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unexplained left foot/ankle swelling

I am 25 years old and very healthy. I am not overweight, I work out regularly, eat healthy, don't smoke. For the past 3 months I have been having severe swelling in my left foot and ankle. At times the swelling continues into my calf and causes a discomfort. I first noticed the swelling after I got home from the gym one evening. I took my shoe off and my foot was huge for no reason. I have not had any injuries, insect bites or infections. The first doctor I went to took x-rays which came back normal and ran a CBC which also came back completely normal. He told me I would just have to live with the swelling and wrote a Rx for Lasik PRN to help. The Lasik does help when I take it but as soon as I stop taking it the swelling comes right back. I've been told not to take it long term as it can effect important vitamin levels. I wasn't ready to just treat the symptoms and live with it so I went to an Internist who took me off birth control pills thinking it could be hormones but the swelling continued. She then sent me for a venous doppler test which also came back normal. She is sending me for an untrasound of the heart tomorrow. If the heart tests come back normal what else could be causing this unexplained swelling? It is only in the left foot/ankle and pitts for about 30 seconds when pushed on. Has anyone else had a similar experience with a diasnosis? I am afraid that I'm at the end of the road with tests and the doctors can't seem to figure out what is causing this swelling in a young, healthy person.


This discussion is related to Unexplained Swelling of Left Foot/Ankle.
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Avatar universal
Hi KY Kris.. I was wondering if you ever found a cause or solution. Going through the same thing. I'm 42 but pretty healthy non smoking female. Thought it might have something to do with the anemia I was experiencing at that time. Anemia is gone due to iron supplements but still have swollen foot. Any help appreciated. Thanks
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Avatar universal
I want us all to say a prayer.

I have read other people's stories on ankle swelling in one foot and I am having the same problem.Let us touch the area of swelling on our body that is troubling us as we say this prayer.

Dear God, We command this swelling to ripped from its roots in our bodies and cast out into the sea. We genuinely believe in our hearts for the restoration of our health because we believe that we have received our healing. We need you Father, we do not know the answer. And we need Your help so that we may be healed. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
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Avatar universal
I want us all to say a prayer.

I have read other people's stories on ankle swelling in one foot and I am having the same problem.Let us touch the area of swelling on our body that is troubling us as we say this prayer.

Dear God, We command this swelling to ripped from its roots in our bodies and cast out into the sea. We genuinely believe in our hearts for the restoration of our health because we believe that we have received our healing. We need you Father, we do not know the answer. And we need Your help so that we may be healed. In Jesus Name.
Amen.
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Avatar universal
In my experience with the foot swelling  : Stay away from Dough > Pizza, doughnuts, breads, pastas, cookies, cereal and anything else with grain in it.  I firmly believe the PESTICIDES used on the grain is doing this to us. The poison is in us. I've not figured how to remove it.....yet. Exercise drives it further into our system, making it way worse than if we don't exercise. ALSO : Stay away from tomato sauces, ham, bacon, canned beans, other canned commercial foods.
You CAN EAT : Fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken (plain), fish...that's it.
I have 20 years into this study. I have slightly high blood pressure, and I am slightly obese. I am Healthy. No headaches, no tremors, no seizures. No medications of any kind. I used to exercise daily until I ripped a tendon and got a shin splint. As long as I stay with the above mentioned intake, there is NO SWELLING. Try It.
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Avatar universal
I also suffer from the left leg & foot swelling. I have, like a lot of the above people, tried many different medical testings and treatments to no avail.
In my research I came across an article suggesting low levels of magnesium could be the problem. I began taking magnesium citrate (best form to be used in the body quicker). The swelling has slowly begun to go down and no more pain. My leg and foot swelling is half of what it used to be in just a months time which is such a huge relief. I have suffered with this for about 4 years now and this is the first thing that has worked outside of prednisone.
Those that have tried water pills to help can use a natural form for this. Watermelon, strawberries and broccoli all help eliminate water naturally.
I am going to try the Bromelain suggested by someone above.
Lecithin is also great for keeping arteries and veins clear and healthy.
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Avatar universal
Update.  This is what my experiment will consist of, one product at a time. at 50 plus $, it sure beats invasive (laser or other) or like the last med appointment... a verdict of nothing to do about it... Yet.  It's the yet that doesn't appeal if I can prevent or reverse damage caused by my faulty circulatory system!  So I have ordered:

