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What Causes Severe Swelling In The Legs While Having Chronic Kidney Disease?
Question: Hi. I have a rather complicated medical history, including autoimmune diseases. For rhe past year or so I have had swelling in my legs, particularly knees and feet. It has been getting increasingly worse; now from the knees on down my legs are severely swollen - shiny, hard, etc, I have had to buy larger shoes and pants because of this. I have seen various doctors, including a cardiologist (echocardiogram), nephrologist (labs stable - stage 2/3 chronic kidney disease), rheumatologist (blood work, etc. follow-up appointments for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus), a vascular doctor (was given compression stockings and recommendations such as elevating legs above heart, etc)., and my family doctor (increased lasik dose, ultrasounds of both legs). Nothing definitive showed up and I attributed the edema to autoimmune problems.
As I said, the swelling has gotten increasingly worse. I have gained 20 pounds and my legs truly are as hard as wood. My question is - Is this a serious problem? What should I do about it that I haven't already done?
(I can send a few pictures if that would be helpful).
Thank you for your time!
XXXX
As I said, the swelling has gotten increasingly worse. I have gained 20 pounds and my legs truly are as hard as wood. My question is - Is this a serious problem? What should I do about it that I haven't already done?
(I can send a few pictures if that would be helpful).
Thank you for your time!
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Filariasis needs to be ruled out also
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
Since heart and kidney dysfunction as a cause for the edema is already been ruled out, and since you are describing the edema as hard, I would recommend ruling out filariasis also as a cause.
Filariasis is a chronic parasitic infection, more likely to affect people who have been to the tropical region before. Yes, you can send the images here for my review, just simply attach/upload them here to the reports section of this web page.
Confirmation of diagnosis is by identifying parasite in the blood smear. Treatment for filariasis is with anti-parasitic agents.
Please be advised to follow-up with your primary care provider to discuss the possibility of filariasis and appropriate investigations and management based on the findings.
Since you have chronic kidney disease, it is also important to monitor kidney function from time to time, while having edema.
Hope this answers your question
Please feel free to address any further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Filariasis needs to be ruled out also
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for trusting HealthcareMagic,
Since heart and kidney dysfunction as a cause for the edema is already been ruled out, and since you are describing the edema as hard, I would recommend ruling out filariasis also as a cause.
Filariasis is a chronic parasitic infection, more likely to affect people who have been to the tropical region before. Yes, you can send the images here for my review, just simply attach/upload them here to the reports section of this web page.
Confirmation of diagnosis is by identifying parasite in the blood smear. Treatment for filariasis is with anti-parasitic agents.
Please be advised to follow-up with your primary care provider to discuss the possibility of filariasis and appropriate investigations and management based on the findings.
Since you have chronic kidney disease, it is also important to monitor kidney function from time to time, while having edema.
Hope this answers your question
Please feel free to address any further questions here
Regards
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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