Swelling in left calf

[Guest [jc...]]

I have had swelling in my left calf for a couple months.  The skin also feels cold, just on that leg.  I am on HRT and feared I may have a blood clot, so I went to the ER today.  They did an ultrasound and there was no clot.  I have no idea what the swelling could be from except that I have also had sciatica on that side for about the same amount of time.  Has anyone ever had swelling in the leg due to sciatica?  My doctor had looked at the swelling a couple months ago and more or less dismissed it. 

[[Ch...]]

I would continue to have this pursued... withdrawal and recovery last and long time and other medical issues can crop up.  When something is happening on just one side, I'd follow up on it.  If your doctor dismissed it, I'd measure one calf and the other and see what the discrepancy was and let him know.

 

Just my opinion.

 

[[Be...]]

jc, is your calf tender when you press into it?  It really could be sciatica.  Do you have back pain, lower back?  A big nerve travels down from your back into your calves and even toes.  I've had swelling from back/nerve pain when the nerve gets pinched and irritates the muscle and tissue.  It's common to have swelling with sciatica. 

[Guest [jc...]]

The sciatica (I presume that's what it is) causes pain deep in my hip which radiates down my thigh mostly.  I couldn't find much on the internet about swelling with sciatica, but the fact that the swelling started the same time as the sciatica pain did makes me think they are related.

[[Be...]]

sciatica does cause swelling.  I had a bad disc in my lower back and it pinched that nerve.  Back would swell all the time.  Secret to stopping the swelling is to get the pressure off the nerve, maybe stretching, walking, massage, etc.  You could have sciatica in the lower back and it could show up in only the calf.  I've heard of that happening.  Pain and swelling doesn't always show up where the pinched nerve is.  Maybe Yoga could loosen up the lower body? 

[Guest [jc...]]

Thanks Becks, that is really good to know.  I did get a yoga dvd from the library last week and plan to start doing it, I've heard it helps with sciatica.

[[Be...]]

yes, all those yoga poses do help.  I liked the Kripalu yoga.  I used to do that.  Very good.  I'm too sick and out of it to any of it anymore to do anything.