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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marjou | @marjou | Sep 29, 2022

In reply to @judithlynne "I developed Edema in both of my feet due to amlodipine. I also have neuropathy now..." + (show)

@heria, @ray666 Yes, this has been my reaction or side effect as soon as I started taking amlodipine. Stopped taking and swelling went away.

dustycat52 | @dustycat52 | Sep 29, 2022

In reply to @marjou "Are you taking any meds for high blood pressure because that is a side effect?" + (show)

I just started lisinopril but this happened nine years ago. I think I injured the tendons attached to both big toes.

Ray Kemble | @ray666 | Sep 29, 2022

In reply to @marjou "@heria, @ray666 Yes, this has been my reaction or side effect as soon as I started..." + (show)

First, my apologies if I've missed any of your posts.

My swelling too has all but disappeared. Although I can't be sure what's been the biggest contributor, I suspect it's one of two, or possibly even a combination of the two. My doctor took me off the Amlodipine (doubling my Losartan just to be safe; so far my BP has been great). Also, my podiatrist outfitted me for an ankle brace (above my swollen) foot, having diagnosed tendonitis. Both changes happened at about the same time. That's why I'm unable to say which––if not both––contributed to the swelling disappearing.

Ray

JK | @contentandwell | Sep 29, 2022

In reply to @judithlynne "I developed Edema in both of my feet due to amlodipine. I also have neuropathy now..." + (show)

@judithlynne I am not familiar with amlodipine. I did take losartan quite a while ago for a few years but did not have any noticeable side effects from it. I'm sorry those medications are causing you such problems.

I was able to have my PCP give me a prescription for half of the smallest dose available of Lasix, and that seems to be helping with the swelling. It's funny because I take it in the morning and I don't really notice that I am urinating more but I do have incontinence issues so I have had to urinate frequently prior to taking Lasix.

If you can get a different prescription for your BP, something other than Losartin, would the neuropathy go away? If so I would try to get that changed. From what I have heard neuropathy can be very painful.
JK

naiviv | @naiviv | Oct 1, 2022

My husband suffers from the same condition. He is 80 yrs old. His cardiologist hzs him in Telmisartan, Metroprolol and he can take Lasix as needed if he notices his swelling increasing. They say it is because of age but also found his Right side of his heart enlarged to a low degree due to his sleep apnea which makes the Right side of the heart work more. (The blood in R-side goes to the lungs). He keeps his legs elevated when he sits, he walks and eats healthy(Mediterranean diet, low sodium) and keeps hydrated. In Mayo Clinic the cardiologists told him the same, old age affects the valves in the leg veins and that is why swelling occurs, they start to fail. I don’t know if this will help but my husband is doing everything specialists have told him to do. He is taking one day at a time. Stay safe and healthy.

eldorado95619 | @eldorado95619 | Oct 1, 2022

In reply to @dustycat52 "I have permanently swollen feet and ankles from tendonosis. Every doctor insists that I have rheumatoid..." + (show)

I have swollen feet, ankles and calfs on both legs as a result of a stroke on my left side and inactivity.
I wear zippered compression stockings during waking hours as requested by my doctor.
I can walk with assistance, which I do several times a week.
Walking and sitting with my legs elevated help reduce the swelling, but not as much as an under desk elliptical machine that I use twice daily and recommend highly.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Oct 1, 2022

In reply to @eldorado95619 "I have swollen feet, ankles and calfs on both legs as a result of a stroke..." + (show)

Welcome @eldorado95619, Thanks for sharing what helps control the swelling in your feet and legs. I also wear zippered compression socks during the day for my lymphedema in both legs. It's great to hear that you are walking, as well as exercising with your under the desk elliptical machine and elevating your legs when sitting. I don't have an under the desk elliptical machine but I do have a recumbent elliptical exercise machine that I use for 30 to 45 minutes a day.

Do the compression stockings do a good job of keeping the swelling down for you?

eldorado95619 | @eldorado95619 | Oct 1, 2022

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @eldorado95619, Thanks for sharing what helps control the swelling in your feet and legs. I..." + (show)

Hi John I started with 15-20 mmHg stockings which helped some and then my GP asked me to try the 20-30 mmHg ones which helped more. I would like to go up to a higher compression, but I am in an assisted living facility and some of the caregivers have a hard time with them. I have a PT who just happens to be a specialist in this field so I am working with him for a solution. I recommend the zippered stockings to everyone who asks me about them.

jba | @jba | Oct 3, 2022

In reply to @dustycat52 "I have permanently swollen feet and ankles from tendonosis. Every doctor insists that I have rheumatoid..." + (show)

Just dropping in on this when I saw *rheumatoid arthritis* in your post. I was finally diagnosed with RA after other doctors telling me that I DIDN'T have it because all my blood testing was negative. My rheumatologist at Mayo diagnosed me from x-rays and MRI. She said my diagnosis is Seronegative RA, which is REAL. She also said I probably have had it a long time. Thank God for Mayo Clinic. I am very grateful for the care I receive there.