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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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dishpain | @dishpain | Jul 31, 2022
In reply to @jimmy370 "I can't sleep! I work everyday! But it is awful to function! Anyone have this problem?..." + (show)
@jimmy370

I can't sleep! I work everyday! But it is awful to function! Anyone have this problem? Jim

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I used to have a lot of trouble sleeping but got diagnosed with sleep apnea and with CPAP , I sleep much better! Make sure that there is nothing physically wrong that could be causing sleep disturbance. It is also very important to develop good habits around sleep time. No technology, etc.
I hope this may be helpful to you but I wish you well and good sleep.

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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 31, 2022
In reply to @rozbee "I read with sympathy, concern, and interest your post; I don't know how old you are,..." + (show)
@rozbee

I read with sympathy, concern, and interest your post; I don't know how old you are, but you certainly have much to contend with. It is helpful to hear from others and what they have been, and are going through and steps they have taken to alleviate them. My prayers and good wishes are with you to a very comforting solution.
I have PV, along with a plethora of other maladies, but I am 82 yrs old and am just too tired to fight by pursuing answers, solutions, medications, tests, doctors, labs, etc. and just want to spend my last of whatever is left of my life in peace, comfort, and what serenity I can garner.
My best to you for most happy days for now and hopefully a long future.

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Thank you, @rozbee
I am almost 75 (will be in September). I have been through a lot so I am not ready to "throw in the towel" now, plus my first grandchild is now 10 months old and I hope to be around awhile to see her grow. She is an absolute delight and an inspiration for me to stay around.

My family history of course does concern me. When I went through thorough exams and tests to qualify for my liver transplant my heart was strong so hopefully this will just be a blip in my path. My brother had his first heart attack when he was 65 but managed to live to the age of 79 despite not following a very good diet and exercise regimen. I am more adherent to doing what is needed so I hope to do at least as well.
JK
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JK | @contentandwell | Jul 31, 2022
In reply to @ray666 "Hello, JK (@contentandwell) My first thought after reading your thoughtful, honest post was that I'm fortunate..." + (show)
@ray666

Hello, JK (@contentandwell)

My first thought after reading your thoughtful, honest post was that I'm fortunate my situation seems less complex –– but then of course I've no idea what tomorrow holds! My chief concern, oddly enough, is not my puffiness, but my ever-worsening balance. I have been to countless specialists about my balance and done hours and hours of PT (I have noticed some improvement, but only "some"), and am currently seeing a physiatrist. I had never heard of physiatric medicine, not until my primary doctor suggested I give this fellow a try. And so I am. But unless my balance problem is in some way related to my foot and ankle puffiness, I am getting off track. I'm sorry! As you probably read in my earlier posts, my primary doctor has checked my heart and lungs, many times, and sees no problems there; she has restricted my salt intake (which, because of hypertension, she had advised years ago, but, because my blood pressure has been looking good, I grew slipshod in watching my salt intake), and suggested I wear compression stocking (which I do). Then, only the other day, because two people here on Mayo Connect had mentioned it, I discussed my Amlodipine prescription as a possibly cause of the puffiness. I have been off the Amlodipine for a week now, and already I believe I am seeing some reduction in the swelling –– but is it the Amlodipine? the reduced salt intake? the compression stockings? or all three? I don't know.

Please do let me know what you learn when you meet with your cardiologist.

Cheers!
Ray (@ray666)

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@ray666
Thanks for your input.
I think balance is a problem with many older people. I know I do not have the balance now that I once had but I am excellent at catching myself, a skill I think I developed over years of skiing, so if I do start to lose my balance I have always been able to catch it.

I have been low-sodium for years. I don't remember why I started watching my sodium but I do remember years ago noticing how salty restaurant food tastes, even at very good restaurants. I was wearing compression stockings in the cooler weather but I have pretty much given them up during the summer.

I have not been on Amlodipine unless it's another name for lisinopril or losartan. I was on lisinopril years ago but had to get off of it because it caused a constant cough, a not uncommon side effect. The doctor then changed me to losartan and I was on that for a while but my BP got better so I was able to stop taking it in 2014.
JK

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1 reply
Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Jul 31, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@ray666 Thanks for your input. I think balance is a problem with many older people. I..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@ray666
Thanks for your input.
I think balance is a problem with many older people. I know I do not have the balance now that I once had but I am excellent at catching myself, a skill I think I developed over years of skiing, so if I do start to lose my balance I have always been able to catch it.

I have been low-sodium for years. I don't remember why I started watching my sodium but I do remember years ago noticing how salty restaurant food tastes, even at very good restaurants. I was wearing compression stockings in the cooler weather but I have pretty much given them up during the summer.

I have not been on Amlodipine unless it's another name for lisinopril or losartan. I was on lisinopril years ago but had to get off of it because it caused a constant cough, a not uncommon side effect. The doctor then changed me to losartan and I was on that for a while but my BP got better so I was able to stop taking it in 2014.
JK

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Hello, JK (@contentandwell)

I've never tried Alpine skiing, but I used to enjoy x-country skiing. That may have helped with my balance––my ability to recover from near-falls. More recently I have been doing quite a lot of indoor balance work (thanks to PT); I expect all that work has helped to hone my skill not to fall but to catch myself and remain on my feet.

As far as I know, Amlodipine and the other two you mention, Lisinopril and Losartan, are distinct BP medications. When I was first diagnosed with hypertension (15 years ago?) I was prescribed Hydrochlorzide (that's a guess at the name), but was later moved to Lisinopril, and now to Losartan. Amlodipine was an even more recent addition (about the time I first noticed the swelling). Now that my primary has okayed my stopping the Amlodipine––and my BP continues to look good––she is talking about maybe reducing even the Losartan; she and I will discuss that at my next annual exam, next month.

