Help please with swollen legs and feet

[Stepdancer]

Hi I’m new here and recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I’m having terrible trouble with swollen legs and feet and brick hard muscles. Has anyone else on here had similar problems? I would love to hear from anyone who has found something to help relieve this horrible discomfort.

[Eguzki]

Hi!

I had my legs like that until chemo. 4 days after the first carbo/taxol dose ( I have one every 21 days) left leg is almost normal right one is perfect. Doctor said it would take longer but it worked very fast

It was very hard for me to walk.

Hope chemo works for you quick.

I also have ascites, tomorrow will be my 3rd drain. 9 litres/ 4 litres/ let's see how it goes tomorrow.

[Lewisriley47]

Hi Try bathing in Epsom salts for relief

[Stepdancer in reply to Lewisriley47]

Thanks but I can't get into a Bath I sometimes put my feet into a bowl of water with Epsom salts in so far it's not helped.

[pishi1]

Hi yes I had swollen legs and ankles which is due to ascites. It affected my diaphragm causing difficulty breathing. It was only when I had the hysterectomy that the swelling went down and gradually breathing improved. I had a huge cyst which was pushing on the diaphragm and made the swelling worse. Herbal and ginger teas helped. Hope this helps.

[Stepdancer]

Thank you for your reply I will try ginger tea and see if that helps me, I am having my first Chemotherapy today I hope it helps me.

[pishi1 in reply to Stepdancer]

I remember having my first. It is not that bad as you think. It was more the thought of it. Give yourself treats every now and again. You will be fine.

[truewordweaver]

Hi Stepdancer. My legs blew up overnight while I was in hospital waiting for an ascites draining - in what should have been a day procedure, but I got waylaid by the [edited by moderators] covid team first (long story). What really helped me was massage and elevation, and I later found out I was already doing everything the physio would have advised. If you can access a physio for this, do so first, but if not, here's what worked for me.

If you've a partner or willing friend [and your team advise that it's safe], get them to use the massage oil or lotion of your choice and gently use their hands to rub/brush from your feet down towards your abdomen, all sides; some places may be painful/tender, but just tell your person to ease off on those. Then lie back and prop your legs up on pillows - as high as you can bear it but at least higher than your heart - and stay in this position for at least 20-30 minutes at a time, longer if you can (I could sometimes drift off into a nap). Repeat both regimes 3-4 times a day, or whatever's possible; you can self massage the legs, but it's tricky at first if they're as blown up as mine were; I couldn't walk for several weeks without a stick, but now I'm running around with the dog!

If you can elevate the end of your bed, even slightly, then [I think] this will help, too, as [I think] it will ease the swelling overnight somewhat.

[I] stretch the legs as well. [I would] stand a foot or two away from a wall, then use one foot in a lunge toward it while bracing yourself with your hands on the wall and keep the back leg straight. You should feel a real stretch down the calf/thigh of the back leg. Repeat on the other leg. Take it all very, very slowly, of course, and if you have any other stretches you're happy with, do those. Try to move around as much as possible, even doing ankle rotations while your sitting still. Movement helps the the trapped lymph flow out of the swollen tissues and back in to where it should be, as does the gentle massage, etc.

Also, [you can ask your team about] [edited by moderators] magnesium supplement[s] [edited by moderators]; I use Viridian High Potency Magnesium, 300mg, and take two of these each night to prevent muscle cramps. You might find other formulas work better for you (absorption varies with the type of magnesium and the invididual), but these plus Epsom salts baths have really helped me.

I wish you well and hope those legs get back to normal soon!

*this reply was edited by moderators and the edited text replaced with the text in square brackets*

[Stepdancer in reply to truewordweaver]

Thank you for your advice it makes scence but my legs are so bad I can’t even bend down to dry my feet or put my shoes and panties on it’s all a huge struggle my Husband bless him does all the cooking and whatever he can but can not do massage at all even when I tell him what to do so I need professional help I think. All this because of the Ascites my stomach is really big it has been drained once and the last time I went to the Hospital they said there wasn’t enough fluid to drain safely.

[truewordweaver in reply to Stepdancer]

Hi Stepdancer. Your story sounds all too familiar - I was told the same thing - not enough fluid to drain, but luckily I insisted until I saw the actual paracentesis team, and the wonderful tech there said, 'Oh yes: I can get plenty of fluid out,' popped in a line and it started draining straight away, no problem. 3-plus liters later, I could actually breathe again. Three liters isn't a lot to some oncology teams, but if you're small, like me, it's actually heaps and more than enough to stop you eating/ breathing normally- plus it just plain hurts! My team finally admitted that I was 'abnormally small' and agreed without reservation when I needed a second drainage. Like you, I couldn't walk or dress myself unaided; my right foot even 'flopped' and tripped me up a few times when I tried to stand. If you can get to see a professional skilled in lymphatic drainage / massage, it will hopefully make a difference - especially if your husband is overwhelmed (understandably). Ascites is the worst, but here's hoping you can get some relief ASAP. Hang in there!

