What is going on with me??

[SmileMaker702]

Okay first of all I aam a 36 WF with cronic back pain due to Lumbar stenosis, Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. I can't sit, walk, stand or drive for a long time due to increasing in pain. I am on multiple pain meds and they aren't helping much. Recently, about 3 weeks now, I have had swollen feet and legs. I visited my PCP (which is a ARNP) and she just told me to get some compression socks and to wear them all day and then take them off to sleep. Well I have been doing like I was told and the socks are having no effect. Other then making me look like a retard all day..lol I read on line that it may be due to dehydration so I have increased my water in take ALOT. I visited the Dr's office last week because I couldn't urinate for 3 days. I felt like I needed to be it was like a had a plug in or something.. and I was freaking out. None the less.... The person I seen was more interested in why I wasn't seeing my normal PCP instead of her.. My PCP as always was out of the office. So none the less the Dr I seen this day didn't even listen to why I was there. In turn I just sucked it up.. thank god I finally went pee the next day. And on top of that I have noticed my urine the last 3-4 days has been a light lime green. Im falling apart..lol... Should I be worried??  No new meds are being taken. I have been on the same meds for over a year.. So now WHAT?!?! The swollen feet thing is driving me nuts. I can't wear any of my shoes other then a pair of crocs that are hidious looking!! I want to wear my FLIP FLOPS!!.. lol But they just sink into my overly fat feet LOL.  I also have noticed that the last couple days when I press down on my feet with my finger it leaves a indentation that last for a couple minutes or so.. Some one help me please.. Since NOW I have NO Dr.. My PCP discharged me from the practice over the whole seeing ( or should I say attempt) to see an associate in the clinic!!..

[SmileMaker702]

Thanks for the information guys. So I went into the Dr's office yesterday. My PCP listened to my concerns and determined that I should start by giving her a urine sample to check for possible Dx of what the cause of the urinary problems were. The test came back normal. She then checked by doing a pelvic exam. Normal also.So she figured it was related to my back. She listened to my heart and lungs and those were normal sounding also. So at least she doesn't feel the swelling of my lower extremities is heart related. She did ask me if recently had any flu like symptoms. Anwered yes. And so has my husband and daughter. She said that there is a possiblity that we contracted Hep A by way of something we injested. So she took a blood sample to rule out Hep A. I will find out Friday those results.
Now as far as finding a new PCP. No success thus far. I am going to contact my CM at L&I today. So hopefully there is some success with that. At least through out this entire process my L&I CM has been awsome. He has walked me through the entire process thus far and has anwered every question I have had. My PCP refilled all my Rx's for another month. So I will have at least those meds while I look. I just made sure I wasn't on the defense yesterday. I kept my cool even when I just wanted to flip out over what she has done by discharging myself and my family. Her reasoning behind the whole discharge was off the information relayed back to her by the Dr I seen last time. She didn't know that in fact it was the other Dr's attitude that sparked my fuse and caused me to react the way I did that day. I didn't even bother even try to discuss my L&I with her. What would be the point, right?!? She has made her mind up. Even though I have tried to explain what I do for a living. Just let dogs lay right?! I have the copy of Activity Rx she sent into L&I. She pretty much just contradicted herself with just that. Everything she check as "Never" .. is pretty much EVERYTHING I do within my job desciption!.. Right now I guess all I can do is ride the wave out. And hope that I on top right?.. If any one had any other ideas on what I can at least try to get the swelling down so at least MAYBE I can have normal looking legs I am willing to try! I have so many restrictions it's driving me crazy... lol

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The type of edema that you are having is clinically known as pitting edema. Swelling (a.k.a. edema) is caused by a buildup of fluids. When this happens in the legs, ankles, and/or feet, it's called peripheral edema.

Swollen legs can also be caused by certain medications, including high-estrogen birth control pills, calcium channel blockers, certain antidepressants, and steroids. In other cases, swelling of the legs may be a sign of more serious health conditions, including heart, kidney, or liver failure.

As the peripheral edema was accompanied by anuria (absence if urination), so it may be due to heart failure or kidney disorders. People who have kidney diseases that impair renal function develop edema because of a limitation in the kidneys' ability to excrete sodium into the urine. Thus, patients with kidney failure from whatever cause will develop edema if their intake of sodium exceeds the ability of their kidneys to excrete the sodium.

Pls consult a physician immediately as you need timely medical care to prevent further complications. You need to undergo investigations like ECG,kidney function tests and LFT’s(liver function tests)and CT/ultrasound abdomen immediately.Also,don’t forget to keep your legs elevated above the level of heart while sitting or lying down.

Take care and pls do keep posting on how you are doing

[KatEyes]

Wow. Who is going to prescribe your meds now?

Some common sources are urolological, thyroid, or heart. A med doesn't have to be new to start causing edema. I had that happen to me.

Go to a local clinic. Make it clear you are not there seeking drugs, but for diagnosis of cause of urinary retention and edema.