Life Extension - European Leg Solution Featuring Certified Diosmin 95
Nature's Way Butcher's Broom Root Capsules, 100-Count
Solaray Circulegs Horse Chestnut Special Formula Capsules, 200mg

I am out of the US, so this must come by family member visiting, thus the varieties ordered all at once.  I won't take all at once.  I will report back in here, probably by September of 2016, with the final verdict on each.  My eyes are blurry from so much computer research... So off I go... Hope others benefit from my sharing.
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Avatar universal
58 F good weight (5 pounds over what I should be), all blood workups come back fine.  Right ankle began swelling about 1 year ago. No pain.  Went down somewhat with proper diet, motion/exercise.  Still there.  So is some itching on legs/thighs where small spider veins started about 10 years back.  Seems to bruise easily there as well.  Can see shadows of larger veins (not bulging) in calves, as well as one alongside of spider veins.  I have to head this off.  It is a sign of venous insufficiency and poor circulation at the very least. Anything vascular is a red flag for stroke, clots and/or heart problems later.  I've been doing my research and aside from laser to help the veins, am upping the degree I walk, minimizing gluten and maximizing water intake.  Here is something else I found on the mnwelldir . org site:  ( I will look into use of these more completely, but I did want to share with you )

Bromelain is a form of proteolytic enzyme obtained from the stems of the pineapple plant. Bromelain has been shown to be beneficial in breaking down arteriosclerotic plaques as well as decreasing vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries. Bromelain also decreases the risk of blood clots (reducing platelet aggregation) which cause heart attacks and strokes. It has also been shown to break down the formation of fibrin in the blood that could be a cause of varicose veins.

Butcher’s Broom is widely used in Europe today for disorders of the venous system, such as venous fragility and varicose veins.

From Web MD:

A Polish study tested an oral dose of 75 mg of the entire butcher’s broom plant extract showing improvement in diabetic retinopathy (Archimowicz-Cyrylowska et al., 1996). The same study showed the extract inactive for hypocholesteremic activity and active in lowering triglycerides. In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial, the effectiveness and tolerability of a venotropic drug (RAES) were evaluated in 40 patients (30 female, 10 male), between the ages of 28 and 74 years, suffering from chronic phlebopathy (venous insufficiency) of the lower limbs. Each RAES capsule dose contained 16.5 mg butcher’s broom extract (presumably root) combined with 75 mg hesperidin and 50 mg ascorbic acid. There were two treatment periods of 2 months duration with an interim period of 15 days for wash-out. The daily dosage was 2 capsules, 3 times daily. The authors reported an overall trend toward improvement in the treatment group. Symptoms (e.g., edema, itching, paresthesias, leg heaviness, and cramps) and plethysmographic parameters improved immediately and significantly with the RAES treatment compared to placebo. (A plethysmograph is a device for finding variations in size due to vascular changes.) No side effects were reported (Cappelli et al., 1988).

From another source (Viable Herbal Solutions 888-206-5376 ) we get :

Contemporary Herbals refer to Butcher’s broom to support venous circulatory disorders (heavy legs) as well as hemorrhoidal ailments. Practitioners also recommend Butcher’s broom for supporting women experiencing menstrual problems and troubles associated with the use of estrogen and pregnancy related cramps.

Butcher’s broom is generally considered a safe herb when taken as a diuretic, though it may cause blood pressure to rise. Those under treatment for hypertension should use this herb under the supervision of a competent health care professional. Those currently taking anticoagulation medications should also check with their physician or health care provider before taking Butcher’s broom to avoid problems.

