Edema in feet, legs, hands for 18 months

[Soymoon]

I have been having edema in my feet, legs and hands since Jan 2010.  Ankles swelled to 3 times their size.  Developed Carpal Tunnel in both wrists,  I've seen 8 doctors, all with differing ideas, no answers.  Am controlling the swelling now by eating No Salt.  This has lead to more problems: 40 pound weight loss, muscle atrophy, random muscle cramps, frozen shoulder, locking elbows, Ph of 5.5, over active adrenal, cortisol very high, possible H. Pylori.  
I am a female, 54 yr old, perimenopausal.  One Dr thought it was thyroid, so I am taking Armour. Also taking digestive enzymes as another Dr believes I am malnourished.  

Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks for your consideration.

[maatson]

You possibly could have an 'Idopathic odema' with a 'rebound phenomenon' after diuretics, Though cyclical odema is more common in the premenstrual could become persistent.
Best wishes.

[Soymoon]

Thank you for your insights.

Six months before the swelling began, i went to donate blood and I couldn't because they said I was slightly anemic.  I started taking iron supplements.
Then I had some lightning bolt type pains in my foot and started taking sublingual B12 tablets.  

When the swelling began I went to my ob/gyn and had blood tests on my kidney and liver.  They were fine.  She sent me to a rhuematologist who did 65 blood tests and 9 urine tests and declared me a "woman of mystery" because everything tested good.  I moved on to a Dr who specialized in bio-identical hormones and started on the Armour and progesterone cream.  Since then I've seen an md who is also a homeopath, an integrative medicine doctor who got my random muscles spasms to stop with trace minerals, and now recently a natropath who has checked me for heavy metals and allergies.  I've also dabbled with chiropractors, acupuncture, and ondamed.
The edema rages on!

I can see low protein, as I am a vegetarian, however the tests never point to that.  
I had a CT scan done on my adrenals this week so perhaps I can rule that out soon.

I really appreciate the thoughts and will consider your suggestions.
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 or thyroid gland. This is something for which you must consult an internal medicine specialist.
Since controlling alts helps reduce the swelling, there is water retention and kidney, liver, and heart causes need to be ruled out first. Take care!

[maatson]

I would indeed try to rule out hypothyrodism first.