Vascular Insufficiency

[RN4Babies]

Does anyone else here have tremendous swelling in their feet and ankles due to vascular insufficiency? Mine is getting progressively worse; the crocs I wore in WDW a month ago no longer fit my right foot (it's been more swollen than the left foot for about a year now), and those crocs were already two sizes larger than my "normal" sized crocs.

I wear Jobst stockings daily, and elevate my right foot and ice it several times a day. It's been so bad for the past week that I haven't been able to work. It's tremendously painful. My doctor was concerned that I possibly had a blood clot, so an ultrasound was done before we went to WDW, and it was negative for a blood clot.

I'm scheduled to see a vascular specialist in late June (the first appointment was available). Any other ideas for things I can do to obtain some relief in the meantime? TIA!

 

[SueM in MN]

I don't have any personal experience to offer you - just that, as a nurse, I have seen people with this problem and I offer some pixie dust for you to get better.

I am going to move this to the disABILITIES Community Board, which is for non-Disney trip related threads. I think it will fit better there and will hopefully get more answers.

 

[Brightsy]

I have a similar problem, but mine is a venal insufficiency problem. I did have a vascular problem after I had foot surgery but that has been cleared up.
Of the things that can help. I was given compression socks, but I hesitate to tell you to wear the kind I had until you've spoken to the docter. That being said you could still try support hose or support socks, like the kind you can get at any Target, or such.
Also, rest rest rest! Rest that foot, elevate it. Do not stay on your feet for too long at a time. Take breaks and whenever you can elevate that foot. Until you see the specialist there's not much more you can do. I used Tylenol to help w/ the discomfort, and at times I had to resort to vicadin (given by the Dr.s). But really, the rest and elevation is vital.
Years have passed since my surgery and my vascular problem cleared up (my initial swellings caused that problem and now that that's gone...*sigh)
Now all I have to deal with is the venal problem (or is it veinal?). There's not much I can do. My veins are too small to get the standard treatments, and there's not a heck of a lot else they can do.

 

[locolala]

I have problems with edema in my feet and ankles because of a heart problem. There are times I haven't been able to put my tennis shoes on because of it. Unfortunately there isn't much they can do for me, I just have to suck it up and deal. I ended up buying a pair of shoes in wide just in case my feet get bad. Best of luck to you!

 

[ToddyLu]

If this is a chronic problem and it sounds like it is headed that way you may want to see a Lymphatic Specialist. That is usually an occupational therapist who specializes in moving lymphatic and venous fluid from one part of the body to another. They would work with someone who had venous insufficiency in the legs or swelling of the arm after a mastectomy. They use specialized wraps and perform manual lymphatic drainage techniques ( massage) to get the fluid moving in the right direction. Many times it will cause increased urine production becasue it is so effective. Once they have evaluated you they teach you how to do your own massage and wraps. THe massage makes the stockings and other wraps much more effective.

There are companies out there that provide compression sleeves and pumps--you would use these for about 30 min-1 hour a day (maybe while watching TV) and it helps to decrease the fluid. I would seek out a referral to one of these professionals (call your local Physical Therapy Dept to inquire), then they can help you navigate if insurance will help cover specialty pumps and sleeves. It could be that you were not fitting correctly for your stockings in the first place.

Also there are some cutting edge lazer procedures that vascular surgeons can offer-- they cauterize the veins that are overflowing and leading to the swelling problem--this allows for your collateral veins to pick up the slack and effectively move the fluid.

I hope this helps....Take care and best of luck.