Swollen feet and ankles
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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Sorry it did not help you. I know others where the result was good and some not good. My brother is trying it now.
Hope you find something .
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I'm very glad to hear about the many positive aspects of your BIL'ss nursing home. You're right that those factors can (to often are) be quite different.
My mother (almost 100) is quite disabled (blind deaf, pretty advanced Alzheimer's) and she is in a memory care center where she too can only get around in a wheelchair. (As you probably know, by law so as not to "restrict" the patients, she isn't strapped in either there or in bed (I find this incredible).
She is constantly falling also mostly when she is trying to get to the bathroom (despite her diapers). Since my SIL is trying to avoid getting her moved to a nursing home because of the hugely increased cost (not counting medical care and special attention, her present facility costs close to $100K/year - can't imagine what a nursing home would be in her area.
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Forgot to add that they also would put bed rails on her bed (I have them!) - also legal issue, but at least they finally thought to lower the bed with mattresses and pillows around it.
Don't know why I didn't think of that right away in connection to your BIL maybe because of the age difference and because she's in a facility with a different name ("memory care").
Her quality of life is pretty much nonexistent not even counting the constant falls, including fractures.
Private (often franchised) care facilities are big business these days, however poor their care is. Often they escape fines, and when they are found out, they just change the name and re-open it as a different place.
Apart from all the other negative features of this system (her place is quite nice too as far as these things go), her care has almost completely bankrupted what remained of her estate which was to have been bequeathed to her children and grandchildren. (Earlier housing was quite luxurious for decades - assisted living in a large apartment with TWO bathrooms!).
I'm sure she would never have wanted any of this to happen.
Many thanks for your kind words. They are very appreciated.
You walk, you fall, you sue. The facility I am living in doesn't ban walking and provides daily exercise, They evaluate everyone and will provide an escort if necessary- yes, it costs.
I can walk a limited distance with a walker but don't do it without someone following me. Fortunately, I have a devoted daughter who makes time for me.
By the way, family involvement maks a LOT of difference.
Family involvement DOES indeed make a big difference (probably why Mom hasn't been moved to a nursing facility even though she qualifies - kind of a favor, and one that saves us much $ though certainly not forever.)
I don't think my mother is able to walk safely (consider blindness, Alzheimer's, balance) and until recently she had also become so heavy she couldn't be supported with escorts - who couldn't protect her from falling. (She accidentally knocked down my SIL until walking was forbidden).
She too has access to PT - unsure whether or not she takes advantage. (I hope your BIL is encouraged to have PT!).
@ jimmy 370 - Keep reading, posting and asking for answers. Your life counts.
I have the same problem and started using compression (knee-high) socks as of two weeks ago. I have tried different brands and the one I like best is Sockwell.
I’m in the same boat in that Amlodipine has been identified as the culprit for my swollen ankles, particularly on the left side. I’m going to try reducing the dose to 7.5 as you suggested and see what happens. Great tip.
Is that the total daily dose you are referring to? Husband also has swollen ankles with 5 mg twice a day so total daily 10 mg.
Yes. I take one 10mg tablet daily. My ankles and feet didn’t swell up before that drug was prescribed. I wish I didn’t have to take it and cannot wait to get off it.