Medical Advice?...Update.Went to the dr.

[chager]

First, let me say I DO have a dr appt Friday afternoon and will be trying to figure this out with the dr.
Right now though, I need a way to get rid of some water retention! I am trying to drink a ton of water.
Basically from my knees down my legs "feel" swollen. I can look and see they really aren't that bad, but the pressure is aweful. I have tried walking and moving around. I have also set with them propped up. Nothing is helping this pressure feeling. It almost feels like pins and needles at times.
This is just the latest in a string of strange things my body has been throwing at me. (I know I am retaining water today though becuase we spent the day at Kings Island yesterday and somehow I am almost 10lbs more this morning then I was yesterday morning. And I didn't eat alot of junk yesterday. Drank water all day and had a pop with dinner after we left the park. I am trying to loose weight so I was very watchful of my food intake.)
This all started with my hands and feet hurting about 6 weeks ago. I was put on an anti-inflamatry and had what we though was a reaction to it. Stopped that took steroids to get rid of the rash I got. Only thing is, the rash came back after the steroid was done, along with just general all over itchiness. No rash, just insane under the skin itchiness. Dr put me on another steroid. (Just finished it) At the same time I am getting dizzy spells. I feel like I can't concentrate or focus and my head will feel like it is going to explode. Add the most recent leg stuff. During all this my back has decided to have spasms too. Somehow I am guessing this is all related. Just not sure how yet. I am not "worried" and getting myself all worked up over all this yet, but it is very annoying!! The pressure in my head and my legs feels so bad at moments that I swear my body is going to explode!!
If anyone has any suggestions I am very open to them. I am thinking of just calling my Dr this morning too and asking, but they don't answer the phones for another hour.


Update: Ok, the dr saw me this afternoon. My blood pressure is way up for some reason and definately retaining water. He did an EKG and asked me about a thousand times if I was short of breath. Shortness of breath is one thing I don't have! He also did a CBC panel. He thought my description that my feet were going to explode from the pressure was gross though. SO I guess now I wait and see what the blood work says! Thanks for all the encouragement. I'm glad they decided to see me today instead of making me wait!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow, sound like you are having a real tough time. {HUGS}

You need to find the root cause of your problem. Has your doctor done full blood workup and checked all your internal functions, Kidney, Thyroid, etc.??
I would see a cardiologist as well. Don't be afraid to go to all the specialists.

Make sure your feet are higher than your heart when they are propped up.

Sounds like a journey...here is a {hug} for that. I hope you figure it out soon!!!

Here is a site that explains stuff. It could be anything right now.
http://www.medfriendly.com/edema.html

 

[mickeyboat]

If i were you, I would try to get an appointment sooner. Several people I have known have had similar symptoms, and have had blood clots in their legs. A simple ultrasound can diagnose it, and blood thinners are used to treat it. A blood clot in the legs can be dangerous because they can loosen and travel through the blood stream to the heart, lungs, or brain.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Denae

 

[j's m]

Steroids is the the cause of the swelling/water retention. First time I was on steriods for asthma, the doctor didn't bother to tell me to avoid salt. I ate pretzels and drank water and watched my legs swell like balloons. So while on steroids, you must limit salt.

The dizziness, head problems and fuzziness can also be explained by the steroids. I lost a whole summer while on high doses of it.

The doctor should be able to give you a water pill to help, be sure to stay close to the bathroom all day. Also, you can try coffee, it's a natural diuretic.

Good luck.

 

[Jpgirl]

Sounds like the steroids to me. They will cause water retention and they stay in your body long after you've stopped taking them. Every time I have to take steroids I can count on a 10# weight gain and I feel "puffy" all over. Take care. BTW, I used to live in Upper Arlington when I was a kid, my older sister still live in North Columbus.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I'm no doctor, but I think it has to do with the steroids. I was put on them a few years ago when I had pnumonia, and I was on them for about a month. I had a lot of ankle/foot swelling problems then for about 2 months.

Heat, salt intake, standing and extra weight also adds to swelling in the feet/legs.

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[minkydog]

It could be the steroids, but it could also be a heart problem or high blood pressure. You definitely need to be seen. No salt until then(no processed or fast food either--they are loaded with sodium!)

 

[chager]

I agree the steriods may have some to do with it. I am just waiting for the blood work now. Although as of this morning it looks like the rash the steroids was treating may be trying to come back. It's in the same area and looks the same. I started the water pill the dr gave and it is already helping. Still no salt or soda until we can have an idea about what is happening. The chiropractor checked my blood pressure this morning. It was back down to normal. I am really sick of drinking water right now though!!! I think I am going to go get some sugar free koolaid from the store for some variety!!

 

[wdw4us]

A few years ago I had the same symptoms as you. They ran a lot of tests and found basically that I had some sort of a virus. I do have arthritis but the virus took about 6 months to go away. At times – during the warm weather it seems to flare up but for the most part it’s gone.

I could not walk my feet and toes were so swollen andd I could not grasp anything because my hands were too fat to even grab the steering wheel of a car. Good luck to you.

denise

 

[Anne MN]

steroids will make you retain fluid BIG TIME! my DD had to take them for boarderline phemonia and i stopped them after 4 days! she retained so much fluid that she looked like she was 9 months pregnant! her cardiologist REALLY didn't like that she was taking oral steroids- she can take inhailed ones, no "balloon effect"
changes in blood pressure will give you headaches- DD also gets those, not as much since she got her pacemaker.