Swollen feet and ankles

[molly19]

My feet swelled up terrible I actually got a fright. We were on holiday on a boat for seven days and the last two days my feet were swollen. I do notice as everyday my legs swell as I've to roll socks down as they tighten. Never gave it a thought until they swelled up like that.

[HazelW]

The reason my Lupus was finally diagnosed was because my right arm suddenly swelled up massively - bit of a give-away apparently. My feet & ankles swell up frequently - always use it as an excuse to put my feet up !😀

[molly19 in reply to HazelW]

Good idea to put feet up that helps greatly my legs swell as the day goes on, but never like that.. Thank you HazelW

[PMRpro]

While on the boat were you eating out or cooking for yourself? I find eating out a couple of days in a row leads to swollen feet and ankles: SALT. I use no salt at home - eating out you can't avoid it and I find food terribly salty. Plus it causes fluid retention.

[molly19 in reply to PMRpro]

We only ate out twice, like you I don't salt much. In saying that I did eat a couple of bags of crisps. I do do a lot of dog walking and was wondering if suddenly no dog walking sitting on boat may have been the cause . My legs do tend to swell as the day goes on but never like that. Had lupus since age 14 now ( 54)

[PMRpro in reply to molly19]

Lack of exercise and dietary changes can do a lot! If they don't improve after a few days and lots of plain water do ask the GP though.

[molly19 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you will keep an eye on them. I would say the lack of exercise.

[SLEEPINGDOG]

Hi, Molly,

I know what you mean, you poor fellow sufferer. Mine started to do that as soon as I developed Lupus several years ago. Went to the Doc, who prescribed Furosemide, which is supposed to drain excess water from the body [it's a diuretic]. It did send me to the loo more frequently, and I had to excuse myself from meetings about once an hour, but apart from the first month the effects seem to wear off and the Doc said I should wear compression (IE 'flight' socks, which I did ) very uncomfortable at first but you get used to them. I can't get them on without corkscrewing them round my legs, but my better half has turned it into a fine art for me, and does it in 20 seconds every morning. When my Chiropodist [an old friend] visits me professionally, I wear my previous lightweight socks, to help him, but when I take them off my legs look like those made by twisting balloons, with fat lengths and miniscule joints. I left them off one day, and they swelled to two very long 'footballs'. Doc has increased and decreased the strength of the Diuretic, but nothing seems to help. Tried sleeping with feet raised, but I can't sleep like that at all. Now watch TV with my recliner tilted back and feet raised. If you find out something that works please be sure to let us all know.

Good luck, dear friend.

Cheers

John

[molly19 in reply to SLEEPINGDOG]

Thank you Sleepingdog, Yes it's not fun at all. Mine tend to swell as the day goes on. Are flight socks like surgical socks that feel like your legs are being strangled. But if it works it would be worth it. Water tablets hmmmm I'm back and forward to the loo as it is. Ha ha an issue walking my dog. Your friend also

[PMRpro in reply to SLEEPINGDOG]

Has he tried CHANGING the diuretic? Some people get used to a single diuretic very quickly and it stops working.

[molly19 in reply to PMRpro]

Sorry I'm not on diuretic, I'm just bad at going to loo all the time. I'm not the best at explaining in words what I mean.

[PMRpro in reply to molly19]

The reply was to Sleepingdog

[molly19 in reply to PMRpro]

Ooops sorry PMRpro

[PMRpro in reply to molly19]

No problem - it's the nesting pattern on this silly forum!!!!! So confusing...