swollen feet

[Guest guest]

Does rheumatic arthritis or psoriatic arthritis ever cause the feet to

swell? One doctor said no. Should I get a second opinion?

Thanks.

I have further observed under the sun that

cms@... The race is not won by the swift,

cms@... Nor the battle by the valiant;

cms@... Nor is bread won by the wise,

Nor wealth by the intelligent,

Me transmitte sursum, Nor favor by the learned.

Caledoni! -- JPS Ecclesiastes 9:11

[Guest guest]

My feet definitely swell when flaring and they were positively balloons when I first got the RA.

Babs

[Guest guest]

Pain and puffiness behind my toes was my RA symptom.

M.

[Guest guest]

Mine too

Gail

From: Babs56p@...

Date: Tue, 29 May 2001 23:27:01 EDT

cms@...

Cc: rheumatic

Subject: Re: rheumatic Re: Swollen Feet

My feet definitely swell when flaring and they were positively balloons when

I first got the RA.

Babs

[Guest guest]

Mine were exactly the same as that...baloons!! They were the worst with

my first flare of RA, but they still get pretty puffy and my hands do

too. During the first flare I took some prednisone and they went down

so dramatically that I took pictures of my non-swollen feet to remind

myself what they look like when they aren't monster feet! I still keep

those pics as a reminder on the rough days since I no longer use

prednisone.

Hope you find some relief-

[Guest guest]

By the way...my diagnosis is RA.

> Mine were exactly the same as that...baloons!! They were the worst with

> my first flare of RA, but they still get pretty puffy and my hands do

> too. During the first flare I took some prednisone and they went down

> so dramatically that I took pictures of my non-swollen feet to remind

> myself what they look like when they aren't monster feet! I still keep

> those pics as a reminder on the rough days since I no longer use

> prednisone.

> Hope you find some relief-

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 05/30/2001 3:00:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time, rabbitrew@... writes:

> Mine were exactly the same as that...baloons!! They were the worst with > my first flare of RA, but they still get pretty puffy and my hands do > too. During the first flare I took some prednisone and they went down > so dramatically that I took pictures of my non-swollen feet to remind > myself what they look like when they aren't monster feet! I still keep > those pics as a reminder on the rough days since I no longer use > prednisone.

: Mine were just that: "monster feet" and mitts for hands! I also got initial relief from the prednisone and was thrilled that those balloon appendages were not a permanent thing. I often think about those initial horrors and still am amazed that such a tremendous level of inflammation is possible. And I pray that I never experience that again. Thanks to the AP, I haven't! :>)

Babs

RA 8/98, DX 4/99, AP 11/99

200 mg. Doxycycline

50 mg. Lipitor

125 mcg. Synthroid

2 mg. Hytrin

Mestinon

Vits. & Misc. Suplmts.

[Guest guest]

Thats an odd allergic reaction, but maybe if it never happened before....

I have swelling ALL THE TIME IF i stand more than an hour. Hence, I sit. Its a

sign of fluid accumulation from a heart condition related to lyme as well.

(Edyma)(sp?)

dunmunro1 <dmunro@...> wrote:

You should probably see a doctor ASAP. It may be an allergic reaction.

cheers

Duncan

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

> You should probably see a doctor ASAP. It may be an allergic reaction.

>

> cheers

>

> Duncan

> My LLMD mentioned edema is also a side effect of babesia. Have you

been tested for co-infections?

>

> ---------------------------------

> Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I get swelling, but only in one foot, i always assumed it was due to arthritis

in my foot. I get a lot of pain in my feet and toes....eve

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the replies. I really doubt it's any type of allergic reaction

though. I haven't gotten any new meds or stopped any either in months now

and I haven't eaten/drunk anything different than I usually do. There's no

sign of any bites anywhere and no new plants/animals in my area. I have been

tested for co-infections every year for about 6 years now, but nothing has

turned up. It is time for my yearly tests though, although if I can't get my

feet into any shoes, that'll make it tough to get to the doctor, even to

have it checked out. I know my cardiologist has some concerns about my heart

anyway, so maybe I should be checking with him instead of my LLMD. I've

spent most of the weekend keeping my feet elevated to see if that helps any

and my right foot seems to have gone down a little bit, but the left just

keeps getting worse. Even my lower calf is swollen now, and while I can feel

a difference in the texture of the calf muscle on the right leg as well, it

isn't as noticeable as on the left. I'm going to call my LLMD tomorrow, but

since I can never get in to see him without almost a month's notice, I have

a feeling I might end up just going to a local doc to rule out non-Lyme

related things.

