Re swelling

[kazz01]

Was just wondering I am stage 4 and recently I have been getting severe cramps in hands and feet and for a few weeks now my left foot has ballooned Drs have no idea about the swelling have had checks for artery blockages all clear, has anyone else experienced these things and if so what has the outcome been thank you for all responses.

[mikeadams51]

I am stage 4 also with left foot swelling. Not been to the doctors yet but the wife seems to think it is linked to the heart

[kazz01 in reply to mikeadams51]

I did check on line and there was a section saying could be the heart not working properly but not confident enough to ask Drs about it still waiting on a call from Drs was meant to be Thursday last week but still waiting, I hope you get it sorted asap

[Baron in reply to mikeadams51]

It’s a complex subject but oedema (lower limb swelling) is caused by excess fluid in the lymph glands and can be caused by right side heart failure, alcohol, lack of exercise and weak valves in the vein system ( also diabetes). It’s best to get Dr opinion though and if it is excess fluid then you’ll be introduced to the doubtful delights of diuretics with raised leg rest as a treatment. It seems inexorably linked to COPD and I myself suffer greatly with it in both limbs..

[Watfordgirl]

Not being your doctor, kazz01, or anyone's doctor, we're not able or even allowed to hazard a guess at a diagnosis, but you could mention pulmonary hypertension secondary to the COPD.

Massage your hands and wiggle your fingers, and keep your foot elevated when you're sitting down. And go on looking after yourself! Sue

[O2Trees]

It could be lots of things kazz. Ive only had swollen feet and legs with severe infections e.g. pneumonia. It could be heart not functioning so well but I know mine is pretty good (I've just had a 24 hour heart monitor which was pretty normal, an echocardiogram also more or less normal, and triglycerides blood test which was unusually very good. And yet I still get huge swelling with infection.

Re the cramps, who knows about yours, but they can often be caused by low levels of magnesium. Magnesium is great for smooth muscle tissue which we also have in the lungs so you could try a magnesium supplement. Some of our drugs make absorption of nutrients from our food more problematic and deficiencies can occur. But do talk all this through with your GP, including supplementing with magnesium.