redsquirrel Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 This is a real problem. My ankles are actually puffy. They have been puffy for years, but I have been ignoring it. Only now it seems to be spreading to my calf area and I can hardly zip my boots up. Most people would say that I can't zip my boots, but I am stubborn and they did finally zip. It was sort of silly though, but, hey, I won that battle. I eat a fairly healthy diet and prob eat much less salt than the average American. I drink green smoothies and track my fiber grams every day. I run, I own a nordic track (and USE IT) and workout quite more days than I don't. However my weight is more than it should be and I am convinced I am quite bloated with water. My ankles are the proof. My aunt had a problem with this and she wore support hose and did all kinds of things to deal with it. I think it made her miserable. My mom is a nurse and she checked it out and got a bit quiet. Then she said if I told a doctor I would be given meds, but they are are really strong so I might want to think about that. I should say that my mom is almost 70 and is on no medication of any kind. She is super healthy and sees taking medication as 'giving in' so maybe she isn't the person I should talk to. I have drank quarts of 'weightless' tea that is supposed to help with water retention. I have tried putting my feet up every single night. I have tried sitting less, sitting more, but my ankles are stubborn. FWIW, I am very small boned. My wrists are teensy. I am a petite person, except from the knees down. It isn't HUGE because then I would see a doctor, but I know it isn't right. A finger doesn't leave an impression, yet. But socks do and it lasts a long time. and my ankles sort of go over any socks I wear. It just looks gross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Are you on any medication? When I was on Calan SR for migraines, I retained fluid big-time and it all ended up in my legs if I stood up or walked for any length of time. I was all of 19 at the time and was probably more physically active then than I have been at any time of my life since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 I think I'd see a doctor. Your swelling could be caused by an underlying heart or kidney condition, particularly if it's constant rather than intermittent. If they don't find anything, you may want to try a mild over the counter diuretic like Diurex with Parabrom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted September 21, 2013 Author Share Posted September 21, 2013 The only medication I take is an OTC allergy medication and I can go for months and months without taking it. A doctor? Really? Aren't you going to tell me to give up gluten or dairy or something? I have health insurance, so it's not a huge problem, I just hate going. I am afraid they will think I am being a baby for complaining about my puffy ankles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 I would go to the doctor too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Another go to doctor. Ankle swelling is symptom of kidney problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serenade Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 My ankles swell a bit, sometimes more than others. I think with me it's because of my RA, and it gets worse when I have Baker's Cyst going on. Do you have any kind of arthritis? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 Not to be a scare monger, but my dad with the largely swollen feet ended up with bypass surgery and kidney cancer. At the other extreme, my MIL has had swollen ankles and feet compared to the rest of her body and she's now 76 and is on no medication for any condition. I think women tend to have more problems with swelling due to hormones, but it's wise to have it checked anyway. How old are you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 The only medication I take is an OTC allergy medication and I can go for months and months without taking it. A doctor? Really? Aren't you going to tell me to give up gluten or dairy or something? I have health insurance, so it's not a huge problem, I just hate going. I am afraid they will think I am being a baby for complaining about my puffy ankles. No, puffy ankles can be a sign of something very serious as others have said. If you had an aunt with the problem, it could be a more benign cause and the fact that you've had it for quite a while is probably a good sign, too. However, no doctor is going to roll their eyes at puffy ankles whatever the cause and it's not something to self-treat. You really need to know why. Please go to a doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 how is your liver or kidney function? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted September 21, 2013 Share Posted September 21, 2013 You poor thing! I know you must be feeling alarmed at the responses. Please remember you feel well and are exercising. That's all a good sign. There could be a simple explanation, so don't panic. Just get it checked out. :grouphug: ETA: FYI, in case there is ever a need, there have been a lot of advances in compression hose and some are supposed to be very comfy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetMissMagnolia Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 another hiver sending you to the dr......mine get puffy because I retain water-I'm on a prescription diuretic and blood pressure meds so when I see puffy ankles (or fingers) that don't go down I worry.....hope things are ok and don't mean to scare you......keep us updated..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in FL. Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Negin, Can you share the info on the swing? Where can you get it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Have you checked your blood pressure lately? I noticed my ankles getting puffy and my fingers too. I've never had a bp issue (it was always low), but a couple years ago I went to the dentist for a bad tooth. They said my bp was really high. I shrugged it off thinking it was just nervousness. However, after having it checked for something else, I realized it was quite higher than normal. My mother developed high bp in her 40's and here I was in my late 40's. It seems my bp has shot upward. My doctor says this is common as we age. However, thankfully, he is working with me, and I have been able to keep it under control with diet and exercise - no meds -- yet. My ankles and fingers are no longer swollen, but if I do notice them puffing up, I know that I haven't been as good as I should with my diet and exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Please, please go to the doctor. It might be nothing, but if you go to the doctor and they find nothing, then you can have peace of mind. OTOH, I know from experience that very mild swelling can be a sign of very serious illness. Often, serious illnesses are less serious if treated earlier rather than later. At the dr appt that changed my life forever, I mentioned that I'd been having swelling during tax season (when I work at a desk very. long. hours) but it had gone away. Dr pushed on the front of my leg and said, no, you're swollen right now. I couldn't see the impression, but with her experience, she could see it. Please go to the doctor. Make sure they do fasting bloodwork that includes CBC, complete metabolic panel, complete thyroid, and blood sugar. Hopefully, everything will come back normal. But if something is wrong, it's better to find out as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Lol, I have tried dry brushing. My thinking was along the same lines, that it is lymphatic. I even bought a cute little brush at the grocery store. I just forget to do it. I can start trying to do it when I change into my exercise clothes. I stopped last winter because I keep my house freezing cold. Changing my clothes is torture and I try to spend as little time as possible naked. It gets pretty funny. The funny thing is that I have very low blood pressure. In fact, I was told to eat a bit more salt to try to raise it. I can easily have it go black for a bit when I stand up, and the salt did help with that. But, everything you all said really did make an impression. You are all correct and I should go to the doctor. Apparently it has been bugging my dh as well. He's heard me grouse about it and he says he would prefer I talked to a doctor. I am a very healthy person, so it is unlikely that there is any major problem. My skin is clear, my eyes are bright, my blood pressure is low and I don't look puffy or anything like that. I just have chunky calves and ankles. Pretty soon our insurance will have that open enrollment period and then we are going to switch companies. When that is in place, the first thing I am going to do is go see the doctor. Right now, our plan is super duper cheap, but our family doctor doesn't take it (he's not the only one). I don't want to pay 180$ to have them look at my puffy ankles and tell me to wear support hose, lol. If I thought I was in genuine danger or having a medical emergency, I would go in a heartbeat. That isn't the issue. Oh and thanks for letting me know that there have been advancements in compression hose. I know my aunt wore it and my mom said it was so uncomfortable that it made her cry. :sad: I looked for some at Target but I think I have to go to a drugstore. I do have it on my list of errands to run. I keep thinking that it will make my calves smaller and then my thighs will swell, lol. Eventually it will get to my head, won't that be cool! And I really do appreciate the advice. I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel to know that the doctor won't think I am being silly or worrying over nothing. My husband is feeling all vindicated, lol. He teased me that he would tell The Hive if I didn't come up with a plan to see the doctor. That said, I know for a fact that I could prob make my GP cry real tears if I told him that I wasn't coming in because I was afraid he would laugh at me. Oh lordy, I can just imagine the look of horror on his face. He's a super sweet and kind man, always speaks in a very gentle manner. It's not like my fear is based in reality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Negin, Can you share the info on the swing? Where can you get it? Cindy, it's expensive as can be. I got my rebounder from them. When I get old and can't rebound anymore, I plan on getting the swing, if not, sooner. I'd love to have one right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Negin Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 nm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiramisu Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 The funny thing is that I have very low blood pressure. In fact, I was told to eat a bit more salt to try to raise it. I can easily have it go black for a bit when I stand up, and the salt did help with that. ... Oh and thanks for letting me know that there have been advancements in compression hose. I know my aunt wore it and my mom said it was so uncomfortable that it made her cry. :sad: I looked for some at Target but I think I have to go to a drugstore. I do have it on my list of errands to run. I keep thinking that it will make my calves smaller and then my thighs will swell, lol. Eventually it will get to my head, won't that be cool! I went to a health board I'm on to check up what I read about compression hose. I'll summarize what I found. These are the brands that seem to be recommended: Jobst, Juvo, Medevin, Sigvaris. (I hope I remembered those names right!) There are different levels of compression and styles from knee-high style on up. It seems like, ideally, a doctor should tell you what level of compression you need and what style. Buying online may give you more selection and may be less expensive. There are specialists for fitting them who can make recommendations on brands that might suit your shape best. I quoted the first bit up there because of the low blood pressure issue. I suppose there could be different reasons for this that should be excluded, but it could go along with the puffiness you're experiencing. I've been recently reading about POTS and dysautonomia and people with those conditions can have both the blood pressure drops and blood pooling in the lower body. Compression stockings can be very helpful in addressing both. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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