Butcher’s broom is also an anti-inflammatory, containing rutin that strengthens capillary walls, tightens veins, and pulls iron from your blood.
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Avatar universal
Hi all.... Just found this thread and thought you might find this info helpful.

I'm still doing all the same above tests, as my problems - all of the same symptoms as above - began suddenly just a few weeks ago, and have yet to get a diagnosis.

I bought a Power Plate machine from Amazon (the stand up one which only cost £150.00), a few years ago, whilst I was living in the UK, before moving to Australia, which I luckily brought with me and have found that if I use the 2nd level program and do squats at the same time (gentle ones to start with, as my foot is so swollen so I can barely bend it at first), for 10 minutes, the swelling in both the leg and ankle goes down, the pain subsides and my foot feels normal again.

The max time on these machines is up to 20 mins per day, so I only do 10 minutes in order to "save" the other 10 if need be.

Obviously it is only a temp fix, but it works (for me).

I don't have the info on which amazon shop I got it from, and the name on the machine just says Crazy Fit Massage. I've seen power plates here and the price is astronomical...nowhere near the price I paid for mine, but I believe some gyms have these machines, which you could always test out first and if it works for you, try and get one...or at least the use of one.

I'll repost here if (and when) I get my diagnosis.



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Avatar universal
I’m much older than most here—59 when this began—2 ½ years ago. Only my right foot is swollen, sometimes very badly; sometimes less so, but ugly nonetheless.
I went to 3 MDs; 2 podiatrists, and have asked 2 orthopaedists, had x-rays, painful alcohol injections, wrapped it, iced it, heated it, worn a "boot."  Ruled out clots, vein issues, and only POSSIBLY had a hairline fracture. As is usual, I’m “perfect on paper.” At my work, where I sporadically have to walk a lot, the floors are all concrete. I wonder if that has not stressed my foot, exacerbating the fact that in the past I did sprain my foot 2 or 3 times.
So, I’m applying my favorite diagnostic:  After all this time, since it hasn’t worsened, and I have a very little pain only when I've walked too much, my foot hasn’t fallen off, and I’m not dead, this might just be denial, but I’m pretty sure this must be something just irritating, but benign.
Thoughts?
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Avatar universal
Would you please be kind enough to share; how was it detected I mean to say what tests were carried out to detect lymphedema, as my wife is also suffering with swollen foot (right foot). all her tests have reported normal. even a surgeon has ruled out any venous problem.
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Avatar universal
Same issue...my left foot and ankle painfully swelled for no real reason - no injuries, generally healthy, active (workout and walk 5 miles every day).  I had ultrasounds, visited several doctors and took a variety of meds...nothing worked to alleviate my symptoms.  Two years ago, I decided to give up gluten in an effort to curb some tummy issues.  Low and behold, the swelling in my foot started to go away as well.  I then took my diet a step further and eliminated gluten, soy, dairy and sugar.  I've never felt better.  I'm not perfect...and I slip every once in a while...and boy do I know it...the swelling comes right back along with rashes and stomach discomfort.  If you've tried it all...I would strongly suggest making changes to your diet...go slow, making small changes until you can work up to a diet of organic, Non GMO, gluten-free foods.  Oh...and I also make sure to drink tons of "good" water!
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Avatar universal
Wondering what kind of cleanse diet you did?
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Avatar universal
I am wondering what kind of Cleanse diet you did?
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Avatar universal
I am wondering what kind of Cleanse diet you did?
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Avatar universal
Did you try the gluten free diet? Considering giving it a go. :)
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Avatar universal
This post has been going on for years now but I can't tell you how happy I am to have found it today. I have never ever met another person suffering with the same issue as me.

My right foot and ankle has been swollen for the past 5 years. Same as everyone, saw tons of doctors, same results. Finally after 3.5 years lymphedema was brought up (why does it take so long??). As a young female (22) this was pretty devastating to hear that I would just 'have to live with it' as many of you have also been told.

I've felt like no one really has understood until now. It's definitely not the worst problem to have, far from it in fact, but it is still uncomfortable, painful at times and holds me back from some things.

