Is this another side effect of COPD?
Hello to Everyone,
I hope you all are having easy breathing days. I have a question I’ve been wondering if others with COPD have to deal with. I have had this checked but I’m not sure I’m happy with the minimal answer I’ve received with really no solution.
Does any have their feet turn bluish purple at the toes and a bit up further? This happens to when legs are crossed or anytime I’m particularly short of breath or just sitting in a chair. No vein issues detected when tested. Answers are circulation. This happens usually on my left foot. I have had a left upper lobe removed so I figured since that side is more dysfunctional then my right, that might be why. But I worry sometimes. I does not cause pain, I have no swelling or tingling. But it is kinda scary. Does anyone else have this issue? Especially on the same side as a lobe of lung was removed. Any suggestions that you have been able i
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Hi again
- thanks for this post and bringing up your concern - this is an important topic, when related to COPD, and even other medical conditions. Although for your safety, we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet, your question certainly warrants a reply.
Generally speaking, a bluish tinge or coloring at one's extremities, is typically referred to as cyanosis.
We actually have a good article, published here on our COPD.net website, which speaks to this condition. For your convenience, here is a link to the material by our editorial team: https://copd.net/symptoms/blueness. I thought this information would provide you with some additional insight.
There are other conditions that may result in cyanosis, too. I would suggest you bring this to the attention of your private medical doctor. If you are dissatisfied with the 'minimal' answer you've received, you may want to seek out another doctor who can provide a more thorough examination and explanation.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
My left toes, foot, and ankle will also occasionally turn a bit bluish, but I have had severe damage to my left leg several times and have permanent vessel and nerve damage. It does not happen super often, just now and then, and when it does I ride my exercise bike for a bit a few times a day until it subsides. I can't ride it a lot due to my lungs, but I can go slow and get enough improvement in circulation to solve it. I made the decision years ago after a bunch of surgeries in a row not to have the several more they wanted to do, but I've done okay with it since 2001, mostly. Of course, the older I get now the more old issues creep up on me. I have less mobility now, so the circulation is not as good as it was, and I have to help it along a little. Not sure what the cause of your issue is though. Mine is usually always old injuries. It's the high cost of living fast! I would not do nothing, as it might likely get worse. Hi again, eat - questions are always welcome here! Yours is a good one, too!
You may have a transient issue - one in which the blue-tinged color manifests itself visibly but, depending on the etiology, may also resolve. Over the internet here, we cannot discern what is happening, nor can we diagnose, as you know. However, that is the reason why I suggested you reach out for your physician. Whatever is causing this (in your case), needs to be determined so you can either treat it or, put your mind at ease. It all depends on what the cause is.
The fact that you have an appointment coming up in June is a good thing. However, if this persists, worsens, or, you develop additional symptoms, you may want to move the appointment up to an earlier date. If pulmonary hypertension is also being considered (as you mentioned in one of your subsequent posts), you may not want to wait.
What do you think?
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
thank for responding. I knew you couldn’t diagnose. Mostly wanted to know if it’s common and what others do. But I will definitely read up on it through your link. Thanks again Leon! Hi again, eat - it's my pleasure! I am glad to hear you plan on reading more about this topic. Cyanosis is not something to view lightly. I would suggest that you follow up with your own doctor. From my own perspective - you may want to determine (with your physician), what the cause of your symptoms are. Once the etiology is determined, you (and the doctor), will have a better understanding of how to manage this and, if treatment is necessary.
Since you mentioned pulmonary hypertension (which is also referenced in the article I shared), you may want to look into that as well.
Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you.
Good luck!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Just read the link above. Very helpful, thanks
. Yes, PH was something I asked about being checked due to family members having it. Although they cannot test since it requires anesthesia and they won’t risk it. Interesting to see how this symptom could be tied to that. Article helps a lot. thank you so much for letting me know I’m not completely alone in this. I have had a full work up with cardiologist but of course they stopped short on confirming if I might have pulmonary hypertension because they were not willing to risk putting me under anesthesia to do the procedure to confirm or deny PH. I’ve also had a full work up from a vein specialist making sure the blood flow in my veins and arteries are good. They were good. But circulation wasn’t really addressed. I have a stationary bike so I’m going to try that to see if there is an improvement. Thanks for your input on what you do. I have had some wonky bloodwork that I’ve also had looked at but they cannot determine where my inflammation and high WBC is coming from but I follow up with my Dr. In June. I will have questions on how we can get to the bottom of this issue and try to reverse the blue toes and foot. Have a super easy breathing day! I hear you! In addition, I've had cellulitis in that same left leg (my only left leg!) twice, and both times they thought I had a clot in the same spot, but nope. In the first cellulitis, the leg swelled up huge and the whole thing turned dark red from the knee down, and there was no pain at all. In the second case It did not swell up much, but the pain was so excruciating I had to call 911. They put me on morphine and Toradol, as well as antibiotics by bolus and injection. They were worried all night, but it finally broke and got better, and I went home that morning. Severe pain for several days before it finally backed off. It was weird comparing the two episodes, which were completely different from each other. I still can't figure it out and my doctor can't explain it either, except that cellulitis can be very unpredictable, and dangerous too. So I've been tested for suspected clots while in the hospital several times now, but so far there have been none. Odd. Anyway, I don't like blue, so when I see it I work on that circulation if I can. Keep us posted on how it's going!
