I m female, 44 and 70kg. Diagnosed with ADHD a bit over 7 months ago and put on dexamphetamine. In July contracted pneumonia, had breathing problems and presented myself at the local surgery three times, getting brushed off. Took myself to emergency the fourth time. Still got sent home. Told everyone what meds I was taking. No one checked my BP or listened to my heart. Two days after the ER trip, I collapsed unconscious in the shower 7am in the morning. Damaged three discs in my back and couldn t sit down for 3 months. I had been tachycardic and experiencing some arhythmia and this in combination with a stimulant (which someone should have told me to stop taking) had resulted in syncope. My heart was getting up to 220 at rest in the days after this happened. This improved over the next week to peaks of 160 at rest. Finally the doctor got me in to a specialist at which point I wore a holter monitor and things were much improved. A bit of atrial arrythmia, not considered outside of normal for a person recovering from pneumonia. But a lot of painful bruising, cramping in both thighs and calves and painful muscle spasms in my lower back. Not offered any pain meds (presumably my new ADHD status made me a potential drug-seeker). During this post-syncope recovery time I have also suffered hyperarousal insomnia due to PTSD (insomnia pre-existing condition to stimulant medication). Experienced Raynards-like bluish colour to feet which when feet were elevated turned cherry red, then normalised in colour. Swelling has persisted, although taking aspirin regularly seems to have sorted out the Raynards-like effect and hopefully any lingering vascular blockage (?) due to very heavy bruising of my buttocks and legs from the fall. Previously very fit, cycling 2-300km per week. Swelling of my feet (something I have never had ever in my life, despite severe insomnia for long periods of time) is pretty persistant. My feet and ankles almost up to my knees feel tender to touch and there is patches of brownish discoloration. The general palor of my feet and lower legs is pale, blotchy and looks like the area has aged 20 years (or I have now got my grandmother s feet when until recently I had the legs of a cyclist ie, very youthful). Concerned about this ongoing swelling and discoloration but less than impressed with the local doctor s grasp of things given I was told ADHD was not a real disorder and I should make do with what God gave me. All back symptoms have now subsided except for some minor spasms at times, close to the injury site in my buttock. Good as fixed, but the swollen feet are still a concern. I don t believe it is due to standing for long periods or sitting for long periods because nothing even remotely like this has happened prior to the loss of consciousness in the shower. What s your opinion on possible causes given the background (excluding psychosomatic origin, thankyou). I should say, I don t drink alcohol and don t take drugs. I have been prescribed Serepax and Zolpidem tartrate for insomnia but don t tolerate drugs well and prefer to not take them. So intermittent and infrequent use of sedatives, cognitive effects linger and memory problems affect my ability to study. Now, the ankles...?
Hi, You did not mention your age, the most common cause is increase in uric acid please get your uric acid checked. Sometime vitamin D deficiency and other problems also cause the same swelling also get your vitamin D checked and if deficient then take proper supplements. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.