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What Are The Symptoms Of Phlebitis?
Question: What are the symptoms of phlebitis. I am 5'6" and weigh about 210. Am vacationing in Hawaii and am on my feet a lot. Lower legs have had a tendency to hold fluids and swell for some years. Can usually get the swelling down with elevation and rest. Currently am having difficulty getting swelling down very much, have some splotchy redness that from a small distance away looks almost like a rash, but are cool to the touch now. They were very inflamed/stolen yesterday and hot. Currently taking PCP prescribed Lasix 20 mg and TRIAMT/HCTZ 37.5/25 mg daily. Should I be overly concerned until I return home 4/3/2017 and see my PCP again?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I reviewed your medical history and would like to explain that your actual complaints do not seem to be related to phlebitis.
It is true that phlebitis may lead to skin redness (erythema which is warm), but it is localized to a specific area overlying the superficial affected vein (most likely a varicose vein is the origin). It may be associated with local pain and swelling. Fever is frequently present.
If the affected vein is profound, then the pain and swelling are more diffuse, but again localized to the affected extremity.
Meanwhile, your leg swelling is bilateral and long-lasting without any specific local signs and also systemic (fever) of phlebitis.
It seems that lower limbs veins insufficiency may be the reason. Also heart failure may lead to limb edema.
Rest and legs elevation are very helpful at relieving edema whichever is the reason.
As the edema is chronic, I think that your doctor's decision for prescribing water pills is reasonable. It will improve the current symptomatology.
After returning home, it is advisable to discuss with your doctor again and investigate for the above mentioned potential causes (heart failure; vein insufficiency, etc.)
Some medical tests are advisable as follows:
- resting ECG,
- chest X ray study,
- cardiac ultrasound,
- lower limbs veins Doppler ultrasound,
- BUN & creatinine,
- blood electrolytes level,
- fasting blood glucose
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
I reviewed your medical history and would like to explain that your actual complaints do not seem to be related to phlebitis.
It is true that phlebitis may lead to skin redness (erythema which is warm), but it is localized to a specific area overlying the superficial affected vein (most likely a varicose vein is the origin). It may be associated with local pain and swelling. Fever is frequently present.
If the affected vein is profound, then the pain and swelling are more diffuse, but again localized to the affected extremity.
Meanwhile, your leg swelling is bilateral and long-lasting without any specific local signs and also systemic (fever) of phlebitis.
It seems that lower limbs veins insufficiency may be the reason. Also heart failure may lead to limb edema.
Rest and legs elevation are very helpful at relieving edema whichever is the reason.
As the edema is chronic, I think that your doctor's decision for prescribing water pills is reasonable. It will improve the current symptomatology.
After returning home, it is advisable to discuss with your doctor again and investigate for the above mentioned potential causes (heart failure; vein insufficiency, etc.)
Some medical tests are advisable as follows:
- resting ECG,
- chest X ray study,
- cardiac ultrasound,
- lower limbs veins Doppler ultrasound,
- BUN & creatinine,
- blood electrolytes level,
- fasting blood glucose
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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