[ ] Re: swollen feet

>

> > You should probably see a doctor ASAP. It may be an allergic reaction.

> >

> > cheers

> >

> > Duncan

> > My LLMD mentioned edema is also a side effect of babesia. Have you

> been tested for co-infections?

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

You might want to consider Lymphedema as being the culprit here. It can be

primary (you are born w/it, or born w/a tendency to it, and it can manifest

at any age) or secondary (occurs following a trauma such as accident,

surgery, injury, bug bite, infection, etc.; you might be familiar w/it

afflicting the arms of breast cancer patients). It is a chronic

insufficiency of the lymphatic system (which is, essentially, the cellular

waste disposal system, as well as being responsible for manufacturing

various immune factors).

The fact that your Left foot is worse would be in keeping w/Lymphedema (or

LE); most primary patients, if they have only one limb effected, have LE on

the left side. For those of us w/more extensive LE (generalized/entire body

in my case), our Left sides are worse. LE in all but its most early stages

is NOT relieved by elevating the effected limb(s). It can be pitting (your

finger leaves a dent in the swollen area when pushed in and held for a few

seconds and then removed) or non-pitting. It can effect any areas/soft

tissues in the body.

There is a lot of good information about LE online. I have even found one

site that lists it as a condition that is associated w/Lyme. My LLMD thinks

this is the case w/me; mine has improved w/abx & other Lyme treatment. I

have also found a few medical journal articles that might suggest a

relationship, but one reported on a study w/apes, one was in Spanish

(medical journal from Spain), and one was prohibitively expensive to read

any more of than the abstract.

Sadly, most doctors are as ignorant about LE as they are about Lyme. It is

very important to distinguish between LE and venous insufficiency or heart

failure because LE is comprised of a protein-rich (from cellular wastes)

fluid, while edema due to venous insufficiency/hf is not. LE should NOT be

treated w/diuretics. This only removes the fluid while leaving the proteins

behind to tear tissue and cause fibrosis (scarring), making it just that

much harder for the fluid to find its way out.

If you have heart failure or some other condition that necessitates taking a

diuretic, that is one thing, but diuretics should NEVER be used to treat LE;

it won't work; it will only make the LE worse. LE is treated by Manual

Lymph Drainage or MLD (a usually painless light massage-like technique that

causes the small lymph capillaries to open up and move the fluid) followed

by low-stretch compression bandaging, specific exercises that help the

muscles pump the lymph, and eventually compression garments to maintain any

reduction experienced in MLD. MLD is covered by Medicare and most private

insurance; it is performed by a trained therapist, often a PT or PTA.

You don't want to screw around w/it because it will likely just get worse as

the lymph system continues to be overwhelmed. People w/LE are in danger of

easily contracting cellulitis; all the protein is like a buffet for

bacteria. Any hotness or redness in the effected area(s) indicates

infection; it will likely be fast-moving w/all that chow, and can become

systemic and life-threatening in a matter of hours. Most people w/LE keep

abx on hand should they develop any symptoms of cellulitis.

Aside from the infection risk, LE is just nasty; your skin hurts from being

stretched so taut and the heavy limbs ache and feel tired. It is also

depressing because of it causes deformity, essentially, and because it is a

little recognized/understood condition. It is time-consuming and kind of a

pain to deal with, but at least there is a treatment that is usually at

least somewhat effective in reducing the volume of the effected areas. Also,

diet has nothing to do w/LE, so things like salt intake, etc are not likely

to have much of an effect one way or the other.

Well, I've run on enough. Hope this helps!

Hang in there,

Louise

Re: [ ] Re: swollen feet

> Thanks for the replies. I really doubt it's any type of allergic reaction

> though. I haven't gotten any new meds or stopped any either in months now

> and I haven't eaten/drunk anything different than I usually do. There's no

> sign of any bites anywhere and no new plants/animals in my area. I have

> been

> tested for co-infections every year for about 6 years now, but nothing has

> turned up. It is time for my yearly tests though, although if I can't get

> my

> feet into any shoes, that'll make it tough to get to the doctor, even to

> have it checked out. I know my cardiologist has some concerns about my

> heart

> anyway, so maybe I should be checking with him instead of my LLMD. I've

> spent most of the weekend keeping my feet elevated to see if that helps

> any

> and my right foot seems to have gone down a little bit, but the left just

> keeps getting worse. Even my lower calf is swollen now, and while I can

> feel

> a difference in the texture of the calf muscle on the right leg as well,

> it

> isn't as noticeable as on the left. I'm going to call my LLMD tomorrow,

> but

> since I can never get in to see him without almost a month's notice, I

> have

> a feeling I might end up just going to a local doc to rule out non-Lyme

> related things.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gretchen and other ers,

My neurologist is sending me to UCSF for more tests. Do you know anything about

UCSF or what they do for people with PN/CMT? Also I was on my feet a lot today,

a lot more than usual and my feet are slightly swollen this evening, (my husband

noticed this and commented. ) I was wondering if this is related to CMT or just

a result of being on my feet too much?

Nina from Stockton

[Guest guest]

Hi Nina,

When the weather is hot and the ground absorbs heat, my feet seem to

absorb it too. Standing on it, walking on it makes me feet hot, but

not swollen, although they can look a bit puffed. How much salt is in

your diet? Are you changing shoes often?

My feet are always hot, have always been, so I'm not the best person

for this. My diet also includes little salt.

As for UCSF I understand the Neurology Fitness Unit and Pain

Depts. are very good, but I have not personally been there. Perhaps ,

Rick, Ruth and our other Northern California members can jump in here. Here's

the link, maybe surf the site and see what's there http://www.ucsf.edu/brain/

Maybe cool your feet down with some ice packs, or rub in cool/soothing

lotion and rest up with your feet higher than your hips. (pillows

under legs is what I mean)

~ Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Depending on the extent CMT is affecting your legs it can happen. As neuropathy

progresses your circulation gets worse and your feet begin to mimic diabetic

foot. Needless to say a diet that cleans cholesterol helps. But pretty much as

your muscles get mushy and atrophy there is less to compress the veins and spur

the flow of blood. Elevate your feet from time to time to help things along.

There are other things you can do but you really need to speak to a herbalist.

[Guest guest]

I have been experiencing the same thing lately and it is not hot here yet. Last

week they were very swollen, and I was on my feet for a long time without shoes

or braces. I find if I wear my braces, they are not as swollen. I believe it

must be neurologically related because my feet are discolored and purple also.

Found if I just elevated my feet for a while and drink a lot of water, it clears

up.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

My son (14 years old) has CMT 1A. His feet don't swell but they turn blue some

times and get very cold to the touch. His neurologist said it had to do with

his weakened muscles affecting his circulation. He suggested flexing the

muscles in his legs to help get things flowing again.

[Guest guest]

I also have the swollen, discolored and purple feet. Working out in my spa,

taking off my splints, putting my feet up, and getting in my Infrared spa helps.

Kay

[Guest guest]

> > >

>> > > I am still getting leg cramps most nights

>

> Yes, me too. I have to be super careful every morning when I stretch as I

wake up, I used to go into cramps in my calf muscles every morning for the first

year. Now I know how to avoid straightening my legs in the morning when I

stretch. So long as I keep them slightly bent I don't go into full cramps

anymore, just the beginnings of cramps that then subside.

Hi ,

I do the same thing in the morning. I try to not stretch or to stretch t

carefully as you do, but sometimes I have to jump out of bed to stand on my feet

to stop the cramp. It gets me out of bed quickly though. I hope your cramps

resolve soon.

[Guest guest]

> >

> > > +++Hi . No, taking cal/mag isn't usually involved in swollen

feet.

> >

> > +++Have you ever frost bitten your legs/feet or had them injured in the

past?

> >

> > Bee

>

> Hi Bee. I don't think I've had frost bite. I injured one foot skiing a year

ago but I think it was my right foot, not my left which is still swollen now.

+++Hi . If you've been on my program around 1 month your body will be

retracing your ski accident from 1 year ago. Sometimes you don't get symptoms

on the injured side; they can show up on the opposite side due to the way the

nerves work in the body. When there is an injury the nerves on the opposite

side get blocked up.

I suggest you massage both feet regularly (or get someone to do it), and put

them in warm to hot water once a day - you can add 3% hydrogen peroxide to the

water if you wish (about 1/2 cup).

Also accupuncture or accupressure treatments will help. Or do your own pressure

treatments called Shiatzu (Shiatsu) - there might be references on the internet

or buy the book " 60 Second Shiatzu " by Eva Shaw.

The best, Bee

[Guest guest]

wrote:

" Yes, I used to have to do that too. It's so super painful and it's a

chock to the system to jump up that quickly. (laughing at self)

If I up my magnesium I go into out of control diarheea so I'm feeling

quite stuck. I'm just hoping time on the diet will heal.... "

Hi ,

There is a magnesium chloride oil that comes in a spray form that is applied

directly to the skin.  The company I used to buy my supplements from sent me a

bottle by mistake.  They didn't want me to ship it back, so I read up on it,

It's supposed to help muscle spasms and tension, and having fibromyalgia I have

plenty of those, so I thought I'd give it a test run.

I began spraying it on my chest as my muscles there were so tight they were

bringing my shoulders forward and together causing severe neck and upper back

pain.  I also had some tight hamstrings so I put a few squirts on the backs of

my legs and rubbed it in. Both areas showed improvement. 

I stopped using it for a while to see what would happen and my muscles began to

tighten up again even with the usual stretches I do each day.  So I gave the

spray another test run and it was again effective.  I also used it on my lower

back sometimes after I've been sitting for a long period of time.  That's where

I'll get so tight that standing up to a fully-erect position, after being seated

for 20 minutes or longer, used to take at least two or three minutes.

When I started Bee's program, I stopped using the spray because it was not in

the list of supplements Bee advises us to take.  I must report that while being

on Bee's program with eating all the extra healthy fats, moderate protein and

almost no carbs (for me), I have not been stiff much at all even without the

magnesium oil spray. 

I think the electrolyte drink has a lot to do with my improvement too.  I

noticed I am way more calm since beginning that part of Bee's program.  And this

improvement occurred for me without taking all the supplements Bee advises

including magnesium...I'm waiting for the postman with bated breath.  I can go

to a baseball game and sit through all nine innings!  It's been years since I

was able to do that and my husband is very impressed.

Sorry this post is so long.

[Guest guest]

>

> ,

>

> I have had swollen feet/legs from an imbalance of my thyroid. I corrected

that and the swelling went away. I take Armour Thyroid and when it was too low,

I got swollen feet and legs.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

/,

I have a hyper-active thyroid and my fingers are always swollen. Especially

after I eat...could this be because of my thyroid? I guess I've never tied them

together...but I hate when my fingers get all swollen!

Thanks,

>

> ,

>

> I have had swollen feet/legs from an imbalance of my thyroid. I corrected that

and the swelling went away. I take Armour Thyroid and when it was too low, I got

swollen feet and legs.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> /,

> I have a hyper-active thyroid and my fingers are always swollen. Especially

after I eat...could this be because of my thyroid? I guess I've never tied them

together...but I hate when my fingers get all swollen!

+++Hi . Swelling is caused by toxins, so isnt't necessarily related to the

thyroid.

Bee