Anyone Else Have Swollen Feet and Legs from Treatment?

[LindaC1207]

Ever since I started the Procrit and Neupogen, my feet and ankles have been swollen and they hurt.  I try wearing flip flops and even they seem to cut into my feet if the swell too much.  My blood levels all came back up and looked good so my doctor said that I could begin skipping a week on my blood meds but that didn't even help.  It probably isn't even those two drugs.  Now my platelets are getting dangerously low and my doctor said if they hit 40, then we have to talk about stopping the interferon.  With only 6 weeks left, you would think that my doctor would let me ride it out; I'd sure hate to think that I went through 42 weeks of treatment for nothing!

If anyone else is experiencing swollen feet, I'd love to hear from you, I'd hate to think that I may be getting blood clots from some of the meds.

Thank you!
Linda

[virgocharm]

i am on procrit. that swelling happens tome too. i just got through  reading my papers on procrit. its just a sx. my go away in 2 days. legs , ankle , feet .

[LindaC1207]

Hi Lynn,

My doctor is very aware of the swelling in my feet and legs and she is going to schedule an ultrasound for me to rule out any blood clots, although she doesn't think I have to worry about that, but it's hard not too.  I too have to elevate my feet, it's funny, on the weekends, I rest and relax with my feet elevated and by Sunday, the swelling is pretty much gone but then I get up and go to work on Monday and by Tuesday, they're swollen again.  My doctor is pretty sure that it's due to all the medication I'm taking, they didn't swell at all for the first 6 months of tx but when I started taking the Procrit and Neupogen, they started to swell.  They even hurt sometimes.

On a good note, I saw my doctor yesterday and she told me that they're not going to take my off the interferon unless my platelets go down to 20.

[franke566]

My doctor took me off sodium during Tx, carbonated drinks, cured meats, anything w nitrites and made me elevate my feet above my heart for 30 min every 4 hrs.  Oh, and to drink, drink, drink water.  He said no canned foods-no soup from a can-still, you need to check with your physician.  I would just call now!  Can you poke your finger in your chin and leave a dent? or hole-like in soft dough?  If so I would go to emergency room but notify dr first so they don't put you on lasix just to get you out of there.

[Lynno711]

Hi Linda:  I can relate to your swollen feet and lower legs.  I have also had health problems late in Tx. week 44.  

I would hate to stop now, see my Doc. tomorrow.  

As you say "I just want to ride it out"  Doc. says swollen feet due to Edema.  I have a heart condition, edema is a symptom of that.

Good Luck with your Doc. I would hate to see someone come so far and then have to stop.

Let us know how you are getting along.  Hang in there - Lynne