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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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Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Aug 3, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "@ray666 I guess that's why medicine is still a practice. I hope you get some relief..." + (show)
@contentandwell

@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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Good morning, JK (@contentandwell)

That's interesting what you have to say about non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Twice now, since seeing various neurologists, I have been asked if I was ever a drinker. I was! But I quit over 30 years ago. It seems even such long-ago drinking leaves its trace. I asked my physiatrist on Monday if my "ancient" drinking might be the cause of my present-day balance difficulties, and he said, "Hard to say, Ray. It may be a contributing factor, but it's impossible to know for certain."

Have a great day!
Ray (@ray666)

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2 replies
JK | @contentandwell | Aug 3, 2022
In reply to @ray666 "Good morning, JK (@contentandwell) That's interesting what you have to say about non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Twice now,..." + (show)
@ray666

Good morning, JK (@contentandwell)

That's interesting what you have to say about non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Twice now, since seeing various neurologists, I have been asked if I was ever a drinker. I was! But I quit over 30 years ago. It seems even such long-ago drinking leaves its trace. I asked my physiatrist on Monday if my "ancient" drinking might be the cause of my present-day balance difficulties, and he said, "Hard to say, Ray. It may be a contributing factor, but it's impossible to know for certain."

Have a great day!
Ray (@ray666)

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@ray666 My post, as you may have realized, should have said "undiagnosed cirrhosis" not diagnosed. As crazy as it sounds when I was finally diagnosed it was a relief despite the diagnosis not being good. At least I knew I wasn't losing my mind.
JK

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marjou | @marjou | Aug 3, 2022
In reply to @ray666 "Good morning, JK (@contentandwell) That's interesting what you have to say about non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Twice now,..." + (show)
@ray666

Good morning, JK (@contentandwell)

That's interesting what you have to say about non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Twice now, since seeing various neurologists, I have been asked if I was ever a drinker. I was! But I quit over 30 years ago. It seems even such long-ago drinking leaves its trace. I asked my physiatrist on Monday if my "ancient" drinking might be the cause of my present-day balance difficulties, and he said, "Hard to say, Ray. It may be a contributing factor, but it's impossible to know for certain."

Have a great day!
Ray (@ray666)

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@ray666 Is this the same as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?

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2 replies
Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Aug 3, 2022
In reply to @marjou "@ray666 Is this the same as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?" + (show)
@marjou

@ray666 Is this the same as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?

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Hello, @marjou

I'll have to leave it to @contentandwell to answer your question. I had never heard of non-alcoholic cirrhosis, not until JK mentioned it.

Ray (@ray666)

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JK | @contentandwell | Aug 3, 2022
In reply to @marjou "@ray666 Is this the same as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?" + (show)
@marjou

@ray666 Is this the same as non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)?

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@marjou @ray666
NAFLD can lead to non-alcoholic cirrhosis. I believe if it is diagnosed as NAFLD it can be reversed whereas if it progresses to cirrhosis the only cure is a transplant.
By the time I was diagnosed I had full blown cirrhosis. Fatty liver, the cause of NAFLD, is increasing as the cause of cirrhosis because of our abominable diets in this county, and probably every developed country.

There are many advocates now who feel if a person is diagnosed with diabetes 2, and/or is overweight, they should be checked for NAFLD. It would sure help many people, and it definitely would have helped me. I was quite overweight at one time and was diagnosed with diabetes 2 somewhere around 2009. Interestingly though, before my cirrhosis was diagnosed I was already on the road to eating healthier and losing weight. It was too late then though.
JK

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1 reply
jimmy 370 | @jimmy370 | Sep 28, 2022
In reply to @notmoff "I have mild tinnitus I now ignore. Does your "ringing" keep you awake?" + (show)
@notmoff

I have mild tinnitus I now ignore. Does your "ringing" keep you awake?

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Yes!!!!!!!!

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judithlynne | @judithlynne | Sep 29, 2022
In reply to @contentandwell "Hi, @heria Did you have swollen ankles prior to your heart surgery? To me it sounds..." + (show)
@contentandwell

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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I developed Edema in both of my feet due to amlodipine. I also have neuropathy now due to the Losartin. It’s just a shame that these cardiac drugs can create such horrible side effects. I have socks with gel pads that you put in the freezer that helps to temporarily relieve the pain from a Edema and neuropathy.

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2 replies
dustycat52 | @dustycat52 | Sep 29, 2022

I have permanently swollen feet and ankles from tendonosis. Every doctor insists that I have rheumatoid arthritis though all the testing is negative. I elevate my legs often and do strengthening exercises. The weather seems to affect the swelling at times making it worse.

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3 replies
marjou | @marjou | Sep 29, 2022
In reply to @dustycat52 "I have permanently swollen feet and ankles from tendonosis. Every doctor insists that I have rheumatoid..." + (show)
@dustycat52

I have permanently swollen feet and ankles from tendonosis. Every doctor insists that I have rheumatoid arthritis though all the testing is negative. I elevate my legs often and do strengthening exercises. The weather seems to affect the swelling at times making it worse.

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Are you taking any meds for high blood pressure because that is a side effect?

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1 reply
marjou | @marjou | Sep 29, 2022

@ray666 I was on blood pressure medication that caused my legs and feet to swell which was one of the side effects. Needless to say, I discontinued meds with my doctor’s knowledge.

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