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AIBU?

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Original poster

to think DP should see the doc urgently!

247 replies

Equallength · 27/08/2022 16:22

One leg has been swollen for a while. It comes and goes and a few years ago he had cellulitis in the same leg. He’s scratched it today in the garden and it’s bleeding a bit but more worryingly is leaking fluid! I know there’s an association with congestive heart failure, which has worried me a bit as he has a low heart rate to begin with.

Hes 54 and otherwise fit bit recently gets a bit out of breath. WWYD?

OP posts:
EllaPaella · 27/08/2022 17:35

Very unlikely to be heart failure but as pp says it's very likely to be infected and needs to be sorted out asap.

MayThe4th · 27/08/2022 17:43

He’s only scratched it today. His heart rate is crazy slow, 42 I think sometimes. He saw his GP a year ago about that and they said it was normal. OP I have a pacemaker and it paces at 40. A resting heart rate of 42 needs looking at.

As to whether it is heart failure though, nobody can tell you not even a gp and he would need to be seen by a cardiologist.

Try not to worry though. Even if there are worries with his heart rate, not all heart conditions equal heart failure, and not all heart failure diagnosis equals a death sentence.

I’ve been in heart failure for 6 years now and I live a completely normal life.

RagzRebooted · 27/08/2022 17:52

Definitely needs seeing today, I'm a practice nurse and see a lot of cellulitis.
The HR is probably less urgent but should go back to GP for that. Low HR unless you're a serious athlete (not gym a few times a week) is not usually normal.

If his leg is always swollen, even when not infected, he needs to go the GP. Depending on the case, he may also need compression stockings to help prevent ulcers and cellulitis in the future.

buttons123456 · 27/08/2022 17:59

Has he cleaned it? Looks like a normal cut to me but I'm very relaxed about stuff like that

giveovernate · 27/08/2022 18:04

buttons123456 · 27/08/2022 17:59

Has he cleaned it? Looks like a normal cut to me but I'm very relaxed about stuff like that

You wouldn't be if you'd had cellulitis and your leg was that red after a cut!

bengalcat · 27/08/2022 18:06

Minor injuries or A and E

Bobbybobbins · 27/08/2022 18:09

I would go to minor injuries with that

OneFrenchEgg · 27/08/2022 18:09

To be fair to @buttons123456 leaving it dripping everywhere is a bit grim. I would clean and dress it in any case.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 27/08/2022 18:12

Minor injuries or A and E.

Dobbysgotthesocks · 27/08/2022 18:12

Minor injuries if there is one near you.

Thinkbiglittleone · 27/08/2022 18:16

I would take him to A&E and get his heart checked out by a cardiologist.

hopeishere · 27/08/2022 18:20

Definitely needs seen.

FlumpyLump · 27/08/2022 18:20

My dad has his legs in compressions constantly. He's 67 and does have heart issues but is on medication for it. (Not saying your problem is heart related, there could be many other reasons).
Anyhow, he developed a couple of tiny ulcers on his legs a couple of years ago and they were leaking clear fluid. He has had cellulitis occur a few times aswell.
My dad's issue is that his heart and lungs are working harder to keep the top half of him running correctly which means the circulatory system in his legs is being neglected and causes fluid build up. He has to wear compressions to pump the fluid back up the leg so it doesn't pool to the bottom.
My mum has lymphedema in both legs and also leaks fluid with reoccurring cellulitis, so it could be a number of possibilities but get it checked out to make sure x

Original poster
Equallength · 27/08/2022 18:32

I think he’s waiting for 111 to call him back.

OP posts:
Original poster
Equallength · 27/08/2022 18:33

He has private medical if need be - I thought cellulitis and antibiotics were all a bit woeful unless they are delivered IV? Hard to get a concentration in the tissues etc.

OP posts:
ChloeHel · 27/08/2022 19:08

Looks like cellulitis, I’ve seen quite a few cases in the pharmacy that look like this. Needs a course of antibiotics. Probably not IV, depends how far the infection has travelled, if it’s local to the leg then just a week of flucloxacillin should help.

Luredbyapomegranate · 27/08/2022 19:08

Namechange58 · 27/08/2022 17:34

PS More likely to be infected and restricting blood flow to foot. Need to rule out cellulitis, sepsis, dvt

Yes - A and E. pronto. Better to be safe

Ivyy · 27/08/2022 19:52

Personally I'd make my dh go to A&E, I've had cellulitis and didn't realise how serious it can be til my dr said i needed to get to
A&E, was put on IV antibiotics straight away.

It looks really nasty op, and even without any heart / circulation issues I'd be worried enough about cellulitis to take my dh to a&e

Spanisheomellletttes · 27/08/2022 20:04

OP, from your list, he has

A low resting HR from 42.
Unusual breathlessness (especially if he is relatively fit and active).
Cough that doesn't go away
Fluid retention
? Cellulitis

Apart from the cellulitis, which he is getting checked out, his other symptoms are really very concerning and should be seen ASAP.

dane8 · 27/08/2022 20:10

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

FabFitFifties · 27/08/2022 20:22

Spanisheomellletttes · 27/08/2022 20:04

OP, from your list, he has

A low resting HR from 42.
Unusual breathlessness (especially if he is relatively fit and active).
Cough that doesn't go away
Fluid retention
? Cellulitis

Apart from the cellulitis, which he is getting checked out, his other symptoms are really very concerning and should be seen ASAP.

This

Suzi888 · 27/08/2022 20:27

Agree with spanishomlettes.

BirmaBrite · 27/08/2022 20:30

If you can draw a line around the leg with a biro where the redness ends, that will be useful to monitor if any infection is spreading and to check any antibiotics he is given are working as they should.

Are you able to go with him if they ask to see him, make sure you tell them the symptoms mentioned by @Spanisheomellletttes because I'd bet this months wage he won't !

Has he ever been a smoker ?

Cupcakey · 27/08/2022 20:32

Forget waiting for 111 get him to go to a&e. This needs checking. Can't stress it enough. He needs to be checked.

SunshineClouds1 · 27/08/2022 20:32

Spanisheomellletttes · 27/08/2022 20:04

OP, from your list, he has

A low resting HR from 42.
Unusual breathlessness (especially if he is relatively fit and active).
Cough that doesn't go away
Fluid retention
? Cellulitis

Apart from the cellulitis, which he is getting checked out, his other symptoms are really very concerning and should be seen ASAP.

Agreed