having paroxysmal afib for years and being on Bisoprolol, Eliquis and Flecainide as PRN , lately I have the legs be very swollen all of the time. No venous insufficiency. Moreover, the swelling doesn’t go away after night rest , warm or cold compresses. Epsom salt bath , etc
PS I am 85 normally active . 👌
Any advice?😌 thank you
Have you gone to have this checked by the GP? If you haven't you should.
You may need adjustments in your medication or there could be other issues that aren't related to your heart or circulation causing it.
It needs assessing so it can be treated more simply and easily before it causes other problems.
Take care , Bee
I have done everything -3 times CT and MRI . Change med isn’t an option, because the one that I am on now is the most appropriate. for Afib
thank you for reply
Do you have other heart or blood pressure conditions as well , that may be causing water retention? Have they done all the blood tests for kidney (electrolytes)and liver function , full blood count , ferritin, Vitamin B 12 , Folate , Magnesium and Vitamin D?
Various imbalances and Deficiency issues can cause swelling in the legs.
Were the scans on your heart and kidneys or your legs?
I just remember that it is possible to get fluid retention with other heart issues and blood pressure or kidney problems , it's also a side effect that can occur on Eliquis that may mean you need water tablets.
There are alternatives to Eliquis and Bisoprolol for AFib if a serious side effects is caused by the medication and it turns out to be fluid related.
Do you raise your legs while you are in bed and drink the recommended fluids in the day?
Does it cause pain and heat or just discomfort and skin tightness ?
Is it the whole leg or just around the joints?
Hope you get things sorted out soon , Bee
Thank you for your reply . I did related legs problem to every doctors from cardiologist ( due to Afib) to the neurologist, nephrologist, venous specialist.
Of course the medications are influencing kidneys that consequently retaining water. I believe that mostly all drugs affect kidney .
Therefore, to change AFIB drugs could be more critical , than have swollen legs.
The ultrasound of the arteries shows some venous insufficient. Including small vessels outflow disease. That is perhaps the most accurate diagnosis..
Have they suggested that you wear compression stockings during the day , and have regular kidney function tests to keep check if your electrolytes?
Thank you for reply
compression stocking for a few years - don’t help, kidney function tests -average.
EFGR - Filtration lower than normal, creatinine - little higher .
Electrolytes are normal Water consumption good enough. Afib med ?? Perhaps Not much advice from the doctors!! Only remarks from some- can’t turn the age wheel back. 🙏 ha-ha
What does your GP say it is? Unfortunately, we are not medically trained so would be shooting in the dark at giving you a diagnosis. Personally, l would want to know the cause, so l would go back to your GP. It sounds as if you are not getting the appropriate care.
Sounds like fluid overload so get advise from your GP and possibly a diuretic, I have the same problem and in my 80's
Thank you for reply
diuretic do not recommended by cardiologist . I have AFIB (arrhytmia) and taking the med for it. Thank you 🙏 lymphedema, but how to treat!! 🙃
I have had A/F for nigh on 30 years, my legs started to swell after hip replacement after a fall and from there I was then diagnosed with going into perm.A/F and in heart failure, breathlessness etc.etc., and cardiologist has put me on 3 different diuretics to remove the fluid and other has helped. I was also advised to wear compression hose, dreadful things lol, but the heart failure nurse and the cardio said no to these and yet the leg clinic specialist nurse said yes, so a conflict there.....my decision, I don't wear them. All in all, if it is fluid overload in your case, I know how uncomfortable it is and I hope this gets resolved for you soon.
May I ask why a diuretic is not recommended?
It isn’t good for heart and kidney
Millions of people are prescribed them, plenty on this site by cardiologists, fully aware of the pros and cons, as with all the drugs we take.I assume he weighed these up and decided in your particular case the cons outweighed the pros.Yours does seem to be a difficult case to solve. Best wishes.
Hi
Not nice to have swollen legs.
Are they red, warm,hot ? Could be thrombosis.
You need to see your Dr ASAP.
Could be excess fluid.
Do you raise your feet above yur heart? Best for feet and ankles.
cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)
Have you been seen by lymphoedema nurses or specialists. I was treated for fluid retention when the problem was lymphoedema. I now wear made to measure knee length compression socks.
I had a swollen leg problem last year to the point where they hurt to put pressure on the skin. I read about the calf muscles being our lower heart and began a routine of calf exercises and uphill rolling pin leg and thigh message. It also included recumbent bicycle riding. Total success without any water pills. I am 71 years old on apix, flec and bis with persistent afib.
Thank you very much for reply.
I am on the same med for paroxysmal AFIB and very reluctant to take more med, that ruins kidney.
I agree that swollen leg due to the weak heart at the age of 85 . I can’t walk distances to get the desirable result. Getting shortage of breath. I tried a few leg massages-don’t work.
Yes, walking and routine exercising , stationary bicycle perhaps, the only options left for me .
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