Primrose123

[primrose123]

I had telephone call from GP regarding bad bruising on my forearms & feet as well as swollen ankles & feet, I thought that it was perhaps due to changing over to FostairNext from Symbicort 400, I had gone back on to Symbicort until I got call from GP... I was advised by GP to go back onto FostairNext as the bruising was due to long term use of steroid inhalers & also when you get older your skin gets thinner & you bruise more easy.. I did have a full blood count, recently & the results were all clear...I have to say that apart from the swelling & bruising, my breathing & cough were much better on FostairNext, but I also noticed that when I went back on Symbicort the swelling went down &the bruising has started to clear a bit.. I am a little apprehensive as to what to do as I am frightened in case the bruising travels right up my leg..All advice much appreciated..Thank you..x

[Bkin]

this is true re the bruising and thinning skin.

I wouldn't worry about your ankle swelling since the doctor has advise you already, but sure if it starts to travel up your leg and the left leg is greatly swollen in comparison to the right, you need to take action on that quickly (with the emphasis on GREATLY swollen)

Ankles tend to swell if sitting for too long and in hot weather. Take note if the swelling goes down overnight, if so this is a good sign, if it doesnt go down overnight, and its still worrying you chat again with your doctor.

Feet up if sitting for any length of time.

Best wishes

[primrose123 in reply to Bkin]

Thank you Bkin for your kind reply..x

[peege]

The bruising and thinning skin doesn't begin over a short time span. It builds up over time.

I have to say I had it badly, as an active person, DIY, fast sailing, my arms were ripped to shreds (I'm not exaggerating) just from slight knocking or rubbing the skin would RIP. With changing from Symbicort and Seretide to Fostair within 18 months my skin thickened enough not to rip. I still bruise slightly but nothing like before.

BTW this was from the steroids in inhalers and a nasal spray only. I have only taken the tablets for 10 days in 10 years.

For activities I used to wear double tubigrip on my arms for protection. Worked a treat. P

ps re the swelling Bkin gives you good advice, dont ignore it if it continues. x

[primrose123 in reply to peege]

Thank you Peege for your kind reply..x

[Bkin in reply to peege]

that's a good tip about tubigrip peege

[Kristicats]

I bruise very easily with the slightest touch on fostair, even resting on my elbows I bruise. If the swollen ankles and feet are becoming regular perhaps you could raise your feet when sitting( higher than your heart) when you are at home don’t spend too long on your feet. Keep your feet high for as long as you can for a few days, then the swelling/ fluid may return back to the tissues and stay away. If you have to be up and about try

I.e one hour on one hour off feet with them elevated. Also putting a pillow under feet at night may help. The trouble with letting swollen feet, ankles (and legs especially)carry on is that if they get too swollen or you knock yourself ulcers may become a reoccur-ant problem.A problem with long term steroids so best to keep the fluid out of the ankles , feet and especially legs. Elevate above heart as often as you can.

[primrose123 in reply to Kristicats]

Many thanks Chriskho for your kind reply..x

[peege in reply to primrose123]

You could rest your feet, ankles, legs on a pillow or two during the night.

Circular ankle turning whilst sitting to keep the circulation going. P x

[primrose123 in reply to peege]

Thank you so much peege for your great tips, very much appreciated..x

[SORRELHIPPO]

I get swollen ankles in this weather and have thinning skin from years on/off steroids, do please elevate your legs when sitting, also do not stand for long periods of time, have a sit + elevate every now and then. Never sit with your legs crossed, either at the knee or ankles, can be more comfortable, but plays havoc with the circulation. I just hope it cools down soon.

[primrose123 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

Many thanks SORRELHIPPO for your most helpful reply..x

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to primrose123]

I thought maybe I had been a bit too much in the teaching mode, but having been an Occupational Therapist for a good many years, spent half my working life was spent uncrossing peoples legs!! Very bossy.

[primrose123 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

What a Wonderful Occupational Therapist you were SORRELHIPPO,many people today will be most grateful, you certainly would have trained them well, & they will realise you did a grand job in helping them become what they are today...(Well Done, SORRELHIPPO)..x

[SORRELHIPPO in reply to primrose123]

I am standing at the top of my internal staircase, trying to persuade myself to go down and up again. I imagine this collection of the over 70's, sitting on clouds, giggling, as they hear me saying to myself, what I used to say to them. " if you do not do your bed exercises, you will not sit up easily again", "if you do not do your chair exercises, you will not be able to stand easily again", "if you do not do your balance exercises (at the kitchen sink) you will fall more often." "if you do not practice the stairs, you will find getting out more difficult". Do I follow my own advice, do I heck.

[primrose123 in reply to SORRELHIPPO]

That is always the way SORRELHIPPO,we do well by everyone else & forget about ourselves, but however I have no doubt SORRELHIPPO that in many people's eyes, you are a REAL STAR...x😀

[HungryHufflepuff]

I've had swollen ankles for the last week or so, this was a new one for me, it's interesting to learn the heat causes this. I haven't been anywhere hot for 7 years and I'm getting all these new things happening! ☀️

[primrose123 in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

Thank you HungryHufflepuff for your kind reply..x

[Hacienda]

I'm also having Swollen Feet & Ankles, First time for me, Even living in a Hot Climate before., though I wasn't on all these Steroids in Spain ( I am taking Prednisolone, maintenance Doses) and Steroid Inhalers . I also take Water Retention Tablets. The Skin is always Bruising and now Flaking off, I do drink lots of water & Cream my skin when I have my Oxygen on otherwise it is too much with arm Movements . Thank You SORRELLHIPO for your Expert Advice. I am sat with my Feet in a bowl of Cold water. I do have Good News, It will be Cooler with rain Tomorrow, Cooler for the weekend. I do Love the Sun and Sunbathing, I have to accept I can't do it any more. Stay Cool Every one, Stay Safe. No Beach Bombing. Love. C. xxxx

[primrose123 in reply to Hacienda]

Hello Hacienda, so sorry to hear about all the problems you are having just now, I think that the strong heat that we are experiencing. due to all the hot weather contributes greatly to our feet swelling, but as you say Hacienda the expert advice that we have received from our good fried SORRELHIPPO, will be a tremendous bonus & help to us along the way in making us achieve much better results,I feel a difference already by following SORRELHIPPO'S tips , the swelling in my feet has started to come down, so hopefully the excercise's will be most beneficial to you too Hacienda, I believe that by following this regime for a period of time it could perhaps eliminate the use of prednisolne that you are on,as I think prednisolne contributes greatly to ankle swelling,this is just my humble opinion Hacienda,as I am no medical expert..I wish you good health & much happiness for the future Hacienda,take care, & stay safe..Love, & God bless you always..x💝🎈😀

[Hacienda]

Thank you for your lovely reply Primose. Well zi gor it wrong, no rain , yet. Im in the garden under shade, dont want my feet to suffer as much as Yesterday. Yes, I did use SORRELLHIPOS advice, calmed my feet Down. I do exercise every Day at Home, Bike & Weights. Then ankle foot exercise I did quite a few last night.. Have to stay on Prednisolone as it is part of my last maintenance Meds. Have a good Day, Stay well & Safe. 😘🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹C. XXX.

[primrose123 in reply to Hacienda]

Thank you,Hacienda..x🎉💝🎈