Sam, Lymphedema would have to be possible. One of the reasons we have such problems with glands is because of the thickening of tissue fluids moving through swollen and inflammed glands. We also have an increased risk of lymphoma. It only makes sense. The doctor that diagnosed me always checked me for swelling in my ankles during every visit as well as enlarged lymph glands, not only in the parotid area but in my breasts, under my arms and in my groin area. These are the most noticable areas to find swollen lymph glands.

Thanks for the input. It concerns me because like you said, we have an increased risk of lymphoma. I hope this isn't a sign that this is in my future. I also recently noticed that my arm on the same side is slightly swollen too, but not as noticeable as my foot. It seems to be affected by the temperature. I had forgotten about the problem during the winter. But now that the weather has warmed up it has returned again.

Sam, I wouldn't think that about the lymphoma, but it might be a good idea to start checking in those areas for swollen glands. I know we all have more problems with the parotids and around our neck and jaw, but it's like any other self exam we should be doing on a regular basis. : )

The cancer risk is fairly low. But, the main reason I started seeing a rheumy was for that very reason to check my glands keep an eye on blood work. The same reason to load up on antioxidants- preaching to the choir.

Sam have you tried icing the foot....try that when its at its worst. Sounds more like a circulation issue to me. Maybe a podiatrist would be better able to answer this question for you.

Yeah, I know another doctor .... eyes rolling as I type. :-)

Luvzrozes - I haven't noticed any swollen glands, but I do have a physical with my PCP coming up next week so I will address it with her.

Tom - I had some routine blood work done for my physical, but I don't know if these are the correct types of tests for this problem. I assume my white blood cell count would be elevated if it was serious??
Actually, I did mention this to my podiatrist the last time I saw him. But it wasn't very swollen at the time. I asked him if he knew if this could be related to Sjogren's. He just made the passing comment "Well, Sjogren's does involve the lymphatic system".
I haven't iced it, but you are probably right in that this would help since it isn't as bad in the winter. Fortunately it's not painful, but does ache a little sometimes.

My arm is definitely swollen today too. The fun just never stops.

Sounds like circulation-

Try elevating it and icing it see what happens. See if it goes down if so there's your answer.

Sjogrens causes all kinds of odd things though. Blood pressure ok? My sister has leg circulation issues and her legs swell , but its both. Mine swell from the heat too or sun burn - they get really bad. Are they swollen in the AM or just PM after the day.

Podiatrist that knows about SjS impressive. :-) He the one to ask or the rheumy ...
Hope you figure it out- !!

Yeah, blood pressure is ok.
Everyone I have talked to that have problems with swelling always tell me that it's both feet. They also say it happens after they eat a lot of salt. But this isn't my problem. It's always just the one foot and doesn't seem to be affected by salt intake. It is less swollen in the AM when I first get up and then gets worse very quickly.
I'll bring it up again with my rheumy at my next appointment. Thanks.

I was hoping more people would respond that have this problem and tell me it is nothing to be concerned about. But I guess it's not that common after all...

I just happened upon this forum and saw your post Sam. I also have a swollen foot and a swollen arm, although it's my right foot and my left arm. I have had every test known to man and nothing turned up. Back in April my foot became so painful I could barely walk and I saw a rheumatoligist who suspected Sjogren's, which I subsequently tested positive for. I have been wearing an aircast since June which has been life changing. As much as it's a pain to deal with, at least I can walk. You might want to try it. As for my arm, it doesn't hurt...it just looks weird.

I just saw your post Sam. I too had the swollen ankle thing going on and mine was one side or the other or both with one ankle swelled way more than the other. My rheumy started me on Immuran along with the Plaquenil and it helped a lot. Hope you find an answer!

Ooops, I meant Imuran. :)

It's interesting that your doctor put you on Imuran. I have been on that for 25 years for treatment of Myasthenia Gravis. I kind of figured that it might have had some residual affect on the symptoms of Sjogrens. I also have MS, which came 8 years after the MG, and I know it's probably helping that too. I was just diagnosed with SS but I suspect that I have had it for a very long time and it has just gone undiagnosed. I thank God for directing my steps to a doctor who was willing to dig deeper into why my foot was so swollen for so many years. My neurologist thought it was MS related and my PCP said I was "just made that way" Yeah, right!

Hey, I often get swelling in my feet too! It's always a problem in both feet, but more pronounced in the right foot. Years before diagnosis, one time I went to the ER because my right foot swelled so badly I couldn't put a shoe on. They said it could be allergies, gave me crutches and told me to follow up with my doctors, who were just as clueless.

And no, it's NOT my ankles! I told a nurse that I had swelling in my feet and she refused to look at the foot and kept arguing and telling me my ANKLES were NOT swollen. Duh! If I meant ankle, I would have said ankle! I get some swelling in my ankles but it's infrequent, the swelling is primarily concentrated in my feet.

Only thing I do for relief is to prop my feet way high above my head, which does relieve the balloon feeling of pressure. Standing makes the swelling worse.

If this one symptom doesn't qualify as a disruption of my life, I don't know what would. Doctors have been dismissive and trivialized the effect it has on my mobility even though the swelling was visible and I was clearly not exaggerating.

Sorry to vent, but it's been so frustrating to have suffered without my medical needs being met for so many years. I'm on plaquenil and salagen for 6 weeks now, and I am enjoying some moderate improvements which I am rejoicing over. I was very seriously ill for a long time.

Tom59 was helpful enough to send me this article. Seems to indicate that there is a form of Sjogren's that is linked to foot swelling. Still need to ask my rheumatologist about the article (too complicated for me). Here is the link:

http://jkms.org/Synapse/Data/PDFData/0063JKMS/jkms-18-606.pdf

P.S. - It takes a minute or two to load the article (at least on my computer anyway).