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119341 tn?1232563757

Swollen Fingers

Does anyone else experience swelling of the hands and feet? Mine have been driving me crazy. They swell so much it hurts to close my hand into a fist. Also I can feel my shoes getting tighter. Is there anything that I can do for this? I've been running them under cold water this seems to work but only for short time.
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have a couple of those bandanas and they work great around the neck to stay cool.  Mine will cool, so long as it's wet.  If it heats to my body temp, I have only to turn it a bit to find a cool spot.  It will actually last a good long time because once it warms up, I have only to rewet it again.  Of course, putting it in the fridge or freezer to get it good and cool is better.  

The problem with the ones I have is that I can't wrap them around my hands or feet during the day when I'm working.  If I could - it would be great.....  

Thanks for reminding me though - I had forgotten that I had them - might need to dig them out again and start using them to at least help cool the rest of my body, even if it doesn't get rid of the swelling.  
Helpful - 0
877337 tn?1249844450
This may sound silly but a possibly option for having something cold on your feet/ankles and prehaps hands could be found in the sporting goods section at wal-mart.  It is a bandana that is basically folded in half.  It contains a segment of chemical in the folded center (sealed), that when it gets cold (placed it in ice cold water or freezer, etc.) it will stay cold until it slowly warms to the temp it is touching.  If you're around the house and need to be up and about, this might be an option.  We use them when working outside in the heat.  We wrap them around our neck, with the cool pack in the back, (wearing it like a cowboy would) and simply tie it in the front.  It won't last for all day but perhaps 30 minutes and it would give some mobility.  Just a thought!

Here is a sample at Amazon that I am talking about - http://www.amazon.com/HeatMax-EverCool-Cooling-Bandanas-Bandanas/dp/B0007TANLA
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I looked for celery capsules in the pharmacy, but couldn't find any.  Will have to try elsewhere - maybe the healthfood store.  I DID start taking cranberry pills, will see how they work...  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your welcome.......with swelling anything is worth a try.
Although it may work for some and not for others but no harm in trying.
I also heard RAW rhubarb is a diuretic.......food for thought there.
I started on the cranberry Capsules (10,000) one a day because of UTI's non stop for 2 years.
Since I started them, I havent had ONE UTI in over 12 months.
They too also help with swelling.
These items I purchased at the Pharmacy but know you can get them at a supermarket.
They cost no more than AU $10 a bottle of 50.
With the celery capsules...take 4 a day to start with, spaced out over the day then after 5-7 days, cut back to 2 a day if they are doing the job.
You CANNOT overdose or get TOXIC symptoms from Celery Capsules.
Anything is worth a try (believe me) when it comes to swelling.
Helpful - 0
119341 tn?1232563757
I wish I could walk around with something cold on my hands and feet too. This happened a few times before I was DX with Hashi's, but it seems to be happening alot lately. I'm going to have to try the celery capsules as Smilerdeb suggested. Heck I'd try anything. I'm an assistant and all I do is type on this computer all day. With thick fingers I get really clumsy and can't type all that well. This morning they are better just the usual sore joints.

Smilerdeb-Thanks for the suggestion. I'll sure give it a try.
Helpful - 0
119341 tn?1232563757
I'm on synthroid 0.05mg. I'm trying to get my labs now. But its going to be awhile the doctors office is not open yet.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yep, have the same swelling problem and it won't go away.  Doctor says to "live with it".  

Celery capsules, huh??  Hadn't heard that before - might have to give it a try.  That will be one MORE pill to add to the daily regimen..... ugh..............
Helpful - 0
219241 tn?1413537765
Yep! When I was hypo none of my rings would fit, my watch was always too tight (it was an expandable band!), and my toes would hurt in my shoes! Once my levels went to a reasonble state the swelling went away.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I was hyper and was on antithyroid meds which caused me to swing hyper/hypo every 2-3 weeks, I experienced the worst swelling ever in the feet and legs.
I thought it was like Elephantism as the swelling was so severe.
I cannot take diuretics so I opted for the natural approach and after many 'trials and erros' came across something that really did make the swelling go down.
Celery Capsules.
They reduce the inflammation and also make you use the toilet more frequently.
Dont think they work overnight as they dont....it takes about a week to see an improvement.
But like you too, I found shoes tight to wear and sometimes couldnt even get my shoes on due to the swelling.
Try the Celery Capsules.......whatever your body doesnt need, goes out in the urine anyway.
Good Luck (I know how you feel)
Helpful - 0
574423 tn?1258658571
i was just diagnosed with hashimotos and i have had swollen hands and feet for so long, i almost forgot what it feels like to not have them swollen.  i will be starting meds tomorrow morning.  hopefully they help.  i also used cold water.  wish i could walk around with cold water on my hands and feet all day lol.  hope you get better.

nicole
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
When I was hypo, my ankles and feet looked like I was about 10 1/2 months pregnant!  My hands swelled, also, but not as much.

Are you on thyroid meds?  Do you have your latest free T3, free T4 and TSH results?  If you do, please post them along with the reference ranges your lab uses, and members can help you figure out why this symptom hasn't gone away.
Helpful - 0
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