Anxious over up coming blood results

[Calm2]

Hi all, I think I am just looking for some reassurance and wise words which I know I’ll get from here. It’s a bit of a saga but I’ll try and be brief . Back in March I tore the calf muscle in my leg and tore a ligament in the other. Weeks on crutches and very swollen ankles and feet along with bruising. (This was around the time I was put on Amlodipine) Dr said the swelling was telling me the injuries hadn’t yet healed. This was back in March and my injuries have healed but the swelling just won’t go. I find it a coincidence that I had the accident and was also new to Amlodipine and with Amlodipine a major side effect is Swelling of feet and ankles. Still swollen 6 months on every day. So…. Off to GP and immediately started asking ‘Do you have shortness of breath? NO. Do you get light headed? NO yet before I know it she is suggesting heart failure!? So now I’m waiting for blood results😫 I wanted to be taken off of Amlodipine as that seemed the most likely, not to be checked for heart failure which scares me to death! Anyone help me who has heart failure and tell what your experiences are? I would be grateful for your thought on this .

[joygard1]

If you read the leaflet or Google it one of the Major side effects of Amlodipine is swollen feet and ankles also hands, it appears you are aware of this. My Cardiologist prescribed this and I got bad swollen feet and ankles, he stopped me using this medication, on the other hand my wife also takes a low dose of Amlodipine, no problems. Sorry would prefer not to comment on Heart Failure apart from it appears to me to be a vague possible diagnosis, blood results should only take a few days, I wish you the best

[VelvetSky]

Hi Calm 2, thought I’d answer you as you’ve only had one answer. I have heart failure, stents etc., usual story, to be honest apart from being breathless, also a chronic asthmatic so not surprising and being more tired but at 75 with other problems I don’t do too badly. I cleared a flower bed yesterday, but I do pay a strong young man to do serious digging but that’s because I’m lazy.

I tried Amlodipine at the beginning of the heart journey, I now refuse anything that ends in pine as they all made my ankles swell badly. I do wonder if these type of meds are the cheapest but there again I’m cynical.

I’m afraid you have to be very positive with doctors, I say no I’m not taking that because of the side effects what else would you suggest please. There are well over 50 different heart meds so there is always an alternative. But I’m jumping the gun, hopefully your blood test results will be fine.

Remember also that most heart meds are tested on 16st middle aged white men, not on smaller different aged women, so I am afraid you have to learn to be outspoken, question everything, do your research, take charge of your health.

Sorry to hear about your leg problems, sounds really painful, hope they are on the mend. 💐

[Calm2 in reply to VelvetSky]

thank you for your reply, glad to hear you are doing well. Yes heart failure conjures up all sorts of terrible thoughts but as you say it just means something is not working as well as it should but can be treated with meds or an op. Thanks again 😊

[Jacey15]

I had major leg and ankle swelling with amlodipine and my GP said than just assume that was the cause, she wanted to rule out heart failure. My proBNP was normal. I was taken off amlodipine and put on lercanidipine instead. This causes a bit less ankle swelling. I also now have compression socks.

I'm sure you're GP is doing the same. Better to be safe xx

[RufusScamp]

I hate the term "heart failure". It suggests your heart is giving up, but in fact it just means your heart is not quite as efficient as it should be. If swollen ankles are a side-effect of your drugs, it is worth asking if you can try something different.

3 years ago, I was diagnosed with severe heart failure, but with medication, diet and exercise it is greatly improved. Even if it is your problem, it can be dealt with.

[Calm2 in reply to RufusScamp]

thank you so much for replying, you have made me feel a bit better it 😊

[RufusScamp in reply to Calm2]

I'm pleased to hear from you. I hope you get the help you need.😺