[Gemimablackvelvet]

Wow what terrific advice from “truewordweaver” I have the same problem with my legs and feet. However I have a neurological condition which causes swollen legs and feet due to immobility. Since my OC stage 3 diagnosis in 2018 the problem has worsened and become really painful to touch and dark red up to my calves. The doctor advised water tablets, elevation and pressure stockings or tubular gauze. I’ve done all these things but gradually Decreased the water tablets to maybe 3 times a week in the morning (if I’m not going out) the same with stockings.

I’m going to take the advice from “true word weaver” and massage my calves. Elevating the bed is something we’re thinking about right now. We’ve thought of a single mattress at the bottom of the bed between the bed and our mattress. I have a a mobility chair with 6 buttons for various positions which I use during the day. My legs are improving slowly but In my case age doesn’t help and is probably causing the redness and soreness.

I soak my feet in Epsom salts occasionally.

I hope all this helps.

Just going to take a Magnesium tablet. I haven’t tried these yet. So here’s hoping.

Good luck with your OC treatment and the swollen legs.

Love from Angela xx

[syl70]

Hi Stepdancer. I’m so sorry for what is happening to you. I started Taxol last year & within a couple of months, my legs and feet were swollen and hard like tree trunks. You couldn’t see my ankle bones & my legs had no definition. It was difficult to walk. I started to see a lymphedema specialist who performed drainage massages and I word compression hose from my feet to my groin. The swelling decreased a big, but not enough for me to be comfortable. Finally, I was fitted with a pump system on my legs and thighs. My feet and legs got better, but my hips and upper thighs continued to be swollen & super hard. I was then fitted with a 3-piece pump system: Hip/thigh pump, and 2 leg pumps. Finally after about 3 months, my legs and feet became normal. Caveat, I started the Chemo Halaven on May 1. This may have helped. My hips and upper thighs continued to be hard. So I only wear the Pump “shorts” now. My therapist feels that the lymphatic fluid has become fibrotic in these areas. I also continue to go for manual drainage. I’ve also been going to PT because I had lost muscle in my legs and abdomen. I now swim a few times a week, so stretching exercise in the pool, use a recumbent bike for 15 min a day & do my PT exercises everyday, except when I fatigued due to Chemo. I can now get in & out of the tub with grab bar assistance, I take combo Epson salt/sea salt baths. They have helped me relax & helped my neuropathy. I hope this information helps. I never thought my legs would become “normal”. There is hope. I wish you the best.

Sylvia

[Anntracy29]

Hello to you, during my journey I have experienced the swollen legs and feet and can only say to you what helped me and that was whether you are sitting or laying down keep your feet at least twelve inches high. I used to put several cushions onto my puffer when sitting and in bed the same. The fluid will gradually reduce and be expelled from you body down the loo. I hope it helps you.

[Stepdancer in reply to Anntracy29]

Thank you for your good advice will try everything to get swelling down I shall have to find some bolsters that be are comfortable to put my legs on.

[Anntracy29]

Well done as high as you can so the fluid runs back, I really hope it helps you. Good luck to you.

[Stepdancer in reply to Anntracy29]

just hope I can find something to do that

quickly.

[lesleysage]

Hi Stepdancer,

My only suggestion is to ask to speak to the Lymphodema Nurse Specialist at your hospital (presumably now via Zoom?) as she may have resources to help? The breathing exercises, massage, (I do it to myself) and compression stockings and pants suggested by my Lymphodema Nurse Speciast helps me keep my legs and genitals less swollen. My swollen ankle, thigh and genitals is due to loss of the lymphatic system in surgery, which I appreciate is a different 'origin' to yours but I'd hope any fluid swollen tissue could be helped by a Lymphodema Nurse Specialist.

My 'top tip' is to moisturise your feet and leg skin well as any dryness can bring on a small crack in your skin to let in an infection, hence developing cellulitis which you need to get treated as quickly as possible by your GP with antibiotics, e.g. I have Flucoxacillin 500mg.

Warmest wishes, Lesley

[Stepdancer in reply to lesleysage]

Thank you Lesley I had my first Chemotherapy today not a good experience couldn't find a vein to put the canula in but got there in the end, I have asked about seeing someone about the very swollen feet and massage so we will see what happens.

[OvacomeSupport Partner My Ovacome Team]

Hello Stepdancer

Thank you for your post, and I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with your leg swelling.

As you will have seen from the responses from other forum members, it's a very common experience with ovarian cancer. I hope that you've found the replies helpful and that you can get some advice from a healthcare professional soon.

In the meantime, if you develop any symptoms of a deep vein thrombosis ('DVT') such as your leg becoming red, hot or painful, it's important to seek medical advice urgently from your GP or NHS 111. You can find more information and a list of symptoms at nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein...

If there's anything that we can help with, or if you'd like to talk anything through, please get in touch.

Best wishes

Julia (Ovacome Support Services Officer)

[Stepdancer in reply to OvacomeSupport]

Thank you everyone has been very helpful and it seems like it is a common problem for most people.