Swollen feet following CABG

[JSCAPM]

Hi - hoping someone can help.

My partner had a double bypass on 25 June and is recovering at home. It seems to be going well, apart from his feet being hugely swollen. They were swollen when he left hospital (I had to buy some huge slippers just to bring him home) and they haven’t reduced in size at all. They’re very painful.

He is taking co-amilofruse and is trying to elevate his legs when he can, although he’s hampered by him also having a hiatus hernia with the resultant acid reflux.

Can anyone advise if they’ve had the same and give us any advice please?

Many thanks

JSCAPM

[Happyrosie]

this may be concerning so I think your husband should report his symptoms to a doctor. Or phone 111. It could be weather, it could be anything. Yes, his legs should be elevated . But I’m not a medic!

[JSCAPM in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks Happyrosie. I’m not a medic either, just bumbling our way through!

[BeKind28-]

Hello

Swollen ankles can be something we get however from what you are saying your Husbands are slightly more swollen than what would possibly be expected

I would certainly as soon as you can get the Doctor at least to take a look or maybe even phone 111 for advice and even though it could be the last thing I know you want to hear A&E if they are so bad

I just wondered and you don't have to answer but what did the Hospital say as they discharged him obviously knowing how bad the swelling was ?

Also there are the BHF Nurses you can give a call to I will put there number on for you

Let us know how you get on x

Heart Helpline team on 0300 330 3311 Mon-Fri 9-5pm

[JSCAPM in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks BeKind2-.

To be honest, I was disappointed that the hospital sent him home in this condition. They knew his feet were swollen but the only thing that seemed to concern them was me buying something to fit his feet so they could discharge him. Earlier in his stay they’d said he couldn’t go home until the swelling was reduced, but I know they were under huge pressure to free up beds.

[BeKind28- in reply to JSCAPM]

Hello

I know they need the beds but still they should make sure everything is fine before they discharge you and this weather if you are having the heat we are having mine are swollen not like your husbands are but swollen due to the heat

I would get someone to take a look to make sure he does not need any treatment different meds etc

Let us know how you both get on x

[Suebedoo]

My husband was sent home with support stockings but took them off after a week and paid the price. The hospital put them back on and told him to leave them on for a few weeks. That seemed to reduce the swelling

[JSCAPM in reply to Suebedoo]

Thanks Suebedoo. I forgot to add that he can’t wear compression stockings because he has peripheral arterial disease in his lower legs. That obviously isn’t helping the situation.

[CyclingTime]

When I came out they gave me compression socks to wear for six weeks to reduce the swelling in my legs. Worked well but quite a big effort for my wife to get them on me!

Maybe that would help? Your already elevating so that's good. Potentially some ice packs as well

[Snowflake01 in reply to CyclingTime]

Same here, six weeks of compression stockings (1 more week to go for me) and elevating feet when not moving around. Swelling does go down and they do get easier to put on.

As others have said, seek advice and re-assurance if really bad. On discharge, I was given a hospital ward number to call for things like this (I imagine)...

[JSCAPM in reply to Snowflake01]

Thanks Snowflake01. The problem has eased (I think I was panicking a bit last night) but I’ll bear in mind contacting the ward if I need to seek help.

[JSCAPM in reply to CyclingTime]

Thanks CyclingTime. I forgot to add that he can’t wear compression stockings as he has peripheral arterial disease in his lower legs. I’ll try him with an ice pack tomorrow.

[CyclingTime in reply to JSCAPM]

Ah sorry to hear that, definitely then if it's concerning you get it checked out there may be something they can give him to reduce it

[DodgyTickerMum]

I would def refer back to your Husband’s Consulrant / G.P / Cardiac Rehab Nurse. Hopefully one of them will be able to address the situation swiftly.

I was hugely swollen with fluid following O.H.S last year. (I suffer with a chronic low B.P - so was pumped full of fluid both when on bypass and for the few days I was in I.C.U post op). Not so much my legs - as I religiously wore the compression stockings for 6 wks following surgery, but from my knees to my stomach. None of the nightwear I took in hospital fitted. I resembled the Michelin Man!

However, whilst there I was put on Furosemide and Spironolactone and by the time I left hospital - 2 wks later, the fluid was largely gone (albeit I remained on Furosemide for another 2 months).

I would certainly see if you can get some medical advice today. The heat at the moment won’t help either. Hope you get some answers.

[JSCAPM in reply to DodgyTickerMum]

Thanks DodgyTockerMum. Fluid retention is a problem, isn’t it? He was on Furosemide prior to the bypass but is now on co-amilofruse. As I said below, elevating more extremely seems to have helped but I’ll keep an eye on it.

[Elsabounre]

Do you think some Lymph drainage massage would help??..

[JSCAPM in reply to Elsabounre]

Thanks Elsabounre. I’ve had sessions of MLD myself and I didn’t even think about it for him! I’ll discuss that with him and see what he wants to do.

[JSCAPM]

Thanks for all the responses.

We had a concerted effort last night to elevate his legs even more. We added cushions to the bed so that his legs were raised higher than before and that seems to have worked. We’ve also raised his footrest so that during the day, when he’s not moving about, he can elevate more effectively. Today he’s managed to get a pair of slippers on, which he hadn’t been able to do since he returned home on 1 July.

I will refer back to the GP if the problem reoccurs.

I really appreciate the support of this community and for all of you taking the time to reply. It’s incredibly comforting when you’re under pressure to know that people are there for you.

JSCAPM

[BeKind28- in reply to JSCAPM]

Hello

I have just replied to you and then saw this glad to read there is a small improvement x

[JSCAPM in reply to BeKind28-]

Thanks BeKind28-. Sorry I confused you, I wasn’t sure how best to post!

[BeKind28- in reply to JSCAPM]

Hello

You are fine I found the good news that is the main thing x