COPD AND SWELLING FEET AND ANKLES - WHATS THE CONNECTION FOLKS ? ....AND WHERE IS THIS LIQUID COMING FROM ? ..

[vittorio]

I have been told there is a connection ... although our lungs are a fair old distance from the feet ! ... I am taking " FUROSEMIDE " for them ....Hmm, - can't say I 've seen much improvement ,,,one a day as directed .................................and a fair old amount of visits to the loo to supposedly " pee" the liquid away !! which can a bit awkward at times ! .... someone suggested carrying a urinal about with me !!!, - thats even more awkward .in public ...!!!😮............any ideas folks ? .........hang on .... another " Niagara falls " . about .to take place any second -- blast ! ....how long is this going to last ? ...😧

[10gingercats]

When i had fluid in my lungs and in my ankles and calves , and now have a small amount around my heart,which i understand is fairly common with heart problems, I was prescribe Furosimide and Spironolactone. The two seemed to do the trick and shifted the fluid.Maybe suggest this to your GP if youfeel the Furosimide is not working on its own.

[Larneybuds]

Good morning....I am not medically trained but my dad had COPD and he used to get swollen ankles and we were told that because COPD affects the lungs and breathing, this also affects oxygen, and heart and blood function which can then cause the fluid to build up. Furosemide is usually pretty good at helping to get rid of it but I believe you have to watch your fluid intake as well so it might be worth asking your doctor about that. Has the doc advised raising your feet or wearing surgical stockings? These might not be suitable for you but again might be worth asking your doctor about. As I said, I'm not medically trained just stating a couple of things that you could discuss with your doctor to put your mind at ease. Fluid retention is common with many of us hearties on the forum so I am sure you have sympathy with regard to the constant loo visits....can personally sympathise with regard to that!! Good luck and I hope you get some relief. Cheers

[vittorio in reply to Larneybuds]

H i Larneybuds ! ... what a nice name !!! I'me seeing my GP soon for a check - up so , will have a natter about the fluid bit !!and put forward your suggestions , ...thanks muchly !..👍

[Larneybuds in reply to vittorio]

Lol...combination of couple of names!!Just another suggestion....worth weighing yourself every couple of days whilst you have the fluid retention just to check your weight as a gain of 2/3 kg within a few days could indicate that fluid is building up. If you are unclear or concerned about anything that is happening perhaps give the gp a call before your check up. 👍

[Keder in reply to Larneybuds]

Vittorio, I agree with Larneybuds.

I have severe heart failure and weigh every day. I find that Furosemide quickly eliminates retained water so take it when necessary. Also take Dapagliflozin and Eplerenone both of which have diuretic functions according to their instruction leaflets.

[Doseyokel]

Be aware that I am not medically trained and this is a merely my personal experience.

Nine years ago I had heart problems which required 4 stents and medications (which I still take). However about 3 months ago I had a bad injury to a shin which resulted in swelling to both ankles and lower legs and a diagnosis of 'Lymphoedema', If you have a look on website NHS.UK and select 'L' you can run down to the last L entry in the list (didn't suggest selecting M and going 1 entry backwards as might cause some confusion!). That will describe the condition better than I can and let you decide whether it's relevant to your situation.

After seeing my GP I was treated by the practice physio nurse who was very familiar with the condition. She treated my wound and prescribed pressure stockings and a special skin cream. By the way, the stockings are not the same as those you can buy over the counter at Boots, Savers, etc. for long haul flights or treating other leg conditions.

My treatment has dealt with the type of water problems you have experienced and I'm now back as I was before my accident.

There are also various other websites for supporting lymphoedema. However, make sure you only search for UK sites as advice/support from other countries often conflicts with how the UK deals with the problem.

Hope this information is useful to getting treatment.

[fishonabike]

the reason you get fuid buildup (oedema) with COPD is quite complicated but basically it is because your heart is struggling and it can't pump as well as it should

Very Basically: when your heart pumps blood vigorously out to your body that helps suck back the blood from the body, along with the fluid which passes into your body parts - if the pumping is weaker the sucking gets weaker and fluid builds up in the body parts, usually the ones furthers away and downhill first

COPD also tends to mean that you have trouble getting enough oxygen into your blood through your lungs - that means your heart (which also needs oxygen for its muscle to work) has to work harder to get enough oxygen to your body - in the long term this damages your heart and it does not work as well as it used to

i hope that does not sound too gloomy, but that's what happens☹

[BernieMB]

Hi Vittorio, I also take furosimide from time to time so I can understand how you feel. I have had heart surgery and other issues and that is why I am having problems with water retention. My doctor advised me to loose weight and get plenty of exercise as this will help prevent water retention. I also read that it is good to drink enough water aswell.

I don't have a major problem with water retention so I don't have to take it every day. I started on 40mg once a day and reduced to 20mg every other day.

Has you doctor explained the reasons you are having water retention?

Unfortunately the need to go to the bathroom on the days I take it prevents me from going out as I end up going so many times. So the only solution for me as I see it is getting fit.