Hand, finger, ankle, foot, face edema....

[jenzbugrulz1978]

Went to the doc today due to swelling/puffiness in my fingers, palms, feet and soles of feet.There are also mild (not severe) aches of the hands, knuckles, feet. The knuckles are red and the soles/palms.There is swelling in my undereyes, but that may just be due to sinus congestion from getting over a cold recently. I also have what the doc says might be cysts on  the knuckles.

She ran some sort of RA test this last summer and it was negative, but I had just finished a 21-day course of prednisone (tapered from 40 mg) the day before the blood was drawn, which I have heard can throw off results of rheumatic testing. I am not even sure exactly what tests they were. Problem is I am only 32 and a woman. I do not smoke and rarely drink alcohol. I don't understand this, especially if it is gout....I am not looking for an online diagnosis, but any insight would be helpful.

[jenzbugrulz1978]

Thank you!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Generalized body edema (or swelling) can be very serious. It can be due to severe anemia, a failing heart, serious kidney disease, liver failure or disorder, electrolyte imbalance, polycystic ovary, low protein in the blood, and disorders of adrenal gland. This is something for which you must consult a doctor ASAP (as you did, but discuss these now), preferably an internal medicine specialist. Take care!