Swollen ankles

[Guest guest]

Hi Ali, My ankles swell really bad, but not all the time. My primary care

physician believes it is from the arthritis. but the rheumy has no explanation

for it. I am sure it is related to the PA as I have heard a lot of people talk

about swollen ankles. My ankles swell so badly it looks like my leg is

connected directly to my foot with no ankles. It is really weird looking.

Unfortunately, like a lot of symptoms, you can't get a good answer about it. I

think docs, including rheumys, just don't know enough about PA. We, as a group,

have too many similar problems for a lot of things that it certainly looks like

there is much more to PA than anyone knows. One of the best things you can do

for swollen ankles is to get them above heart level, ie, lay on your back and

elevate your feet with pillows or something else that is comfortable. I know

you must be miserable if they are swollen all the time. I am lucky in that mine

only swell once in a while. Good luck to you and I hope you find some relief.

Shirley in VA

jrnytthpst <alicat1976@...> wrote: Does anyone else have ankles that

pretty much stay swollen? Plus I wonder if it is actually the arthritis causing

the swelling and the pain or if it's meds that cause the swelling that cause the

pain? If anyone has any suggestions I would be greatful. Often times it feels

like my ankle (mostly right) is near broken and hurts greatly whenever I put my

weight on it...sometimes it hurts just sitting down or even laying down. take

care.

hugs,

ali

[

[Guest guest]

My left ankle swelled up as well as my foot. I did a prednisone taper and

it got better. I am afraid it will come back. I am trying not to take

medicine right now. I am down to just Vioxx and have moderate pain. I am

able to exercise right now and just hope I can maintain.

Ks Di

[ ] swollen ankles

Does anyone else have ankles that pretty much stay swollen? Plus I wonder

if it is actually the arthritis causing the swelling and the pain or if it's

meds that cause the swelling that cause the pain? If anyone has any

suggestions I would be greatful. Often times it feels like my ankle (mostly

right) is near broken and hurts greatly whenever I put my weight on

it...sometimes it hurts just sitting down or even laying down. take care.

hugs,

ali

[

[Guest guest]

Hey Guys,

here! My PA started with the high swelling of

my left ankle. They thought it was tendonitis and put

me in a cast for six weeks! The swelling only went

down a bit so I went to have an MRI and the technician

saw that the bone was swollen. That began my journey

to PA. Now, my right ankle has begun swelling and I

have the same symptoms as you do. I find that some

over the counter shoe inserts help to reduce walking

pain (the gel ones) I usually take Aleve to help some

of my pain, but it rarely helps a great deal. I know

it hurts, but ankle exercises help to relieve some

stiffness for me. Hope this helps.

--- jrnytthpst <alicat1976@...> wrote:

> Does anyone else have ankles that pretty much stay

> swollen? Plus I wonder if it is actually the

> arthritis causing the swelling and the pain or if

> it's meds that cause the swelling that cause the

> pain? If anyone has any suggestions I would be

> greatful. Often times it feels like my ankle

> (mostly right) is near broken and hurts greatly

> whenever I put my weight on it...sometimes it hurts

> just sitting down or even laying down. take care.

> hugs,

> ali

>

> [

[Guest guest]

Ali, Shirley, Meghan and all who have swollen ankles --

I have one ankle (my worst one for PA) that swells, especially if I have

been driving or sitting at my desk for many hours or walking on concrete,

such as shopping. The other ankle swells sometimes. The only thing that

helps is to put my feet up and stay off them for a long time. Keeping cool

helps too.

I was officially diagnosed with PA last October but the more I read about

everybody's symptoms I feel sure I have had the mild beginnings for a few

years. The leg with the bad ankle has been a little swollen for quite a

while and I just figured it was because I am overweight and no spring

chicken but now that I am taking mtx and more meds I only have swelling when

I have overworked my ankles.

As a side note, I feel it was a bad fall I took in July 2001 that set off

the PA. I tripped over a barrier chain at a fishing lake and landed on my

left knee in very dirty gravel. It was deeply cut and still has very angry

scars and bits of gravel deep inside. As the lake was closed we were there

by ourselves and the only thing I had to clean it was an antibiotic wipe

like the ambulance and police carry. I scrubbed it as well as I could but

then had to drive another hour home. I have no proof that this was the

beginning of my PA but sometimes I think we just know things, especially

about our bodies.

