VTam, as I understand it you are concerned about the rash as much as cramps? Sounds like edema to me. Sometimes it can be rather subtle. It may not look as though you are retaining water, but if you do the "push" test, you can usually tell. Push down with your index finger or whatever is comfortable against your shin about halfway up from your ankle. Hold it in for 20 seconds. If your skin dimples and doesn't spring right back up, you have edema. It can cause a rash. It is common for it to get worse as the day goes on, esp. if your feet are down all day.

I just got over a bad case of edema caused by low protein and too much sodium; my legs and feet were very itchy, esp. near the end of the day. It was so severe I wound up with weeping sores. They are all cleared up thanks to my being vigilant in lying down 3-4 times per day, making sure my feet were ABOVE the level of my heart, for thirty minutes or so AND treating the itching, open sores with a product called Amerigel (you can find it on google). I saw my doc today for the first time in a month and called it a miracle. She was amazed at how much better I am, in fact, my legs are basically "normal" now with no sores, etc.

I don't know if you can get it over there, but a cream which also helps with the itching is Benadryl, basic antihistamine. I didn't even know they made a cream, but boy, does it help!

I wish you could find a doc who would honour your intuition about YOUR body. You may be spot on about the circulation; that could certainly cause edema.

Hope this helps.

kat