Swollen feet and ankles

Posted by Ray Kemble @ray666, Jul 23, 2022

Hello, all!

I've been here many times before, but always with questions about my increasingly wobbly balance. While that problem remains pretty much unchanged (I'm now seeing a physiatrist), this morning I have a new question: swollen feet and ankles. Briefly, I first noticed that my left foot was puffy about two months ago, but with no pain. Since then, the swelling spread to my left ankle. Now my right foot and ankle are both swollen. But again: no pain (just the puffiness). I have talked to my PCP about this; she has advised me to cut way, way back on salt, coffee (including decaf), and sugar (that's easy for me: I don't like sugary anything); also, to drink plenty of water and get exercise. A little about me: I'm 77. I take three Rx medications: Amlodipine & Losartan for blood pressure (long since under control), and Diclofenac for arthritic knees. I and my partner eat what I would consider a healthy diet: a combo Mediterranean and DASH diet (to keep my BP in check). Does any of this sound like a situation you're facing, or have remedied? I would welcome hearing from anyone with experience with swollen feet and ankles.

Ray (@ray666)

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jmb73 | @jmb73 | Jan 27 8:05am

I recently had really bad swelling in both of my ankles and legs. Then I got shortness of breath and pressure on my chest. My lung doctor had checked me out 3 weeks ago and said I had fluid in my lungs. My sister is a nurse and said that swelling in my legs and ankles and fluid in my lungs could be heart related. I called the triage nurse at my cardiologist and she had me go to the hospital. I now have congestive heart failure. I am so glad that I didn't listen to my lung doc as he never said that it could be heart. Plus he ran out of the room before I could ask him about my legs. Oh, my stomach started swelling too!! I am on a lot of drugs and like you all, I blamed them. Now I am on a low salt diet and can only drink/ have 64oz of liquid a day ex. if I have applesauce, I have to count 6 oz of fluid. Swelling of the extremities is a serious warning of potential problems. Please have it checked out.

kjs1964 | @kjs1964 | Jan 27 8:28am

In reply to @barscr2 "Let me know what you find out." + (show)

Hi
Thanks
I will - and thanks for replying.

kjs1964 | @kjs1964 | Jan 27 8:29am

In reply to @kjs1964 "Hi, I am sorry; I just started with edema of my lower legs & feet last..." + (show)

Thank you

donnajones | @donnajones | Jan 28 9:32am

Has anyone checked their renal function?

patient101 | @patient101 | Jan 28 10:54am

My partner had swelling in a leg and foot after a stroke. We tried treating it with OTC with little success. Finally, we went to his VA doc, who set him up with a thigh high leg pump, used twice a day. After several months, we were able to go to once a day. The swelling decreased significantly. We recently added a professional massage of the leg, and it is darned near gone!

It has been a long haul, but we are amazed that it could make such a difference.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jan 28 11:02am

I started experiencing severe swelling of my legs. It was traced to a side effect of one of my medications called amlodipine. When we stopped that, switching to another medication, it disappeared. Also, I engaged a local massuese who did lymphatic massage on my legs, to help drain the fluid, and showed me how to do it myself. This combination has really helped me.

I have end stage kidney disease, so keeping track of swelling anywhere is critical.
Ginger

kjs1964 | @kjs1964 | Feb 4 3:22pm

In reply to @barscr2 "Let me know what you find out." + (show)

calene15 | @calene15 | Feb 6 5:19am

Read the labels on all foods. Do not buy foods that have more than 600 grams of sodium. Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day.

Scott R L | @scottrl | Feb 6 6:43am

In reply to @calene15 "Read the labels on all foods. Do not buy foods that have more than 600 grams..." + (show)

I'm sure you mean 600 milligrams.

600 grams is about 1-1/3 pounds.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Feb 6 8:48am

In reply to @calene15 "Read the labels on all foods. Do not buy foods that have more than 600 grams..." + (show)

Hi @calene15, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with Scott @scottrl. I'm always looking at labels for sodium content but also for sugar, carbohydrates and calories.

Do you mind sharing what brought you to Connect? Were you looking to find some specific health information that we can help you find?