Red itchy swollen feet, legs weak?

[shirl000]

I have a high ANA with no diagnosis as of yet.  I have a lot of the clinical symptoms of a bunch of different autoimmune disorders.  One symptom I am confused about happens to my feet and I am wondering if it can be related to autoimmune disorders.  My feet are very itchy most of the time and turn hot and red.  Lately when this happens there is some swelling and they sweat a lot.  The swelling is scary too. I also have leg weakness (don't know if it is related), crawing sensations in my legs. My feet really bother me, they get so hot I stick them out of the covers at night.  To the doctors: Can this a symptom of an autoimmune disease?  Or to anyone else, does this happen to them?  Thank you

[mollyadelaide]

Autoimmune disorders are so complex and tricky. I encourage you though it can be frustrating to stick with it and do persist to find out what is wrong. I have had just what you are describing in your feet and on the palms of my hands. It started with my second pregnancy and went away after a little less than a week so I thought it was some weird pregnancy thing. I've had it since then on and off but not for very long over the last few years. All that to say I am just finding out that I almost certainly have autoimmune hepatitis along with other things. I haven't had the liver biopsy though to definitely diagnose it. I believe I've read that as the liver is not breaking things down as well some of the toxins cause your skin to be itchy. (Don't know if that's the most technically correct explanation but it's something like that.) It could be true for your kidneys as well I believe. The liver/autoimmune hepatitis shows up with a positive antismooth muscle antibody. I don't have elevated liver enzymes but do have this antibody. I agree with Joni if you can find out your titer and pattern of ana it can help you tremendously in doing your own understanding.

[shamus1384]

i have a burning type ich on both legs below the knees and ichy swollen left foot. a couple weeks ago- it was the rt leg. any clues out there !

[kmontague]

Hi Shirl,

As far as your feet go, have you looked into or discussed erythromelalgia with your doctors?  The hot, burning sensation sounds like this could be a possibility.

I also experience food getting stuck in my throat and will be going in for a barium swallow and endoscopy to test for various reasons.  Sometimes gastroparesis occurs with autoimmune disease and it can be really uncomfortable.

Autoimmune certainly affects everyone differently and can be so difficult to diagnose.  I wish you the best of luck.

[Joni686]

Hi Shirl,

As far as the choking feeling:  Have you had your thyroid checked?  Also, are you on any meds that you could be having this reaction from?  Could it be anxiety?  Have you been on steroids because they can cause swelling in the neck and face area and cause you to feel like you are choking or actually choke?

As far as your feet:  Have you had a kidney function test?  It is a simple blood test from your doctor.  When I was in the hospital they would constantly come in and check my feet for swelling and it was in order to watch if I might start having kidney problems.  I don't know why they would be hot, mine are usually freezing.  Autoimmune stuff affects everyone differently.

You said you have leg weakness and that is part of autoimmune and or fibro.  Get your rest but if you can also get a little bit of exercise.  I used to climb the rockwall at the gym and take cycle classes prior to becoming ill and now my legs are so weak I have a hard time standing very long.

You say you ANA is high.  What is the number and what pattern is it?  That helps figure out what type of autoimmune you have.

Good luck and God Bless,
Joni
  

[stariderr]

This has happened to me..(and it is scary) .I have autoimmune hepatitis.

[shirl000]

I have a negative RA so I'm confused about all of this.  Now I'm having food sticking in my throat and a hard time swallowing.  Hopefully I'll get a diagnosis and can start some treatment to feel better.  Do you know why our feel swell, did the doctors give you a reason for it? Also, do you feel like food is sticking in your throat?  Thanks for the reply, I'll check out your group. Hopefully I can get some suggestions on how to feel better.