Oedema in legs from limited mobility

[fraid]

Any tips for reducing oedema in legs except for diuretics ? Although I get up often,it’s only briefly due to pain from #s lumbars 1-5 & T13.I live on recliner sofa,legs up most of the day re pain, and overnight legs up on two pillows. Seems to be getting worse and more often,few days on Bumetanide sorted,now weeks worth but two days later up again. Am well hydrated,not overweight,can’t tolerate cider vinegar etc,do lots static leg exercises, does it just get worse?I have skinny limbs,or did have!🤷‍♀️Thanks.

[Jumpey]

I would discuss it with your doctor. It could be caused by something else. A medication for example. Good luck.

[fraid in reply to Jumpey]

thanks,thought of that but put it off ,hoping for simple answer. But now have major mouth ulcers roof of mouth not sure if from inhaler or could be kidneys? Will try get talk to him,like next year! 🙄

[veriterc]

Good luck with finding a solution! I found it very difficult to get professional help from anyone in the NHS, but the LSN are very helpful. I did manage to find help, w ias wondering if MLD might be helpful? I have written about my experiences - which might give some ideas - on aftercancers.com/lymphoedema

[fraid]

ROs admin 2 ,for some reason your post was deleted?? You can pm me ( though need tell me how to access that) if it’s sensitive? Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[Mavary]

I’m afraid the only two things that could help you can’t do. Walking helps and so do diuretics. I’ve been ill for about eight weeks and my feet have swollen really badly and I knew I would have to take diuretics. When you’ve go the swelling under control you could cut it down to maybe take one every two or three day. I’ve just been in hospital for three days ans there was no way I was going to take them in there. And anyway my feet were up so much they weren’t swelling. I didnt want to risk embarrassing accidents in there. I was fine.

[fraid]

Thanks.Sorry to hear you were in hospital,hope all better now? I have my legs up all the time & on 2 pillows overnight,can’t go higher coz back screams no.It’s just my lower legs,not feet.I get up often though can only manage few mins walk at a time ,has been like that over a year so don’t know why so bad now.Started diuretics again today but hate drugs! Will phone doc,suggest I send urine sample in check kiddlys as mouth ulcers too. Just another damn nuisance.Hope you ok.X

[fraid]

Nice doc,locum? is sending nurse to do BT,BP,says take 2 Bumetanide 5 days,then 1 for 5 days.Already in loo every 20 mins so double dose? Perhaps the exercise of rushing to bathroom every 10 mins will bring swelling down?!Thanks for advice. X

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi afraid,

My apologies for the late reply but I have not been online much this year.

I hope since writing your post things have improved for you.

In 2019 I had my first experience of water retention in feet and legs following a particularly bad fracture.

I was pleased that it did disappear without having to take medication.

At the beginning of this year I had another fracture followed by another then another all within less than 10 weeks.

I now have ten in total.

My feet began to swell then my ankles followed by my legs.

( I too have skinny legs and body but massive middle and stomach owing to height loss and the intestines being pushed forward having nowhere else to go)

We thought the swelling would go away as it did in 2019 so did not ask for help with it.

This was a bad thing because they then got worse very quickly resulting in my not even being able to wear socks without them cutting in to my feet.

It was really painful to stand and move my feet because they were very stiff.

I was put on Furosemide which took about three weeks to begin to have effect.

Once things improved greatly I stopped the furosemide but then all the swelling returned, I was on and off it until gradually I cut down on the amount I was taking it for and came of it slowly.

I now am off it completely and each day my feet ankles and legs will swell but not to an extend that I am unable to wear my slippers or footwear.

My left foot is always now a little more swollen than it was before this years fractures.

One other thing when the swelling was at its worse my left foot was blue

I have now been left with very blue, red and dark areas on my feet and ankles and lots of broken veins.

I felt at the time that things were never going to improve and on top of the fractures it just added to my misery.

I pushed for an answer as to why this was happening to me and one of the nurses explained that whilst fractures are healing the bones draw protein from the body.

I was advised to up my protein and during mid summer I began to eat much more meat, eggs, and peanut butter.

I believe this helped me more than anything else, I now continue to have some kind of meat every day with our main meal and often a chicken sandwich at lunchtime.I have peanut butter in my porridge which makes it really creamy so easy is to fit in to my diet.

I do not have a great deal of eggs in a week as I have never been a great lover of them and I feel the meat and peanut butter has been the greatest help.

I really hope you find my reply of help to you, if nothing else I think it is a massive help for us to know we are not alone with our problems.

Take care and best wishes for Christmas and the coming year.

[fraid]

Thanks for that, sorry you’re such a wreck, join the club! Good that your oedema at least sorted. It’s only my lower legs that swell, they’re not too bad so I just take a Bumetanide now and again these days. I do have a quite high protein diet though eat very little coz of kyphosis and immobility so lack of appetite.

My bloods came back normal, said needed another though re my liver, next nurse told me it was kidney, doc phoning me on 14 th so who knows? 🤷‍♀️

Thanks and Merry Xmas and a Happy and Healthier New Year to you too! 🧑‍🎄🥳X