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HELP! My feet are swollen to 4xs the original size- anyone had this b4?

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Posted 10/3/2007 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
On Thursady of last week (9-27?) I put on my shoes and thought- these are a little snug. Then later in the day (as I had them slipped off and my feet were concealed under my desk) I noticed that BOTH of my feet were swollen to the size of a small nerf football, approx 4 times bigger than normal. I read some info online and decided to try elevating my feet while I slept. The swelling went down gradually over the weekend. And, as I am sitting here with my legs propped up on pillows (again) I read some more online to the point I think I have made myself scared. Around 7 pm today I called my dr. (general physician- not the PM dr) and explained what was happening and he said he wanted to see me immediatly tomorrow. I have also noticed a problem achtually "peeing" for lack of a better word, along with a decrease in food cravings, slight swelling in my fingers and it feels like my arms & legs are 200 lbs each. I should mention I had an electrolyte imbalance last month and was hospitalized for a few days to bring that and my potassium levels. If there is someone out there in the medical field or if anyone is or has gone through this- please let me know. Has anyone gone through this? And, if you would rather share your story or communicate through e-mail, I am fine with that. Thanks everyone!
Posted 10/3/2007 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
You are retaining fluids that is why your feet is so swollen. Be sure to tell the dr you are having trouble peeing. Most likely he will put you in a diurectic which will make you pee. Many things can cause this problem. I have this very problem and take Lasix & Bumex to get the fluid off. When I was bumped up to the 75mcg Fentanyl patch I could not pee, some pain meds can do this. Of course, I was taken off of the patch at that point.I am on a fluid intake restriction. Its no fun when your toes look like sausages. Let us know. Susie
Posted 10/3/2007 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Man I am so sorry that you are having to deal with all of this swelling and like Susie(straydog)said it's no fun.But I will say this we will help you as much as we can.Susie and I know first hand what you are going through.I use to thank god for finding this site but I feel even more blessed and thank god even more for Susie she is a wounderful person that has been there for me we do talk alot and she know'a what she's talking about.So with that being said I deal with the same issues as well.I am as well on lasix and bumex as well I take alow dose and it keeps me from retaining so much fluid and like Susie said it will make you pee alot but it's better than reataing all that fluid.If it get's worse you need to tell your PCP and see if he can give you a diurectic that will help with this.Please keep intouch and if you have any questions please ask Susie or I and we will be glade to help in any way we can.

If you would like to e-mail me you can get my e-mail address by clicking on my name in the left upper corner.
Posted 10/3/2007 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
well, here's a small update. i just gpt home from seeing my PCD and he has ordered many tests. I thought of everything I possibly could to tell him. I have the swelling in my hands- usually in the morning, no where near what my feet look like, kind of a pulsating feeling.. weird feeling. i have some major back problems and the best way I can describe it is kind of like the tingling nerve pain feeling, yet it pulsates to my finger tips- I don't even really know how to describe it... very weird. Very hard to walk, which was always a small issue depending on the day- now it really hurts the bottom of my feet, hard to get up or sit down- it just hurts. And this is different than anything I have felt before. I'm on enough meds to pretty much be in a constant state of "fuzzy" but nothing really helps. Ok, so on with the Dr. He poked my feet some, said it was fluid. He did prescribe me some water pills along with potassium pills. (which was a problem I had last month and was in the hospital) Maybe I should tell you I am 30. He said that it seems to be arthritis symptoms, but he is concerned because I am too young and it is such a sudden occurance. He said it could be multiple things, I said "well, arthritis isn't serious is it?" and his response was "well, it can be.. depends on what kind." and told me a few types- but I can't remember. He has multiple tests ordered. He asked if I have been sick or flu-like feeling lately or if I have been near a baby. I had a moment a few weeks ago I thought I had some sinus issues- achy, tired and watering eyes which the eyes are still watering. I had gone to a pulmanologist about 2 years ago for the same thing and was put on zyrtec- which he gave a rx of that for me. Now, I have been doing some searching online and I have to say I am really worried. My mothers side of the family (I have never met my biological father so I have no idea of his medical ancestory history) has all had some type of cancer, and the majority of them have died from some type of it. My aunt is currently battling a rare form of tounge cancer. I appreciate your responses cause to be honest I am a little freaked out. Did either of you have any of the other symptoms I mentioned? Thanks a million. Shannon
Posted 10/4/2007 5:13 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Shannon,

So glad you got into your dr. You will love the pee pills, whew at first they will really make you go. I don't know if your dr told you or not, but you really need to be drinking water with the diurectics, they work much better that way believe it or not. Both my husband and I have been on them so long. You don't want to dry yourself out with them, so have a bottle of water handy and drink it. Took me forever to get it thru my husbands thick skull that he must drink some kind of liquid when on Lasix. I also eat a banana every day and a baked potato is a good source of potassium.I do this in addition to the pills cause I get charley horses in the tops of my thighs and they are terribly painful on that part of the legs.

