What can I do to stop the swelling?

[Guest guest]

An old chestnut again I'm afraid, but it is really annoying me at the

moment.

Halfway through my additional exercise program, I've had my 3 week's

progress check at the gym. It showed that I am continuing to increase

in size and weight and have gained 2 cm around the waist and 1 cm each

around each top of my limbs, in just 3 weeks. I already realised this

was still happening as none of my waistbands go round me any more.

Gym-wise, the only improvement has been in my strength. This shows my

muscles are at least responding to my efforts, not that they are

visible as they are hidden under masses of swollen tissue.

I'm currently on 150 mcg thyroxine (though am officially prescribed

100mcg) and this has seen off most of my symptoms. After 10 years of

constant pain, I'm now in no pain at all! I had honestly believed up

to now that the level of pain I had on a daily basis was normal for a

44 year old!

In fact, I'd be back to normal were I not dogged by this swelling and

weight gain. It is not painful but uncomfortable and inconveniencing.

My thighs feel like they are under constant pressure from a blood

pressure monitor band and the swelling is also reducing the mobility

in my knees (which don't hurt or make cracking noises anymore, which

is good).

I am now sweating properly when I exert myself - this NEVER used to

happen pre-medication. So, theoretically, my fluid ought to be

reducing. It isn't, it is becomeing absolutely solid. I am drinking

enough fluid and weeing normally, so I'm baffled by what is still

happening.

It looks like there is absolutely nothing I can do to reduce the

swelling, but is there something I can do to slow it down or even

prevent more fluid building up in me?

Will this problem resolve if ever I get prescribed the optimum dose of

thyroxine? My mum almost went back to her normal weight with a

combination of exercise and thyroxine, so I can't see why I'm the only

one in the family who isn't.

Tracey