HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

(No Subject)

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/13/2013 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
how can you tell the difference between swollen ankles from ra and lymphedema?  my rheumi tells me it is from ra, but also says there is water on knee and fluid in feet.  had 2 lymph nodes removed from abdomen and surgeon says it could be lymphedema and wait for a couple of months, if still swollen to try compression hose.  had swollen feet before lymph node removal, had left with prednisone.  was off prednisone for 6 days when had lymph nodes removed and 3 days later the feet started to swell. any help or info would be appreciated.  thanks.
Posted 9/15/2013 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
Thanxu,

I'm not sure that there is an easy way to tell for sure since both your recent surgery and RA could cause swelling in your feet. My first symptoms of RA were massive swelling of the feet and knees. Oddly enough, the pain came later. When the initial swelling was there I did not have too much pain.

What I find interesting is that the return of your swelling coincided with stopping your Prednisone for surgery. That leads me to think that perhaps your swelling may be related to RA, since Prednisone would have no effect on lymphedema. Have you other symptoms of RA that worsened while off the Prednisone? Fatigue? pain? Fever? I find that these accompany flares for me.
Posted 9/15/2013 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
rnwithra, thanks for your answer. i, too, thought stopping prednisone might be the culprit.  i do have fatigue but attribute it to the swelling of the feet and walking differently.  also, have the pain in the knees.  it's very confusing as to what is causing the problem ra or the lymphedema.  will give it time and see what surgeon says when i go back.  hate the thought of compression socks if they are not really needed. like i said in my original question, my rheumi up the methotrexate from 12.5 to 17.5 mg and was wondering how long a time that would take to show improvement? do you have some idea?  thanks.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply