feet always puffy and not normal

marielea · 03-14-2008, 04:49 AM

shortly after my accident, while i was in rehab, my feet started to stay puffy. its been over a year, and my feet aren't normal by any means. my calves have gotton thin, but my feet remain puffy and swelled up. i always wear ted hose, and it doesn't matter one bit. i wonder, will they ever look normal? i could never wear sandals at this rate, they look hideous to me. if i wear tight shoes, when i take the shoes off, they look a lot better, but still puffy. i could also keep them raised, and it still wouldn't matter. is this normal? do your feet look like they did before you became paralyzed? i've had to get rid of all of my shoes and buy some that are a size to a size and a half too big, just so my feet will fit in them.

ETA-its my ankles to.

quad79 · 03-14-2008, 09:16 AM

I have the same problem and my Pyshiatrist is not worried, but they still look disgusting.Ugh. I don't know if you take Lyrica, but it's bad for causing swollen hands and feet.

SCI-Nurse · 03-14-2008, 09:40 AM

Hi,

This is a tough issue as it sounds alike you are doing the basic things to improve the swelling. AS mentioned above, many medications worsen edema including Motrin or other NSAIDS, some BP meds. I would speak with a pharmaist about your paraticular medication profile.
Avoid salty foods (which aren't always aobvious) and continue to keep your feet elevated. Your swelling should be substantially less in the morning after lying in bed all night.

AAD

joseph · 03-14-2008, 10:41 AM

My son, c5 had the feet swelling as u all do and nothing seemed to bring them down except elevating but then his leg bag would back up. He loves salty stuff too more then sweets. But over the years he cut down on the salt and then 1day no more swelling. His feet have been normal for about a year but we really dont know why.He has other more severe issues like this pressure sore. A big wow, do everything your told in rehab to avoid them especially on your butt. He had nothing for 7 years, now hes got one and its been really tough the last year.

wazabiker · 03-14-2008, 05:59 PM

My problem is with my ankles, have been swollen for nearly seven years. I take lasick daily which helps some, not much. I wear TED hose and elevate at night. I now wear a size 11 EEEEE shoe. The appearance of my ankles and feet distract from the figure I cut while wearing my thong swim suit. And, I missed the cut for Dancing With The Stars.

graybeard · 03-14-2008, 06:25 PM

The one thing I found that got my feets normal was the fes bike. But, I did have a small motorized lil' peddle machine at home that helped some. I think it cost about $75. Cant remember the name of it.

Sue Pendleton · 03-14-2008, 11:17 PM

I found standing frames or pedaling machines, FES or on your own, first make you puffer than suddenly you're back to your normal. Might also ask about diabetes type 2 or taking lasix. I know what you eat in Iowa. :-)

marielea · 03-14-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue Pendleton

I found standing frames or pedaling machines, FES or on your own, first make you puffer than suddenly you're back to your normal. Might also ask about diabetes type 2 or taking lasix. I know what you eat in Iowa. :-)

funny you should say that!! lol. a year before my accident, i was diagnosed a type 1 diabetic. yes, its been a bad few years for me!

i guess i need to stand more often. i sure hope it helps!
what is lasix?

wtf · 03-17-2008, 01:27 AM

My feet don't swell too much except when i'm on my period then they will swell considerably. What I found that keep my feet normal looking is by eating more protein and cutting back on the carbs. I also limit my salt intake and I drink caffeine free diet sodas.

SCI-Nurse · 03-17-2008, 09:32 AM

Strong diuretics like Lasix (furosimide) should be the last resort for dealing with dependent edema, as it can cause serious electrolyte problems, requiring taking supplements, and the diuresis (excessive urine loss) can create problems with bladder management.

You might want to talk with your physician about being evaluated for lymphedema. A lymphedema clinic can evaluate the effectiveness of a pump to decrease edema. Continue to wear elastic hose, elevate feed periodically, and exercise (ideally with FES if possible).

