NEW HERE AND NEEDING HELP

[Guest guest]

Hello all.. I have been reading the posts almost daily and feel like I know you

all so well already. I feel as though I have no one else to talk to about all of

this because they cannot imagine how I feel. It is very obvious just to be

around me, that I am not well at all and I too have all the moaning and groaning

at everything I attempt to do anymore. I wonder if it is part of this whole

thing also for me to feel so out of breath when trying to do the most nothing

things. When I feel like this, it affects every part of my body it seems...

right down to breathing..Does anyone else have swelling ( a lot) in their legs

and abdomen? I cannot tell if I am just imagining all of this, or if is part of

some other ailment or what???? Any one have any answers? HELP! Thanks so much

for your time. in Ga.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've had problems with edema, sometimes severe, for about 5 years.

Mine also affects my left arm and hand. My hand sometimes blows up so

much that it looks like a cartoon hand---maybe belonging to Homer

Simpson. It's actually very painful. I also have edema in my

abdomen, which can get very bad, my legs sometimes, and my lungs last

year. I get severe fatigue when I blow up and my blood pressure drops

very low, making me faint. I also get winded. It affects me

mentally, too, to the point that I cannot function at all--I just

can't keep my head up. It's basically just plain miserable.

I have seen several specialists about the problem, but no one has

really been able to help. I was told to drink more water and avoid

salt, but when the edema is bad, my kidneys don't move the water and I

just blow up more. Another doctor told me to avoid plain water and

drink Gatorade or Pedialyte instead. One allergist tried epinephrine

shots (I do NOT recommend) and another tried Allegra, which I think

helped some but made me so tired I could barely walk. I used to get

I.V. fluids at the E.R. when my blood pressure dropped and I felt in

danger of fainting. The I.V.'s helped immediately. But, the last

time I did that, my heart rate dropped too low and I ended up having

to stay for observation--big expense with no answers at the end. And

on Christmas Eve, no less.

Last year, I was given the wrong dosage of prednisone by the

pharmacist and ended up taking 5 times what was prescribed. That

caused a huge edema flare-up that affected my legs, feet, and lungs.

I was sent to the E.R. at the teaching hospital and ended up in the

observation unit again with suspected heart failure. I did not quite

pass a stress test (but was told that the area of my heart that looked

questionable often showed false positives for blockage) and was

badgered into having my heart catheterized. The cardiology nurse who

gave me the results was thrilled to tell me that my heart looked

great. (I am 44 and athletic). The end. Another huge expense with

no answers left me pissed off and at a loss.

I have identified some triggers, such as the time of the month and

working outside in heat and humidity. I also take Mobic and that

might cause some of the problem.

I wish I had this figured out and could tell you what to do. If you

can get someone to give you an I.V. without going into " stay for

observation " mode, I do recommend that for immediate short-term relief

from the severe fatigue. Also, an allergist can test you for

hereditary angioedema, which can cause edema and can be treated (I

tested negative). Otherwise, at least realize that you're not a crazy

hypochondriac, because your problem sounds very familiar to me.

>

Does anyone else have swelling ( a lot) in their legs and abdomen? >

[Guest guest]

in Ga....what part of Georgia? I lived in Augusta for 11

years. Just went back Easter. It was nice. I'm in Upstate NY now. I

am wondering about heart issues with you. Have you ask your

Rheumatologist about this? I'm assuming you have PA since you are

here. Kidneys can cause bloating in legs and abdomen too. I have

been there. Be careful not to take our suggestions as you would

those of a doctor. We are not doctors, we just play doctors on TV.

lol. I strongly suggest you see your doctor Honey and keep us

informed. It's good that you reached out. I'm glad you felt you

could trust us. Betz

>

> Hello all.. I have been reading the posts almost daily and feel

like I know you all so well already. I feel as though I have no one

else to talk to about all of this because they cannot imagine how I

feel. It is very obvious just to be around me, that I am not well at

all and I too have all the moaning and groaning at everything I

attempt to do anymore. I wonder if it is part of this whole thing

also for me to feel so out of breath when trying to do the most

nothing things. When I feel like this, it affects every part of my

body it seems... right down to breathing..Does anyone else have

swelling ( a lot) in their legs and abdomen? I cannot tell if I am

just imagining all of this, or if is part of some other ailment or

what???? Any one have any answers? HELP! Thanks so much for your

time. in Ga.

