Pitted Edema - Lower Leg/Ankle

[ItlnStln]

I've been up and around for 2 months now.
I am back to working out (cardio/lifting) as hard as ever, and about 4 weeks ago, I made it a point (after being laid-up for so long) to stand while writing, studying, etc - and ditch the urge to lounge on the couch or sit in a chair during any down-time.

When I started standing for an hour or more at first, I noticed a decent amount of fluid hanging out around my ankles up to just-below my calves. I am someone who rarely has lower leg problems (with edema) even if my diet is off.
I know this HAS to do with the fact that I couldn't move around much for so long - but I assumed this would have totally gone away by now - but it's still about 1/2 as bad now - even when I am on my feet all day.

My sodium intake is almost nil - as I rarely add anything to any of my food. Mustard at the most - and that will only be once or twice a day (and that's not a significant sodium source). I am always asked why I am cutting out the salt, but I NEVER add salt to anything anyway - it just so happens I don't add any with a dialed in diet either.

I am just wondering if there are any somewhat-quick fixes for this, or any rehab. techniques I can use to get rid of this fluid.
And yes - if I push-in around my lower shin-ankle area, it leaves a nice dent.

Do I just ignore it for another month, and assume it will eventually go away completely?

Do i wrap my legs in saran wrap, drink white-grapefruit juice and do 3 hours of cardio? JK - (that's for FS)

"ANY" help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
I.S.

[Aesirian]

All the standing is not helping. You actually need to get your feet up, higher than hips to reduce the swelling. "Pitting edema", as you describe, is definately a Red Flag. Considering you are going through some significant changes and were previously ill, you should see your doctor to rule out anything serious. The fix may be very simple and thats what we'll hope for.
Take the time and get this checked out...Its all part of being more responsible to one's self. ;)

[ItlnStln]

I showed it to my doc a few weeks back, and he said "after being inactive for that long, does this surprise you?"
He said everything looked fine, and that it would "take time, and run it's course".
He also mentioned that elevating my feet thus sending the fluid back down (or up) for my body to reprocess and eventually discharge in the urine wouldn't help my mild case of edema.
He clearly ruled out the long list of things that cause it - but I am ready to get rid of it.

As I mentioned, I can almost flat-out run now (although I don't more that a few minutes/week) and other than them looking different to ME - they don't cause much of a problem, aside from keeping me from being able to tie my sneakers normal.

I really never have a problem holding water, ever - so I would think a diuretic wouldn't do much.
I know I am making a big deal out of it - but I will admit - I don't want to wait a couple of more "months" for this to continue to get better.

I don't know - Thanks For the response though A.

[ItlnStln]

Also - every morning when I wake up - my lower legs are bone dry and fairly vascular for a fat-boy.

It takes a good 30min to start to fill up.

[dirty~d~]

As you improve your cardiovascular conditioning it will diminish. One thing that might help alleviate it in the meantime is to massage your legs every day, before you go to bed and then again when you wake up. I'm not talking about using foam rollers, just use your hands to apply tolerable pressure in a kneading motion. Start at your lower leg and work your way up, then work back down. Nothing too involved, maybe 15-20 minutes per leg.

[ItlnStln]

Thanks Dirty.....
I'll try that - and that's the answer I was dreading....lol
I will just let it run it's course...

Thanks Again!
-I.S.

[Curious George]

Hey Itinstin, could you fill me in on what happened? I might be able to help.

[ItlnStln]

Hey there - I was pretty much incapacitated for most of every day for about 18months - and only really "pushed-myself" to hit the bar with friends, as I was too weak to really do much more.
I put on a ton of fat.
And now that I am medically-ok, I have been spending most of the day on my feet, gaining all my strength, balance, and agility in my legs.
At the same time - Fluid (starts as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning) has been collecting in my lower legs - starting on the lower calf, right down to the ankle.
On a good note, a couple of weeks my feet AND TOES would swell, and not the tops of my feet stay bone-dry all day.

I know this will eventually subside, but I was simply wondering if there was anything I could do to speed up the process - if only for "vanity" reasons. lol

any help is obviously appreciated.

[Alumni]

I had ACL bone-tendon-bone surgery done at the end of 04 and still get the edema swelling in my shin off and on to this day.

[PeteM]

you could try some compression socks / diabetes socks - they may help

[xtinct]

you could try some compression socks / diabetes socks - they may help

I second this. I had a friend with the same problem and the socks made a huge difference.

[Odoyal Rulez]

I support the massage idea and elevating if you can.

[THE KIDD]

Have you recently had a surgery that rendered you inactive? Has your physician recommende a doppler scan to check for DVT's (bloodclots)? Are you taken Coumadin? Are you predisposed to this condition? Please keep us updated, or feel free to PM.

KIDD

[ItlnStln]

I don't know what's going on with this thread - as this is my (3rd) response to Kidd's question - but I'll just simplify.

Answer to all your questions would be "no"

There are no concerns of this being a medical-emergency/concern situation, or anything that needs medical attention (unless they can somehow suck this fluid out with some ridiculous contraption ;-)

Thanks for the help though.
Much appreciated.
I.S.

[Curious George]

Hey my friend,

What precipitated the incapacitation? I'm just curious because it's obviously interstitial leakage, but if you can tell me more about what happened, It would give me more info to go on. Consider me curious.

[ItlnStln]

Thanks Curious,
- I'll PM you - as it's long, - drawn out, - and I've told the story so many times, I feel like writing a book and just letting people read it - lol...

It's not an issue of "hiding" anything - (as a few members here know all the details) - it's more a situation of me having left THAT behind me and it's a bit daunting sometimes - to go back and emotionally re-live NOT the situation, but the persona and emotional state that was Myself.

I'll send it on over when I have a minute - and as always - your advice and concern are MUCH appreciated My Friend....

I.S.

[methyl mike]

I have only seen this once in my life. Knew a guy who would get it anytime he touched GH. No clue why. You could press your finger into his shins and it would take minutes for the depression to go away. When he stopped the GH it went away in a couple days. Again no idea why. His doctor was baffled.

[ItlnStln]

Well - I've done "everything", and it's still there - about 80-85%.
I wear compression sleeves (from my ankle to the bottom of my calf - pretty much where the fluid hangs-out) during football practice, and they do their job - but the "second" I take them off, or simply don't wear them - the fluid start heading south once again.

I still haven't noticed any real physical limitations/issues this has put on myself - except the fact that I HATE IT!

There's NO WAY that I simply have to live with this for the rest of my life........

Sorry for the rant - I'm just frustrated........

Thanks in advance for any help - and thanks to those who already have...
I.S.

[Alumni]

Well - I've done "everything", and it's still there - about 80-85%.
I wear compression sleeves (from my ankle to the bottom of my calf - pretty much where the fluid hangs-out) during football practice, and they do their job - but the "second" I take them off, or simply don't wear them - the fluid start heading south once again.

I still haven't noticed any real physical limitations/issues this has put on myself - except the fact that I HATE IT!

There's NO WAY that I simply have to live with this for the rest of my life........

Sorry for the rant - I'm just frustrated........

Thanks in advance for any help - and thanks to those who already have...
I.S.

Im with you, at 27 years old mine flares up all the time...its nasty when I poke it and it leaves a deep soft pocket right ontop of the bone. I am concerned with lower leg thrombosis. i.e pulmonary embolisis starting in the lower legs...not sure if the edema can increase that or not?