Swollen ankles

[KathyLauren]

My ankles have been swollen for a couple of weeks or so.  I have been doing a lot of standing since my surgery, since sitting and walking were out of the question.  I am a little bit more active now, though my labia swell up if I overdo it.  And I can sit long enough to watch a TV show, which helps.  But it seems to be a choice between swollen ankles or swollen labia.

 

I know that swollen ankles can be a sign of a DVT.  So how worried should I be?  "Hope it will go away" worried?  "See your doctor as soon as you can get an appointment" worried?  Or "get your butt down to Emergency, virus or not, right now" worried?

[Jackie C.]

My spouse asked, "How old are you... which we looked up... and do you have a history of heart issues and/or circulatory problems?" If you do, at least a call to your doctor is probably a good idea.

 

Hugs!

[Mx.Drago]

Swollen ankles aren't ok. You could end up with DVT at worse or have lose of sensation in your feet and lose the ability to walk. I highly recommend soaking your feet to your ankles in cold water or put ice packs on for 10min intervals of pack on pack off, to reduce the swelling. You can also use tiger balm to relax the muscles in your ankle. I would see a doctor anyway, if possible, since it's been a couple over a week. Also when resting, keep your feet elevated so the blood as and easier time moving. If you are comfortable massaging your legs, always move up the leg when rubbing your legs, foot to ankles to knee and up to the hip. When massaging anything or anybody, it's important you rub towards the heart, never away.

[VickySGV]

Run this one by your doctor, but if you have been taken off of Spiro, it could be the culprit.  I have been Post Op for 7.5 years and take the stuff for my high blood pressure.  Two years ago I became dehydrated during two Pride events and a little bit of kidney problem kicked in and I was taken off the Spiro to get my water levels back up and my ankles swelled up like a pair of elephant feet until I was allowed to go back on.  DO run the swelling through your doctor. Do not be disappointed if he puts you back on it.  The ankle swelling can be the sign of something dangerous.

[KathyLauren]

Thanks everyone.

 

@VickySGV, I've been off spiro for over a year, so that's not it.  I was on cyproterone for the last year before my surgery, and it is not diuretic.

 

But I hear the consensus: I'll make an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.

[VickySGV]

1 hour ago, KathyLauren said:

I've been off spiro for over a year, so that's not it.  I was on cyproterone for the last year before my surgery, and it is not diuretic

 

Good deal.

[Susan R]

Hi @KathyLauren, standing for extremely long periods will definitely cause swollen ankles and high sodium content with it can also cause this. Some medications can have this as a side effect too. Let us know what you find out.

 

11 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

I can sit long enough to watch a TV show

I’m sure you’ve tried everything but what happens if you lie on your side with a contoured Orthopedic pillow between your legs? Does this help at all with staying off your feet or does it increase the pain from the surgery?

 

Susan R?

[Charlize]

12 hours ago, KathyLauren said:

I've been off spiro for over a year, so that's not it.  I was on cyproterone for the last year before my surgery, and it is not diuretic.

I'm glad to read this having had similar issues.  I'm taking a mild diuretic and it has helped the discomfort of swelling a great deal.

This getting older has meant some additional medication for me.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize