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Post by TracieClaiborne on Jul 4, 2014 7:13:03 GMT
I've always had a problem with my feet and ankles swelling in the summer. I know I don't drink enough water and I'm working on that. This year it is the worst it's ever been. My feet are so swollen its mortifying me. I know it's also from being overweight. I just worry that it might be a sign of something else really wrong. I would love to know if anyone else deals with this and anything that might help!!
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tracylynn
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Posts: 4,903
Jun 26, 2014 22:49:09 GMT
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Post by tracylynn on Jul 4, 2014 7:14:41 GMT
My BFF has this issue a lot - for her it's her gout.
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Post by mrst on Jul 4, 2014 7:43:50 GMT
Its usually because of you being overweight and putting a strain on your heart. Loose weight , exercise and your swelling will go down
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theshyone
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Posts: 3,434
Jun 26, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
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Post by theshyone on Jul 4, 2014 7:47:10 GMT
Mine is heart related. We've recently quadrupled my diuretic to see if it'll help. Lots and lots of water.
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periwrinkle
Shy Member
Posts: 38
Jun 26, 2014 4:05:01 GMT
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Post by periwrinkle on Jul 4, 2014 8:01:28 GMT
Mine do, they believe it's weight related. I sometimes wear compression hose.
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Post by scrapsuzy on Jul 4, 2014 9:42:38 GMT
It is almost for certain to be weight related, but I would probably check with your primary care doctor in case another health issue is contributing to the problem.
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Post by claire on Jul 4, 2014 11:02:19 GMT
It is also possible that food or food additives cause swelling. I know that firsthand, cheese and bell peppers (amongst other things) are a no-no for me.
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Post by disneypal on Jul 4, 2014 11:27:57 GMT
I've always had a problem with my feet and ankles swelling in the summer. I know I don't drink enough water and I'm working on that. This year it is the worst it's ever been. My feet are so swollen its mortifying me. I know it's also from being overweight. I just worry that it might be a sign of something else really wrong. I would love to know if anyone else deals with this and anything that might help!! While it could be weight related, it may be something else. About 15 years ago, I started getting swelling in my ankles that wouldn't go away with the usual treatment (drinking water, using diuretics, elevating them, etc). Over time, it got worse and worse until I only had one pair of shoes that I could squeeze into. My lower legs started having the same problem. I saw doctor after doctor. They checked my heart which was fine and never seemed concerned as I was. About 3 years ago, out of nowhere, my doctor (I had been seeing her for years), said "I am sending you to a specialist to see if you have lymphedema." Which it turns out I did. Basically it is when your lymph nodes don't work and drain properly (many women with breast cancer get it in their arms after surgery).
I went through 6 weeks of physical therapy and leg wrappings until they reduced the swelling by about 40%. Then I was fitted with compression garmets (not the same as support hose)-they are horribly uncomfortable but they keep the swelling down. So...it us possible you may have that - try wearing support hose to see if it helps, if it doesn't, talk to your doctor to see if it could be lymphedema so you can get proper treatment.
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Post by Crazyhare on Jul 4, 2014 11:39:58 GMT
While it could be weight related, there are a bunch of things it could be. I would get it checked by a Dr just to be safe. I have a friend that had swelling in his feet. Turns out he had a kidney disease.
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desertgirl
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Posts: 2,646
Jun 26, 2014 15:58:05 GMT
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Post by desertgirl on Jul 4, 2014 11:43:13 GMT
Tracie,
I had a venous issue 15 years ago in only one leg. My blood "backed up" and did not go through the valve correctly/thoroughly, if that makes sense. It caused swelling. I elected not to have surgery, but a support stocking helps.
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Weaselwise
Shy Member
Posts: 34
Jun 26, 2014 11:20:22 GMT
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Post by Weaselwise on Jul 4, 2014 12:05:53 GMT
Wow - I have this and hadn't realised there could be a problem - both my late father and my sister had/have trouble with swollen ankles, and I am overweight and don't drink enough water - so I will address that and see if that helps!
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oldcrow
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Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 4, 2014 12:08:31 GMT
Tracie, I had a venous issue 15 years ago in only one leg. My blood "backed up" and did not go through the valve correctly/thoroughly, if that makes sense. It caused swelling. I elected not to have surgery, but a support stocking helps. Me too. By the end of the day one leg from the knee down is twice the size of the other. I, by the way, am a skinny person so although weight may contribute to your problem it is not always the reason. I cannot wear the stockings because they compress my foot and cause wrinkles in the skin on the bottom of my foot so after a little bit it hurts too much to walk on it. Heart and kidney problems are often contributing factors. I would talk to my doctor and get checked out.
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ladygodiva
Shy Member
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Jun 29, 2014 16:47:42 GMT
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Post by ladygodiva on Jul 4, 2014 12:32:29 GMT
My mom does. She is not overweight and has had her heart checked. She said that if she eats any canned foods like soup, etc it is a lot worse.
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iowgirl
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Posts: 4,300
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Jul 4, 2014 12:48:51 GMT
Canned soups and veggies have TONS of salt.
Carefully watch your salt intake. Even some meats have added salt - they inject them for tenderness. Pork and Chicken especially.
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Post by lovemybabes on Jul 4, 2014 13:12:55 GMT
Mine do. My BP is high, but I take meds...and my being overweight doesn't help. I am trying to lose.
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akathy
What's For Dinner?
Still peaing from Podunk!
Posts: 4,546
Location: North Dakota
Jun 25, 2014 22:56:55 GMT
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Post by akathy on Jul 4, 2014 13:16:39 GMT
It is almost for certain to be weight related, but I would probably check with your primary care doctor in case another health issue is contributing to the problem. Not neccesarily. I'm 5'11", weigh 118 pounds and I have problems with my ankles swelling. I'd go to the doctor and have it checked out to be certain.
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perumbula
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Jun 26, 2014 18:51:17 GMT
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Post by perumbula on Jul 4, 2014 16:18:31 GMT
I've just started having issues with swelling this summer. I haven't had it much in the past but this year every night my ankles are swollen. It's not bad yet, thank goodness.
My mom has had to wear support stockings for decades, so I do find the swelling a big concerning. Although it probably still isn't quite enough to get me to the dr. I hate going to the dr. It seems like every time I think something is an issue or something that needs to be fixed I get told not to worry and get a pat on the head and sent on my way. It's annoying.
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Post by elaine on Jul 4, 2014 16:32:43 GMT
Tracie, I had a venous issue 15 years ago in only one leg. My blood "backed up" and did not go through the valve correctly/thoroughly, if that makes sense. It caused swelling. I elected not to have surgery, but a support stocking helps. Me too. By the end of the day one leg from the knee down is twice the size of the other. I, by the way, am a skinny person so although weight may contribute to your problem it is not always the reason. I cannot wear the stockings because they compress my foot and cause wrinkles in the skin on the bottom of my foot so after a little bit it hurts too much to walk on it. Heart and kidney problems are often contributing factors. I would talk to my doctor and get checked out. You can get compression calf sleeves that don't have feet. Runners use them all the time. Many are particular about their running socks, but also want the benefits of compression, so there is a wide selection of running compression calf sleeves. Any online running store, or even Amazon, will carry them.
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Post by jennrs on Jul 4, 2014 16:40:39 GMT
Yes, and I was just thinking about it this morning. Mine started a couple years ago when we would do a lot of walking in the summer heat, while on vacation. Now, it seems just the heat will do it without the walking. I also need to lose weight but I do drink quite a bit of water.
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oldcrow
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Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 4, 2014 16:41:22 GMT
Thanks elaine, I'll have to look into these. One question though would the swelling in the foot still occur and maybe be even worse.
I paid almost $70 for the stockings and only wore them for about a total of 5 hours. I also had to have measurements done before they ordered them. Would I have to go through the same process.
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Post by TracieClaiborne on Jul 4, 2014 17:13:43 GMT
Wow. Well thanks for not judging me. It's an embarrassing problem. It's just worse right now than ever and so aggravating. I don't think that I eat a lot of salt. I hate anything canned but I do eat out a lot so that's probably salty. They're okay in the morning - it's after I walk all day in the heat. I'm going to drink TONS of water today and see if that helps. I do have a heart issue. I have a pacemaker. I have never thought that could be it! Thanks!
