Weird Question

Hey, everyone~ This is NO big deal, and I feel foolish even asking when so many are in such turmoil.  But, apparently I am going to ask anyway~

As you know, I take Growth Hormone injections each day for GH deficiency.  It's a very low dose, but my doc said one side effect to look out for is fluid retention.  I may notice it in my fingers, he said.  I fI noticed this effect, I was to call him and he could prescribe a diurectic.

Well, yesterday, I did notice my rings left very slght marks on my fingers, but no big deal.  Last night, our Friday fire in the fireplace and TV and popcorn night with the boys, I fell asleep sitting up on the couch.  My feet were on the floor, and I was upright.

I woke up, and noticed immediately that my feet felt SO wierd.  I looked, and they were swollen to what looked like twice their size!  My ankles seemed pretty good, and my legs were fine.  Just my toes and feet were HUGE!

I felt fine, just pretty dizzy.  I always am when I wake in the night.  I had no pain, but it was actually difficult to walk with my feet like that.  I got upstairs, brushed my teeth, and went to bed.  The weird feeling kept me up for a while, I was a little freaked out, but I had NO other symptoms, except for the dizziness.  I finally fell  asleep (hubby's out of town), and when I got up this morning, they were MUCH better, almost completely fine.  Now they are perfect.  

I'm SURE it just has to do with the GH, but I want a little reassurance.  You guys agree, right?

Thanks for listening -- always!

Zilla*

[monotreme]

Have your feet ever swelled when you were sitting and fell asleep?  They were better in the morning because having them be level with your body allowed the fluid to be re-absorbed.  Elevating them would have done the same thing too.

Craig did not have swelling when he was on GH.  I am not sure of the reason why you would have swelling on GH but will try to look up some things.

My personal opinion would be to not go on a diuretic for the swelling.  I would want to know why you are having swelling instead.  Diuretics are not harmless.  you may get into electrolyte imbalances, they mess around with your kidneys etc.

Let me see if I can find something out about the GH.  In the meantime, you could try a natural diuretic like caffeinated beverages, preferably tea or coffee.

How is the finger swelling??

Elaine

[Rena705]

Hey Zilla...I have had difficulty with water retention back in the day of my menstrual cycle and it was serious enough that I had to take diuretics.  This little "incident" sure sounds like what I had and it ain't very comfortable.

Since the dr. advised that you call him should have retention, I would advise that you do!  You had a major incidence in my mind, especially if it they were so swollen that you had difficulty walking!

In my humble opinion, taking a diuretic will more than likely take care of the problem for you and you will be as good as new honey!  You might want to look at what your food intake was on that day as well...it can be a major input into fluid retention!

Rena705

[Momzilla]

I know my feet have NEVER swelled like that before.  I am not sure whether I've fallen aslepp sitting up just that way, but on Friday nights, it's always a possibility.  I bet I have.

My fingers are still a little swollen.  They feel tight, and my rings are quite tight, but I can slide them off with a little effort.  The rings have left marks, when usually they don't.

I drink WAY too much coffee.  I had a large Starbuck's this morning (most mornings) and I made a half a pot at home.  I will try some tea now.  Thanks.

Yesterday and today I am having very strong parasthesias on my right side (thigh, leg, foot and arm) and my chin.  Don't know if it's related.  Doubt it.

Thanks for all your help, Elaine!  

Zilla*

[Momzilla]

Thankyou, Rena for your advice.  Did you take it only during the time you had retention?  Or did you have to take it all the time?

Zilla*

[monotreme]

I did look up growth hormone in my drug book.  It does cause swelling in hands and feet, and can also cause high blood sugar, insulin resistance, weakness and muscle pain and headache.

Considering the fact that you are having some evoked potentials testing. I would think about going off the GH temporarily until you are finished with the testing.  The GH and its side effects may effect something, but I am sure Quix could offer better advice on that than me.

Good luck and I hope your husband comes home soon!!
Elaine

[Momzilla]

Hmmmmm.  Actually I have not taken it in a few days, to be honest.  I am losing faith in it.  Since I saw the new doc, and he said I definitely had no brain infection, all the GH deficiency at once seemed hokey to me.  I don't feel better at all yet (I may be sleeping better, though!).  

The new neuro didn't say anything about stopping it, but admitted he knew nothing about it.  He wants me to ask my internist (whom hhe knows and respects very much--he trained him) about the GH.

Hopefully QUix will put her two cents (sense) in!

Thanks SO much for looking into it for me.  Hope you are well,

Z*
P.S.  My husband is sneaking home tonight.  We haven't told the boys.  He''s surprising them!

[Rena705]

Hi Honey...I only had to take it occasionally when the retention got uncomfortable...I used cranberry juice as well but be careful cause some meds can't be taken with it as far as I know.

Rena