Prolapse as a cause of pitting edema?

Submitted by AnneH on June 5, 2007 - 12:34pm
Body: 

I have uterine prolapse, cystocele and rectocele, and choose not to have surgery. I am doing wonderfully using a pessary from time to time, and don't even need it all the time, although things do hang rather low. It is my opinion the rectocyle and cystocele are preventing the uterus from exiting my body and I am fine with that solution.

A couple of years ago my left leg suddenly swelled up with pitting edema for "no reason". I underwent all kinds of tests. Some doctors suspect a collagen vascular disorder as I also have polyarthralgia, a history of mildly elevated ANA and a positive biopsy for limited scleroderma. I also have MVP with regurgitation. The doctors have not made any definitive connection between any of these things and my leg swelling. Since then, the right leg has also swollen.

I was treated with prednisone which made it go away, but I eventually refused to continue that because of long term risk.

Now a new doctor has put me on directics, which reduce it somewhat but not completely.

Finally, the kidney specialist (I went to just to verify my kidneys weren't causing the problem) has suggested that my uro-gynocological prolapse problems are probably mechanically pressing on the lymph system and creating the lower limb swelling.

So my question for all of you is, do any of the rest of you have leg swelling that you think is caused by prolapse?

And a question for professionals on the board, in your experience, have you seen patients where you think that the prolapse is the cause of pitting edema?

Christine

June 5, 2007 - 12:43pm

None whatsoever. Pitting edema is serious though and often involves heart function. Anne, you've been with us a long time and have developed a healthy skepticism. INSIST that your doctors show you and name the exact lymph nodes/channels involved and the means by which your pelvic organs might be pressing upon them.

Christine

June 5, 2007 - 1:00pm

I can imagine a tight-fitting pessary causing problems with blockage...but wouldn't organs/pessary restricting lymph flow cause ischemia (lack of blood flow) and nerve impingement too? I just can't get my brain around how little conceptual depth is sometimes to be found amongst our most educated professionals.

AnneH

June 5, 2007 - 1:21pm

Yes, this doctor suggested that maybe a hysterectomy would resolve the edema. I said NO. Have surgery on the off chance that maybe? No way!

granolamom

June 5, 2007 - 6:51pm

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of that!
I really have no knowlege about edema. just wondering if maybe whatever it is causing the edema caused the prolapse?
not that I have any reason to suspect that, just in my mind, edema = heavy & soggy, boggy. kinda like a prolapse.
in any case I hope you and your dr can get to the bottom of it

Grandma Joy

June 5, 2007 - 11:18pm

Dear AnnH,

I have had pitting edema in both legs; however, I do not believe the prolapse had anything to do with it. During my surgeries (mastectomies), they removed huge numbers of lymph nodes from both armpits, which ultimately caused full body edema, meaning the trunk and the legs as well as the arms. The medical professionals (other than the lymphedema therapist who proclaimed it on me) will not diagnose it as such, nor will the insurance pay for lymphedema treatment of the legs if you're there for arm treatment. Through all the research I've done, I very loudly now proclaim to all who will listen: "Do not let anyone take your lymph nodes - you will suffer!" They only take them to test them one time but you are compromised for life! Humidity, plane trips, car trips, lifting, even stress can trigger the swelling, whether you have it under control or not. When I get massage therapy or the Barnes Method of myofascial release, I make sure they do gentle therapy on both sides of the groin area. This is the only treatment I get other than self treatment; i.e., diet, lifestyle and definitely everything organic! Our lymph systems are overwhelmed by the constant barrage of toxins our bodies receive everyday, not to mention any medications.

Ann, I hope in your case, they will not want to test your lymph nodes. The people I know who have secondary lymphedema in their legs, suffer a great deal more than I do. I also hope I have not spoken out of turn about not letting anyone take your lymph nodes. I realize the medical field has all kinds of justifiable reasons for their actions, but as the voice of experience on that score, I am totally against it, regardless of the reason.

My best to you and blessings, too.
Grandma Joy

louiseds

June 5, 2007 - 11:45pm

Hi AnneH

What we all need to remember is that the history of medicine is littered with medical conditions that could be cured by removal of the uterus, or blamed on it. Thankfully most of them (except prolapse) have been consigned to the 'unhelpful treatment' department.

I am not sure why the uterus has historically been given such bad press, possibly because all the difficult women throughout history had one. Presumably the not-so-difficult women carried their developing babies up their frocks or something!

Such is the logic of medicine.

Cheers

Louise

MeMyselfAndI

June 6, 2007 - 7:43am

Years ago I also started with 'Fatfootitis' as I called it back then

This progressed to the swelling of my lower legs to 24 (yes 24) inches in circumference around the lower leg.

I do notbelieve this to be prolapse related to be honest.

I have been on diuretics, have had tests which showed nothing
I then met my now partner...

He is one of those people who always have hot hands...

He massaged the lower legs and immediately 1 inch was gone from each leg. (This was 5yrs or so ago)

Since then although we do not do the massage thing as much as we did - But every time 1 inch exactly goes off each leg. My legs are now ALOT smaller than they ever were back then! I live in hope that they will get smaller still over time also :)

My edema is not pitting at this time though.

I saw my Dr a week or two ago and she told me to do lifts onto the toes (even when sitting you can just lift to toe pointing)

But - I researched online myself and found that my computer chair and its height was causing part of this problem. In this past two weeks I have lowered my chair so my legs are at 90 deg angle to the lower legs and the swelling is far less (Obvously not normal as yet but I live in hope)

My chair now makes people look short when they sit on it - But it stops the constant swelling so what do i care eh.

My thoughts to you are - Do you spend alot of time on your computer chair or any chair and if so can you sit with legs at this angle and no excessive pressure on backs of legs thus stopping the fluid being able to drain and circulation to be as it should be? A chair too high stops the drainage of legs...

If so - Try lowering your chair and see if this helps at all :)

I really do not believe this to be prolapse related as my mother has a prolapse and does not have this problem and I have never heard of anyone else with this problem and my Gynae hasnot mentioned this to be related tomy prolapse.

hope that helps a little - Feel free to email as you are the first person I have 'spoken' to with a similar problem to my own :)

Sue

Look into the eyes - They hold the key!
http://www.bringmadeleinehome.com/img/maddy544x150Banner.jpg

allysp

June 24, 2007 - 7:08pm

When I read your post, I thought of myself. I do have leg swelling and I have positive ANA but no positive diagnose yet. It startes off from my lower back and goes from my inner thigh to my upper thigh from behind and all the way down to my foot and heel and toes. Let me know how you deal with it