Question:
WHY are my legs swelling and won't go down?

For about the past week or two my legs are swelling up - really BAD, I can make a dent in them real deep. I have increased my water intake and keep them elevated all night, but when I wake up in the morning they are still swelled - no relief! My hands and feet are normal, it's just my legs. ALSO, I have been gaining weight (daily) and I have not reached my goal weight yet, so I am eating to lose. But WHY am I gaining? Anyone ever have this problem? Please help! I'm worried and don't know what's going on. Went to doc (not my regular PCP -- she was too busy) and had blood work done. Thyroid fine, a little anemic (haven't been taking both flintstones for awhile, but I am now) , B-12 is elevated (I take 100mcg daily), lipid panel ok, had a chest x-ray - heart and lungs fine too. Otherise, they told me nothing. Help! I will be 3 yrs out in Oct. Started at 206 lbs, down to 127 and now back up to 145. I don't want this happening! Pam    — pjnick (posted on June 28, 2005)


June 27, 2005
Are you drinking diet soda or eating a lot of nutra-sweet. Some artificial sweetners do this to me, but not splenda. I do fine with splenda.
   — Peggy Boyd

June 28, 2005
I too had this happen and it wouldn't go away until my PCP gave me a diuretic. I lost 15 lbs. in two weeks. He said it was because I was eating out too much and restaurant food has way too much sodium. I cut back on eating out and my feet are boney again. Larry
   — perryla

June 28, 2005
Hi, I'm not sure what is happening to you, but whatever it is, it doesn't sound good, or normal, and I would request to see your doctor again, and if she is too busy, then someone else. Don't let them tell you nothing. There is obviously something wrong that needs to be addressed, whether it be something your consuming, or needing a diuretic, don't let them ignore you. Swolen legs can mean a lot of different things, and you should get it looked at asap, to make sure it's not more serious than just diet related. I hope you find relief, and an answer.
   — Carey N.

June 28, 2005
This may be quite serious especially since you seem to be healthy otherwise and havent had any recent plastic surgery right? If nothing is different run dont walk to the Dr. It could be dietary or it could mean kidney disease, congestive heart failure , hypertension, or even a blood clot. You need to be seen by a Dr. and get some diuretics at the least and have labs done maybe even a CT or ultrasound of your legs. Please dont wait get this checked out. Wendi
   — lovemonterey

June 28, 2005
What is your protein level and your albumin level? Do you supplement your protein? Do you have copies of your labs? Can you get them?
   — vitalady

June 28, 2005
Chances are if your doctor can't find anything, it's something in your labwork or something you're eating. Is there some change in your diet high in sodium? Are you exercising?
   — Cathy S.

June 29, 2005
Hi- I would recommend having a sonogram- and looking at your kidneys and also your gallbladder if you still have it. My brother in law- who passed away in April- was having fluid retention- in his joints and and lower body- wrists etc -he was having heart problems too- which may not be the case- but he was diabetic - and his kidneys were not functioning properly- and water retention was the first symptom. So your problems may not be relative your WLS- but may be symptomatic of something else- get back to your surgeon or your regular PCP. I wouldnt be so concerned about the weight- as I would as to what is causing this. good luck - Donna
   — nybabe

June 29, 2005
I read these questions all the time, but rarely answer, but when i saw yours, I had to answer. This happened to me too and no one could find the answer till I almost died. Mine ended up being congestive heart failure. CHF can be caused by many things. Mine was caused by sleep apnea. But you can only hold so much fluid before it goes to your lungs. If the heart is not pumping correctly, it will not be able to flush the fluids out. Make those doctors listen to you and do something. I suggest you ask your primary doctor to send you to a cariologist, it sure wouldn't hurt to have a good check up anyway. Especially for the peace of mind. I wish you well.
   — ajsweet309

June 29, 2005
Pam, first let me preface this by saying I have not had the surgery yet, still waiting. But I have just recently went through a bout of swelling legs that would not go down with elevation or by putting ice on them. Doctor first ordered and ultrasound of my legs to make sure no blood clot was causing the swelling and we did other bloodwork and tests. Everything came back normal so my doctor concluded I probably have what he called leaky veins. Years of obesity can cause veins to start to leak fluid (water) and then put me on a water pill. For the most part the sdwelling as subsided except for when the heat and humidty get really high which we have hasd 95+ degrees for most of the past few weeks. My suggestion is to call your doc again and suggest the possibility of ultrasound of your legs to rule out blood clot or something else major and any other tests they may need to run but it may just be leaky veins. Please don't wasit too long to do this as blood clot in the legs can be very serious. Or like me this could be helped with a water pill. I lost 10 pounds after taking the water pill for a week because I had that much extra fluid built up. Hope all turns out well for you. Good luck. Carolyn
   — Carolyn S.

June 29, 2005
From drkoop.com: Foot, leg, and ankle swelling Definition: Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called peripheral edema. Alternative Names: Swelling of the ankles - feet - legs; Ankle swelling; Foot swelling; Leg swelling; Edema - peripheral, Peripheral edema Considerations: Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, particularly in older people. It may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. Because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in these locations. Common Causes: Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations: Prolonged standing Long airplane flights or automobile rides Menstrual periods (for some women) Pregnancy -- excessive swelling may be a sign of pre-eclampsia (a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling; sometimes called toxemia) Being overweight Increased age Injury or trauma to your ankle or foot Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in your body. Other conditions that can cause swelling to one or both legs include: Blood clot Leg infection Venous insufficiency (when the veins in your legs are unable to adequately pump blood back to the heart) Varicose veins Burns including sunburn Insect bite or sting Starvation or malnutrition Surgery to your leg or foot Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell: Hormones like estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone A group of blood pressure lowering drugs called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, and verapamil) Steroids Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) and tricyclics (such as nortriptyline, desipramine, and amitriptyline) PLEASE SEE YOUR DOCTOR OR SPECIALIST ASAP!
   — Anne S.

July 4, 2005
My Mother had this when she had Congestive Heart Failure. (No she never had wls). It turned out that she got CHF because she had just the slightest blood loss from her stomach and she was anemic. Ones blood count should be around 39-40 (if I remember right). And 16 you are about dead. Her's was down to 14 before we knew what was going on. Anyway, both of us are on duretics for swollen legs. Neither of us have CHF... but it is'nt normal for legs to swell up. Don't take no for an answer. Get treated for this!
   — Danmark

January 27, 2007
I have bouts of extreme leg swelling too. In addition to all the other issues that people have posted about congestive heart failure, and other issues, one thing to consider is a food allergy. I am very sensitive to MSG. Monosodium glutimate. It is thrown into many food items as a flavor enhancer. More people are sensitive to this additive than people thing. For me, salt might make me swell, but when addressed with water pills prescribed by doctor it is quickly managed. BUT, when swelling from even the smallest amount of msg (snuck into foods when I least expect it) I swell horrendously in my legs especially and that water does not move with diurectics. It lingers and makes me absolutely miserable for at least a whole week or more. I would go on a label reading search of regular products you use. Salad dressings, dip, processed foods, all kinds of stuff can have it in. Go back to fresh foods cooked from scratch with limitted additives added to them for a while and see what happens. Perhaps the swelling will go down. Took me several years to figure out this is what was doing this to me. Karen
   — Friedabob




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