Swollen ankles.

[maria40]

I have never seen my ankles so swollen. A combination of pred fluid retention and hot weather I assume. Anyone got a good remedy?

[yogabonnie]

just the same old...same old.. cut the carbs and the salt! lots of GREEN vegetables. And you could try an over the counter "Water" pill. (I think???) I have from time to time to reduce bloat..if I have a bathroom handy! They do reduce the water!

[maria40 in reply to yogabonnie]

I do use Lo Salt which is 60 per cent potassium and have been practically living on salads. Also keep up the potassium in my diet. Perhaps I'll just have to wait for a break in the weather promised for tomorrow.

[Jemsea in reply to maria40]

Cut out the Lo Salt - try using the pink Himalayan salt, has lots of minerals, good also to put in the bath for aches and pains.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Feet up every time you sit down!

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that. I'm only afraid I will nod off if I'm stretched out on the sofa in this weather.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

And????????????????????????????

[SheffieldJane]

No apart from put them up above your head, often. It’s probably all the things you think but if it carries on see your GP.

[piglette]

I am going to try another manual lymphatic drainage person tomorrow for swollen ankles and feet. Last time the lady was pretty disastrous but I thought I would give it another go.

[SnazzyD]

Since Pred I’ve had to wear support hosiery in warm weather to keep my legs from feeling tense and uncomfortable.

[Janstr]

When initially put on to steroids I was aware of the possible fluid retention side effect & asked my GP what I could do to prevent it. She suggested increasing foods containing potassium & also magnesium which I did. I don't have fluid retention issues.

[ConventCassie]

Just curious. Are you on any Blood Pressure meds that would cause swelling? Mine went away immediately when I got off of one.

[Casia]

I’ve always suffered from swollen ankles even as a teenager, especially in hot weather.if you can, some gentle exercise will get the circulation going. As it’s so hot an aqua aerobics class would be good. Yoga is also very good for circulation and if you can’t go to a class you can usually access some exercises on YouTube .

[Gaycreasey]

Hi maria40. Me too!! My GP prescribed a water tablet but it contained lactose so not for me. My really helpful pharmacist found a different one that didn’t contain lactose so I contacted my GP and gave him the name. He replied very tetchily that he had prescribed the original one because it wouldn’t strip my body of potassium and that I would just have to sit with my feet up every evening and put up with it!! Ok. During a session with my Bowen therapist she recommended Dandelion, either tea or capsules. They work!! I know that they are not clinically trialled but they are a natural product and easy to take. Bring it on!!

[maria40 in reply to Gaycreasey]

Thanks. I'll certainly give dandelion a try. We used to eat it in salads when I lived in Germany but I don't think it's cultivated for that here.

[Janstr in reply to maria40]

Be careful with dandelion as I asked my GP about it some time ago, & she advised against it as I am taking aspirin & the 2 don't go well together

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaycreasey]

What an appalling attitude on the part of your doctor!

[Linny3 in reply to Gaycreasey]

I was told by a dr. that water pills weren't a good idea for thos of us on Prednisone.? Go figure every dr. seems to have something different to say . What are we to do?

Lin

[Linny3]

Hi Maria40

NO Salt! is my best advice. When I cut out the salt, as best I could, my ankles went down to almost normal, same for my calves. It was rather amazing. I didn't realize I was eating as much salt as I apparently was. Now I am waiting to see if it helps with my blood pressure. I am assuming it will.

Take Care

Lin

[HeronNS in reply to Linny3]

The subject of salt has become of some interest to me lately and I read somewhere that the average Westerner consumes up to 10,000 mg salt a day! Now that IS far too much, although some of us appear to have swung the other way and consumed too little for too long....

[Gaycreasey]

I’ve since seen a different GP, the one I consider ‘mine’. I told him about the dandelion capsule and he looked a bit puzzled. I said, ‘You know all about dandelions don’t you?’ He thought a bit and then smiled, ‘ Oh yes’.? Judy keep drinking plenty of water!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gaycreasey]

You know that in French dandelions are called Pissenlit? Literally - piss the bed!

imponderabilia.blogspot.com...

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

My first thought when reading this. Perhaps ancestors knew more about fluid retention than we might think?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

Oh definitely - traditional remedies are well worth trying providing they don't interact with any other medication you may be taking, prescription or otherwise.

[saffron52]

Hi Maria

Just read your post and I always eat lots of cucumber as they have diuretic properties and also encourage passing urine. Though I should check with Google if you are on blood pressure tablets which I am and I have no trouble. Failing that you can always cut them up and put them on your ankles would be nice and soothing and cooling, good for your eyes as well. Take care

Love Angie xx