left leg is cold below my knee

thebourke

My left leg gets cold below the knee.This only appears to happen when the weather gets cold.
Anybody ever experience similar problems?
My diet is quiet healthy.
I am fairly active,cycle and walk most days and go to the gym.

Gremlinertia

Get a doctor to check that out, just to be safe

wakka12

Cold limbs are normal in cold weather, blood is drawn from your extremities in order to prioritise safety of your vital organs. Funny that its just one leg though? The right is warm? It might imply some kind of blockage in the vasculature of your left leg, should get it checked! Sure they could do a quick ultr sound or something to make sure nothings wrong

RobbingBandit

Try prop your leg up at night while in bed use some pillows for this.

check your socks fit right not leaving a ring from being too tight.

thebourke

yes the right leg is warm..its only the left leg...to warm up..i have to go walking...even at work my leg gets cold

My friend is having an operation soon to have metal removed from a broken leg a decade ago. It's slowing circulation and is becoming an issue.

Go to a doctor.

thebourke

went to the doctor ...no help...felt my legs to see if i had any issues....didnt have a clue...

saabsaab

Sounds vascular, did you have any injury to that leg in the past or a family history? Probably best to get advice from a vascular specialist near you.

Duke of Url

thebourke wrote: »

went to the doctor ...no help...felt my legs to see if i had any issues....didnt have a clue...

Get a second opinion.

antix80

Walk as frequently as possibly. Wear layers. Keep room temperature high and ensure humidity is kept around 55 or lower. If you're elderly 23 degrees should be comfortable without being dangerously high... see how you get on with 21 degrees. 18 degrees should also be fine if you're wrapped up warm but you'll probably feel cold at that temp.

dvdman1

thebourke wrote: »

went to the doctor ...no help...felt my legs to see if i had any issues....didnt have a clue...

GPs have limited knowledge...you need to push the gp for a referral for a scan

drunkmonkey

thebourke wrote: »

went to the doctor ...no help...felt my legs to see if i had any issues....didnt have a clue...

Just make sure your socks and shoes aren't too tight you might need to go half a size bigger or get socks that aren't as tight..
I went to a doctor with the similar thing was no use, was in getting some new socks and got chatting to the shop owner asking did he ever hear of it...problem solved.
Had me worried thought I had a circulation problem...
Doctor said it's next to impossible to nail down once you rule out the obvious things...

Mango Joe

GPs are covering such a wide spectrum that their assessments will usually fall somewhere between right on target and abysmally useless.

Yours was the latter, Doctors should really waive their fee in situations like this where they so clearly haven't got a notion. I've heard of them sneakily googling for answers while their patient watches on.

Presumably you've got a nerve or vascular issue with your leg, was it ever damaged/injured?

I wonder would an MRI show anything?

thebourke

Never had any injury to my leg before..its only the left leg...during summertime..no issues..
its only when the weather is cold....when the temperature is cold in the office..i feel my leg getting cold....

thebourke

actually the GP said she would ask some of her colleagues....i will ring back next week and see if she did!!!
this is the second GP i have gone to

antix80

Mango Joe wrote: »

Yours was the latter, Doctors should really waive their fee in situations like this where they so clearly haven't got a notion. I've heard of them sneakily googling for answers while their patient watches on.

They're not being sneaky, they're usually looking for up-to-date info.. Eg antibiotics to treat certain illnesses, rather than rely on a 2 year old guidance note. Wikipedia is another very useful source for doctors.

dvdman1

thebourke wrote: »

actually the GP said she would ask some of her colleagues....i will ring back next week and see if she did!!!
this is the second GP i have gone to

I wouldn't be waiting about for peoples opinions its your health. You already paid for initial visit, a follow up at her office wont incur the full charge...just get her to refer you for a scan, once shes unsure she should comply...tell her your a bit worried.
Getting the referal sooner will save on time overall because you'll eventually be sent for a scan...a good GP wont take a chance on a hunch.

thebourke

Ok if i ring back the medical centre today and the doctor has no update...i can ask for a referral...?
is that right

Sardonicat

thebourke wrote: »

Ok if i ring back the medical centre today and the doctor has no update...i can ask for a referral...?
is that right

Before you do that, ask for an ECG.

antix80

thebourke wrote: »

Ok if i ring back the medical centre today and the doctor has no update...i can ask for a referral...?
is that right

Let he speak to her colleagues first. Nothing to stop you asking for a referral but you might end up needing referrals to a number of different doctors. I doubt there's one that specialises in cold left lower legs.

khalessi

Ask gp to do a doppler scan to check blood vessels and if he hasnt got a doppler ask for referral to vascualr clinic in hospital. It is a quick enough procedure

thebourke

regards a referral how does that work...you get a scan...do you have to go to a consultant....or do you just get the test done and go back to the doctor to get the results?

Sardonicat

thebourke wrote: »

regards a referral how does that work...you get a scan...do you have to go to a consultant....or do you just get the test done and go back to the doctor to get the results?

That and an ECG to rule out anything cardiac/vascular would be the first they'd want tests to run.

28064212

Go back to your doctor and ask them what the next steps are. They've examined you, they have far more knowledge of the situation than anyone here.

thebourke

rang the doctors clinic...can't speak to doctor over the phone they said...you need to come in and get a referral letter.
once you get a referral letter.....what happens then?

khalessi

Depends on letter.

You will either get appointment in the post or have walk in referral for vascular clinic. But insist on urgency as You could also be told to go to A/E to get it seen with the letter.

Or you could just head into casualty and tell them your leg feel cold and they will check it out. You could be waiting a few hours before been seen though

antix80

khalessi wrote: »

.Or you could just head into casualty and tell them your leg feel cold and they will check it out. You

Or they'll pocket €100, check blood pressure and refer them back to their gp.

khalessi

antix80 wrote: »

Or they'll pocket €100, check blood pressure and refer them back to their gp.

yes they will pay 100e but they wont just check bp they will use a doppler to check it out. It will be investigated properly

khalessi

How is your leg?

saabsaab

How did you get on?