Swollen Legs

[DrWrite]

Has anyone experienced swollen legs (due to water retention)? I have finished chemo and coming down from it pretty good, with this one exception. Very painful, especially in the morning when stepping out of bed--feels like the calves are being stabbed with 100 needles.

[tango65]

Edema does ocurre with docetaxel. treatment:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"Premedication with glucocorticoid starting 24 hours prior and 48 hours following each docetaxel dose decreases the rate of fluid retention from 20% to 6% and increases the tolerability of this drug among patients. Studies have indicated that a single dose of dexamethasone, rather than the standard 3 doses, may be sufficient to prevent docetaxel-fluid retention. Patients should be advised to monitor for signs of increased fluid accumulation in their fingers, ankles, and mid-abdominal areas. Treatment with diuretics may provide symptomatic relief and limit the severity of fluid retention."

[JamesAtlanta]

I had that problem when we flew from Georgia to London a few weeks after I finished chemo. The doctor should prescribe you a diuretic (or whatever he recommends). That plus compression socks did the trick for me. Quite scary to look down and see your feet and ankles all swollen, isn’t it! But it goes away...

My condition stopped a month or two after treatment.

Hope that helps!

James

[henukit]

I had little side effects from docetaxel, but this did hit me. To make matter worse, I started to work standing around that period (fell in love with a sit-stand desk which I kep mostly in standing position all the time) and by the end of chemo my legs started to swell at the end of the day. It sorta went away after the chemo ended, but few months later it returned in much worse and painful form: some blue veins and bruise like spots showed up on legs and felt pain. I guess the problem compounded since I've been working standing since then. I decided to change the work routine and switch between sit and stand positions, move every hour, do exersice with legs up, lay down etc. Will see what happens next. But I agree, it's not fun.

[Hidden]

I had that fairly bad, worse because it was in the summer heat when I was getting my Docetaxel chemo. It went away in around 6 weeks after the last infusion if I remember.

[Hidden]

Sorry about the edema DrWrite .I hope it goes far away very soon .

[2dee]

Over the years swelling caused by heart meds in Summer heat. Last year it returned worse and worse with Summer heat as a Lupron side effect.

Keep feet up when sitting if possible. Compression socks work wonders. I try not to take meds for meds for meds so no drugs taken to combat swelling.

2Dee

[patandemma]

Yes I experienced frank pitting edema which my moronic MO said diuretics would not help chemo-induced edema.

Being a physician my self,I put my self on a regimen of lasix and aldactone plus potassium supplements which worked as expected very well.

It's been my observation over many years of practice that untreated lower extremity edema tends to beget more edema

[j-o-h-n in reply to patandemma]

Good Work Doc....Thanks for info...... BTW You're not gonna charge us for this consultation, are you?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 08/04/2019 10:50 AM DST

[SimonHL]

A mistake I made when I had swollen legs while on docetaxel was not immediately seeing a Lymphodema Physio. Did a great job when I did get there. They will give you exercises & other good advice.

Also need compression stockings, & I found that elevating my legs + a daily swim helped.

[Bebby1]

My husband had swollen legs as initial symptoms

After prostate biopsy, and PET scan

Stage four with extensive bony Mets and lymph involvement

Had urinary retention but failed uto mention same as thought it was all part of getting older

18 months later, swelling legs at intervals

But so far after failing chemo

Then cosudex

Now on enzalutamide and extiva

All the best

[Hidden]

There are 2 very common things that may be part of the problem: Amlodipine is a very common treatment for high blood pressure, but does create serious ankle swelling when used long term or with chemo. It is however quick acting, so can be used (on top of other BP medication) to quickly drop dangerous high levels of blood pressure which are in "stroke territory" - along with deep breathing and an optional tot of brandy that gets sipped so the fumes get into the lungs (Docetaxel can make BP and pulse go haywire for months).

The second thing is a Potassium level anywhere on the lower side of "normal" may actually be too low (especially if leg cramps are present as well) and needs to be brought up "above the average Normal". A potassium tablet (600mg) or two can work wonders in a short time. Imbalances in calcium and magnesium may also be contributing - chemo knocks these too. Check all these levels before adding a new poison to fix the problem. Leaving the water there is the worst thing to do - things can get very nasty and you can lose a leg or two. Good luck!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Hidden]

David you're a whiz.... thanks..........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 08/04/2019 10:53 AM DST

[tonmead]

I too had edema of legs after chemo, I asked GP about diuretics but he advised against as this could agravate gout, which I also suffered from. I went from Amlodopine to Lercanidipine [blood pressure drugs] and about a year after chemo, legs and ankles are back to normal. I did suffer from what the doctor called varicose excema, again after chemo. I have used steroid creams and moisturiser lotions and it now seems to have settled down. My PSA is now down to 0.08 and has been at about this level for around a year, hope this continues and good luck to you.

