Swollen feet and ankles

[drmind]

Good morning. Hi, I'm Stasie. I'm in my 80's and up until my CKD diagnosis 2 years ago, I felt as if I was in my 60's. Anyway, I've enjoyed a very healthy life until recently. I've had normal BP with medication for at least 15 years. No diabetes or other major health issues. Recently GFR fell from 40's to 26 within a few months. Had been seeing a kidney doctor every six months and now staring to visit every month. He deceased my BP meds two weeks ago to half and my BP has stabilized again within the normal range. However, being off a diuretic for two weeks probably has caused my feet and ankles to swell and redden four days ago. I have never had this happen to me before. My question is do I wait until I see him again in a week or so. I'm thinking o putting in a call to his nurse soon. How serious is this problem? I have kept my daily sodium intake to around 1500 to 2000 and I'm considering wearing compression stockings. thanks for any thoughts, suggestions, or questions.

[HealthBuddyMelissa]

I would call the nurse. They may recommend even lower salt consumption and even the compression socks. But, it is always best to ask your doctor to be sure.

[drmind in reply to HealthBuddyMelissa]

Thanks. I did call the nephrologist's nurse who got back to me with doctor's orders to add a new med and reduce another. I put on the compression stockings and got immediate relief

Will post what how things work out on a week or so. Im a worrier. Thanks again

[Sammi_n_Munk]

Hello Stasie! I too, suffer from swollen feet and ankles. I would say yes, you should consult with your doctor about the swelling, but also mention the redness. I don’t notice any redness in my feet or ankles, it’s really more the swelling that’s problematic for me. It does sometimes also cause some pain in my feet.

Also, ask your doctor for a referral to a renal dietician. I know that for myself, 1500 - 2000 mg of sodium per day is way too high, and I would suspect that this may also be an issue in your situation as well, but then, I’m not a doctor (or a dietician - Lol!)

Another issue may be that your creatinine level is high. High creatinine levels can also contribute to swelling issues. High protein intake in our diets can sometimes cause our blood creatinine levels to rise. As I say, consult with your physician and / or renal dietician.

I hope you will find this helpful, dear. Please do keep me posted on how things come along. I look forward to reading more of your posts! Remember, we are always here for you to offer our support and any advice! Do take good care of yourself! God bless. Bye for now! 😊👍✌️🙏

[drmind in reply to Sammi_n_Munk]

Thanks for your thoughtful response. I did check with the doctor and got a medication change and compression stockings provided some relief. I was wondering about the.sodium levels myself amd will discuss it with the doctor when i see him in a week. Again. Thanks

[Sammi_n_Munk in reply to drmind]

No problem! I’m glad to hear that the stockings are helping! 😊👍🙏

[Hidden]

Use little to no salt. Keep your legs elevated whenever possible. Reduce protein intake significantly. Something that surprisingly helped me is a recent switch in probiotics to one that is mostly lactobacillus. In the US it is Culturelle Women’s Healthy Balance. My GFR went up 8 points in a month.

[drmind in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your teply. I often have less than those amounts of sodium. Its a difficult habit to change but im working on it. Again, thanks.

[Hidden]

I'm in my 80s, 4th stage ADPKD, gfr 20. I tried the compression stockings. I wound up filling them with rocks and throwing them in the river. With much satisfaction, I sleep on a hospital type bed and elevate my feet for sleeping. I elevate only as much as is necessary. Throughout the day, sometimes I get the swelling but no matter, at night I take care of it with no worry so far and it's been working for years. No diuretic either. My nephrologist (in USA) has been about as useful as a saddle on a chicken. My PCP does me much better.

[drmind]

Thanks for sending me a reply. I had to laugh a little at your story about the compression stockings and about your nephrologist. Surprisingly, the compression stockings work for me. I put them on first thing in the morning and keep them on until the evening. I'm too active to keep my legs elevate during most of the day, but I do have a recliner that i use in the evening when I finally get off my feet. Anyway, the added medication [not a diuretic], watching my sodium intake, and using the stockings are helping. Everyday, I see less and less swelling. I'm trying to develop a closer relationship with my nephrologist by asking a lot of questions and not allowing any to slide. I see mine next week and i already have a list of issues to ask about. Again, thanks for the laugh. I always think a little humor helps get one through the day. Continue to take care of yourself. It sounds as if you have a winner with that hospital bed. Bless you.