Fluid buildup

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

Slipjoint Addict
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Feb 2, 2005
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I am a big guy, and have developed fluid buildup in my legs. When I get up in the morning, my calves look like chicken legs compared to what I go to bed with. I've always had some powerful legs, and big muscular calves. However, since I've gotten obese, the muscle has given way to fluid buildup. I've been taking fluid pills, and walking. However, since my accident in July, my left leg has been huge, sometimes a 1/3 larger than my right leg (broke my leg, my back, chest trauma from steering wheel and seat belt). I try to walk at least a block and a half every day, but my feet hurt terribly by the afternoon, every day, to the point where I am in agony. I just started driving again this past Saturday, and spent a couple days out and about for the first time in months. When I get home I have to prop my feet up for a couple hours.

I am going for compression socks tomorrow, going to see a vascular surgeon soon, going to get another scan to see if I have blood clots, I did that last year also. I am diabetic, and am curtailing my salt intake. I have always had big ankles, you can hardly see my ankles on the left foot. My doctor has given me a couple tips, including doing foot exercises at work and walking around as much as I can (I ride a desk all day).

I am a diabetic, and am afraid of renal failure, amputation etc. Any tips or suggestions? I am walking as much as I can.
 
July? That wasn't very long ago, really. You're still recovering, and sounds like you're doing as best you can. Just keep at it, but take it easy.

Positive thoughts from the Pleasant Valley....
 
Hi, try to elevate your legs during the night to help the fluid get reabsorbed into the body.
 
I'm a big fella too, so I know your struggles. It's the diabetes that is contributing to the problem. Keeping that regulated will help some. Unfortunately at night there's not a lot you can do, other than keeping your legs elevated. I have a problem with stiff joints and muscles. If I'm on my feet for a while and then sit down, when I get up again I look like a little old man they get so stiff.
 
That's frustrating. I've got a lot of the same problems, including the diabetes, except for the weight. I needed hip joint replacement surgery but I got hit with sciatica again along the way. June, July, and August I was practically immobilized. I lost 25 pounds. That meant my prosthetic foot doesn't fit right now.

The surgery went great, I was in in-patient therapy for 3 weeks, I'm up and around now, but I still have some of that fluid buildup myself. I got compression socks for the left foot and leg, thigh-high. They really help, but you do have to keep at it. Don't stop wearing them when the fluid starts to go down. Rotating the ankle and pointing the toes down and up helps also, when you have to sit a long time. I hate desk jobs.
 
Sounds like you have Lymphedema. Look it up on WebMD.

My Father in law suffers from it. He is quite large, eats crappy, and sits in a chair all day without moving. His case is severe.

Lose weight, eat healthy, (low sodium), get some light exersize, and follow your doctors advice.
 
I am also diabetic, but it is under control. When I was in the hospital the nurses kept checking my feet and ankles. The were somewhat swollen, but not like yours.
The vascular surgeon should be able to at least find the cause and fix it.

A friend had a similar problem. He was taking coumadin for awhile. That seemed to help.

I hope things get better for you.
 
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