Sqad And/or Slaney Please.

[gness]

Just had a consultation with my GP. He went through the blood test results which were all good....and there were many. All the checks he did today...hips, BP etc. are perfect too. On paper I am very fit and healthy. Just can't walk well and still have swollen legs......for which there "appears" to be no reason. Having a chest X-ray tomorrow.
He still has had no response to his letters and phone calls to the consultant...neither have I but I still have the appointment mid April.
Looking at the hospital computer he saw that the results of the ultra sound said the leg pulses were fine......the consultant who first saw me said they weren't.
They also reported that there were no arterial problems but there was an inflow issue. GP didn't know what that meant. I guess I will find out in April...perhaps.
Can either of you enlighten me at all?
He is quite amused by the high heel remedy and my use of an inversion table to move the fluid.....quite where it goes I have no idea.
Thank you. Gx

[shoota]

Anytime. x

[slaney]

Hi Gness, yes outflow issue just means a problem at the iliac level or higher, but you knew that anyway from the ultrasound. Theoretically a Doppler test is more sensitive at picking up a pulse than palpation.
As to the bilateral swelling of the legs - there are many different causes - this may or may not be connected with arterial disease.
Can I ask, do you have any shortness of breath?
And I presume the reason you have not had an angiogram yet is because of allergy to IV contrast. Has any alternative been discussed?
A chest Xray is a good idea, to start with.

@sqad; this is the third or fourth time in the last week I have seen you disparage links (and the people who post them!) - do give over. They, if well resourced and relevent, can be very useful.
But if on the other hand you are referring to me as a "modern doctor" then I am delighted :)

[slaney]

Should be "inflow issue" above.

[gness]

Hi Slaney...I have started to get slight shortness of breath when walking. It is slight and I do tend to march rather than walk. Hence the Xray but I don't think there is much wrong. I guess it may be that walking is a bit of a struggle and causing a little breathlessness.
I should have had the angiogram in September I think but the allergy meant a different test.....the ultra sound which has led to whatever the April appointment is. My doctor suggested I phone tomorrow to check that they are going to do a test....I will but speaking to anyone has become such a trial.
He is also going to phone.
I am not over worried but would really like to know exactly where the problem is.
Thank you ....Gx

[shoota]

Coccidiosis

[gness]

Oh cluck off you......:-) x

[slaney]

It must be frustrating for you and your GP not to be able to contact the consultant (vascular surgeon?). I would be very cross indeed.
I'm not clear whether the ultrasound was sufficiently good to make the diagnosis. If not, angiograms/MRI can be done with a radioisotope (Gadolinium) for those allergic to iodine based contrast. It might be worth asking your GP to ask on your behalf whether you are suitable for this, and whether it is indicated.

[gness]

Morning Slaney.....it is getting beyond a joke now. Can't remember if I said he'd also been faxing too. All seem to be ignored but there must be an avenue for complaint about that. I think I will have a few hours on the phone this afternoon...annoying someone.
I saw on the local news that we are being asked to be patient regarding appointments as there is a big computer system change over. I don't think I could be accused of impatience......but that will change.

[gness]

Hi....update on BAFTA thread on CB.....won't bore you with repeating it here.

Love GX

[gen2]

here is the link:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1224800.html

[gness]

Thank you Gen2.......I can't do links. My talent lies with driving doctors to drink. ;-)

[DTCwordfan]

Detachable legs must be the answer as the rest of you is fit!

At least they are moving on this....did the GP push to get the angiogram done so that the consultant has the results when he (eventually) sees you?

[gness]

God knows DT.....GP pushed to get April appointment brought forward. That was for an angiogram....they brought it forward to today but the appointment I got when I arrived was to discuss the results.
Just re-read Slaney's post. I asked today if there was an alternative to an iodine based contrast and was told no and they were too scared to do the iodine based one. Honestly!

[Sqad]

I am now all confused with your threads gness.........I would suggest that you start another one.

Yes there is an alternative to iodine based angiograms and is called an MRA (Google it) but is only available at certain centres.

So where are we ?