I would try the diuretic. I use Lasix (Furosemide) when I need it once in awhile. I think my swollen legs come from consuming to much salty food.. ...

I do. I take Lasix and wear compression Hose. The compression Hose help the best. If you do a search there was a discussion about them.

Hope you find one or the other to help.

To rule out another problem, you might ask your Doctor to do a BNP the next time you have blood work done.

Dandelion root extract has a long history in traditional medicine as an all-around digestive aid and is also an excellent natural diuretic, fine blood cleanser and tonic that can help detoxify the system, especially the liver, spleen and gallbladder. Dandelion may stimulate a poor appetite, making this herb beneficial in treatment of malnourishment and frailty.

It is a potent natural diuretic that increases urine flow, rids the body of excess water and helps to reduce high blood pressure and edema.

This is something I've been looking into. I don't know how old you all are but I'm old enough to have all of these problems because of years and weight. I just read an article really warning not to get a defibrillator.but in it heart failure was mentioned as a cause of fluid back up in the lungs, shortness of breath, weight gain, fatigue and swollen ankles. It makes sense to me that at my age my heart is failing some along with my lungs. Then I read Aging Changes of the Bones in Medline Plus. It helped explain why I am having trouble walking. Helps me to understand.

Thanks for the information. I will look into the Dandelion root.
My GP thought that the diuretic might not help but he was also concerned about it dropping my potassium levels.
I see my pulmonologist in 2 weeks I will get his opinion.
J.H. I will be 65 in November. I do not know if I have fluid backed up in my lungs, but I am very short of breath all the time, I have gained almost 40 lbs in just a few months, I am very tired. Just feel like getting up to eat and going back to bed. and then the swollen ankles.
I contributed the weight gain to stopping smoking in January and lack of exercise. But I am thinking now that some of that is fluid retention. My stomach is so big and uncomfortable. it looks like I am carrying a basketball under my shirt. Doctors have ran a few tests for this but don't really seem concerned.

i don't normally have edema, but when i have it we have found it's a sign of me going into an exasperation---i'm not sure why that is a sign but i get into dr as soon as possible & usually need antibiotics (i have 1 lung that quits moving air)

i also take a very small dose of diuretic to get rid of the edema --- usually 1 day works for me.

It sounds like yours is long term though, mine is occasional.....(which could be from lack of treatment in the early stages)
you see edema in your feet & legs, but it can be around heart & lungs also, so I would consider taking it & see if it helps.

prayers are with you

Sorry, I meant to add, that my Edema comes from my medication, I have been on Insulin for over 44 years. Your Doctor should be able to tell you if any of your Meds cause your swelling.

I'm a big fan of modern medicine. Given how cheap the Lasix/furosemide is, one of those $4 types, I think I would be inclined to give it a try. If your potassium is normal now, small doses of Lasix are unlikely to deplete you to a dangerous level. If you are really worried, they make an OTC potassium supplement; take a couple of those on a day you take the diuretic.

As to the compression stockings, they're a lot harder to get on than get off, but I find sort of doing a combination roll/fold down over my ankle makes it easier, and I get the toeless type (sort of look like a dance tight) which makes them pretty comfortable because you don't have toe lines and holes to line up.

I get the swelling in the summer off and on. Regardless of what caused it, I figure excess fluid accumulating anywhere is not a good thing because of the added strain on the heart. I maybe use the Lasix 20 mg once a week and have had a pretty low potassium even before the Lasix (3.4), and have been doing so for a couple years.

Along with hose, you can try some of the natural diuretics. I think licorice root is one, and white wine is another. But if you don't get a noticeable improvement in your swelling, I would give the diuretic a try.

I swear by compression hose, socks - they've done wonders with the swelling I had. However, it's trial and error with the type and size. I prefer not to "ingest" one other pill,drink e.g. anything that may negatively affect my meds. I change up the type/size. I purchased 3 different types based on what I'm trying to solve. It's my understanding that with respiratory problems the critical areas of the body e.g. heart, arteries, lungs are at the body's top of the list to address (for blood, oxygen); the limbs are at the bottom of the list.

The only problem I had was settling on the right size and compression. My reading suggested graduated compression. I just keep my eye on my feet and legs and choose accordingly. Socks aren't as difficult to put on as some of the hoses so when my feet are starting to swell, on go the socks - one/two days later, swelling goes down. If I'm going to do a lot of walking (a lot for me!) I wear the knee high hose. I also have hose that go to my waist, but so far haven't tried them - probably would struggle too much.

They now have hoses with a zipper which should help with the struggle. And there's also some kind of "gripper" which is suppose to help pullling them up - I haven't tried this.

Also I have no cramping in my feet when/if I wear the socks to bed.

I've found that lying down and stretching out elevating my feet above my head works wonders.

Thanks Gnott, it worked for me last night.
I never had swollen ankles before. I went to a parade on Sunday, it was 92 degrees and humid. Walked a lot , went out to dinner with friends on a terrasse, then when I got home my ankles were really swollen. Monday, still swollen and tuesday a bit less, but last night I put them above my head on pillows and Poof, the swelling went down. It works.

I typed "head". I meant "heart".
But if lying down there isn't that much difference in elevation. Smile

This helps to reduce swelling from any cause, but is most effective in countering edema caused from sitting or standing too long; an unusual 'over-dose' of a salty food; or sudden reaction to a medication.

Also best to not leave the legs elevated for too long if one knows they have or may have other circulatory issues. Thirty minutes, short break, back again, etc.

And of course the usual warning - if it seems to be getting worse, harder, spreading, or there is a color change - CALL your doctor.

laughing at the thought of gnott & jazz in yoga positions of feet over heads.

it does seem when I overdo in the heat that my ankles really get swollen....i assume it has something to do with my electrolytes, but i figure taking a diuretic I get rid of the water & get my exercise for the day doing it ;)

Since I also have CHF Ive been prescribed various diuretics many times, but for me they too harsh and always dry me into a prune. I found (somewhat paradoxical for my condition) that simply increasing my fluid intake with water, tea, or coffee takes care of any electrolyte problems. (And are much milder diuretics.)

Your vision of me and Yoga is probably not far off mark. I was actually kicked out of a Yoga Class and asked to not return It is one of the few requests ever made of me that Ive rigorously honored. Smile.

Nope, no chemicals, extra runs, or silly contortions for me; Just lie back, prop my feet up on a pillow or two, with a few iced drinks and the swelling is down in a few hours, and totally gone tomorrow.