Swelling of the Feet, Ankles, and Lower Legs...

[CRyoul]

I also have a question about swollen feet, ankles, and legs. For the past few weeks I have been experiencing swollen feet ankles and now it's even moving up my legs from my calves to just above my knees even. the feet are so bad recently that it feels like the skin on them is going to burst open. Especially in the morning when I first wake up and get out of bed because they have been not used all night and when I first step out of bed the skin is pulled so tightly do to the swelling it is very painful. I also drink quite a bit. I drink vodka pretty much daily and about 2 pints a day of it. I thought perhaps this was the cause so I cut way back for a week but that seemed to do nothing to help it really. it seems to be getting worse week after week. I am really beginning to grow concerned as to why this is getting worse not better. I have been monitoring my temperature several times a day and it has always been normal. So I seriously doubt it is an infection because I have no signs that go along with infection such as, fever, cold sweets, shaking, feeling sick, etc. a few days ago my right foot was itching quite a bit so I was scratching it, the next day where I was scratching turned into open wounds, so I have been putting rubbing alcohol on those wounds several times a day and then Neosporin on , to ensure that I do not get an infection. I've been looking online and there are quite a few things it could be. As I said I've pretty much ruled out infection, I don't think it is my salt intake because I don't really use it, it's not caused from being on my feet all day because I am not. I was beginning to be concerned when I read an article about heart failure, because I already have issues with my heart (an artificial Tricuspid valve and pace maker). I called my cardiologist and told him of the swelling issues I was having with my feet and ankles 2 weeks ago and told him I was concerned about heart failure. He told me not to worry about it because and I quote, " I see swollen feet everyday, I'm pretty sure you don't have heart failure because you do not have the other symptoms that go along with it, chest pain, excessive shortness or breath, etc." Well that was a relief , so I'm thinking perhaps it could be liver failure? I have Hep-C and have had it for about 10 years now. As I said I drink quite a bit daily, so perhaps my liver is shutting down? What do you think and what do you think I can do to try and get this swelling to go down and hopefully away for good? Please E-mail me your answer or copy and paste what you write here into an E-mail and send it to my e-mail account on this site my username is "CRyoul". Because I've never been to this site before and doubt I will be able to find it again =). Thank you for your help with this matter. btw I am 36 years old. White Male. if that matters at all when it comes to this issue. Thanks again. Chris

-  OK I just Uploaded the pictures of the swollen feet, Ankles, and Lower Legs to my profile.  To get a better idea of what I'm talking about please view my Profile "CRyoul" and click on my photos, and then select the album titled "Swollen Feet, Ankles, and Lower Legs 2-1-2012".  Thank you very much for your help with this matter, I welcome any and all feedback, suggestions, advice, or opinions on this matter.  - Chris =)

[cinnyoak]

Hi,I have had hep c for 23 years and I really am not doing too bad. Recently I startedswelind ,first in my ankles,then my feet,now my legs. When the swelling goes down.. they are painful to the touch. I am very scared about this and have made an appt.with my. Gastroenterologist,he will tell me up front! I am on methadone maintenance and have been for two years and I am a sociable drinker,to be social able with others, I can say no tho! I just am 58 and don't want to die! I just lost my other half for severe medical a year and half ago.sometimes I think I its payback for all the drugs I did???

[mishal713]

mr CRyoul i think its all due to hepatitis c as it is included in its symptoms.secondly smoking,drinking and drugs enhance liver damage. Might be possible it is due to kidney damage.high conc. of phosphorous can cause electrolyte disturbance swelling, vomit and itching.

[suezeeque]

Honestly, nobody cares how you got HCV.  Nobody cares by which method you quit drinking.

My vocation is working  with people with drug and alcohol issues (among other things).  12 step programs are NOT for everyone.  I know this for sure.  Whatever works for you is the right way to go.  That may not be a 12 step program.  And again, honestly, I don't have a whole lot of faith in those programs either.  But for reasons other than those you have cited.

The MAIN issue at hand is to stop.  Whatever works for you, man.  But I can tell you this for sure, too...  What you are doing NOW is NOT working.

Get yourself into that ER now.

You really, really may not be able to wait for a more convenient time to do so.

[crigger]

I find it very sad that a man your age has already given up on life.  

[willbb]

  I don't buy into all fo the 12 step non-sense because form my personal experience all I have come across in those circles are people to get high and drunk with and then of course there are the perverts who are trying to hit on the younger members of the groups.  
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You really aren't serious are you??Just because you don't want to take advantage of the great support groups that are offered out there that have saved hundreds of thousands of lives if not millions why would you come to this particular support group .saying something as contentious  and glaringly incorrect as this.

If you choose to ignore your health issues by continuing to drink or drug. that is entirely your business ,however slagging the groups that have helped many others is really uncalled for.

Will

[1oftheclub222]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/End-Stage-Liver-Failure---Cirrhosis/show/1677928

Your very near future?