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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Which Specialist Do I Consult For Swelling Of Forearms And Legs Considering Having Abnormal Heart Anatomy, Frequent UTIs And Symptoms Of Diabetes?

Over the years my legs swell every day, I have to come home from work and prop them up before starting supper for me and my husband because they hurt. Years ago I went to a vascular doctor because my legs were unusually large and swelled for other parts of my body, such as a very small waist and upper torso. I found out 5 years ago that the anatomy of my heart was unusual and uncommon where the right coronary artery is hooked to my pulmonary instead of the left side of my heart and I have a slight narrowing in the main aorta. Two doctors have identified this diagnosis. But I refused heart catheters because I was afraid of more damage to the heart because of my heart anatomy. The second doctor was very sensitive to my concerns and decided to do an less invasive nuclear stress test to test blood flow and said wouldn't touch that God given artery until we had to if blood flow was fine. Blood flow was fine at that time, at age 45. But this anatomy explains why over the years I've seemed out of breath when overexerted. My husband and I walk when we can a little over 2 miles 3 times a week, except during cold periods. I cant keep up with him cause I get so out of breath but he doesn't mind because he knows my condition. I have been concerned over the last few years because now I'm starting to just swell or bubble out just below my elbows which looks weird and I am self conscience and won't wear nothing but 3/4 length sleeves, even in hot summer. Ive never been able to wear shorts because of so much fatty tissue on my legs except when I was in middle school, now I cant even wear short sleeves. I'm 5ft. 5in. and weigh 176lbs. I have been wondering if I should go to an adipose doc or fat doc to see if I can reduce these swellings or if being on contraceptives for 30 yrs. is causing these problems. My immune has not been the best with 3 to 4 sinus infections and and about that many urinary tract infections a year. I also have a small bladder. Plan to get weight down to see if this is the factor. But what are your thoughts, could contraceptives,fatigue from 30 yrs. of working, symptoms of diabetes but no actual diabetes except borderline test, be causing edema and excessive fatty tissue in arms and legs. Should I consult a weight doctor, a vascular doc, or diabetes doc or just internal med. doctor. What are your thoughts?
Tue, 28 Jan 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Madam,
The blood in your body is being pumped back into the heart at a slower pace than others.Hence it pools up and makes your dependant parts, swollen
or edematous.For example,your legs.
But I'm sure you are aware of that.
Anyway, what you could do temporarily is:
a.Use DVT stockings.
Make sure you have ''fluid free legs'' before you put them on and go to work.
To do that, you need to sleep tonight with your lower limbs elevated by a pillow and then tommorow WEAR THE STOCKINGS BEFORE YOU STEP DOWN from your bed.
Also, avoid standing for long periods.
b.Blood thinners like Aspirin will make the blood less viscous (less thick) so that it passes through your narrower vessels with ease.
c.You need to consult a Cardio Thoracic surgeon for the cardiac problem,an Internist for the Diabetes and recurrent UTIs.
GOOD LUCK !
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Which Specialist Do I Consult For Swelling Of Forearms And Legs Considering Having Abnormal Heart Anatomy, Frequent UTIs And Symptoms Of Diabetes?

Madam, The blood in your body is being pumped back into the heart at a slower pace than others.Hence it pools up and makes your dependant parts, swollen or edematous.For example,your legs. But I m sure you are aware of that. Anyway, what you could do temporarily is: a.Use DVT stockings. Make sure you have fluid free legs before you put them on and go to work. To do that, you need to sleep tonight with your lower limbs elevated by a pillow and then tommorow WEAR THE STOCKINGS BEFORE YOU STEP DOWN from your bed. Also, avoid standing for long periods. b.Blood thinners like Aspirin will make the blood less viscous (less thick) so that it passes through your narrower vessels with ease. c.You need to consult a Cardio Thoracic surgeon for the cardiac problem,an Internist for the Diabetes and recurrent UTIs. GOOD LUCK !