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend.
Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Jul 31, 2022
In reply to @ray666 "Hello, JK (@contentandwell) I've never tried Alpine skiing, but I used to enjoy x-country skiing. That..." + (show)
@ray666

Hello, JK (@contentandwell)

I've never tried Alpine skiing, but I used to enjoy x-country skiing. That may have helped with my balance––my ability to recover from near-falls. More recently I have been doing quite a lot of indoor balance work (thanks to PT); I expect all that work has helped to hone my skill not to fall but to catch myself and remain on my feet.

As far as I know, Amlodipine and the other two you mention, Lisinopril and Losartan, are distinct BP medications. When I was first diagnosed with hypertension (15 years ago?) I was prescribed Hydrochlorzide (that's a guess at the name), but was later moved to Lisinopril, and now to Losartan. Amlodipine was an even more recent addition (about the time I first noticed the swelling). Now that my primary has okayed my stopping the Amlodipine––and my BP continues to look good––she is talking about maybe reducing even the Losartan; she and I will discuss that at my next annual exam, next month.

I hope you are having an enjoyable weekend.
Best wishes,
Ray (@ray666)

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@ray666 Thanks, Ray.
I hope your weekend is going well too. Since being retired it's difficult to distinguish weekends from weekdays, except for appointments on weekdays.

I am on Tymlos for osteoporosis and that often lowers BP so I hope when I come off of it (you can only be on it for a limited amount of time) that my BP doesn't increase by so much that I need a medication again. I'm already taking more medications than I like.

I do a lot of YouTube exercise videos and there are many out there for balance. I really should get back to doing some of those but when I do push myself to exercise I generally either do cardio or exercises with weights. I realize that balance is more functional but I like the feeling of accomplishing more with the other types of exercises.
JK

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1 reply
heria | @heria | Aug 1, 2022

Good morning, I also have swollen ankles plus upper legs problems. This all started after a triple bypass two years ago. The water pills did not help.Answers are difficult to come by even from doctors.

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Aug 1, 2022
In reply to @heria "Good morning, I also have swollen ankles plus upper legs problems. This all started after a..." + (show)
@heria

Good morning, I also have swollen ankles plus upper legs problems. This all started after a triple bypass two years ago. The water pills did not help.Answers are difficult to come by even from doctors.

Jump to this post

Hi, @heria Did you have swollen ankles prior to your heart surgery? To me it sounds strange that happened after surgery but it's not an area that I am at all knowledgeable about.

Diuretics did not help at all? I am hoping I can get them prescribed and that they will help. I am really discouraged when I look at the folds in my feet by the end of the day.

My upper legs do not seem to be retaining water but they have been very achy. That can be a side effect of a medication I am taking so I am assuming that is what the cause is.
JK

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1 reply
heria | @heria | Aug 1, 2022

No swelling until my heart surgery. It is extremely uncomfortable. By the end of the day I feel like “The Pillsbury Dough Girl “.🙄 I have repeatedly asked my doctor and my cardiologist why this is happening. (More water 💊.) Thank you JK. Take care, Heria

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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Aug 2, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@ray666 Thanks, Ray. I hope your weekend is going well too. Since being retired it's difficult..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@ray666 Thanks, Ray.
I hope your weekend is going well too. Since being retired it's difficult to distinguish weekends from weekdays, except for appointments on weekdays.

I am on Tymlos for osteoporosis and that often lowers BP so I hope when I come off of it (you can only be on it for a limited amount of time) that my BP doesn't increase by so much that I need a medication again. I'm already taking more medications than I like.

I do a lot of YouTube exercise videos and there are many out there for balance. I really should get back to doing some of those but when I do push myself to exercise I generally either do cardio or exercises with weights. I realize that balance is more functional but I like the feeling of accomplishing more with the other types of exercises.
JK

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Good morning, JK (@contentandwell) and Heria (@heria)

So much of what we experience is mysterious. Yesterday I underwent an EMG exam and then met with the doctor. He was at a loss as to just what is my chief problem, other than to say it's something in the neurologic "gray area." He's referring me "up" the specialists' chain to meet with the Top Neurology Doc at our local hospital. In the meantime, both my swollen feet & ankles and my poor balance remain mysteries!

Merry Monday to us all!
Ray (@ray666)

REPLY
1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Aug 2, 2022
In reply to @ray666 "Good morning, JK (@contentandwell) and Heria (@heria) So much of what we experience is mysterious. Yesterday..." + (show)
@ray666

Good morning, JK (@contentandwell) and Heria (@heria)

So much of what we experience is mysterious. Yesterday I underwent an EMG exam and then met with the doctor. He was at a loss as to just what is my chief problem, other than to say it's something in the neurologic "gray area." He's referring me "up" the specialists' chain to meet with the Top Neurology Doc at our local hospital. In the meantime, both my swollen feet & ankles and my poor balance remain mysteries!

Merry Monday to us all!
Ray (@ray666)

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@ray666 I guess that's why medicine is still a practice. I hope you get some relief seeing the neurology doctor and if so you will keep us informed.

When I had non-alcoholic cirrhosis it went diagnosed for about 16 months, probably because even doctors think first of a person having a drinking problem, which I did not. Cirrhosis often causes the person to experience periods of delusion and confusion so they sent me to a neurologist. He was the one who finally diagnosed my cirrhosis. He said he thought my brain was fine, that the problem was probably in my liver. I owe my life to him because I had malignant lesions and if they had been more abundant I would not have qualified for a liver transplant but thankfully my cirrhosis was caught in the nick of time and the lesions were ablated, and I eventually had a transplant.
JK

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