens.

Is the furry iorta serious? Guessing it is, but still waiting for the hospital to contact us. But on second thoughts she probably won't go to any appointments anyway.

[Sqad]

Furosemide 20 mgms is a hopeless dose, but I presume that she was started on this and it hasn't been monitored. She needs at least....at least...40 mgms daily and if that doesn't do the trick 80 mgms daily.
Have a word with your GP and "diplomatically " suggest an increase in dose on the lines that I have suggested.

Furry aorta is an ageing and knackered main blood vessel from 5he heart, it has seen better days and nothing can be done about it inthe case of your mother.
I'm afraid that it is going to be a daily challenge for you.

[roopower]

I had furosamide and they didnt work for me, apart from upset my knees. I now don't take anything but my friend is on something different she says works for her.

[Peter Pedant]

Frooz 20 seems low to me
( I dont prescribe)

[DarceyK123]

Thanks all for your advice. Awful times at the moment.

[DarceyK123]

Just to let you all know that Mum has been admitted to hospital with Sepsis.

Her legs were pouring through the dressings that had only been done a few hours earlier and she said she felt very unwell.

I called an ambulance and she was bluelighted straight in.

I've seen her today and she seemed ok in herself but I'm not sure, how much more can she take? When all she really wants is to shuffle off to be with my Dad.

[Mamyalynne]

Poor Mum, she really is in the wars - Darcey, you have done everything you can.

Should Mum say she's ready to go then give her your love and permission to travel. x

Heartbreaking for you.

[pixie374]

So sorry, Darcey. I presume she is on antibiotics for the cellulitis too? Are you still about sqad?

[DarceyK123]

Thanks Mamy, I've told her to go uf she wants to,

She does have a DNR in place so I'm hoping its going to be quick for her if she goes, but, who knows, she might get through again but this is the 3rd hospital stay this year.

[DarceyK123]

Pixie, yes shes on antibiotics.

[bednobs]

If she starts to feel physically better, she will start feeling mentally stronger

[pixie374]

Good darcey, best wishes xx

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated.

[DarceyK123]

Sqad, what do think her chances are?

[Sqad]

Darcy, I think that you know yourself the answe to that question.
The main problem is that her heart is failing and is not under control with medications which may have to be reviewed.
I also feel that she may have kidney problems which are not helping.
From the descriptions in your posts, I just don't get the "Sepsis" diagnosis, but there may well be good evidence for that.
I think that the prognosis, based on your full and helpful postings is....poor.

[DarceyK123]

Thank you sqad, appreciated.

[pastafreak]

So sorry to read this Darcey. Wishing your mum the best outcome for her. I hope she is comfortable.

[elliemay1]

So sorry to hear this Darcey. Thinking of you x