(KLD)

03-14-2008, 04:49 AM	#1
marielea Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: iowa Posts: 283	feet always puffy and not normal shortly after my accident, while i was in rehab, my feet started to stay puffy. its been over a year, and my feet aren't normal by any means. my calves have gotton thin, but my feet remain puffy and swelled up. i always wear ted hose, and it doesn't matter one bit. i wonder, will they ever look normal? i could never wear sandals at this rate, they look hideous to me. if i wear tight shoes, when i take the shoes off, they look a lot better, but still puffy. i could also keep them raised, and it still wouldn't matter. is this normal? do your feet look like they did before you became paralyzed? i've had to get rid of all of my shoes and buy some that are a size to a size and a half too big, just so my feet will fit in them. ETA-its my ankles to. __________________ ___________ T12-L1 since 11-27-06 Last edited by marielea; 03-14-2008 at 05:56 AM.

03-14-2008, 09:16 AM	#2
quad79 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,843	I have the same problem and my Pyshiatrist is not worried, but they still look disgusting.Ugh. I don't know if you take Lyrica, but it's bad for causing swollen hands and feet. __________________ ______________________________________ Proud owner of an AR15

03-14-2008, 05:59 PM	#5
wazabiker Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Aiken, SC USA Posts: 2,039	Swollen Ankles My problem is with my ankles, have been swollen for nearly seven years. I take lasick daily which helps some, not much. I wear TED hose and elevate at night. I now wear a size 11 EEEEE shoe. The appearance of my ankles and feet distract from the figure I cut while wearing my thong swim suit. And, I missed the cut for Dancing With The Stars. __________________ You C.A.N. Conquer Adversity Now

03-14-2008, 11:17 PM	#7
Sue Pendleton Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wisconsin USA Posts: 9,108	I found standing frames or pedaling machines, FES or on your own, first make you puffer than suddenly you're back to your normal. Might also ask about diabetes type 2 or taking lasix. I know what you eat in Iowa. :-) __________________ Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Disclaimer: Answers, suggestions, and/or comments do not constitute medical advice expressed or implied and are based solely on my experiences as a SCI patient. Please consult your attending physician for medical advise and treatment. In the event of a medical emergency please call 911.

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03-14-2008, 09:40 AM	#3
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,331	Hi, This is a tough issue as it sounds alike you are doing the basic things to improve the swelling. AS mentioned above, many medications worsen edema including Motrin or other NSAIDS, some BP meds. I would speak with a pharmaist about your paraticular medication profile. Avoid salty foods (which aren't always aobvious) and continue to keep your feet elevated. Your swelling should be substantially less in the morning after lying in bed all night. AAD

03-14-2008, 10:41 AM	#4
joseph Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Manassas,Va. USA Posts: 353	My son, c5 had the feet swelling as u all do and nothing seemed to bring them down except elevating but then his leg bag would back up. He loves salty stuff too more then sweets. But over the years he cut down on the salt and then 1day no more swelling. His feet have been normal for about a year but we really dont know why.He has other more severe issues like this pressure sore. A big wow, do everything your told in rehab to avoid them especially on your butt. He had nothing for 7 years, now hes got one and its been really tough the last year.

03-14-2008, 06:25 PM	#6
graybeard Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Va Posts: 1,634	The one thing I found that got my feets normal was the fes bike. But, I did have a small motorized lil' peddle machine at home that helped some. I think it cost about $75. Cant remember the name of it.

03-17-2008, 01:27 AM	#9
wtf Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: silver state Posts: 3,302	My feet don't swell too much except when i'm on my period then they will swell considerably. What I found that keep my feet normal looking is by eating more protein and cutting back on the carbs. I also limit my salt intake and I drink caffeine free diet sodas.

03-17-2008, 09:32 AM	#10
SCI-Nurse Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: USA Posts: 41,331	Strong diuretics like Lasix (furosimide) should be the last resort for dealing with dependent edema, as it can cause serious electrolyte problems, requiring taking supplements, and the diuresis (excessive urine loss) can create problems with bladder management. You might want to talk with your physician about being evaluated for lymphedema. A lymphedema clinic can evaluate the effectiveness of a pump to decrease edema. Continue to wear elastic hose, elevate feed periodically, and exercise (ideally with FES if possible). (KLD)