Water Retention

Hello Everyone. Am on Furosemide 40mg, but for the last week I have been getting swollen, painful ankles quite badly. I've had this before but not as bad as this. Feeling concerned at the moment. I would really appreciate any thoughts etc. Many thanks.

[Calliope153]

Get your feet up. I sat for a few hours in a car last week and according to my husband my ankles were "bulging" (such a romantic description) when we got home. I sleep with a leg wedge in the bed and I find this really helps in getting my ankles down as I would never spend so long as a night with my feet up during the day. The ideal position is with your feet higher than your heart. Hope this helps a bit.

[Hidden in reply to Calliope153]

Thanks a lot. Got my feet up but they just don't seem to be going down. Really sore too. I really don't feel like going back to the Doctors, again. Seem to be spending most of my time there between one thing and the other lately Afraid he'll increase the dosage as well and I really don't fancy that. I'll look for something that I can use as a Wedge in a bit and try that.

[Calliope153 in reply to Hidden]

Any spare pillows you have piled up in a V shape may be okay temporarily. I had been staying with a friend and used her V shaped pillow but it didn;t get my feet high enough and that;s why I think I had the bulgy ankles after sitting in the car. The wedge I got for around £25 - it;s solid foam and I use it every night. Makes a real difference to me but it may not work for you but it really is worth a try.... and yes you spend the first few nights kicking it out of the bed but eventually your feet get the idea and it now stays in the bed. The pillow pile tends to collapse I found. Good luck - I know what you mean about unpleasant and painful.

[Hidden in reply to Calliope153]

I'll try anything tonight believe me. It's getting me down now but I might just invest in one of those Foam Wedges. It's well worth a try. Cheers!

[Janma123 in reply to Hidden]

Try a block of wood under the foot end bed legs to raise the foot of your bed slightly - you can’t kick it out!

[Hidden in reply to Calliope153]

I did that last night Calliope. Bit awkward but it did feel better I must admit 😊

[Nic25]

No idea how to sort it or what to advise but it sounds unpleasant so look after yourself and hope things improve quickly! Nic x

[Hidden in reply to Nic25]

Hi Nic. It is very painful at the moment. Alright in the day, but, in the night, up they go!! Just taken two Paracetamol so maybe they will help. Hope you are alright by the way

[Nic25 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh that does sound nasty. Take care. Worth trying to see a GP as you shouldn't be having to suffer through these things? Yes I'm fine, thanks for asking. Too much travelling for work and family reasons at the moment (Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Stansted, Stratford, Birmingham, Cambridge and Nottingham between now and end July) so a bit shattered. But that's a different matter! Look after yourself. Nic x

[Hidden in reply to Nic25]

So you are busy, busy, busy then? You're right too, I think I should go back to Doctor or wait until I see the Consultant next. Going to try a few of the suggestions here as well in the meantime. I am glad you're ok though 😊

[Hidden]

What is the reason you are retaining fluid? If it is heart failure, really watch your diet and sodium intake. Most people weigh every morning to have an idea how much fluid wt they are gaining. You need to call your doc. They may have you take more furosemide. And as mentioned, elevating your feet above heart level helps.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I have 2 Mitral Valves leaking, Angina and a few other health problems. My Diet isn't great, I'm more of a 'Picker'. Maybe, I should try and change that as you say. I'm not overweight but I do eat a lot of sweet stuff. Perhaps it's that. I don't know. Also waiting for Heart Surgery soon. Just hope it won't be that long and hopefully get this lot sorted.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The sweets wont make you retain fluid but too much salt can in some people. You might limit high sodium foods

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I just can't understand why it has come as bad as this lately you know.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Let you doc know you are retaining fluid. If you have a scale, weigh every morning and see how much it’s building up.

[Hidden]

Thanks a lot for ALL your replies. Going to try and go to sleep now and rest them properly. Goodnight everyone xx

[Grayjay]

Hiya, Maybe the Furesimide has stopped working for you as this happened to me My heart nurse changed my tablets and put me on Bumetanide which at the moment do the job. See your GP as soon as. X

[Hidden in reply to Grayjay]

I will do. Thank you.

[Love100cats]

I agree with the comments you have had. I had the problem but cutting right back on salt, using the wedge to keep feet raised at night and also just taking one extra dose of furusemide on the day's my feet were really swollen with an ok from the h.f.nurse. I now rarely have the problem but it seemed as if it was never going to settle initially. I have heart failure as cause of fluid retention. I take 140 mgs furusemide each day.

[bee2]

It could also be coming from other meds you are on if any? I am on Furusimide but also have to have blood checks to check my Kidneys as some meds can affect them.

[Hidden in reply to bee2]

You're right. It could well be. I really don't know at the moment. Just glad they're better, for now lol....😊

[Qualipop]

Do you have any compression stockings? Like flight socks only stronger. They really help to increase the drainage in your legs. You can buy them or on prescription but you do need to see the doctor to find the cause.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

I don't at the moment no. I am being tested for Diabetes as well. The last time it was Borderline. I am going to go back to the Doctors. They are quite a bit better today mind, not great but they are better. So,I'm just grateful for that at the moment 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Good to hear

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

That's good. I too am on furosemide for swollen ankles; poor lymph drainage and lack of exercise ( Wheelchair) plus I get Bakers cysts behind my knees and when they leak down my leg my ankles well even more. My doctor prescribed the stockings years ago to help with drainage.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Aww. That sounds really painful and hard to cope with. You have my sympathy. Look after yourself.

[Qualipop in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I'm used to it after 20+ years. I hope you can get yours sorted.

[Glasgowgirl1947]

I was on Furosemide for years, found out in the anaesthetic room that my Potassium level was way down, I had to wait a week for my op while they force fed me Potassium 3 times daily. I still got swollen ankles at night but am lucky to have an Adjustamatic bed so can raise my feet and do every night which helps a lot. I've been put onto Citalopram since I had my heart valves done, I don't think it's quite as effective as Furosemide but it's better than nothing. I hope you get sorted out as I know how painful it can be. See your GP ASAP xxx

[Hidden in reply to Glasgowgirl1947]

Thank you and sorry for the situation you were in. Definitely going to ring Doctors tomorrow. Just hoping I can get an Appointment pretty soon. Ankles are not too bad today but I've got an awful pain in my left leg from top to bottom. Feels quite warm as well. When I asked him before he said it was Sciatica. I am really beginning to wonder though!! Sorry for moaning....x

[Glasgowgirl1947 in reply to Hidden]

I'm so sorry for you, if it is sciatica it's so painful and debilitating. If you can get down on your tummy on the floor then doing push-ups from the waist 10 at a time and 10 times in an hour then it may help, you don't push up with your legs just your top, I found it really helped me and I got rid of it in less than a week. Just thought if you can't get down then put your hands on your bottom and arch your back it isn't quite as effective but will help a bit, Good luck xx