Dangerously swollen feet, very concerned

Hello all-
I am 18 weeks pregnant with our first child- very excited!!  Things are going relatively OK for me, but not so for my close friend.  My question is on her behalf.  She's at 14 weeks, first child and has pre-existing Crohn's disease.  Her morning sickness has caused her to be hospitalized three times to be rehydrated and now she has an external pump that she wears to administer medication.  The latest is the giant feet.  It started Sat with four small "kernels" under the skin in her feet/toes/ankle area (both feet).  They gradually swelled and bruised, causing extreme pain.  By Monday, she was unable to walk on them and the entire surrounding area is greatly swollen and very painful.  She went to the emergency room and was told "pregnancy causes your feet to swell" and offered tylenol.  They also noted that her heart rate is 130.  She sees her OB today.  Any ideas on this?  I'm so worried about her.  Thanks.

[trixie charles]

I am also stuggling with the swollen feet thing and I am only 25 weeks.  My doctor told me to drink more water, I know it sounds ridiculous but it has been working.  Also, I have found that herbal dandelion tea is very good for water retention problems and have been drinking a cup of that a day as well and there is a HUGE difference in my feet and legs since then especially.  Tell your friend to check with her dr. about the herbal stuff but mine said it would be fine.  Keep her legs up while sitting whenever possible.  Is it a blood pressure issue because mine isn't and I would hate to give bad advice if there is an underlying medical condition.

[BiggerPants]

Thanks for the info- I'll pass it along.  She does not have HBP issues.  It was still normal range even when her heart rate was so high.  Hopefully she'll find out something more today.  Maybe it's a reaction to all the anti-naseau drugs?

[sylvia_aquarian]

Reduce your salt intake, drink a lot of water and put a pillow under your legs/ankles to elevate them when sitting down watching tv or in bed are suggestions I have been told.  I believe the swelling is called edema.  Good Luck!