Why is my foot swollen?

[Natsmb]

Several weeks back, after some vitamin c infusions, but not necessarily connected to the vitamin c of fusions, I noticed that my left foot was swollen. Both the foot and the ankle itself were puffy. When I pushed on the swollen part it does not leave an indention. It stays white for a brief moment and goes back to its former shape.

I mentioned it to my nurse. She did not seem to concerned. I mentioned it to my doctor. He said it should not be a big deal because when I press it it does not leave an indent. he suspected it would go away and maybe it had something to do with the infusion.

The swelling reduced after a week. Maybe a week later my foot was full and again. The top above my toes and all around the ankle and halfway up my calf are unusually swollen. Again I brought it up with the nurse and the doctor.

the second nurse I brought it up with said that it could possibly be a problem but she did not seem concerned. She said there was a possibility that there was some pressure building up higher up my leg and possibly in my abdomen or chest that was contributing to the swelling. She offered no other input and I asked her to shirt with the hospice doctor.

Again I felt like I was blown off. Initially I agreed with them. I thought maybe it had something to do with infusion or just being on my feet a little more than usual.

However, now it seems to be staying swollen. Generally I could expect it to reduce in size after about a day or two. A couple days ago it started to swell and continued to get more and more swollen. Again I have brought it up with the doctor and the nurse and they do not seem extraordinarily concerned. Granted, they've only just looked at it and that's as far as they've gone. They seem to shrug it off.

Today it is far more swollen than it has been in a while and now my right foot is also starting to swell up a little bit. Normally I am a very bony footed person. you can see every bone in my foot and my ankles are prominent. I now have a cankle. A very large cankle compared to my typical leg and foot. I realized that when doctors and nurses deal with other patients they are often skewed in their perspective in that another patient might have a severely hugely swollen foot and I hesitate to necessarily accept what they are saying in regards to my foot because yes, if you compare it to somebody with hugely swollen feet then mine does not look so bad. But this is way out of the norm for me. Compared to my normal situation, the swelling is significant.

And the fact that it is now ongoing where before it was intermittent and the fact that it is now also happening in my right foot makes me highly annoyed that I am being blown off by the doctors and nurses. When I had a major issue with my heart and brought brought all of my symptoms to nurses and doctors repeatedly, I was repeatedly ignored until it became so bad that I ended up in an ambulance. And yes it turned out to be a big deal not a little one. Score one for me and a big fat for the medical team at this point. When I was complaining of breathing problems and what I felt like was fluid in my chest I was constantly dismissed with sweet smiles and comforting gestures but no actual action. Even as I went in to have the fluid drawn off- which, by the way, only happened because I insisted on going to the ER and at the time I did not communicate to them that I was taking chemotherapy right away. I waited till after they took the tests.

As it turned out the fluid buildup in my lung was quite serious and ended up resulting in two surgeries.

I won't even tell you all my other experiences like this but at the moment, I'd really like some input on what you all think might be the culprit behind this swollen foot phenomena and do you have any suggestions about how I might address this with the doctor to get someone to take me seriously?

But a background, I was on chemotherapy for two and a half years and stopped all treatment this summer. As of October I went into hospice . I am dealing with stage 4 ovarian clear cell carcinoma cancer. The growths are in my abdomen and lung area.

Have any of you had a situation similar to mine and what was your experience with it and how is it treated? I would kind of like to know why this is happening and not just take a medication to reduce the symptoms. While I am on hospice, I have made it very clear to my hospice team that my goal is to stay alive as long as possible within reason as comfortably as possible. If something can be addressed to promote my comfort and extend my life without further damage to my body outside of actual treatment of the cancer, I would really like to make sure that I get the help I need.

Thank you for all your input and help. I hope you enjoyed your holidays.

[lesleysage]

Hello Natsmb, my only thought is that this could be either something connected to the heart problem you describe - or maybe lymphoedema, especially is you have had operations for OC and the lymphatic drainage system can become impaired?

Mine developed due to removal of lymph nodes etc. which had clear cell tumours growing in them as well as one of the ovaries.

If lymphoedema, then mine is 'treated' using gentle exercises, massage techniques and compression stockings & pants as mine can also accumulates/swells in my genitals.

My GP surgery took it seriously and referred me to the specialist lymphoedema nurse; I live in the Scottish Highlands but most NHS Trusts have a specialist lymphoedema nurse, I think. If in UK, you can ask your doctors to arrange a second opinion, free on NHS as you probably know? But are you in the US?

The reason that lymphoedema is taken seriously is that we can quickly develop cellulitis (red blotches across my tummy, temperature and flu-like aches in my case) which must be treated with strong antibiotics as soon as possible; if not then it is possible for this to develop into sepsis which as we know is not at all good.

I do hope you can get someone to take it seriously as with me doing my exercises, simple massage movements and wearing the compression garments 'normal' life is not so affected. If your hospice has access to a hydrotherapy or swimming pool, then I've found swimming is the best exercise for managing lymphoedema.

Best wishes for staying safe and getting help - from a snowy Scottish glen. x

[Natsmb in reply to lesleysage]

Thank you. This is very helpful. I'll be calling my nurse on Monday. I live in the US. I should be able to get help. I just needed to know if it was either digging my heels in about-I suspected as much and I appreciate your help!

[lesleysage in reply to Natsmb]

Hi again, I notice 'Supergran38' also thinks it could be lymphoedema.

You may find the Ovacome workshop on Managing Lymphoedema helpful - ovacome.org.uk/webinar-reco...

I listened to it as it 'went out' for the first time and relate to everything she says.

Good luck, L x

[Supergran38]

Good day, what you describe certainly sounds like lymphadema. I have it in both legs and feet.

There’s not an awful lot in the way of treatment other than massage and compression socks/stockings.

I had my legs measured at the lymphadema clinic to have compression stockings made, but find it almost impossible to wear them.

Try to elevate your legs as much as possible, also raising your mattress is another recommendation.

Good luck, hope you get some help.

[Nadie2018]

Hi Natsmb. I have no experience with this but wonder if you ask...”if I was not on Hospice, what would you do? “

I would think if it was heart related, you’d be swollen on both sides so would lean towards lymph edema as well.

Hope you get resolution soon.

Nadie

[delia2]

Hi. I agree with the others that it’s probably lymphedema but it could be heart/ kidney related and it’s frustrating that the nurses you’ve told don’t take it seriously. I’m not sure if it’s because hospice only treats things that really make you uncomfortable? I would definitely wear the compression socks or stockings. Sending hugs.