feet and ankle swelling

[Shaza123]

I was wondering if anyone has had swelling in their legs, ankles and feet after travelling for 4 plus hours. I have never had this before and I’m wondering if it is the steroids

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A bit more info about dose would be helpful.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

hi ,I’m on 15 mg thank you for your reply

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Shaza123]

Strangely, I get swollen legs intermittently but the one time I don't get them is when travelling by car! Haven't flown for years so not sure about that now.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRpro]

thank you for your replyAmbassador

[piglette]

I have the swelling without the travelling even!

[MiniSpec in reply to piglette]

Likewise, but in my case it seems to be one particular chair that causes the swelling. So now I try to sit in a different one that doesn't cause my feet to swell.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiniSpec]

Does it cut in behind your knees?

[MiniSpec in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, slightly, but not if I put my feet up on a foot stool. However, I still find that my feet and ankles swell, even with my feet raised, so now I just try to limit the amount of time I spend sitting in it.

The problem is that it's my computer chair, and I spend a lot of time on the computer each day, so it's a bit awkward. I think I'll have to spend a lot of money this year on replacing it with a better one.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MiniSpec]

Have you tried a wedge-shaped cushion? Like these

mobilitysmart.co.uk/cushion...

[Vito5566]

definitely steroids I suffer the same symptoms

[cycli]

definitely steroids. I have a bad case and so far no answer. It will affect balance and your ability to walk properly. Part of the steroid induced myopathy. Some react worse than others. Unfortunately I am one of those. Only help is elevate legs above thorax. Do it each day and start again the next. A bit like sisyphus rolling the rock up hill for ever.

[PMRCanada]

I got swollen ankles on my recent flights to/from Hawaii, especially the 8.5 hour flight home. They resolved within 24 hours back on the ground.

[Plains in reply to PMRCanada]

I wear support knee high socks when I fly for two reasons. One to keep swelling down and two to improve circulation. You should get up and walk or stand once an hour too. This will limit risk to deep vein thrombosis.

[Shaza123 in reply to PMRCanada]

I was on a bus trip. I’ve noticed the swelling has gone today so that’s good👍

[Merryfield]

sounds somewhat normal after that long a sit in the air. try support hose and moving around and see if that helps.

[Nanny71]

Hi I always get this when travelling . Found that flight socks do the trick.🌺

[York54]

I always get swollen ankles/feet on long haul flights. I wear flight stockings to help with this and wear slip on sandals. It resolves after being on the ground after a few hours.

[Flivoless]

This happens to my wife at times and she has never taken steroids.

[Maxgate2]

When you are on a flight, avoid caffeine, alcohol and sparkling water. Drink lots of still water and make sure you are well hydrated before you fly. Do lots of ankle circles on the flight. This might lessen the swelling. However the pressure in aeroplanes doesn’t help anyone!

[montebello]

I'm currently on 40 mg pred and have swollen feet, ankles, arms, face... you name it... without flying. For me, it's the PRED

[Linny3]

yes for years I have had a lot of trouble with swelling of feet and legs. It is from the steroids and inactivity . I have found The key is to cut down on salt, lay down and put your legs up above your heart at least once a day for 20-30 minutes. I also take a water pill once a day. Since doing all that, everything has been pretty good.

Also I wear 20-30 compression stockings everyday.

Don’t let it get ahead of you, stay on top of it.

Good luck

[phebamom]

In 2004 I had a total hysterectomy. I had endometrial cancer. A lot of lymph nodes in my groin were removed. I developed lymphedema in my left leg. I had 6 weeks of lymphatic massage. The treatment cured the problem. Now the problem is back. I am on 5mg. of prednisone. I do not think prednisone is the problem in my case. A lot of things can cause lymphedema.

[tempusfugi]

Since starting on Pred (April 2022), I've noticed swelling in my legs and ankles. Particular attention was brought to it when I saw a ridge in both legs when I took my socks off at night - quite defined. A physio I saw reported that I have oedma. Since the swelling, I also have pain at the back of both knees particularly when climbing stairs.

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to tempusfugi]

I have swelling (fluid retention) in my legs and ankles, and also have the sock indentations. My GP thinks it’s due to the blood pressure medication Amlodipine and has now prescribed Losarten instead. He said it protects the kidneys.

[tempusfugi in reply to Rachmaninov2]

Thanks, Rachmaninov2. Although my BP has gone up since starting Pred, I am not on any medication as yet. Has the Losarten helped the situation for you?

[Rachmaninov2 in reply to tempusfugi]

I’ve put off starting it as I’ve changed from Methotrexate tablets to injections in the past two weeks. I want to get settled on them first before starting a new medication because of any possible side effects from either. Hope to begin with Losarten next week. Hopefully you will not need any BP medication. 🙂

[Solstice85]

Yes, yes. Prednisone aka steroids is a nasty little mess on swelling. It will make your face swell (aka Moon Face..be prepared), legs swelling (consider compression stockings..ugly but they do the job), fingers swell (forget the rings). I normally do swell when I travel even without sterioids, it doesn't matter if its car or plane. So, bottom line, steriods will mess with you, but try to review what to try to make the swelling better. It is always difficult, prepare for a long run. Bless you.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Solstice85]

But moonface is due to fat deposits in specific places due to pred. Limbs swell due to fluid retention.

[dancersize2]

Travelling from Cardiff to Heathrow by bus in 2019 my ankles came up. Since I then had 24 hours flying to get home to Oz, I tried to elevate feet whenever possible. This was the worst I'd had in four trips. Tried compression stockings before and had horrible pain when I removed them once I got home so I put up with it and it settles once I'm home and I elevate feet most nights. With Covid around I haven't been able to come and visit since then.