COPD & Emphysema Support Group

Good to hear from you, Sally. Was wondering about you for it's been awhile.

Now as to swollen ankles. Yes, I've had times when they've been very swollen to the point where my toes looked like little sausages. When I was at UC Davis I mentioned it to one of the doctors there and that I was taking Ibuprofen for back pain..actually, 3-4 at a time, the pain was that bad. She told me Ibuprofen can cause swelling. I stopped taking it and the swelling has not returned.

I've also had them after bout of Prednisone or if it's been too hot, or if I've sat too long of a time. However, this is not to say it may not be serious and should be discussed with your doc.

Have you tried raising your feet for at least a couple of hours, and wearing compression hose? Sometimes it helps.

Nice to "see" you again!

Hi Sally! Good t see you posting again, but sorry about your ankles.

Do you have access to a 'dial a nurse' in case you don't hear back from your doc? (My doctor's office automatically switches you over if you stay on the line and you've called after hours, but you could probably find one in your area on the net.

Sometimes at night whatever is going on with me starts to scare me. Rather than just be scared here by myself I call and talk to a nurse. She listens to my symptoms and then it seems as if she can look this up on whatever program she has and then she asks me a series of questions. She has told me to go to ER a time or two, but usually she tells me what to do (like maybe elevate my feet or whatever) and says that I'll be okay waiting till my doctors office is open.

If she tells me its okay to wait I can usually quit being so worried about it.
Honestly, for me everything seems worse late at night when its too late to call a friend. My imagination works overtime. But then there are the times I when I did need to take action.
Hope this turns out to be sometime not too serious, but keep us posted, okay? (That means you should get back online later and tell us
how you are feeling. lol. Take care. My prayers are with you my dear friend. vicki

The way I understand swelling in the feet and ankles is water retention, and sometimes that can put pressure on the heart, also circulation problems, salt intake, there are a few more that coud be that. If you can lay down but put a pillow under your feet so they are above your heart, and see of the swelling goes down. If your skin feels hot to the touch, ti could mean a blood clot, again that is circulation problems.

I AM NOT a doctor and do not mean to come off as one, I am just relaying what has been told to me when my feet swelled once, and I was in the hospital at the time. I am not overweight, and don.t be on my feet to much.

They gave me all sort of test, put my feet up on two pillows, made sure I used the bathroom, the whole nine yards and ruled out all the bad things, except maybe circulation.

So do go to your doctor, and tell him/her and maybe they can find out what is wrong, and like the others say, it also may be related to your medicine. But "When in doubt, Check it out!"

Hope you feel better
BJ

When I was in the hospital for pneumonia in May, my feet and ankles swelled to balloons but absolutely no one was concerned about it. I just "doctored" myself by sitting in a chair with my feet propped up on the bed. Yet, today when I had my initial Pulmonary Rehab appointment (different hospital), I was asked if my feet or ankles ever swell. I was told that if they do, I 'm to let them know. So, who knows....

I hope you find the cause and the solution soon, simplysally...it's an uncomfortable, if not painful, condition. And, I agree, worrisome.

Thank you to all of you--for your replies and concern. I was called back by the nurse. Told her no sleep, but I did elevate my feet as much as I could. The head of my bed is raised 6"; per Pulmonary Doctor's order---to help me breathe. So how to elevate feet higher than heart? I would need a hammock: feet up; head (and lungs) up and butt sagging down towards ground. LOL
I was told to go into the E.R. if I have increased shortness of breath; increase in swelling of ankles and feet; and/or chest pains. Right now; the doctor thinks I was on my feet more than normal yesterday-----in triple digit heat----I am overweight----and may have been slightly dehydrated? So, I am to stay indoors, to avoid smokey air from wildfires; stay indoors to avoid triple digit heat; elevate my feet; stay hydrated; and was told I can cut back on salt intake (I already do this as much as possible). I have no salt in my home; but it is surprising how much salt is in some foods.
Bottom line: Call back on Monday, if I am not improved; go to E.R. if the above symptoms present or worsen. I am OK; just hot; fat; with very large ankles. Have a great weekend everyone. Stay cool.

Simplysally, take care of yourself. Staying inside awake from smoke and dust and triple diget temps sound like great advice.

And stay off your feet as much as possible. I don.t know your situation, but if possible, let others do a bit of the work, cooking, ect for a bit.

Your comment about having your feet up, head up and butt sagging made me laugh and remember my daughter with her first pregnancy. She lives in Australia, and her feet started to swell, because she was a teacher and on them a lot. Anyway, the doctor told her to lay down with her feet above her heart, and she said, Mom, I can't even see my feet!!!

Have a good day, and stay in and stay cool. I hope everything will be ok.
BJ

Sally, thanks for letting us know what's going on. Your sense of humor is wonderful, especially considering how uncomfortable you must be feeling!

The image you created of you on the hammock make me laugh, too. I needed a good laugh tonight!
vicki

Sally....

Wondering if you have Lasik or its generic version. I have it in 20mg. and when my ankles swell, I take it for a day or so to get rid of the water retention. When we are retaining water, not only do we have edema in our legs and ankles, it can also be around your lungs, too, making breathing more difficult. It sure helps me, both with the swelling and consequently, breathing!

Sally,

I also suffer from swollen ankles, my left is worst than my right. I am check just as you are by my Internist and my Pulmonary Dr on a regular basis. They don't seem to be overly concerned, or if they are they have kept it to themselves. I wear a compression sock on my left leg to control the swelling and it works fine. I would also suggest you stay off your feet as much as possible for a couple days, and keeping your legs elevated. I really can't add much to the advise you have been given it is all good.

Regards -- Bill

My condition is more serious than originally thought. My doctor reviewed my medical file. Heart attack in 2008. Now, edema---could be sign of heart failure. My ankles are not the only place swollen.
She wants to start me on Lasix and Potassium. My concern: I am allergic to sulfa drugs; take steroids; and heart medication. All of those three are listed as causing side effects and should not be combined with Lasix, according to my online research. Darn it all. I was walkiing again-----every morning. I was doing better. Pulmonary decided to see me every 3 months, instead of every 6 weeks; as he thought I was stable with my Emphysema.
Now, apparently everything has changed (yet again)? I am unsure about starting Lasix, without an appointment with my primary care. Is she aware of my medication use (currently) and my medication allergy records?
Pulmonary Doctor told me a few months ago, that it was a toss-up whether I would die from Pulmonary or Heart Failure. Both organs are involves; as is my entire cardio-vascular system. Little uneasy and anxious about this latest development. Ideas?