Forum Discussion

sandycee's avatar
sandycee
Member
14 years ago

swollen feet, ankles, legs

Hi everyone,

I have a terrible time with my feet getting swollen - all the way up to my thighs! First my feet are swollen, then my ankles and then the calves of my legs, then I lose my knees in the large surround of flesh going up to my thighs.

It is getting worse, not better. I put my feet on one or two pillows at night, though it is hard to sleep on my back due to my hot flushes I am constantly moving around the bed trying to find any and all cold spots with the sheets.

Usually when I wake up everything is getting back to normal, though it looks like my legs are still a little swollen in the morning and staying that way - till they expand right out by the end of the day. It is hard walking too.

I have tried wearing tights and stockings (not at the same time) however there is little if any relief. Does anyone else have this problem?

I have finished my chemo beginning of last month and started on Tamoxifen 2nd week. Is there a way to "fix" the swelling? I am constantly massaging under my feet arches and under my knees which seems to give some relief.

Thanks

 

  • sandycee's avatar
    sandycee
    Member
    14 years ago

    Wow! Thanks for your reply Bardoe. There are many facts that the docs leave out aren't there? It is very annoying. I told my oncologist about the swollen feet, ankles and legs and she wasn't the least bit concerned. Though didn't tell me it might be fluid retention. I seem to be releasing quite a lot of fluid - I am going to visit my GP this week, so I will ask him as he doesn't take much from the oncologists and is more of a straight talker.

    At the very least, I may try some Celery and Juniper tabs as they always work well with me. Perhaps I need to drink more water - then expell as much as I can too. I don't like the sound of those palpitations though, last time I mentioned that (the pre-chemo steroids) they had me see a cardiologist which turned out to be a furfy cos there was nothing wrong with me - cept the tabs were causing all the palpitations. The docs said NO! emphatically when I asked at the pharmacy what side effects that drug has, he mentioned the palpitations!!!

    Well,, I am only 1.5 months post chemo so I will have to wait another six months for everything to settle down, I supose. Not to worry. I appreciate your information. I won't worry as much - it seems to be settling down some now anyway - stil up a little, though not as much as it was.

    Thanks

    Sandy :)

  • Bardoe's avatar
    Bardoe
    Member
    14 years ago

    hey Sandy,  I too had fluid retention, but it did not start til a month after my last chemo,  a "surprise" after-effect of the whole process,  my legs felt like lead weights with skin very tight on my calves.  None of the drs were too concerned, but living with it was too tough, so I asked for fluid tablets,  which certainly did help reduce the tightness and lead weight feeling,

    which allowed me to walk and relax more comfortably. I was carrying an extra 3kg or 3 litres of fuild and It takes time to reduce and I think its all about the imbalances of the body after all the chemo.  I had a bunch of other "after" effects that did not show up during chemo, and Drs then advised it can be 3-6 month before everything settles down.  I am at month 5 now post chemo,  its only palpitations that are worrying, most of the other things have settled.

    cheers B

  • sandycee's avatar
    sandycee
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tonya, Leonie and Samantha,

    Thanks for your comments. I was all set to go to my doctor on Friday, then I had an appointment change to get my portacath taken out - that is happening on Friday. 

    I will check in with my doctor next week though. I noticed with the cooler weather (in Sydney it has been raining) the swelling wasn't that bad. My onchologist didn't seem too worried about it tellimg me that it was a left over from the chemo. My Physio said much the same thing. Just now it has been getting worse. I don't want to take fluid tabs in case it isn't. I will in the mean time try to up my water intake to see of that helps alleviate the problem.

    Ta again girls

    Sandy xxx

  • Samantha_Cunnin's avatar
    Samantha_Cunnin
    Member
    14 years ago

    Sound awful..sorry to hear that ur having such trouble. I agree with Tonya, i think you should see ur doc-even an e-mail to ur chemo unit or oncologist (I know i can contact them anytime with any issue), they may have some advice too. Until then try to have ur feet elevated above head level (maybe lay on the couch and put feet on the arm of the couch) for at least 15minutes 2-3 times per day-then they may not get as bad by the evening

    Good luck

    Sam :)

     

  • Samantha_Cunnin's avatar
    Samantha_Cunnin
    Member
    14 years ago

    Sound awful..sorry to hear that ur having such trouble. I agree with Tonya, i think you should see ur doc-even an e-mail to ur chemo unit or oncologist (I know i can contact them anytime with any issue), they may have some advice too. Until then try to have ur feet elevated above head level (maybe lay on the couch and put feet on the arm of the couch) for at least 15minutes 2-3 times per day-then they may not get as bad by the evening

    Good luck

    Sam :)

     

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    My ankles get abit puffy by the end of the day,especially if it's a hot day.I put it down to the Tamoxifen causing some fluid retention.But what you are describing sounds alot worse.Have you seen your doctor about it?If you haven't then perhaps you should,

                                           Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    My ankles get abit puffy by the end of the day,especially if it's a hot day.I put it down to the Tamoxifen causing some fluid retention.But what you are describing sounds alot worse.Have you seen your doctor about it?If you haven't then perhaps you should,

                                           Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    My ankles get abit puffy by the end of the day,especially if it's a hot day.I put it down to the Tamoxifen causing some fluid retention.But what you are describing sounds alot worse.Have you seen your doctor about it?If you haven't then perhaps you should,

                                           Tonya xx