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Foot and Ankle swelling Lft. Foot

My left foot and ankle have been swollen for about two years now. been to many doctors and had two MRI's and x-rays and no one can tell me anything. They can not find a diagnosis. Now just recently I started to get a rash on my ankle and the areas that are red are warm. It is very concerning for me and would like to finally find a answer.
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Avatar universal
Caregiver222  I'm surprised you didnt mention a priscription pad for one of those medicationes. Remember House would have solved this in an hour and this poor Jenny has been suffering a loooog time.  Just Kidding Caregiver222.



Jenny I'v seen many Dr.'s for many problems including a swollen ankle which turned out to be one of the med. Dr. had prescribed. Caregiver222 seems to have some sound advice (much more than my Dr.'s have offered me) and some very good questions. Sorry for horning in but she dose have alot of information.
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144586 tn?1284666164
I might add that prednisone therapy can be dangerous and should only be undertaken under the supervision of a physicians. It can totally depress the immune system and a bacterial foot infection can get out of control. If your problem is bacterial and you have it that long, it has become encapsulated and is unlikely to respond well to antibiotics. For various reasons oral antibiotics don't do well in treating foot infections, and even intravenous treatment often fails. There is a bright light. A recent issue of "Nature" magzine ( do a search) suggested use of a nicotine transdermal patch to treat "untreatable" bacterial infections common to diabetics. Also, because of the rash, think about consulting a dermatologist. Get your digital camera, put a tape measure in the picture, and have someone photograph the entire surface or both feet using a close-up lens. You can e-mail him the images. And keep them to compare and contrast future changes.
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144586 tn?1284666164
Boy...this is a case for Dr. House, my favorite TV physician.  First off, you are not a hypochondriac. You have something definitely wrong. And the condition seems to be getting worse. The findings are what we call "focal" meaning on one side, and a common cause could be circulatory or inflammation. Possibly phlebitis. If I were Dr. House I might write "cardiac etiology because of venous preload", but I might scratch that off because the findings are only in one foot. I would like to get a good history, particuliarly regarding injuries and trips abroad.  Elevated temperature is part of the immune response. Certain organisms do not replicate well except under very specific temperatures. That is why taking aspirin when you have a mild fever is "plan stupid". Is there any difference in sensation on the feet or difference in discoloration? How far up does the swelling go? Does it vary with day or night? Is there itching or pain? When was the first onset? Did it go away and come back? What medications are you on? Has a physician every prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug, and if so which drug and for how long? There are many possibilities. Do you drink alcohol or have you ever had an alcohol problem? Don't answer this on the net, but think about. This is not a typical presentation of gout, but it is a possibility. Have you ever been in a foreign country such as in Africa and walked through a jungle stream. Filarial worms can have such a presentation. If you elevate the leg does the swelling disappear? If you press on any one portion of the foot (the ankle or metatarsal) is there pain or discomfort? Push in with a finger where there is swelling. Does the indentation remain, or does the skin immediately return to normal. Do you have any nail infections or an ingrown toenail? Very ocasionally, diseases such as Parkinson's have such an initial presentation, but this is very unlikely. Take a magic marker and make a point on the same side of each foot. NMeasure (or have your wife) measure the circunferance in exactly the same spot. Does the diameter change with day, night or during the week? I have a few other suggestions, but I would be arrested for practicing medicine on the internet. Let's say there was an imaginary doctor writing a novel about your condition. He might try a "drug challange" using drugs with few contraindications. Four days of 10 mg prednisone, for example. Then he might try a diuretic, such as furosemide of Lasix, for a week. All the time taking precise observations of the swelling. Of course those suggestions would all have to be  written in an imaginary novel. Don't give up. You have to find a physician that takes you seriously and has a genuine interest in your problem. They do exist.
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