As you dr said there are many kinds of arthritis. Did he say this after looking at x-rays he took? Any kind of an injury say to your back for instance, leaves the door wide open for the possibility of arthritis setting in, regardless of age. Once you injure an area it weakens that place and makes a person have a higher potential of re-injuring the same place again in the future.

I can understand your fears based on what you know about on your mom's side of the family. But before you get worked up for nothing, try to save your strength. Getting worked up and tense is only going to cause a bunch of muscle spasms and more pain, so try to calm down. I know its scarey and all, but you have to look at the whole picture here. When do you go back to the dr for the results of your labs? What kind of tests did he order for you? When will the results of the tests be back? Please let us know and try to stay as calm as you can.

Susie

Posted 10/5/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Susie, you are so sweet to be so comforting. I am going tomorrow to have the tests done. He is getting a full panel- I might be wording this incorrectly- of blood and urine. He said that we will move forward from there- that hopefully there will be some answers there. I'm glad you mentioned that about the water- no he did not tell me that. I know what you are talking about- I woke up last night in the middle of the night and I swear I dropped a gallon- after barely being able to go for weeks I thought I was never going to stop! And, someone at work told me not to expect anything for about 2 weeks! The dr. mentioned a possibilty of several things, all kinds of things. I'm trying not to freak out. I know it dosen't help to worry, but he definitly made me concerned. He said he would let me know as soon as he does- so I will let you know. Thanks so much for all the support and advice. Shannon.
Posted 10/9/2007 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon, take your pee pills in the am, otherwise you will be up & down all night. Did you let that person know they didn't know what they were talking about concerning a diurectic? Good grief, 2 weeks and you would have been floating, lol. Ok, have you been back to the dr or know any of your test results? Let us know.

Susie
Posted 10/12/2007 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
susie, i called the dr today and still no results yet. the pee pills are still working, and i take that when i wake up at about 6 am. steady non-stop all through work. lol. i'm just hanging in there. i'm finding more and more of these knots all over my body. :( they don't hurt or anything, but they concern me. i know we have talked about it before, but i'll let you know as soon as i get the results.... thanks for being so concerned. take care... -shannon
Posted 10/12/2007 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon, I must have missed the post about these knots you are talking about. Has your dr seen them? Any news from the dr yet? Susie
Posted 10/13/2007 4:18 PM (GMT 0)
no, no results yet. i have mentioned them before- they are hard knots, at first on my back and now they are every where. i have even found one under one of my breasts. i had a friend who passed from breast cancer, and it dosen't feel like the same kind of knot. anyhow, the dr at first said they were normal for people with back issues/spasms. but, i must admit i am a little nervous.... i can't feel a place on my body where they aren't at. i even felt one on my hip the other day. stomache, arms, they are just all over the place. do you know anything about them? the dr had said they are just muscle tears, and i would have believed that with my back- but my hip? xoxo Shannon
Posted 10/16/2007 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
straydog........ results are in. i have an infection in my liver. i am going back on friday to get some more "in depth" tests. he isn't going to say anything more over the phone. i'll talk to you when i hear more. :)
Posted 10/16/2007 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
Shannon, take a few big deep breaths. I know you must be scared to death, I sure would be if it were me. On the other hand since he is waiting until Friday to see you he must feel its something that can wait till then, so thats a good thing. A liver infection, hum, its going to be interesting to see how that came about and what caused it. Please let us know what happens at the dr. Hugs, Susie
Posted 10/16/2007 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Susie- yeah, i thought, what the heck is this? i tried to look online but my goodness, - for once the meds i am on are kicking my butt. do you know anything about this? my mom got real quiet when i told her and started asking about the "knots". she flat out asked if they were looking for cancer. please let me know what you can... xoxo. shan. (i'd ask more but this really took me about 45 minutes to type) lol... ttyl.
Posted 10/17/2007 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried to Google "liver infection"? Could any of your medications cause any problems with your liver? I know some meds can. I will try to see what I can find, in the meantme, if you can list your meds here. Hugs, Susie
Posted 10/17/2007 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
thats so nice of you to do... i usually always check them on drugs.com. here they are:
oxycodone 15 mg 4 xs daily, zyrtec 10 mg 1xs daily, furosemide 40 mg 1xs daily, zoloft 50 mg 1xs daily, soma 350 mg 2 xs daily (as needed), potassium 20 meq 2xs daily, lyrica 75 mg 3xs daily, oxycontin 20 mg 2xs daily, amitriptyline hcl 25 mg 1xs daily and colace as needed.

