Fluid retention?

[SuziElley]

I've never been warned, but wondering if Diltiazem can be causing fluid retention in my feet and lower legs.....

[BobD Volunteer]

Calcium chanel blockers like Diltiezem often cause that problem. Amlodopine is another. I can't take them if I ever want to wear shoes!

[SuziElley in reply to BobD]

Thank you for your prompt reply BobD. I noticed yesterday my lower legs were quite bad with oedema. I'm going in for ablation next week so will talk to the cardiologist about it then.

[baba in reply to SuziElley]

It is a known side effect, listed on patient information leaflet

medicines.org.uk/emc/medici...

"Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following side effects:Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):Swelling of the lower legs"

[TheProf]

I had to stop calcium channel blockers as I could no longer wear any of my shoes. I went onto irbesartan with no effects since. Been on it for over 2 years now and everything is working nicely...including all the bits that stopped when on the CCBs.

[Jajarunner]

Get it checked by your GP

[Sfhmgusa]

I agree it is something to check with your GP sooner rather than later. I had fluid retention with Diltiazem but for me it was not ankles nut around my belly causing me some unpleasant breathing problems, I took the calcium channel blocker amlodipine for years before that without any problems ...

[Ducky2003]

Had the same issue about 4 years ago with Diltiazem and ended up on diuretics. I also had swollen gums, which did go back to normal afterwards. I have been put back on Diltiazem at the weekend following another cardioversion and have diuretics again. The irony is, I was kept in due to fluid retention, caused by AF going crackers, put on Furosemide to get rid of the fluid, and then put on Diltiazem, which bought the fluid back 🙄🙄🙄. I have my ablation in 2 weeks so I'll go with it for now but I'll be wanting off it post ablation. How long have you been on Diltiazem?

[SuziElley in reply to Ducky2003]

Been on it for about six or seven months Ducky2003 but had knee surgery so had put a lot of it down to that. However, the knee is now working as expected and just recently I've noticed it's both my legs suffering. Nowhere else seems to be affected though. Think as it's so close to my ablation now - next Friday - that I'll wait and discuss with the team when I get there

[Ducky2003 in reply to SuziElley]

Good luck with the ablation. I'm torn between wanting it done and out if the way and scared 💩less 😁. The oedema is mentioned on the meds leaflet but is a pain. I've dug out my old compression stockings, from the days we were allowed long haul flights, and popped them on today to see if it helps but I will want to be taken off it asap. I'm also on Amiodarone so will be glad to see the back of that too. Hope all goes well next Friday.

[SuziElley in reply to Ducky2003]

Be careful with the stockings. I tried mine yesterday and had to take them off. They were creating a tight band around the ankle - and I thought they were pulled on properly! They're proper ones, issued on prescription, but no good at the moment....As far as the ablation is concerned, I wasn't really given any other option. I seem to have been swept along with what the medics have decided would be best. I was only put on the waiting list six weeks ago! 😮 And yes, I'm scared 💩less as well.....

[Hidden in reply to Ducky2003]

My mom got them hospital ones and found they were too tight she bought some in lidls that she says are better. The other ones made a ring around her leg and her foot still big. She massages them upward every night and raises them up on a pillow the massage really helps, I did it for her in the hospital when she had been lying there for weeks and her feet started to look normal again after a few sessions. I dunno if you can reach your feet my mom has trouble doing it so she gets on the bed lifts her legs up bent and rubs them down that way as sitting down her belly gets into the way. She has diabetes so she has to be careful of her feet anyway. Its worth trying anyway. Just don't lift your heard above your head only your legs above your heart... ( I did it for my son when he broke his leg as well just gentle strokes and his foot looked normal after a day or two ..the cast was put on too tight)

[Ducky2003 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I've been on this medication before so its par for the course. It's not been as big an issue this time as they put me on a diuretic straightaway. Mine are just flight socks from Boots. It was the other lady had hospital ones. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Ducky2003]

Ah yes it was. Jesus I wanted four years to see an ent and when I rang to see how my appointment was going they said the doctor had left the practice ..and instead of put me on another ents waiting list they just threw me in the bin and I'd have to start from scratch. My friend waited four years and by the time she got there she had lost a lot of her hearing irreversibly. Ya get what ya pay for I guess. 6 weeks is amazing! Am I still replying to the wrong post? I can't find my prectacles. Lol!

[Ducky2003]

Thanks for the heads up on the stockings. Mine dont seem to have been a great help. 6 weeks is a very short wait. Nearly a year for me with this latest stint. Hope all goes well for you and don't forget to let us know how you get on.😊.

[SuziElley in reply to Ducky2003]

Will do 👍😀

[Khatpi]

You are probably going to have to switch to a different classification of B/P medication, once you speak with your doctor. Same thing happened to me the same day I started on a calcium channel blocker. Swollen up to mid calf. Don't wait, call them asap for further instruction.