Swollen legs and ankles

[Pippa80]

My legs and ankles have been swollen for a few months now and are getting worse.

The skin is very red and shiny . They are more swollen during the day but more painful at night. I know this hot weather doesn’t help but I am getting so fed up.

I have mentioned this to my GP and he has increased my Furosemide to 80mg a day and told me to put my feet in a bucket of water(rather difficult in bed)!!

I had breast cancer 8 years ago and was wondering if it might be connected to that since I had radiotherapy and a couple of lymph nodes removed.

I have permanent AF and am on quite a few meds.

I am beginning to despair because I am unable to do very much which is not helping my weight , having put on a stone in about 4 months.

I was hoping someone has a similar problem and can give some advice.

[10gingercats]

this happened to me and the hospital advised 20mg of Furosimide plus 12 and a half mgs of Spironolactone daily and in 4 days I lost huge amounts of fluid from my lungs and heart. Still take those meds to keepthe fluid at bay....as advised by cardiologist.Furosimide alone even in large amounts did not work.

[Pippa80 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks for your reply. I take 80mg of Furosemide but I don’t seem to lose much fluid. It’s great that you lost so much fluid very quickly. I am sure I would feel better if I could lose some weight since I have rapidly put on a stone and I was already overweight. It doesn’t seem to budge, however.

[BernieMB]

Pippa I feel your pain. Heart patients can have a lot of problems with water retention, swollen feet/ankles/legs. I am having a big problem with this since my aortic valve replacement at the beginning of April. I have been given Furosemide on and off since but I am not on it at the moment. My legs feet and ankles are quite swollen at the moment and the hot weather is making it worse. One thing I have been told is important is to keep active, walking is the best thing, just do what you are able to do. It’s to do with building up muscle. I lost a lot of muscle mass before my op as I was very unwell and that’s when the swollen feet and ankles began. When you are sitting down put your feet up aswell. I have a telephone appointment with the GP on Monday to try and sort it out.

[Pippa80 in reply to BernieMB]

I know I should do more exercise but I get so out of breath and it is such an effort. I try to walk round our park but I literally go from one bench to another! I do go to Tai Chi and Exercise to Music so I do manage something. Good luck on Monday.

[Mountwood]

Your GP doesn't sound much good. Are you under the care of a cardiologist? Ask for an appointment with him/her.

[Pippa80 in reply to Mountwood]

I don’t get on with my GP at all. When I complained about being breathless he said I should expect to be at my age ( 80 ) That is rubbish because my husband has had a mitral valve replaced and he doesn’t get out of breath. I do speak to a cardiologist and she has arranged for a specific echocardiogram but it is not until the end of August but no solution for my legs. Thanks for your reply.

[Dusty_Trainline]

Hello Pippa. So frustrating for you. My heart goes out to you. My husband has the same thing, AF, meds, water tablets, swollen legs and ankles. GP changed the furosemide to Bumetanide a couple of days ago told him to measure his drinks and not have more than 1.5 litres per day and we’re waiting to see if it makes any difference. Weight gain is probably due to water retention in legs and abdomen. Cardiologist advised over the phone consultation to walk fast for 15 minutes but can’t do even 50 yards without getting breathless, however the rowing machine is ok. I hope you feel better soon. Love from Christine x

[Pippa80 in reply to Dusty_Trainline]

Thanks, Christine for your reply. I also get out of breath walking, just like your husband, so don’t go very far.When I was in A&E a few months ago, the doctor (not a cardiologist) referred me to the Pain Management Clinic and I have a telephone appointment in August but that is not getting to the cause of my swollen and painful legs. I have thought of getting an exercise bike. I hope your husband feels better soon.

[Ninjanoo]

Hi Pippa,I'm struggling with painful swollen ankles, feet and lower legs too. Getting to be troublesome at night. Over the last few days my feet have felt sort of numb and on and off I've had a burning sensation on the soles. Movement is getting so much worse as they are so painful. It's progressively got worse over time but GP says it's due to Amlodipine and doesn't seem bothered even though I have sent her photos of how bad they get. Wearing shoes is now impossible.

I had a doppler scan beginning of June and was measured up for surgical stockings. My left side is the worst but my right foot is now fast catching up and like you say unbearably uncomfortable in this heat!!

I've put my feet in a bowl of cold water several times a day but even then when I take my feet out they are the same size as when I put them in! I have started doing this before I go to bed - it does nothing for the swelling but it does help cool them down at least for a few hours. I elevate them several times a day lying on the bed with four pillows under my feet so they are at a higher level than my heart but again it only reduces them slightly and then within minutes we're back to square one!

My surgical stockings are still on order I have now been waiting just over 6 weeks.

You have my full sympathy ❤

[Pippa80 in reply to Ninjanoo]

I am so sorry to hear you are also struggling with painful and swollen feet and ankles.I hope the surgical stockings help but it is so long to wait for them. I try to elevate my feet and have bought a pillow which is like a bolster but it is far too long and keeps falling out of bed.I use 2 pillows instead but will try 4 and see if that helps. I hope things improve for you. I know how you must be suffering.

[Ninjanoo in reply to Pippa80]

By all means try it, it's still not great as they still feel uncomfortable but at least the swelling does go down a bit - until you get up and start moving about! Don't know about you but at this point I'm desperate to try anything!

Let me know how you get on like I say it's still not great but it's better than nothing for a few hours at least.