Swelling in Feet and Hands

[Bradley White]

Hi All,

I woke up this morning with some pretty signficant swelling in my feet and hands. This is the first time I have experienced this, so it has me a little worried. My joints in my hands ache from the swelling and in the morning it hurt to walk my feet were so swollen. It has gotten a little better as the day has gone along, but both remain somewhat swollen. I was a little worried it had something to do with my blood pressure, but I called my Doctor and he said I was probbaly retaining fluid and told me to take an extra Lasix tonight...if it didn't go away over the weekend he said I needed to be seen by someone on Monday. Has anyone else experienced this?

Brad

 

[Lynlw]

Have you been weighing yourself everyday? alot of doc recomend it after heart surgery so they can tell how much water yo are gaining. maybe if you aren't you could try keeping track of it, that way you could say i gained X many pounds in so many days, Lyn

 

[Bradley White]

I had the same thought. I had not been weighing myself because I did not have a scale, but sent someone out to pick one up tonight so i can track it over the weekend...

Brad

 

[Marguerite53]

I am glad that you called your surgeon. Do be diligent about watching and measuring the water retention. I think there are many here who had some difficulty with that. I think it's best not to let it get out of hand.

I may be way off base, but maybe your going on the airplane caused some of this swelling. Watch your salt intake (keep it low). Do not hesitate to call your local physician since you'll want to start building that relationship with this new heart of yours. You'll be needing them sometime soon, anyway, I suspect...just for general checkups.

Take care!

Marguerite

 

[Karlynn]

Remember to keep them elevated when you are sitting.

Have you been getting enough rest time?

 

[KAJ]

Brad,

Retaining fluid should be monitored closely. Your doctor is right, if it does not clear up, you need to been seen. I had a simiilar problem after my surgery. However, I was hurting too much to notice the swelling. The weight gain was the biggest clue that something was not right.

Karl

 

[davidfortune]

Brad,

I think your course of action is correct. Be sure to keep your feet elevated (i.e. a "propped up" position like the hospital bed). It maybe that sitting upright for several hours on the plane caused the fluid to collect in hands and feet.

My hands and feet were a little swollen the 2nd day (my feet more so since I was sitting in the hospital chair posting on VR.COM until Bob reminded me to prop my feet up.

Cautious monitoring seems prudent. I would think if it get significantly worse that I personally might take some action at that point. If it gets better or stays the same I would probably wait till monday.

Congrats again on being home. Take it easy!!!!

David

 

[kodi]

I had the same problem right from the start. I gained 14 1/2 pounds the three days I was in the hospital but didn't realized how swollen I was until I got home. He immediately put me on 2 lasik daily for two weeks, then down to one. I got back to my normal weight after about one week. Then a strange thing happened. The weekend after Thanksgiving I had a touch of the flu and all of a sudden my weight shot right back up. Between Saturday and Monday I gained 8 pounds. My card prescribed more lasik and now I take 1/2 a day. For years I have weighed myself the first thing in the morning...every morning except when I traveling.
Like you Brad, my hands tingle when I retain the water so it is a trigger for me to watch.
Good luck in getting back to a normal weight and glad your home and doing well.

 

[Bradley White]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I can happily report that both my hands and feet have returned to normal size today! and my weight is stable...so it seems all is good for the moment.

Brad

 

[Marguerite53]

Excellent! I'll bet it was the airplane ride.....

Keep up the good work and have your friends all drink a toast to the new you this holiday season!!

Best wishes!

Marguerite

 

[davidfortune]

Great news Brad!

 

[WayneGM]

Excellent news!

Excellent news!

Glad to hear the swelling has gone down. Take care.

 

[KAJ]

Wonderful! Thanks for the update Brad.

Karl