Oedema

[Joan59]

Hi I’ve had SSc and Raynauds for sometime but at the moment I am really struggling with oedema in my face first thing in the mornings. Then my hand and lower legs swell all the way down to my ankles by mid morning. Has anyone else had this.

Joan59

[Flouzet]

Yes, I do. I was having massage for lymphatic drainage with the physiotherapist twice a week, which after 6 months was working well, but with the shut down this had to stop and poof! back came the swelling...

[Joan59 in reply to Flouzet]

Hi thank you for your reply. I don’t think it’s lymphatic related but I am yet to see somebody about it because I also get swelling in the face first thing in the morning. I’m going to ring my GP in the morning see if I can get a face-to-face on the big screen that is but will see what he says thank you anyway.

[frillyhilly]

Hi I have had oedema in my legs (and in the rest of my body at times) for many years. I definitely think talking to your GP is the right way to go because there can be so many different reasons for this. I have to use various meds and have various medical instructions but they may not be good for you.

However that are a few general things that might help you:

(a) gently massage yourself by which I really mean applying a cream or oil with a somewhat firm rather than gentle stroke - start gentle and get then develop a firmer stroke which doesn't hurt.

(b) try to keep moving around when you are standing - the District Nurse gave me an example: walk around the kitchen whilst the kettle boils.

(c) Make sure you raise your legs when sitting and possibly when lying down - a cushion or pillow will do.

(d) just a thought - could you raise your head a bit more at night (I'm thinking of the same principle as the legs and because the swelling goes down after being awake a while)

Now what sounds quite sillly but really helps my face in general is a really easy exercise that is suposed to exercise all the muscles in your face and get the circulation going. You shout A, E, I, O, U with as much exageration as possible. So people don't think I'm mad I "shout" quietly and it still works. Start just by saying the letters and then over the next few days as your muscles strech you can move to a "shouting" and exagerating the movement. The maximum benefit is supposed to come from 5 repetitions but I find 3 makes a difference - you just go at your own pace. If you want a giggle watch yourself doing it. I would definitely leave this until later in the day. If it doesn't help with the swelling I'm sure you will see/feel an improvement in your facial tone.

Good luck with the GP. Take care and keep safe. xx

[Joan59 in reply to frillyhilly]

Hi thank you for the advice. I will definitely give the massage a try. And I did have a chuckle when I did the face exercises. Lol. I am waiting for a callback from my GP fingers crossed.

Stay safe. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Joan59]

Yes I too seem to get pitting oedema everywhere but not always so it shows to the naked eye.

It became extra bad in my hands and face and under my ribs last year and I too started having massage for lumps from a fall and for lymphatic drainage.

At the same time I sought out the endocrinologist to see if my dose of thyroxine was too low as I felt this locking in my hands and fluid swelling is generally a sign of being under medicated for my hypothyroidism. This resulted in a raise in dose and the fluid retention in my hands and face has eased up a lot.

I still get a lot of it around my eyes when I wake and I’m not sure what causes it but the masseur thought it was connective tissue disease related - she feels I’m very hypermobile. I do have quite a complicated mix and have missed my masseur a lot since lock down. I’m In the shielding group so not sure when or if I’ll get back to her again.

[Bonniebo]

A bout 7 years ago I ended up wif swelling in my legs and feet and had to use a wheel chair for a while coz I couldn't bend my legs to walk