Edema

How do you deal with edema?  I have swollen ankles that won't respond to anything.  Even Lasix prescription is not helping.  

Compression socks and elevating legs help only minimally.  

Any tips or suggestions?  What's worked best for you?  Please help!

[Trackermom]

The first thing I would say is go to/call your doctor.  Are you eating less then 2,000 mg of sodium?  
Do you have heart problems?  

[twopack]

If you have a heart problem or other medical condition check with your doctor first, then....

Contrary to what would seem to make sense, I find that INCREASING my water intake helps to keep the fluid retention down.  I'm talking at least 64 ounces of WATER a day.  After that you can have other liquids or more water if you want. If you're not used to that it will probably be hard at first.  Figure out a plan that works for you to get the water in.  Bladder complaints will settle down in a few days too.  CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST IF YOU HAVE MEDICAL CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY HEART OR KIDNEY PROBLEMS OR LOW POTASSIUM OR SODIUM LEVELS.

When you try to lose weight but eat too few calories each day your body thinks you are starving and tends to hold onto what it has to maintain weight.  It's the same with water.

[tiredpoet]

Thanks for the replies!  I just had an echocardiogram today and will get the results soon from my doctor after the cardiologist reviews it, but the person who did the test said she didn't see anything to worry about.

Just for background: I am female, 5ft3 1/2, 115 lbs.  I exercise on a regular basis and eat a low sodium diet.  My ankles had been "puffy" for a while but suddenly a few months ago they swelled up to a ridiculous size and I now have pitting edema in both ankles.  Well actually it's pitting on the inner ankle, just enormously puffy on the outer ankle and the top of my foot.  You know those ankle weights that you wrap around your ankles when exercising?  It looks like I have those sewn in under my skin!


I drink between 70 and 100 ounces of water per day most days and have for years.  Every so often I'll have a day when I just don't have time to drink enough or don't access to enough water, but for the most part I stay pretty hydrated. I really dislike water, but I usually add a little lemon to make it easier to drink.
My sodium and potassium and other blood chemistry levels were good.  
My thyroid and hormone levels came back normal.  
I've tried compression hose and elevating my legs to no avail.
Liver and kidney function normal.
Venous ultrasound looked okay.

There appears to be no obvious reason for this, and I'm beyond frustrated.  My doctor gave me a  prescription for Lasix and I've been taking that for about 2 weeks and so far it's not helping.  Does it take a while?  

What else can I do?  I took dandelion root supplements for a couple of days a while back - they didn't seem to have much of a diuretic effect and I think they made me bloated.  I'm at my wit's end!

[heididawg]

Did you ever find out the problem?  I have the same symptoms so I am curious.  Please reply!