[j-o-h-n in reply to tonmead]

Strange how when we were young UP was good, and Down was bad. Now it's the reverse.

Hope 0.08 does continue for you and Down even better.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 08/04/2019 10:56 AM DST

[chipler]

If you are on Xtandi that will cause edema too as will Lupron.

I used compression sox and waist high tights / leggings. Try Target.

You may find that your legs get achey at first so use them on and off a few hours during the day. At bedtime they work best because you are not fighting gravity. However expect to take them off after 4-5 hours.

Use the combo when you travel and will be sitting more the 2 hours to prevent the edema.

Works for me.

My Best.

[Hidden in reply to chipler]

I am also on Xtandi and Lupron - both of these cause water retention and trash the normal rules of electrolyte balances and create a new "Normal" (which can be quite far from the "Book of Norms" the docs use) that is different for each of us. I figure it is better the make every effort to find causes, so you have less problems to treat. It is just possible that you can get rid of those compression kits all together. Been there, done that, got the T-Shirt and the big frights. Now I add extra Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium and Chromium and I have just about zero swelling in the ankles. I am still experimenting with doses - that never ends.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

👌

[RealtorEmeritus]

I have it now in my upper left leg, rear end, groin area, ankle & foot. Very frustrating! Just finished 6 rounds of chemo on 7/15/20019 with Docetaxel after 10 radiation treatments prior to the chemo for my left side bone mets. I was diagnosed with stage 4 PCa with 2 bone mets in my pelvic bone (that one feels when sitting down). The left side was the worst side as I had pain level of at least an 8 to 9 and had to walk with a cane. The radiation alleviated that but I still have a little left, not enough to worry about. As far a the swelling, I was diagnosed with Lymphedema which is really getting me mad as hell! So, now I am going to a lymphedema clinic for treatment twice a week but just started. Now I have to get these compression garments which I have ordered per the massage therapist certified in lymphedema treatment. Therefore, I really emphasize with you and others like us who have to put up with the BS after the rigorous treatment we all went through in an attempt to defeat our PCa.

[monte1111]

Swollen left lower leg during chemo. Showed it to MO and she said "Oh, I know what causes that." And walked away. She is an inscrutable chinese/american MO of very few words. Walmart compression socks for a couple of hours for 2 days or so helped much. Elevated leg as much as possible. After chemo same leg really swelled up and had ultrasound done. No clots found. Slowly went away by itself. No one really bothered to find explanation so as they are finally sawing it off I can say "Told you so!"

[Hidden in reply to monte1111]

Ouch ! Monte , good you graduated from that pain . Gives Hope to others. 😎

[Hidden]

I had edema after a trip back from Europe. One recommendation I've heard is to elevate your feet.

[arete1105]

I had swollen legs but associated it with my mets covering the groin lymph nodes. I used to get up to pee and there was the "pins % needles" sensation. But now the swelling has subsided as will as the pins & needles sensation. So I always associated the swelling with the lymph nodes involvement, and not any chemical. The pins & needles/swelling lasted about 9 mos.

The first PCP thought it might be a clot so she had me scanned, negative outcome for that.

[Defense]

Pool Walking / Pool Running was helpful for me.

I had very significant lymphedema in my legs and butt by the end of chemo.

I used compression garments and elevated legs as much as possible.

Then I saw a lymphedema therapist. She did specialized massage, which was very helpful but not long lasting. She had many management tips for me but one of the best ones was to do pool walking. Waste to chest deep for about 20 to 30 minutes. Every day if possible. I would then do a short swim. I could feel the improvement immediately, especially when the swelling was at its worst. Six months later the lymphedema is down by 90%.

[MelaniePaul]

The only thoughts that come to mind about swollen legs are:

1. Get your kidney function checked out.

2. Get your heart checked out.

3. Get the protein levels, particular Albumin levels, checked out through blood test.

Good luck, Mel.