Severe Swelling in Feet and Legs

You do need to get into seeing a Doctor again asap! My mom went through something similar about 5 years ago. A virus attacked her heart and cause the swelling- she was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. She had to take the water pills and now has to watch her salt intake. She is eating heatlier and using different cookware and is doing much better now. I will send you her email she just sent out about how she is doing now- maybe it will give you some hope.
Good Luck!
~C.

F., I am sorry this has been going on, I think you should try some other alternative such as nutritional supplements. I know of so many who had gotten great results. It is a food supplement and will not interfere with your medication. Let me know if you would like to know more about it.

Wishing you all the best.
A.
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http://foryourhealth.reliv.com

I see that another response suggest you go to Parkland or somewhere in FW. I am going to suggest Presby of Rockwall. I went there last fall for a car wreck w/no insure and they have a program that paid for all the hospital portion of the bill.
I do thinik you need to see another dr. Some of your symptoms i know nothing about. I do know that when I was swelling like that it was very serious. It was my first pg and I had pre-eclampsia. The swelling, highI blood pressure, kidney failure. I knew from reading that something was wrong w/me and used the blood pressure machine at walmart, before calling the dr and telling them what I thought was wrong.

Go ASAP to Parkland Hospital in Dallas or John Peter Smith in Ft. Worth. They are state funded teaching hospitals and have the best updated diagnostic equipment, excellent doctors and they cannot refuse to treat you due to lack of insurance. Go to the ER, take a good book to read, be prepared to wait in the ER for hours to be seen, and DO YOUR HOMEWORK on the internet before you go. Look up each of your symptoms and prepare a list of questions for the doctor, then be very proactive in getting your answers. I have had a couple of surgeries at Parkland, I had no insurance and was barely surviving on my low income. I never had to pay and was treated very well. The rooms are sparce, no fancy stuff, just the bare basics, but to get the treatment you need, that will work. You are putting yourself at greater risk by waiting. Think about your family, they need you and you need treatment immediately. An Echocardiogram will show your heart and will show up anything that is going on there that could be causing your issues. Good luck!

I agree with the rest. You definately need a cardiac workup esp if you are still symptomatic. Maybe just a second opinion from a cardiologist?? Your health is so important and don't let $$ stop you from protecting your health. Please keep us posted.

Please, please seek out medical help to get thoroughly checked out. I'm not a medical professional, but am a personal trainer and agree with the last response that it sounds like a cardiac issue. Don't delay in getting checked out! Best of luck to you and let us know what happens.

I can't speak to the cause of the swelling you're having, but I can speak to the hip pain. It sounds like you're having sciatic problems (a large nerve that runs through your hip and leg, and often causes the pain you're describing). You're sciatic nerve could easily be irritated due to all the swelling (swelling putting pressure on the nerve, thus causing the pain). It's actually quite easy to help sciatica with some stretching and positioning, and maybe some other pain relief mechanisms in the meantime, but you would benenfit best from seeing a physical therapist to get specific recommendations (I am a PT, but I couldn't give you the info over the computer; you would need a comprehensive assessment to rule out other problems). Of course this is problematic if you don't have insurance, but seems like at some point your health is most important. Plus, if you don't figure out what is causing all the swelling, no matter what you do for your hip the pain is going to keep coming back. Sorry, but sounds like you need to bite the bullet and find a way to get some health insurance, or just deal with a hefty doctor bill.

I know it is very difficult when you don't have health insurance, my sister is going through much the same thing, but it sounds like you need to get some additional help. You didn't give your age but the swelling and very high heart rate are indications of what could be a serious cardiac or other situation. I would start with the doctor you are seeing and ask him to explain what he thinks is causing the swelling and rapid heart rate and what can be done to alleviate it. Also, if the meds he has you on are not helping with the pain in your hip, let him know that, too. I cannot believe that they would keep you in the hospital for five days and not do any diagnostic testing!!! Is your doctor aware of your hospital stay? If so, get him to explain what they did and didn't do while you were hospitalized and WHY. If he is not, get a copy of your hospital records (they have to give them to you but may charge a small fee) and take them to your doctor or another cardiologist or internist and have them explained to you. If you are hospitalized in the future either you or a family member or friend should be asking the what and why questions while you are in the hospital. If you can't get satisfactory information request assistance from the hospital ombudsman. In this day and time we must all take charge of our own health and medical treatments. Best of luck to you!

Please get it checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. I would go to Parkland in Dallas. They offer services on a sliding scale fee. And, with everything going on I would not start nutritional supplements without speaking to a doctor first. Hope you get an answer soon and that you feel better!

I have a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, which causes a rapid, irregular heartbeat. I have been dealing with a-fib since 2004 so I am very familiar with it. It is most common with older people but I am 27 and have had it since I was 21 (off and on). I deal with swelling too when I am in a-fib. So that could possibly be a cause.

You have got to see a cardiologist- go to Parkland and be seen by a cardiologist, don't leave until you have the answers and the treatment plan you need.

In the meantime, with a rapid heart rate, do not drink caffeine or alcohol, and if you smoke, you have got to quit smoking. These things can exacerbate a cardiac situation and smoking can contribute to your already high risk of stroke.

I'm not a doctor but I would assume that the hip thing is unrelated.

Hope that helps. I hope you get the help you need!

I agree that you need to seek medical assistance...have you tried JPS (John Peter Smith Hospital) in Fort Worth? My mom use to go there when she had medical issues b/c she didn't have insurance....you may wait a few hours to be seen, but maybe they will find out what is wrong. I'm a cardiac patient and am concerned about the symptoms you are experiencing...please keep us posted!!

I don't know how an X-ray would help - to my completely untrained eyes, it appears to be cardiac in nature, and I'm surprised you're not being treated for pitting edema as that's usually a sign of cardiac failures, but it can also have ties to certain medications, liver/kidney failure.

I don't know what it's like to face medical expenses without insurance, but I can tell you that it sounds serious enough to press on because the cost of not treating may end-up being monumental.

Diuretics (water pills) will help reduce the amount of fluid accumulating. Not sure what the logic of the Flexarill is as it's usually for muscular/skeletal uses.

There are many clinics that are federally and state funded and provide services on a sliding scale based upon what you can afford. I'd call your local health department to see if they can point you in the right direction.

Good luck! Please keep us posted on your progress.