The RICE method isn't working what are other ways to reduce swelling?

[chrisfan48]

About a week a go, I woke up and my right leg is twice as big as my left and so is my entire right foot, the back of my leg is in a great deal of pain. I can not get the swelling to go down. I used to swell frequently in my legs and face after my kidney transplant in October but for the past several months it has stopped. At my regular doctor appointment this past week, my doctor said it was not because of the earlier swelling since it is only on the one side, and was concerned I might have a blood clot and sent me straight to the hospital for a very painful ultrasound. It was painful because they have to squeeze your entire leg to see the vessels (and my leg was sore so the squeezing hurt, in fact my leg is no entirely bruised) thankfully it was not because of a blood clot either.

However since it was not the blood clot. I was not giving any instructions on what to do to reduce the swelling and the RICE method isn't working. Any ideas on how to take down swelling. It has going down some on it's own and is now only in my lower leg and my foot.

[lucky382001]

About a week a go, I woke up and my right leg is twice as big as my left and so is my entire right foot, the back of my leg is in a great deal of pain. I can not get the swelling to go down. I used to swell frequently in my legs and face after my kidney transplant in October but for the past several months it has stopped. At my regular doctor appointment this past week, my doctor said it was not because of the earlier swelling since it is only on the one side, and was concerned I might have a blood clot and sent me straight to the hospital for a very painful ultrasound. It was painful because they have to squeeze your entire leg to see the vessels (and my leg was sore so the squeezing hurt, in fact my leg is no entirely bruised) thankfully it was not because of a blood clot either.

However since it was not the blood clot. I was not giving any instructions on what to do to reduce the swelling and the RICE method isn't working. Any ideas on how to take down swelling. It has going down some on it's own and is now only in my lower leg and my foot.

I have no idea what the rice method is but if you are having problems it is better to call your doctor and ask him than to rely on the advice from a forum.

[lucky382001]

In this case, I can't say that I blame you. I'd call the hospital and ask if she left any additional instructions for your care. Or her office. I don't know what your doctors arrangement is. Many leave another doctor in tact to care for their patients while they are gone.

[natural_mom]

I would try to call the ER and see if they can give any instructions.  If you have insurance than you might have a 24 hour advice hot line where you could call and talk to a RN for advice.  You can find out by calling the # on the back of your card of visiting the online web site. If the swelling is still painful I would go in to have it seen and not risk putting your health in danger.