Hi everyone,
Apologies for the photo of my feet I’m just a bit worried about this and not sure what to do, this started yesterday and I thought they felt a bit uncomfortable throughout the day. I am working from home and did my usual of taking breaks and making sure I am walking around as well as eating healthy and making sure I am hydrated. As the day went on it was getting worse until I went to bed and found my lower limbs the most swollen they’ve been in a long time. I’ve tried elevating them as well as massage and nothing seems to work... is this something I should be worried about or just keep an eye on?
Usually for my feet to be swollen I have to be on my feet a lot but this was the same as any other day and they have flared up massively, went to bed with them elevated and this morning they aren’t as bad but the pain hasn’t really gone down. I thought maybe it was just a one off but looks like a flare up...
I take tramadol to control my joint pains and have over the counter ibuprofen gel. Do you think it is worth calling the doctor yet or waiting to see if it continues, I can’t take naproxen like I used to due to stomach issues so gel application is the only way I’ve been able to use anti inflammatory meds.
Any advice would be really appreciated!
Leenie x
Ouch! Painful feet and legs - any ideas? Is this part of lupus or something else?
ANA Blood test & swollen glands & neck stiffness
(Very) swollen neck gland
Have you eaten differently in recent days? At home I eat a low salt/low carb diet, which helps reduce fluid retention overall. If I eat out 2 or 3 days in a row or include processed foods in what I'm eating then my feet swell up and it can take several days of feet up and lots of water to get back to normal. They tend to be sore - just the skin being tight makes it uncomfortable.
If that oedema is pitting then you need to speak to your doctor - test for that by pressing firmly on the swollen areas and see if an imprint forms and remains.
I eat a plant based diet and I’m very conscious of my diet so no there hasn’t been any major changes with my food. I had a take away on the weekend but I don’t think that could cause so much swelling. The skin is really tight and I’m not sure if it’s pitting now, the imprint is staying but not as bad as last night (forgot to mention that in the first post) what does it mean when this happens?
It depends on the takeaway but it will have had far far more salt than you are used to - it would send my ankles up like balloons! It's just the type of oedema and it is meaningful to the GP. If it goes down again with keeping your feet up, especially overnight, I wouldn't worry too much but I would mention it to the GP.
healthline.com/health/pitti...
I had problems with swollen ankles for a long time after atrial fibrillation was diagnosed, even though that was well managed. Eventually I saw a physio about an exercise programme they were setting up but there was nothing suitable for me - but I asked about the swollen ankles. He suggested a session of manual lymph drainage. He did one of a good 45mins, concentrating on the worse leg. By the time I got home I could see it going down - and within a few days both legs were almost back to normal! I haven't had much trouble since - except eating food cooked out of house! After 3 days on holiday my feet can be worse than yours and I can't get shoes on! It is infuriating - but I haven't used salt in cooking except a grind-on provencal herb mix for salads and roast veg for about 35 years!!
I had the take away on Saturday so I wasn’t sure if that would have been the cause if it was two days before. Both my feet and ankles are still painful but I can see the swelling has gone down a lot. Thank you so much for sending the info in the link I’ve had a good read over it and making a telephone appointment with my doctor, just hope it’s a one off as I don’t cook with salt usually apart from the odd sprinkle when frying my veggies to break them down. Diet is so important isn’t it? So much stuff to keep on top of these days I just hope it was a one off x
Good luck - I'm sure it'll turn out to be nothing much