[37M] Recurrent limb pain and swelling without injury

What might be happening

Based on the information you've provided, possible diagnoses include:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This condition involves a blood clot in a deep vein, often in your leg. DVT can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. You've mentioned a family history of clotting disorders, which can increase your risk of DVT.

  • Treatment typically involves anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, which prevent clots from getting bigger and stop new clots from forming.

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): This is a form of chronic pain that usually affects an arm or a leg. CRPS typically develops after an injury, surgery, stroke or heart attack, but the pain is out of proportion to the severity of the initial injury.

  • Treatment is aimed at relieving painful symptoms so that people can resume their normal lives. Options include physical therapy, medications, sympathetic nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulation, and intrathecal drug pumps.

• Cellulitis: This is a common bacterial skin infection that can cause redness, swelling, and pain. It often affects the skin on the lower legs, but it can occur in the face, arms, and other areas.

  • Treatment typically involves antibiotics to fight the infection.

Please note that these are potential explanations based on the symptoms you've described, and it's important to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

What you can do

1. Seek immediate medical attention. The symptoms you've described, particularly the recurring episodes of severe pain and swelling, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

2. Avoid standing or sitting for long periods of time, as this can increase swelling and pain in your leg.

3. Elevate your leg to help reduce swelling. Try to raise your leg above the level of your heart whenever possible.

4. Apply a warm compress to the affected area to help alleviate pain.

What you should look out for

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• The pain or swelling in your leg worsens
• You develop a fever
• The skin on your leg becomes red, hot, and painful
• You experience sudden or severe pain in your chest, or difficulty breathing. These could be signs of a serious condition called pulmonary embolism, which can occur if a blood clot in your leg breaks loose and travels to your lungs.

Remember, this advice is intended to be general in nature, and specific causes may not apply to your situation. Always consult with a healthcare provider for accurate information.