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Have Congestive Heart Failure, Lymphedema, Edema And Blisters On Leg. On Medication. Proper Cure?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Apr 2013
Question: My 89-year-old mom has water blisters on her legs. Her cardiologist are both out of town and we're deciding if we should go to urgent care.
She has a combination of things going on:
Congestive heart failure (awaiting news as to whether or not she's a candidate for the TAVI procedure);
Lymphadema on the left side from a mastectomy 15 years ago
Edema in her legs which has been going on for ~2 months
~2 weeks ago, her cardiologist recommended that she increase her dosage of Lasix, but wanted to wait until she reduced her Losartan dosage because her blood pressure was low.
She reduced her Losartan (from 100 mg/day to 50 mg/day) and a couple of days later increased her Lasix to 40 mg daily. She has been taking 60 mg for 3 days now and has had fluid coming out of the water blisters on her lower legs and feet since last night.
It's Saturday night at 10:00pm and we're wondering if we should be concerned enough to go to urgent care.
Thoughts? Thank you!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (5 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for detailed description. If she doesn't have increase in her breathlessness and if no fever, then you can go for the routine appointment with your cardiologist. As of now, continue to take lasix 60mg daily.

But, if she is unusually or more fatigued, or there is fever or worsened breathlessness, then I would recommend you to go to urgent care.

Hope I have addressed your concern. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (8 hours later)
Thank you for your reply. That puts my mind at ease. A follow-up question about the water blisters:
The blisters on her legs and feet are between 6mm and 50mm long and up to 10mm thick. They are leaking to a point that her socks, shoes and slippers become soaked. At first she was feeling relief because it seemed to be lessening the pressure in her swollen legs. She's concerned that the Lasix dose might me too high and it's causing the blisters. We've also heard/read that there's a risk of infection with the blisters. So ...
1. Do you think the blisters are related to the 60 mg Lasix dosage?
1A. If so, should we still continue the 60mg?
1B. If not, do you have a sense of what else might have changed that they have appeared now?
2. Do you have any recommendations for the care of the blisters?
Thank you so much!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol (19 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for the follow up

No. Generally the blisters are not related to Lasix. It is just that long standing swelling, when pressure rises beyond a point, it leaks. Let her continue lasix atleast till her cardiology consultation. 60mg though can produce some changes in her electrolytes (pottassium and sodium), is not very high dose.

As far as care of blisters, keep them dry, avoid injury and use only soft cotton socks.


Hope that clears the doubts.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Mohammed Kappan
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prabhakar C Koregol

Cardiologist, Interventional

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 427 Questions

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Have Congestive Heart Failure, Lymphedema, Edema And Blisters On Leg. On Medication. Proper Cure?

Hi,

Thanks for detailed description. If she doesn't have increase in her breathlessness and if no fever, then you can go for the routine appointment with your cardiologist. As of now, continue to take lasix 60mg daily.

But, if she is unusually or more fatigued, or there is fever or worsened breathlessness, then I would recommend you to go to urgent care.

Hope I have addressed your concern. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards