swelling wtf!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok you all know all my problems. I am still doing well. I am eating and not puking it back up. I am having trouble with swelling. My feet and legs. I told my doctor last time I was there I could gain like 10 to 15 lbs. just over night. He just gave me more pain pills. It don't help the swelling. My whole body hurts so bad. I feel like every time I move I have been hit by a 18 wheeler truck. I push myself to beyond it's limits. But I just don't know what the swelling could come from. I know my face swells from all the throwing up and being bulimic. I go and pp about normal. I think my doctor is tired of me and just gives me drugs to shut me up until next time. I think he just don't know what to do. Or he thinks I am to far gone. I don't know...........But I am still happy. My mind is ok for the moment. If you can tell me what you think it could come from I would be very thankful.  amy

Swelling can be caused by so many things! Salt is a big one, varicose veins, lympademia (sp?), poor circulation and so on and so forth. Some things I know to help swelling is for every hour you are sitting get up and walk for 5 minutes, try and keep your feet/legs elevated if you are sitting, wear panty hose (can be kneehighs) or get compression hose to help circulation.  I have varicose veins and thats what they told me above... also a diet high in omegas helps because its good for vascular health, warm baths in epsom salt helps as well.

I DON'T DO ANY SALT. MY DAUGHTER PASSED OUT LAST WEEK AND I TOOK HER TO THE DOCTOR AND THEY SAID HER SALT LEVEL WAS TO LOW. MY FAULT...........SO I SALT HER FOOD BUT NOT MINE. OR EAT ANY HIGH SALT FOODS.  THANKS I WILL TRY THE HOSE. SOME TIME MY LEGS FEEL SO HEAVY AND TIRED. WHEN I LAY DOWN FEELS LIKE THEY ARE CROWLING. I KNOW THAT SOUNDS STUPID. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

 

AMY

Maybe check out the symptons for RLS (restless leg syndrom) the crawling part is a sign of that... but I am not sure if people with RLS experience swelling?

Vitamin E is also good for vascular health, when I don't take it, my legs swell.  The pills are small enough to swallow.  I believe the standard dose is 400 IUs, but don't quote me on that, the bottle will say how much to take.  I would definitely look into Restless Leg Syndrome.  I don't know if swelling is one of the symptoms, but the crawling sensation definitely is.  Exercise also helps, particularly walking.  I don't know what you do during the day as far as a job, but if it's fairly sedentary, maybe some intentional exercise would help. Also, how much water are you drinking?  You need to drink at least 64 ounces a day.  I know it seems counter-intuitive to drink more water when you're swelling, but it does help bring it back down.  You may be dehydrated and your body is trying to save wha****er it can.  Monitor how much you're drinking, it might not be as much as you think. Finally, make sure you're taking the vitamins you need.  Your doctor should have given you a regimen, if not I'll send you a list of what I take.  At the very least, you should be taking a good multivitamin, calcium, and sublingual B-12.  Be proactive about your health, you are worth it.  If this doctor is dismissing you, find another one.  You do have some issues that need to be dealt with, but maybe this doctor is too jaded concerning your past.  I have had that happen before as well.  I was so depressed at one point, that from then on, I was always depressed.  She was forever trying to medicate me, which I didn't need.  It got very frustrating and I finally had enough.  Only you know for sure what feels right to you.  If you need to, move on to a new doctor. I hope something I've said helps.  Take care of yourself. Ellen

I get in all my water. In with the coffee. I have never took my vitamins. My labs come back good. And I work where we give out vitamins and talk about nutrition.  I would like to try to go without all my meds for a month to see if it makes me worse or better. I stay in my own little world. All the meds just keep me so,so sleepy and tired.  Thanks for your help. It does help. I wanted to tell you how good you look. Take care and again thanks.

 

amy  

Thanks for the kind words Amy.  I wanted to comment on a couple of things.  One, coffee acts as a diuretic, so it actually makes you pee more and lose your water.  I drink coffee, but I try to drink at least 50+ ounces of water a day as just plain water.  Sweetening it with crystal light, power aid option, stuff like that, is acceptable.  Caffeine in coffee, tea, etc causes you to lose water.  So if that's the only way you're getting your water in, you might be dehydrated.  Symptoms of dehydration include muscle pain/cramps, dizzyness, confusion, etc.  You don't have to be severely dehydrated in order for these things to occur.  Just a thought for you to ponder... Also, if it was me, I think I'd go see a new doctor and show him/her all the meds that I'm taking before I tried to get off of them myself.  You're on several things that cause withdrawals and problems if you stop them cold turkey.  You have mentioned some issues on here, as well as in your blog, like bullemia and bipolar disorder.  Some of the meds you're taking for that can't just be stopped, no matter how good you feel right now.  I think it sounds like you're taking conflicting things, and that maybe you don't need everything you're taking, but I also think you should allow a medical professional determine that. I hear you on the vitamins, but from what I read, it's vital for GBS patients.  It sometimes takes several years for signs of vitamin deficiency to show up.  Then you'll be stuck playing catch up.  Just give it some thought... Please continue to give careful consideration to the choices you make concerning your health.  You're doing a spectacular job taking charge of your eating and I am proud of you.  Keep up the good work! Take care of yourself. Ellen

Pain pills for swelling? geez....Maybe it's time to start fresh with a new Doctor.

I'm so glad you aren't throwing up now and still happy. Keep up the good work but don't let anyone give up on you.

Karen

Not sure if I am spelling it right. But it is neurontin. I also take 3 xanex a day and prozac and another pain pill a butt load of acid reflux meds. Thank god for insurance. Have a good day.  amy     oh yeah and ambi for sleep like I flippin need it..............

If you are not drinking enough water your body will go into dehydration shut down mode and retain any fluid that it can for survival.  DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! I can always tell when I have not had enough water for the day--my ankles are huge!