>

> ---------------------------------

> Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and

30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, in Georgia.

I agree with everyone who has posted saying you should

have your edema checked out by your rheumatologist or

internist. They will definitely want to make sure that

it is not cardiac or kidney related.

That said, I too suffer from edema intermittently.

First the feet will swell, and then it will spread up

the rest of the leg. Often, it will be as bad as 4+

pitting up to the kneecaps bilaterally, and at those

times, my internist has prescribed Lasix 10 mg twice a

day. Usually after about 3-4 days on the Lasix, the

swelling is pretty much subsided. We never have

figured out an exact cause as to WHY my legs swell so

badly. We have done dopplers on the legs (I do have

varicose veins, but no clots and no venous

insufficiency noted), all cardiac workups have been

negative (EKG's, a stress echo, etc.) and kidney labs

are ALWAYS normal (I do occasionally spill 1+ protein

intermittently on routine urinalysis checks but then

at other times, this will also be completely normal.)

As someone else posted, I have noticed that the

swelling is worse in hot humid weather (although I've

had some episodes of bad swelling in the middle of

winter as well), and as was also posted previously by

someone, my doc has said water retention related to

NSAID usage may be part of the problem.

I actually am having a bad problem with swelling right

now. Just had hip replacement surgery 6/28 and the

recovery is going very smoothly, except that my feet

and legs started swelling about a week ago. 4+ pitting

edema to mid-tibia. (We're talking not being able to

get one's shoes on type swelling here.) What is

unusual about this particular episode of swelling is

that the foot (outer part from toes to ankle) and shin

on the operated leg are also reddened and painful. The

orthopedic surgeon was freaking out about clots and

post-surgical infection...hence the above mentioned

doppler ultrasound of the leg which was totally normal

and he started me on Amoxicillin twice a day....which

really isn't doing anything. I believe this episode

of swelling is being aggravated by an arthritis flare

since I have been off the Methotrexate and Enbrel for

nearly two months now due to the hip surgery (ortho

wanted to avoid infection postop and told me I had to

stop) and so I have an appointment with rheumatology

on Monday to see if I can at least go back on the

Methotrexate (ortho finally agreed that was OK but

wants me to hold off on the Enbrel for now still.)

The other thing that may be playing a factor is that I

can't take Aleve because of the Coumadin to prevent

blood clots postop, so was started on Celebrex. I was

on Vioxx for awhile when I was first diagnosed before

they pulled it off the market....and had terrible

problems on that (swelling, shortness of breath,

near-syncope almost-fainting type episodes,

tachycardia and palpitations) so switched to Aleve at

that time. It worked WAY better for the pain, without

all the side effects of the Vioxx. Since Celebrex is

similar to Vioxx, I was leery about taking it, but so

far, the only noticeable side effect seems to be this

episode of swelling. (I also think the Celebrex, like

the Vioxx, is just not doing much for the backache and

stiffness or the hand aches and stiffness or the foot

redness and pain. Can't wait to get off it and restart

my Aleve once I finish this stupid Coumadin!)`

Question for and anyone else with leg/foot

swelling: what on earth do you do when you're so

edematous your feet will not fit into your shoes??!!

It even hurts to try and just slide flipflops on over

the swelling! But I can't just go everywhere barefoot,

so it ends up being a real chore with dh or dd

practically tearing the shoes apart as they stretch

them as wide open as possible while I slowly and

painfully squeeze the foot into it. (I feel like

Cinderella's wicked stepsister trying on the glass

slipper!) (Don't suggest TED hose, those don't help,

I've tried them already. All they do is compress the

swelling and make it hurt even more.)