And.....Shirley from Vancouver. I live in Pullman and my youngest son lives

in Vancouver so I just want you to know that I feel especially connected to

you and send you warm wishes......everyone else too.

Cheri

Re: [ ] swollen ankles

> Hi Ali, My ankles swell really bad, but not all the time. My primary

care physician believes it is from the arthritis. but the rheumy has no

explanation for it. I am sure it is related to the PA as I have heard a lot

of people talk about swollen ankles. My ankles swell so badly it looks like

my leg is connected directly to my foot with no ankles. It is really weird

looking. Unfortunately, like a lot of symptoms, you can't get a good answer

about it. I think docs, including rheumys, just don't know enough about PA.

We, as a group, have too many similar problems for a lot of things that it

certainly looks like there is much more to PA than anyone knows. One of the

best things you can do for swollen ankles is to get them above heart level,

ie, lay on your back and elevate your feet with pillows or something else

that is comfortable. I know you must be miserable if they are swollen all

the time. I am lucky in that mine only swell once in a while. Good luck to

you and I hope you find some relief.

>

> Shirley in VA

>

> jrnytthpst <alicat1976@...> wrote: Does anyone else have ankles

that pretty much stay swollen? Plus I wonder if it is actually the arthritis

causing the swelling and the pain or if it's meds that cause the swelling

that cause the pain? If anyone has any suggestions I would be greatful.

Often times it feels like my ankle (mostly right) is near broken and hurts

greatly whenever I put my weight on it...sometimes it hurts just sitting

down or even laying down. take care.

> hugs,

> ali

>

> [

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/26/02 8:10:58 PM US Eastern Standard Time,

alicat1976@... writes:

<< Does anyone else have ankles that pretty much stay swollen? >>

Yup - my left foot looks like I have a tennis ball shoved in my sock. It

turns into a soft ball when the weather is hot. I've had it for about 4

years and had all kinds of circulation tests done (they are fine) and been on

diuretics (which don't take it down at all)

[Guest guest]

My right ankle is very swollen and sore, all of the time. My Rheumy says it

is the Arthritis. Yes, elevating helps, but for me when I put my feet up my

Neuropathy gets worse. You know that saying, " the cure is worse than the

cold? " That seems to apply here. Toadessa

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thank you for letting me know about your experience. I am so sorry

you are having so much pain. I have missed your posts dear friend.

I think it's weird how the doctors can only deal with a few things,

it's like they don't want to address everything. Just a question

, I am confused as to what causes the swelling. I had this

problem last summer before I was diagnosed with AIH and I wasn't on

any of the meds I am on now. I wish the doctors would educate us

more, because we could deal with some of these things better if we

understood what was going on. Thanks for writing.

Love,

Ruth

> I just got a diuretic from my PCP. He told me to take it for 2-5

> days for swelling, but I feel better taking it every day. He said

that

> would cause my potassium to lower, so I have been taking half a

> dose every other day. That seems to help, but I would like to take

> it every day.

>

> My gastro told me that the swelling was not something that he

> deals with and that I would have to see my PCP about it. He only

> treats the GI related illnesses (i.e. AIH, etc.) I felt like I was

being

> dismissed by him.

>

> When my PCP saw me he said that I am now going to have to be

> treated for side effects caused by other meds. I don't think that I

> could stand to not take the diuretics. It even hurt to wear socks

> on my feet.

>

>

[Guest guest]

- I am writing ....mostly because misery loves

company ...I am experiencing the same thing. My

rheumatologist suggested a high protein diet as a type

of diuretic...carbs made of more " liquid " and can create

fluid retention. Might be worth SHORT term try. I find

this time of year...my feet and ankles don't look or

feel like feet and ankles and it is a challenge to wear

" work " shoes. " I f you figure it out let me know...they

aren't even giving me lasix. Hang in there.

Hugs, K

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey...has your doctor talked about lymphodema or Milroy's disease?