I have always tried to stay strong about it and be positive, but some days I crumble and cry because all I want to do is go to the beach on a hot day and not have my foot feel like it's about to explode. Or be able to wear pretty strappy sandles or heals. Boots are my only option these days as the swelling never ever goes down (it is slightly smaller in the morning/on a cold day but always noticeable). I'm sick of people looking at my foot or asking what happened to me. I feel like a bit of a freak to be honest.

But as I said, I know that this is NOTHING compared to what so many other people live with so I have to keep reminding myself of that and be thankful that the rest of my body is healthy.

I'm quite interested in how the gluten free diet has helped people?? Could you please let me know?

I am definitely wanting to change my diet to more organic, natural, non-processed foods. Even if it doesn't heal my foot, I'm sure I'll feel better and more positive.

Anyway, ultimately I am glad to have found this post and to hear from others in the same boat. If anyone lives in Sydney, we should start a support group ha!! But seriously...

Ellie :)
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15312090 tn?1439781706
Could it be lymphedema? Sorry I don't know enough about your problem but hope you get some relief soon. Have you try lymph massage?
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Avatar universal
It sounds like a symptom of candida overgrowth to me, more than 70% of people living in the western world and eating a diet full of processed junk, have an overgrowth of candida, but don't even know it. People have had it so long they think the symptoms are the normal way to feel.
The list of symptoms is endless and sometimes can be confused with thyroid issues. So many of you have had tests for this and that and all have come back clear but for so many of you to be reporting the same issue and none of you finding an answer, this leads me to think it must be something more commonplace. Most of you probably consume a fairly processed diet, and if you think you eat a healthy diet, and you still buy your food in a supermarket then you need to look again at what a healthy diet is.
The lady who said about the gluten was spot on but nobody seemed to want to accept that as a possible solution, because it's easier to have a rare illness than change your diet and lifestyle. Cut out the gluten, cut out the sugar, try to eat real food, not food that has come from a packet or box, and I'm fairly certain that within a couple of weeks you will start to notice a significant decrease in symptoms and will start to feel much better. You will be getting rid of symptoms you probably didn't even know you were suffering from.
If you don't agree with me just google body swelling and candida and read for yourself.
I hope this helps some of you, all of you, good luck.
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Avatar universal
a high level of Selenium will help correct your condition I-Selenomethionine the leading authority on that is Dr. Gerhard Schrauzer
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Avatar universal
How did they diagnose lymphedema and rule out other items? Was this diagnosed by your regular doctor/internist or a specialist? I have the same symptons. They first suspected a pulmonary blood clot as a travel frequently and my d-dimer came back indicating that possibility. After being unable to locate a clot, they said I had artheritis and degenration of the bones?!?!?!? THIS SEEMED STRANGE TO SUDDENLY APPEAR. Now a week later, I all of a sudden have slightly elevated uric acid and they suspect gout. But they haven't prescribed medicine. I don't think they (the ER or my internist) really know what this is. Meanwhile the swelling persists beyon my knee on my right side. No icing, elevation, heat or diuretic works. Best result was when I took a steroid for 5 days.
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Avatar universal
Hi all,
I too am having this same problem in my left foot/ankle. I think it started after several foot/ankle injuries and has just got worse. The heat makes the top of my foot unbearably swollen, so summer is miserable. After sitting in car for 10 days for a long road trip two summers ago, my foot swelled for an entire month.
I've never really pursued medical treatment because I just figured I'd be given compression socks and told I just need to live with it, but I've changed my mind and made an appointment. It's been really swollen for a week and now it's reddish so I'm worried I am developing cellulitus.