... at least ths is my list today,,, -S
Posted 10/17/2007 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
hi gramps- the oxycodone is a new mix as of yesterday. along with the lyrica. susie, i meant to tell you my blood work came back.... high white blood cell count and also abnormal liver. i am going to meet him friday to get some more tests done.
Posted 10/22/2007 10:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Gramps- well you guys are NEVER going to believe this! This infection that has had me a nervous wreck all week- would you believe the receptionist had the wrong test results! OH MY GOD! I can't believe that kind of mistake! I am very happy it is not what I was thinking... The correct results are high amounts of rheumatoid? I may not have the correct term. He seems to think it may be fibromyalgia? I showed him all the knots everywhere.... there is a huge one on my rib cage. Gramps, or anyone else- does anyone have this condition? Thank you all for your kind words of support.
Posted 10/22/2007 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
WHEW, what a relief!! Now, lets kick the receptionists butt. First off, a receptionists is someone busy answering a phone, she has no business calling patients and giving them results of tests and having to put them on hold to answer another call. On second thought, maybe you should kick your drs butt for being a tight ass and having his receptionist make those kind of calls to patients. If the dr can't call his patients, then the very least his nurse should be calling the patients. I am floored over this. High rheumatoid factor and he is not checking into RA on you???? Why did he want to possibly label you fibro? We have a fibro baord here and there is alot of them that really suffer with it. When is almighty making his formal dx here? Let us know. Susie
Posted 10/23/2007 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
you know susie, i just don't know. every bone in my body aches... i mean this is different. totally different than anything i have ever felt before. he has me referred to a rheumotologist, i hope that is that right word, to check me out. he said that they also diagnose for fibro. i have to say though last night i was checking a few new knots on me and found 2 hard ones, one on my rib cage and one on my hip. these aren't like the regular knots i have. i did show them to my dr, and he even felt them..... i just don't know what to do. i don't want to sound like i am over-reacting or being paranoid.... i don't know what to do. i am in extreme pain and just kind of depressed i guess. i'm gonna eat some somas... lol. i will ttyl. take care. -Shan.
Posted 10/24/2007 4:38 AM (GMT 0)

Shannon,

Thats great, a rheumy is an excellent direction to be sent in to really see what is going on here. I think he will be much more qualified to handle your problems over a PCP. These knot things you talk about immediately make me think of RA. It sounds like your RA factor is what is high. My sister has RA and hers is pretty severe. She gets knots on her too. Yes, Gramps is right they also dx peeps with Fibro, but I don't think you have fibro, but then I am not a dr so we will have to wait and see. 

I recently was referred to one because my ANA has been high twice in 6 months, plus I had other positive labs to come back too. My PCP really thought I had Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and I have so many of the other symptoms, plus different lab work. She was also trying to rule out Lupus. So we talk, he does an exam, we go back to his office and we talk some more. Then he starts pulling out sheets of paper and its litature on Lupus, plus a sheet with the medication he would most likely put me on. I go back this Friday I guess for the verdict. He had his on lab on site and they did a bunch of labs so we will see. He disagreed with my dr. I was shocked when he said Lupus. I already have crohns disease and UC, I think thats enough already.

Lets hope you don't have to wait a long time for the appt. Hugs, Susie

Posted 10/26/2007 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
hi susie, my appointment is dec 3rd... feels like a lifetime away. i have the swollen feet again. this is more aggrevating than a lot of the other things i have going on. i swear i want to stick a pin in them and let them pop. they actually kind of burn a little tonight, which is a new symptom. you know my firend was adament i make sure i don't have lupus, she says a lot of drs misdiagnose it. you know, really i am not expecting a miracle- they are RA. which was my pcp's first initial thought. good luck with your appt, let me know what happens.
Posted 10/26/2007 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Shannon I am with you over the swollen feet it can get very painful. I have vascular problems in my legs so I get to wear those lovely compression hose, but guess what, they work and really help keep the swelling down in legs. My elgs will swell so bad they will break open & weep. Not only that but they really do make my legs feel better. They are just a pain to get on, worse than any girdle you could ever imagine. lol.
Shannon, can you get a copy of the lab records from your dr? There is a place on line that alot of us go to aout our lab results? Susie
Posted 10/26/2007 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
oh Gramps, thats so awful. I am so sorry you are in so much pain. You are right, this should not happen in America. Sometimes I agree with the idea of legal euthanization for cases where there is just too much pain to cope with. I live in Tampa, FL and would be happy for you to come visit if it meant a better dr for you. When I lived in Ga, I was passed from dr to dr and basically was accused of pill seeking. absolutly ridiculous. I don't know where I would be now without my drs. And I had to move to get better care so I understand. One of my drs suffers from chronic back pain so he understands. Now as far as the rheumatologist- if you told them it is an emergency, don't you think they would get you in sooner? or maybe if you told them everything you have going on, or possibly even if there is a cancellation? I just can't imagine how you are dealing with that amount of pain. I know I have days where I want to curl into a ball and just give up. You know the media rarely covers incidents like yours, they only focus on the people who die as a result from an overdose... but perhaps if the drs weren't so scared to help, people wouldn't die from overdoses. Gramps, if there is anything I can do- please let me know.
Posted 10/29/2007 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
Gramps, I feel as if there has to be something I can do for you? Are you at least on Lyrica or soemthing? Let me know.
Posted 10/30/2007 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Gramps, I will definitly say a prayer for you, possibly sevreal. I know the pain I feel is there every deal- I can't even imagine the pain you are in. I know the frustration of meds not working, or only working a month, then you double up hoping for some relief. You know the media made such a big deal about Anna Nicole's death having 300 pills in her systom in 30 days, and I think, my god I know I take more than that! I really hope they can help you! Please let me know the outcome.
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