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Post by bluepoprocks on Jul 4, 2014 17:28:38 GMT
My feet and ankles and one leg swell all year not just in the heat. Two years ago they swelled really bad and turned red and I couldn't breath. I ended up in the ER. They put me on a diuretics. The doctor said it was probably because it was so hot and because I'm getting older. Well I don't think it was the heat since they were still swollen in December and I'm only 40 that's not old!!
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CeeScraps
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~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
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Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Jul 4, 2014 22:02:51 GMT
My left knee used to swell. I had a cortisone shot and that helped. I was also heavy and out of shape at the time. The dr said that I needed to work out and that would help. Well.......he was right. I haven't had any issues since I began to work out on a regular basis. Oh, while I was there he did take X-rays. I have the start of arthritis in that knee. I'm not suppose to run or use a stairclimber.
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Post by corinne11 on Jul 5, 2014 4:19:00 GMT
I'm glad I clicked on this. I have swollen ankles but as I was on Prendisolone for 10 years and am now still on anti rejection drugs ( which means I put on close to 20kgs) I just assumed it was another side effect. I didn't know it could be heart related. My mum has narrow arteries which is a genetic issue which lead to several heart attacks and eventually a bypass and she has had swollen ankles for a long time. I have just started using one of those electronic pulse machines when I get home from work as I have heard they help. Definitely going to ask my doctor some more questions. Corinne
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Post by elaine on Jul 5, 2014 4:25:27 GMT
Thanks elaine, I'll have to look into these. One question though would the swelling in the foot still occur and maybe be even worse. I paid almost $70 for the stockings and only wore them for about a total of 5 hours. I also had to have measurements done before they ordered them. Would I have to go through the same process. I don't know if your feet would still swell; Maybe not because the sleeves might help keep the fluid from making it down to your feet in the first place, but maybe they would. For calf sleeves, all you need to do is measure the widest part of your calf with a tape measure. These are $40 a pair, but there are others that are less.
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theshyone
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Posts: 3,434
Jun 26, 2014 12:50:12 GMT
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Post by theshyone on Jul 5, 2014 4:37:55 GMT
Traci many classes of betas will cause swelling if you are on one with the pacemaker. Check with doc to see if the type you are on is one. Very often cardiac related
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maurchclt
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Posts: 3,650
Jul 4, 2014 16:53:27 GMT
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Post by maurchclt on Jul 5, 2014 14:24:07 GMT
I just started to get swollen ankles after driving for a long time or after a plane ride, I elevate my legs, drink water and sometimes it takes a few days for the swelling to go down. This summer I have noticed a slight swelling if I've been on my feet all day shopping.
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melissa
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Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
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Post by melissa on Jul 5, 2014 14:28:57 GMT
This is a "see your doctor" question.
It can be the first sign of some very serious cardiac and renal issues. With a history of a pacemaker, you most definitely win the "Stop. Do Not Pass Go. Go straight to the Doctor." card.
Honestly, all of who have this do. You ALL need to have this evaluated to determine the cause.
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Post by lilacgal on Jul 5, 2014 15:00:05 GMT
I agree with others. Time to talk to your doctor. I have a pacer too. My swelling is my ankles is caused by cardiac meds I have to take.
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calgal08
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Jun 27, 2014 15:43:46 GMT
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Post by calgal08 on Jul 5, 2014 16:25:17 GMT
I have 1 normal foot/ankle and 1 fat foot/ankle. When it's hot it gets worse and when AF is town is a lot worse. Mine is due to a blood clot when pregnant with ds #1. Please, get it checked out. I had no clue I'd got a clot, both ankles were swollen, I was heavily pregnant during a heatwave. I was fit (worked out until giving birth) and I've never been overweight. It wasn't until a couple of weeks after giving birth and my fat foot stayed fat that I was sent for ultrasounds. The clot had got as far as my thigh, but I was lucky, it had dispersed on it's own.
Don't take any chances
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