Generalised swelling getting bad.

[Sazza1979]

For several months now, I have been waking up with a really swollen face and hands/arms, sometimes even neck, and as the day wears on the extra fluid goes downwards so my legs get swollen before bed.

There's obviously too much fluid in my system, and it settles in the upper extremities at night. I don't mind so much with my legs, although it does get uncomfortable, but it causes real discomfort in my face and hands/arms, enough to wake me up, and is contributing to Carpal tunnel syndrome, which I have now been told is quite advanced and as I have muscle wasting I may need surgery for it. I feel that if only I could get the swelling under control, it may limit the CTS from advancing and I may be able to avoid surgery altogether. I was given splints for my wrists but my hands and arms swell up and bulge out of the splints! So it's a pain...

But more than this, I am convinced the swelling is an ominous sign, especially as for many months I have had a very mild and dull, on and off, but nonetheless persistent pain in my right lower back over the hip. However, my blood tests have only shown mild low blood protein, creatinine, and albumin, and my blood pressure at the last reading was 120/80.

I barely eat any salt at all, and mostly make my own food so there's unlikely to be a hidden high source of salt in my diet, I eat plenty of protein I think, and drink enough fluid, I'm of a normal weight at 9 stone (126 pounds approx) and 5 foot 2 inches tall, fairly active, no other major systemic illnesses... The only possible thing I can think of that may contribute to it, is that I had a baby 7 months ago, however, this is my third child, and I've never been so prone to getting swelling before.

Firstly, I'd like to know if there's a possibility that my kidneys re leaking too much but that it's not being recognised and how I can get a proper diagnosis, or if it's just "idiopathic" how on earth I make it better?

Thanks very much,
an exasperated 30 year old female.

[Sazza1979]

Just to say that when I said "I don't eat much anyway" I meant I don't eat much salt, but I do eat a good amount of food in general (including protein).

[Sazza1979]

Thanks for that, the difficultly I am having is that the GP is only willing to do general blood tests (the ones that showed low protein/creat/alb) but since there's nothing else significant, they seem unwilling to do anything further and repeatedly say "eat less salt" which, as I said earlier is pointless as I don't eat much anyway.

Actually I have just recalled, that apparently my phosphates were low, and I was anaemic at the time, but the anaemia is better now, and my calcium levels were normal, do you think the phosphates are something to do with it?

Also, if my GP is not helping, how do I seek help elsewhere?

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Generalized body edema can be very serious. It can be due to severe anemia, a failing heart, serious kidney disease, very severe anemia, liver failure, electrolyte imbalance, polycystic ovary, low protein in the blood, and disorders of adrenal gland. You have low protein and albumin. With this go for complete liver and kidney function tests and echo of heart. Also serum electrolyte levels should be checked.
It is difficult to comment beyond this at this stage. This is something for which you must consult a doctor ASAP, preferably an internal medicine specialist. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!