I'm going to try and follow some of the above advice and really pay attention to what affects it. I can tell you that the only thing I've found that really helped me was acupuncture. Last summer, during the hottest part of the summer, my acupuncturist started treating me for my foot as well as other things, and my foot was the most normal it's been for years. It looked the same as my good foot! I just scheduled myself an appointment to start that again next week and cross my fingers I get the same result.
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Avatar universal
Thank you everyone for your comments. My boyfriend just started experiencing this issue three weeks ago, and we too have gotten the run-around on what it might be and how to fix it. Nothing has worked. Can anyone give me info on those stockings that you were talking about? I'm also going to suggest to him that we try going gluten-free for a while to see if that helps. We're so disappointed that this issue is ruining our summer. :(
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14277098 tn?1433725063
I am almost 60yrs old. I have Scoliosis since childhood, not very noticeable but has caused pain all my life in hips and legs. I quit smoking 2yrs ago, my own decision. My lungs always clear luckily. Then I developed a cough which continues even now 2ys later. Tried Antibiotics, mouthwashes/gargles, no change. Years ago ( aged 21 ) I was diagnosed with Graves Disease, 12 years later had Partial Thyroidectomy, brilliant no probs but take Thyroxine for life. I have had Cervical Cancer ( at 29 ) followed by other Gynae problems so had Total Hysterectomy. I now have IBS and 2yrs ago my body ached,so much I was always in tears, NO TREATMENT given, my cough continued then I gradually became very breathless on exertion and extremely exhausted. My GP sent me for a Chest Xray, found lumpy, swollen nodules in Hilar Sac on lung. Had an EBUS Bronchoscopy with Aspiration to check for Infection, Cancer, TB, Sarcoidosis. I have PROBABLE Sarcoidosis, not fully confirmed as yet. My Dad had Lupus and my sister was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis 15 mths ago. I have been on Prednisolone for approx 9 years ( as diagnosed back then with Polymyalgia Rhuematica ) Then last year I was told it was not PMR but that it was Fibromyalgia, About 12 mths or so ago, my right toes, foot and ankle became so painful and swollen and this continued up my leg to my thigh. I was measured for stockings, given Diuretics, did not work. So, had Heart scan, Lymphatics Scan, CT Scan, dozens of Blood Tests including the ACE one. Chest Xray, Doppler Scans, etc, etc. I then discovered my " normal Thyroid " was now borderline for Underactive ! I get fevers and sweats at night and I still have swollen foot/leg and started to fall over when my leg collapsed under me, three times this happened, developed severe, skull breaking headaches and ended up in hospital for tests. Told Prednisolone was poisoning me, not sure I believe this though as still on them and no bad effects.So, I have been on bed rest for 2 weeks,right leg still swollen (with Pitting Oedema ), I am fatigued, but have insomnia too, but can't sleep. I have lower lumbar spine pain, hip pain, pain up spine and across shoulders, stiff neck, these symptoms I have had most of my life on and off but no diagnosis. My thoughts ? maybe due to my Lumbar spine being compromised. I am finally, waiting to see a Rhuematologist ( ? RA ). Now, I have written all of the above, not to confuse you but to explain that IF I do have Sarcoidosis, this mimics all other diseases and throws up so many symptoms relating to the Auto Immune System and so makes a diagnosis extremely difficult for the Medics. I am under the regular care of a Chest Specialist, Eye Specialist, ENT,and due another Heart Scan & Bone Density Scan. I am putting on unexplained weight not what I need. All this because of a cough and a painful, swollen right leg ! I can't bear water splashing my leg or back this is too excruciatingly painful, Foot has some numbness and tingling too., Can't shower or bathe in hot or warm water, so a cold bath is just about bearable. I would love your thoughts..  
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Avatar universal
I am 73.  For the past few years after visiting Florida my left ankle would swell.  After a week back in upstate New York on Lake Erie it would go down.  I always thought----hot, humid, salt-water coastal Florida vs. cool, moderate-humidity, fresh-water Great Lakes.  Now stupidly I live in Florida and this swelling is much more.  Or it could be the difference between clear, tasty granite water in NY State vs. the cloudy limestone water here in Florida.  Thank you for this forum so I don't run to the doctor only to find out they don't know and I've spent money for nothing.  I'm gonna try the coriander remedy recommended above.
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