Why Am I Swelling?

[SageLady]

My calves, ankles, feet, face and hands have been swelling terribly off and on for the best several months. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it. Last time I saw my doc about a year ago, my bloodwork came up normal and she gave me Lasix to take when I swell, but it really doesn't help much at all. I am 52 years old, not done with menopause yet, still having periods, I have Lupus and I am about 40 - 50 pounds overweight, although I very much watch what I eat. I eat 3 times a day and that is it. No snacks, no soda. I don't overeat and I eat nutriously as much as possible. Just concerned and so uncomfortable with all of this swelling, it makes trying to exercise and walking very miserable. I will be seeing my doc again later this summer, but am wondering if this is something that needs to be taken more seriously now? Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Betty Jean]

Did the lab work check your kidney function? Are you diabetic? Swelling was one of the first symptoms of kidney failure my mom exhibited.

At any rate, if you feel something is not right, time to get back to the doctor.

[bluesky]

You should see your doctor as soon as possible. It could be any number of things including kidneys or congestive heart failure. Some lower extremity swelling alone, especially in hot weather, is not that worrisome but along with hand and facial swelling it should be checked out.

[Wisconsin Ann]

I'm right with the others...get back to your doctor ASAP. While it could be associated with the menopause, swelling like that is not good.

[big rockpile]

I had swelling to the point I had Ulcerations.I found out it was a circulation problem I was born with they couldn't do anything.

Well the Lasix had a Domino effect on my system.I was taking 20+ Meds a day it was going to kill me.

I started losing weight cut out my Salt.Swelling quit,got off most my Meds outlook is much better.

big rockpile

[ronbre]

try a low salt very low carb diet, check out the lists of low carb foods, most swelling is caused by salt or carbs causing inflammation..also if it is severe have your heart checked

[Ronney]

I concur with the others - get back to your doctor. Fluid retention can be part of the menopausal process and you are in that age group, but it can also be a symptom of something else and you need to find out what.

I can sympathise with you as for about a week of every month I have this problem - swollen, bloated and extremely uncomfortable but I know that it's attached to the menopause rather than other health issues. Big Rockpile also makes a good point on salt and if you can lose some weight, I'm sure that would help - but it becomes a Catch 22 doesn't it to try and excercise when one is feeling so physically awful.

Please, get it sorted. There is no dignity in getting old without having to put up with that sort of discomfort if it can be avoided.

Cheers,
Ronnie

[NEfarmgirl]

I agree with cutting back on salt and see your doc! Swelling is usually signs of heart or kidney problems. Mom would swell badly and she is dealing with both.

[Cliff]

It's nothing to fool around with either, congestive heart disease can kill you easily. Get checked as quickly as possible. Could be not serious but could be very serious and you need to know. BTW, blood work does not show congestive heart failure when it's chronic, which yours would be if that were the problem.

[Terri]

I am an RN and yes, it is time to see the doc.

Since you are already on lasix I susbect that whatever problem you had has gotten worse and you need a med change.

[BUDSMOM]

I am not in the medical field, but my boyfriend takes lasix and i know that he also has to take potassium because the lasix leeches it from his system. ( i take a water pill also but it does not affect my potassium, it is also more expensive than the lasix.) a banana does not do it either, like some believe, he needs that potassium pill every day. He gets really loopy without it. He takes a huge pill twice a day. He is 78 and has chf so it is really important to keep the fluid moving.

Another suggestion, are you taking alieve or naprison sodium type pain killers? That is what got me. My ankles ballooned. If it says sodium on the label, watch out.

I had a terrible problem with my dad. He had chf also and loved to eat. He just would not watch his diet or exercise, and it got him in the end. It was a losing battle. Many foods are kind of sneaky, pancakes for one. Anything with baking soda or baking powder. Even if it does not taste salty it might be.

I agree, it is tough to exercise when you don't feel like it. I am very guilty of this. I have arthritis too, and as the dr says, i need to move it or lose it.

[Jan Doling]

Cardiac problems are one of the symptoms of lupus. Congestive heart failure causes edema (swelling). You may need to take a diuretic med to expel the excess fluids, so your heart can function better. Do not delay re this or any other symptoms since you have a chronic disease that needs to be monitored closely.

[notenoughtime]

Really should see your doc so you can be evaluated. Many things can cause swelling, some can be minor and then some can be major. One suggestion would be to weigh yourself daily to see exactly how much fluid your are holding. Maybe keeping track of how much fluid you are taking in and out also would be helpful. This would be very helpful for the doc to see how much and if there is a pattern to the gain. Please have this checked out by a professional.

[Nevada]

Originally Posted by SageLady

My calves, ankles, feet, face and hands have been swelling terribly off and on for the best several months. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it.

The weather change to spring and summer is probably making you retain water. It can make you uncomfortable, and can even raise blood pressure. Your doctor will probably recommend a diuretic to help keep water retention down.

There are over-the-counter diuretics that may help you, and of course prescription diuretics. Doctors usually prescribe either Lasix or spironolactone for your problem, with spironolactone being preferred because it helps keep you from expelling potassium and is easier on the renal system than Lasix. My guess would be that your doctor will try you on 25 mg of spironolactone daily.

[Maura]

An Edgar Cayce remedy: Castor oil on wool flannel, place over abdomen with something warm on top. I dont' have wool flannel, so I just spread the castor oil on, covered with a dish towel, then a heating pad. If you don't have a heating pad the castor oil plain can help. It effects the lymphatic system. This is not INSTEAD of a doctor.

[Cliff]

Originally Posted by Nevada

The weather change to spring and summer is probably making you retain water. It can make you uncomfortable, and can even raise blood pressure. Your doctor will probably recommend a diuretic to help keep water retention down.

There are over-the-counter diuretics that may help you, and of course prescription diuretics. Doctors usually prescribe either Lasix or spironolactone for your problem, with spironolactone being preferred because it helps keep you from expelling potassium and is easier on the renal system than Lasix. My guess would be that your doctor will try 25 mg of spironolactone.

Her doctor will examine her and run some tests to make sure it isn't renal disease or chf. Unless he/she is just totally stupid and worthless (they do exist, sad to say) a doctor would never just prescribe diuretics without ruling those things out. She could easily die if she had a problem like that and it wasn't addressed.
Unfortunately with the coming health care changes that could very well be the way we will be treated in the future. Scary.

[mnn2501]

see your doctor -- 50's are about the time things stop working so well with your body. I ended up on a diuretic for the same thing.

[SageLady]

Thanks everyone. I will make an appt. with my doc ASAP. This swelling just isn't getting any better, if anything, it is getting worse.

[garnetmoth]

Good luck SageLady! A Dr. can more accurately tell you what is going on!