What could this be? Swollen ankles and feet with a rash?

[TLHB70]

My mother-in-law just told us last night that for three days her ankles and feet have been swollen......so swollen that she cannot even put on shoes! She also said that Wednesday evening a rash also appeared. (She said on her ankles and feet.....I do not know if it is anywhere else) We live out of state so we have not been with her to see it. She is the type that never thinks anything is wrong with her health. She never goes to the doctor, and she brushes everything off. She is taking this lightly, and doesn't think it is anything to be too concerned about, but she said that she does want to have it checked out today since we are going into a weekend. She plans to call the doctor's office and get an appointment for today.
We did go visit for a week back in mid February. I thought her ankles looked swollen then, but DH didn't agree with me so I didn't bring it up to her.
Does anyone know what would cause this?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Swollen ankles and feet could be heart related. That is one of the first signs of heart disease.
The heart cannot rid the body of fluids properly.

Does she have diabetes? That could be a possibility.

Not sure about the rash.

I hope she has a good doctor and gets a proper diagnosis.

 

[luvmy3]

Dh's granfather has diabetes and gets swollen ankles. Here is a list of things that could cause it, some can be very serious. I would make sure she gets to the doctor and doesn't brush it off, especially if she is elderly.
http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/ankle_swelling/causes.htm

 

[TLHB70]

He dad (DH's grandfather) died with heart failure two years ago. He had congenital heart disease. So I immediately thought of heart problems, but I had never heard of a rash with it.
As far as I know, no blood family member of hers has diabetes. Her husband, DH's dad, has diabetes so they do eat healthy meals that are safe for diabetics because of his diabetes.

 

[Green Tea]

Kidney diseases can cause this

 

[TLHB70]

Wow. I just read some of the links from your posted page, luvmy3, and your mention of kidney disease, Green Tea. I am feeling pretty concerned now. He appointment is this afternoon. I am praying that she gets a doctor that is thorough. She will dismiss it so easily so the doctor needs to be the leader in this case.

 

[FayeW]

First thing I thought of was Fifth's Disease. I had it about 9 years ago. My feet swelled, hands swelled, and I had an itchy rash.

Most people get it as children and it is fairly benign, but adults get pretty sick with it. 'Tis the season.

 

[ameraumi]

My first thought was a blood clot.

 

[damo]

The swollen ankles and rash don't have to be related.

 

[lovemygoofy]

My granny would have swollen feet and itchyness with gout.

 

[Shmily1]

My friend here at work had the same thing about a month ago. I told her to go to the Dr or I was calling her husband because it started getting warm like a blood clot would. She went to the Dr and he drained the fluid off and put some pins in it to release the pressure. She had a soft cast on it for a week, and has had the boot on it for about 2 weeks now. They also did xrays and a lot of blood work. She goes back next Wednesday to see what it is.

Good luck!

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, swollen ankles and a rash on her lower legs could be many things...they are kind of "all encompassing" symptoms, if you KWIM.

What immediately came to my mind was cellulitis...infection of the soft tissue. Common in folks who are diabetic or have poor circulation. Congestive heart failure could cause the swollen ankles but generally doesn't cause the red rash, unless the ankles get so swollen that the circulation gets impaired and leads to a cellulitis. The only thing with congestive heart failure that got so bad thather ankles were noticeably swollen and rashy is that she would probably also be short of breath.

in any event, a doctor appointment is a good idea.

 

[TLHB70]

We called last night. She said that they did blood work to check her kidneys, heart, and for diabetes. She said that if all of those blood tests come out ok that the doctor believes that it is a side effect of her medicine. She is on a medicine, a nerve blocker. She had been having a burning, stinging pain in her shoulder and down her arm. The doctor gave her shots for it, but it didn't go away, so he put her on this medicine. The name of it starts with an L. The doctor said this is a known side effect of that medicine. She is waiting for blood results. If everything is ok, the doctor told her she will have to get off of the nerve block medicine.
We talked to my father-in-law first. He said that she is swollen from just below the knees down, not just ankles and feet like mother-in-law said.