My best friend has similar symptoms and has these two diagnoses. I'm

sure there are many other reasons, but thought I would mention these.

Much Love to you & Wyatt....

Tess

[Guest guest]

Hi Tess

No the only thing that my pcp mentioned was venous insufficiency and that it

is probably from the pred. I'll do a search on these other conditions and

see what I can find out, then mention it to her. Sometimes, that works

better. A lot of people just can't or are not willing to see past the

obvious, if you know what I mean. But this is really starting to become

bothersome and downright painful. I hope that we can get it cleared up.

Love and Hugs

Stacey in PA

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I get this occasionally. My mom had it pretty bad - she was a nurse and

called it pitting adema (not sure I have the spelling right) and said it had to

do with poor circulation and draining of lymph.

Mom always put her feet up at the end of the day and it seemed to make this go

down. She also wore diabetic socks too - for stability as well as support.

Interested to hear if any others have this or what may cause it (besides

mom's self diagnosis).

- Donna from London

[Guest guest]

I have problems occasionally with swollen ankles. Once one of my

ankles stayed swollen for weeks. Turned out I had broken a bone in the ankle

and I never felt it. I do take a herbal diuretic and it seems to keep the fluid

off the ankles.

Cathleen

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathleen,

What is the name of your herbal diuretic?

[Guest guest]

I have a similar but related issue. Many folks wear support hose/socks that

actually compress the legs to aid in blood circulation. I forget exactly what

they are called but you can buy them in different compression 'strengths'.

Anyway, my mother with CMT said how they kept her legs/ankles from hurting. She

didn't wear them for swelling but rather for the nerve-type of a peripheral

neuropathy. I find that compression hose causes my legs to hurt *more* because

of my CMT. Just wondering how these socks help/hurt

other CMTers.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I wear support hose because I have terrible varicose veins in my legs. It helps

the swelling but like you they go down at night and swell during the day.

Oh well... I really like reading everyones experiences with CMT. I have ordered

an AFO, never before have I had one, so I get to go pick it up on Monday.

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Zinc tablets??? They help with swelling? I am going to try it.

Thanks,

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi all. I was told that the swelling in my ankles is because of the muscle

atrophy. Action of the muscles in normal daily movement is part of what keeps

the lymph system moving fluid efficiently. Since my calves have so little

muscle activity, fluids collect at the lowest point. My swelling usually goes

down overnight too -- though it can take a couple of days if I have a really

long day in the car -- sitting too long does it to me too. Also read somewhere

(maybe one of the files on this site?) that the atrophy explains the awful dry

" alligator " skin on my shins -- muscle atrophy means skin oils are not

distributed through normal movement.

Thanks.

Tami

[Guest guest]

, swelling is the body's way to immobilize an area so the body

can heal it better. I believe you injured yourself so allow time for

the body to heal itself naturally. If you eat the recommended amount

of veggies you shouldn't need potassium supplements. It can help to

soak your feet in 50/50 water and 3% hydrogen peroxide - do it at

least once a day while your ankles are swollen.

Bee

>

> I got swollen ankles yesterday and still feel a bit bad. I think it

> has to do with a trauma I experienced about 2 weeks ago. (I don't

> want to re-traumatize anyone who might have experienced similar

trauma

> by writing about this but I think it's relevant to my health). One

of

> my neighbors went on a shooting rampage killing 3 of my neighbors

and

> injuring one fourth. I thought I was going to get shot too so I

> jumped off our balcony and ran for my life. I landed on my heels

and

> have had some pain in my heels and legs since then. Yesterday I was

> extremely busy and stressed out, working while standing by the

> computer all day, skipped a meal (a first since I started this

program

> 2 months ago) and didn't drink as much of the electrolyte drink as I

> usually do. I think the combination was too much for my adrenal

> glands. I'm just hoping that taking better care of myself will

solve

> this problem. Should I take extra potassium too for a few days?

I've

> also had a lot of tension and cramps in my calfs. I can't really

take

> more magnesium because it causes a worsening of my already terrible

> diarrhea. Ideas anyone?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> , swelling is the body's way to immobilize an area so the body

> can heal it better.

Thank you so much Bee. It makes me feel better to hear this!