Swollen Leg

[Bazile]

My left lower leg has been swollen for a few months now

I had a scan last week Friday to see if there was a blood clot - the doctor doing the scan stated that they don't scan the lower leg but rather from the knee upwards ( something about the veins in people not big enough in the lower leg - i think )

The scan was negative .
He stated that the GP to decide if he wants me to have another scan .

Spoke to GP this morning - she is arranging for me to have another scan - she can't understand why they did not scan the lower leg .

1. Is the hospital doctor correct ?

2. Any ideas what is causing the swelling ?

[jazzgirl]

This condition may be worthwhile checking http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Lymphoedema/Pages/Introduction.aspx

[Sqad]

1) I have never heard of that and i wouldn't be happy top leave it at that.
A DVT is unlikely but must first of all be excluded and if it were my leg i would ask if i could have a venogram which is dye inserted into the lower leg at the ankle and the scanned.
If that was normal, as i am sure that it will be, then we can move on.
2) If this is one leg only........be absolutely certain that the opposite leg is also not swollen, but unnoticed because of your swollen left leg.
If they are both swollen, then we may need to look for a systemic cause....heart problems.
If this is indeed just one leg, then that is very unusual, particularly if the venogram is normal and i am afraid that at this stage, i am stumped.

[Sqad]

jazzgirl's link.......is a possibility.......but unusual.

[jazzgirl]

There are many people affected, usually after radiation treatment or operations for treatment of cancer. It can affect the arms after breast cancer treatment. Swelling of one limb is common. Doctors often miss the diagnosis and there is a campaign ongoing to educate

[Sqad]

Jazzgirl.......I appreciate that, but i know Bazile pretty well and there is no history of malignant disease with or without radiation and if there had been then lymphodema would have jumped to the forefront of a diagnosis.
But your points are indeed food for thought.

[jazzgirl]

Sqad, I often read your medical notes and they are much appreciated by me and others. The condition can also start with an infection such as an insect bite, or through a laceration of the skin.

[Sqad]

Indeed it can jazzgirl..........

[jazzgirl]

I wish Bazile all the best for a quick diagnosis

[Bazile]

Thanks for your replies .

I have had swollen lower legs for a while now .
I had a heart scan a few years ago which was fine .
The doctor doing the scan thought it might be Lymphodema and suggested to my gp that i be referred to a lymphodema clinic .

I saw a nurse at the clinic ( not a doctor which i thought was
unsual ~)and her opinion was that was correct i.e. lymphodema

Now you mention it sqad - i would say the right leg is swollen as well - however the left leg is swollen more

[Smowball]

Hope you get an answer soon Bazile x

[jazzgirl]

Just for info. I am a member of the Lymphoedema Support Network and help others who have recently been diagnosed. Male members of my family were and still are affected . This is my personal interest.

[anneasquith]

Valuable posts jazzgirl .

[jazzgirl]

http://www.lymphoedema.org

[Sqad]

"Now you mention it sqad - i would say the right leg is swollen as well - however the left leg is swollen more"

That is very important and needs looking into, re blood tests ( for kidney) and ECG.

[jazzgirl]

Sqad, definitely. If my link helps others, then it will have been worthwhile. All the best Bazile. x

[Bazile]

//A DVT is unlikely but must first of all be excluded and if it were my leg i would ask if i could have a venogram which is dye inserted into the lower leg at the ankle and the scanned. //

sqad

Are there any risks associated with this dye being introduced into the
body/blood stream ?

[Sqad]

Sorry Bazile....just seen your post.
Every intrusive investigation has risks and the main one for venograms is an allergic reaction BUT measured against the mortality of an undiagnosed DVT (which I can't convince myself that you have) is well worth taking.

[Bazile]

thanks sqad

I'll speak to the GP and make the request .

Assuming the test comes back negative , what would be the next logical step - i assume blood test to check the kidneys and a heart scan - would you agree ?

[Sqad]

Yes....I would agree and if all that comes back negative then the diagnosis of jazzgirl would be right on the money.

[Bazile]

ok
sorry - just one final thought for now .
I said heart scan - what i mean is the type where the doctor scans and looks at the 'picture' of the heart on a screen - as opposed to an ECG .

Or would an ECG suffice ?