Purple toes, foot and leg pain

[lance]

Does anyone have knowledge or references to warfarin side effects about purple-toe syndrome and/or foot leg pain?

For the second time I have learned of an acquaintances experiencing purple feet and the second acquaintance is now experiencing painful feet e.g feels she is walking on broken glass.

The first person went from being active, independent to full time care. Doctors were unable to diagnose the reason why. Her feet began to cause pain without reason nor diagnosis. She became unable to walk, her feet were purple. When she had to enter a nursing home she gave up, lost interest in everything and died.

The second person is unable to walk because of sharp shooting pain in her feet. She has been on ACT for 3 months and never experienced foot problems before.

These two incidents cause me to suspect some kind of warfarin reaction. I've googled and haven't seen anything specific just purple toes and painful feet and legs.

Has anyone else heard of these reactions?

Just interested.

 

[Nancy]

It is possible to have this reaction, but it is rare. There are other reasons that feet can turn purple and hurt, such as poor circulation, clots, etc. Diabetic folks have lots of problems with their feet too.

My husband's feet turned purple, but that was due to poor circulation.

 

[lance]

Thanks Nancy

Thanks Nancy

I just finished checking the responses to the search feature about purple toes.

Diabetes is not involved in these instances.

The first person went off ACT for surgery and the problem surfaced when ACT was initiated. She had a mechanical valve.

The second person may be luckier--she's had by-pass.

 

[Bina]

My late Mom had total kidney failure at age 47.
Immediately thereafter she had some severe nerve damage in 2 places: the auditory nerve in her ear which caused her to lose her hearing. and the nerves in her feet. They became hyper sensitive and caused her a great deal of pain. I remember them being purple and she had to keep them raised most of the day. She also had a kidney transplant, but she had no heart issues.
I don't really know what else went on because we didn't have the internet then :-(

 

[Eva]

I noted your reply to Nancy; yet, if you had not done your research, I would repeat the same--the first thing that comes to my head is Lack of good circulations, and Diabetes--my mother had Diabetes and suffered the same!

 

[Nancy]

When Joe developed this problem, his feet started out light purple, and then went into a much darker purple. He was under the care of several doctors and was also on kidney dialysis. So when Bina mentioned about her mom, it brought back some memories. There is a condition related to dialysis which causes showers of particles to the vascular system, and in addition there are several articles on Google about kidney problems and purple feet.

I had his kidney docs look at his feet, they were unimpressed . He was also under the care of a vascular surgeon, and they told us to have the vascular doc look at Joe's feet, which we did. He said they were OK for the time being, but if they got any worse to call him. He felt it was a circulation problem.

I think if this ever happens, you should go to your doctor and have them look at it. It could be a symptom of something going on that needs attention.

Here is a link to my original post a while back. The picture is missing, I deleted it from my computer.

I originally thought it was Purple Toes symdrome caused by Coumadin, but I don't think it was.

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18821&highlight=purple+toes

 

[lance]

Thanks to all ................

Thanks to all ................

Neither of the women I referred to were diabetic nor had kidney problems. Both appeared to be in excellent health prior to experiencing purple, painful feet.

The one that says she is walking on broken glass says her feet are also numb to the touch. Her feet aren't cold to the touch neither do they feel cold to her.

Luckily she doesn't take ACT for a mechanical valve--she's had by-pass surgery and if she's lucky maybe she can discontinue ACT. Then we'd know for sure. Of course, there could be other factors I'm unaware of.

Once again, thanks for your input.

 

[Bina]

My Mom's feet were not cold either.....we new she had lots of nerve damage and immune system issues.

 

[Adrienne]

When I had A-Fib in August 2005 and went to the ER, I was kept in the hospital for several days. They started me on Coumadin, and one of the things they told me is that if my toes turned purple, to advise them immediately. So, obviously, it is some kind of rare reaction to Coumadin, but that's all I know.