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Posted 8/26/2007 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Funny thing is, only one is swollen. My left side, you can still see and feel the little bone (I don't know what its called) but the right side you can't see the bone at all let alone feel it. I didn't hurt it or injure it. If it was fluid retention, wouldn't both swell up? I'm really scratching my head on this one. Any clues?

Can't I get a normal day??? UGH!!!
(sorry, just venting)
Posted 8/26/2007 2:18 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Des, I have had the same thing happen to me before. My left foot would swell and not my right. However a few days later my right foot started to swell. I called the doctor she ordered me lasix to get rid of the water but by the time I went in to see her they were both swollen from my knees down and bright red. My feet were HUGE. She said it was inflmation and that no water pill was gonna get rid of it. about 2 weeks later it went away. I also had my old rheumy concerned that I had a blood clot because another time only 1 leg swelled. He didn't do anything and it went away. Anyway those are my 2 experiences. I'm sorry I don't have any answers for ya I just wanted to let you know that it is possible to be a lupus thing and don't be surprised if the other one starts to swell. I actual used a heating pad because it helped the pain in my toes.

I hope ya feel better sooon

love ya

carol

Posted 8/26/2007 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Des--
My left swells more than the right, guess my vascular system is not as good in that leg, also i'm right handed so maybe I use my right leg more. Often the left leg is more swollen, but both swell, its just not the same amount for some reason. Maybe capillaries not as good in the really swollen leg. Don't know if this helps. Also, maybe you have more arthritis there due to more injuries in the past to that ankle. Hope you feel better soon. It just seems like its always something with this crap.
Posted 8/26/2007 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Des, I have no idea what would cause it. Is the ankle hurting at all? I'm not sure how you tell if it's fluid retention or swelling from arthritis. Just keep an eye on it and the other ankle. Anytime I think about swollen feet or ankles in us lupies, I think about kidney issues, so please keep an eye on things. Although, like you said, you would think that both ankles would be swollen. I hope the swelling has gone down some today. Take care
Posted 8/26/2007 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Des,

I have exactly the same problem. While both ankles swell up, my right ankle is always much more swollen than my left. I take a diuretic (triamterene) and have for 20 years. What I've wondered about, and perhaps this is an old wife's tale, is whether swelling on the right side can be a symptom of conjestive heart failure. My heart has always been strong, but I recall that when my mom had conjestive heart failure one of her feet would swell more than the other. My PCP says no.

I'll ask my rheumy and see what she has to say and I'll get back to you. I don't see her for another month or so. If you learn anything, let me know.

Pat
Posted 8/26/2007 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Patty, I think there may be somthing to that. I take triam also. When I have problems and wind up at the hospital they always check out my heart. Because I have pulmonary problems I get CHF somtimes and they say they check for what they call right side heart attacks. I think most wives tales are based on a certain amount of truth.

Des I hope you are resting with your leg propped up. That somtimes help. Let us know if anything changes.

love ya guys

carol

Posted 8/27/2007 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Des. Just one experience to share. It was only my right entire calf (lower leg) that was swollen. Because I have that antiphospholipid thing, my rheumy at the time ordered an ultrasound to make sure there wasn't a clot. None was found, and I think it was at that time I started the Nabumetone and the fluid went away on its' own. Good luck with finding the cause. This stuff is tricky!
Posted 8/27/2007 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Carol, Marji, Hippi, Pat, and Sharen

Well the swelling has not gone away, it hasn't moved to my leg or anything either which is a good thing. It's still just on my right ankle. I'm going to call my rheumy tomorrow about it and see if he wants me to come in. I'm kind of scared now because it has lasted this long and no injury caused it. I looked up swollen ankle and it looks like it could have so many causes so I'm not optimistic I will get answers right away. Thank you for all your thoughts. I'll definitely keep you all posted.
Posted 8/28/2007 2:40 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Des, did you call your rheumy yesterday? How's your ankle doing? please let us know when you can.

love ya

carol

Posted 8/28/2007 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Des, I've also been wondering if you have gotten in to see your rheumy. I hope you swelling goes down. I'll check in with you next week when I return from vacation. What I'm trying to do is drink lots of water and keep my feet elevated. I'll be thinking of you and hope it turns out that it's just plain ol' water retention!
Posted 8/29/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Carol and Pat for checking on me... I went to see the rheumy today and he says that its definitely inflamed. He mentioned prednisone but he said he wanted to try one more thing before going that route. He took me off of the Naproxen and started me on Lodine XL which I guess is an extended release NSAID. I'm supposed to take two a day and we will check my ESR on my next appointment. It may be that the Naproxen just decided to stop working. Who knows. The swelling is still there and its still tender when I press on it but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Love ya
Posted 8/29/2007 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Des,
Glad you got to the doctor on that. Did they do any xrays? Maybe you have some osteophytes growing (osteoarthritis) in your ankle causing more irritation in that one? I think I remember something that Patty was saying to be true because my grandma had congestive heart disease and I think I remember her talking about that, too. Hope the swelling goes down and the new drug works.
Posted 9/1/2007 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have had chronic swelling on my inside right ankle for years. I had just a few bouts where my left ankle swelled, but no where near as much or for as long as my right. My right one is just about always swollen. I get a lot of pain in there as well. Now recently it's been more difficult to move and feels very stiff inside. I complained to my current rheumy several times about this ankle and he never wanted to look at it. Well, then the swelling went down, and he finally looked at it. THough the swelling went down, I was still having pain in there. So he sent me for an x-ray. Xray showed absolutely nothing. Several weeks later it started swelling again and my PT urged me to see a Podiatrist again because I also have a collapsed ankle. He gave me a referral; the Podiatrist sent me for an MRI..and lo and behold I have severe arthritis and the damage in there makes it appear as if I jumped off a building. My ankle caved in, no more arch, my tendons are extensively torn and abnormally thickened; there was edema and tenosynovitis; and osteochondral lesions on my talar bone. THANK GOD the foot doctor looked into it for me and got me an AFO brace at least, which helps the mechanical pain. BUt now since early July my ankles flared up again and now I have swelling on the ouside ankle and some heel pain. I saw my rheumy again this week, he looked at my hands and said he doesnt see any inflammation; I wanted to show him my ankle and he only checked out my brace, and didnt want me to bother taking it and my sock off. I just cannot believe my rheumy as it is beginning to seem he doesnt believe me or something. I am so glad I took my PT's advice and found a Podiatrist, at least I know what is going on in my ankle now. Mind you, this all started about 20 yrs ago.

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