Bright Blessings, Wanda

Wanda

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

maybe you should talk to your doctor about the mobic . Swelling is an

untoward side effect of that drugs but it does not affect everyone that way .

Some

people get a large amount of swelling in ankles and feet . You need to see

another doctor . perhaps a urologist ofr heart specialist . sometimes it is the

medicine mobic. cathy from ma

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group. Yes, when it is bad it soes feel as if it is affecting

every part of our body. Are you on any medication? You didn't say.

You have made a good move joining this group. There are lots of caring and

knowledgable people here.

Take care,

In a message dated 12/07/2006 03:07:25 GMT Daylight Time,

catstill_2000@... writes:

Hello all.. I have been reading the posts almost daily and feel like I know

you all so well already. I feel as though I have no one else to talk to about

all of this because they cannot imagine how I feel. It is very obvious just to

be around me, that I am not well at all and I too have all the moaning and

groaning at everything I attempt to do anymore. I wonder if it is part of this

whole thing also for me to feel so out of breath when trying to do the most

nothing things. When I feel like this, it affects every part of my body it

seems... right down to breathing..

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group ...

Love and Peace Always

Shaun and Barb

[Guest guest]

Dear Andra,

If u just want to get rid of anxiety and delay ur premenopose then u go for biomagnetic and energetic bracelet. Whihc will give u instant relief If God Will.

Keep in touch.

Thx,

Gyan

From: peacefulheart4@...Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:38:49 -0700Subject: New Here and Needing Help

Hello Group,I have been suffering from severe ups and downs for months now. I was taking anti anxiety medication and doing okay on it, not panic/anxiety attacks or depression. My doctor took me off it and my life has bee one big series of depressive episodes and anxiety. I try to keep active and keep my mind fixed on positive thoughts but it is very hard. My energy level is so low most days. My doctor has had me try every anti depressant under the sun and most make it worse. I am now on Lexapro and Remeron and Resperidal at night. I also suspect I am in perimenopause so I take Black Cohosh and Wild Yam Root and a good multi vitamin. Someone told me to take Don Quai too. I need to start exercising daily so I intend to start swimming. My appetite is crappy but I stick to low carb, lots of veggies, fruit and lean meat. I welcome any suggestion to stop the mood swings and depression. Thanks.

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi

I'm new to this group as well. Your story struck a chord. So many

people I work with say similar things.

It sounds like you are doing lots of good things to take care of

yourself - affirmations, food, exercise, etc. Do you have a good

counselor you can trust or a support group of like-minded people? Do

you have pets or others in your life that help you balance out the

depression? I have found that for many people finding ways to create

more meaning and purpose in their lives helps tremendously. If you

can contribute, express your skills/talents and pursue activities that

make your life more fulfilling, it gives a focus for your day. Without

knowing you, of course, I can only speak in generalities rather than

specifics. Remember you have a unique purpose and way to contribute,

perhaps your sadness is in not yet finding, cultivating, or expressing

it fully?

Warm Regards,

Cinda Hocking

www.cindahocking.blogspot.com

>

> Hello Group,

> I have been suffering from severe ups and downs for months now. I

was taking anti anxiety medication and doing okay on it, not

panic/anxiety attacks or depression. My doctor took me off it and my

life has bee one big series of depressive episodes and anxiety. I try

to keep active and keep my mind fixed on positive thoughts but it is

very hard. My energy level is so low most days. My doctor has had me

try every anti depressant under the sun and most make it worse. I am

now on Lexapro and Remeron and Resperidal at night. I also suspect I

am in perimenopause so I take Black Cohosh and Wild Yam Root and a

good multi vitamin. Someone told me to take Don Quai too. I need to

start exercising daily so I intend to start swimming. My appetite is

crappy but I stick to low carb, lots of veggies, fruit and lean meat.

I welcome any suggestion to stop the mood swings and depression. Thanks.

>

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