posted
I have thin feet and can usually see bones/veins but my ankles are swollen up so much I do not recognize them. My feet are also puffed out. It is really gross looking. I stopped taking the meds for my bladder problems 4days ago (darn something that was working!) because I think that's what started this or made it much worse anyway.
I called my LLMD and she called in an rx but it was a water pill which is going to make me go to the bathroom MORE! I can't leave my house now cause I constantly have to go to the bathroom, have swollen ankles and feet, and am getting no sleep as I am up every few hours to go to the bathroom.
Did I mention I can hardly walk and getting to the bathroom on time is difficult.
Any suggestions - my anxiety is reaching a new high??
Posts: 262 | From nj | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Do you have bladder infection? Sometimes when the infection spreads from the bladder to your kidneys you get fluid retention causing your ankles to get swollen.....Lyme and other tickborne infection affect kidneys also....if you are treated already for tickborne infections ...what about an opportunistic infection in your urinary tract.? Have you had a urine culture? Is it cloudy or smelly....those are signs of infections....althought sometimes this infections are asymptomatic/
Posts: 983 | From The sky | Registered: Feb 2005
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klutzo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5701
posted
The drug Detrol did the exact same thing to my ankles so I stopped taking it. That side-effect is quite common....read the insert. It only reduces the number of times you have to pee daily by 1.7 times on average anyway, which is nothing for me....I go at least 15 times a day.
Have you had your anti-diruetic hormone level checked? It is often supressed in Lyme, which will make you pee all the time, and the drug to correct the cause is called Desmopressin, or something close to that.....not sure exactly.
In my case it is an irritable bladder that thinks it's full when only 1/2 cup full, instead of the usual 2 cup capacity. I just live with it, and you're right, it is very limiting.
Klutzo
Posts: 1269 | From Clearwater, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2004
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posted
My ankles swelled in the last half year before I found out it was Lyme. Then when I did find out, I went on clindamycin 150mg 4x/day. Within three days, the swelling was diminishing. I'd guess that the abx killed the Lyme and ended the swelling for the six months or so that the clinda worked.
And I don't have bladder problems, that I'm aware of.
Posts: 13171 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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luvs2ride
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8090
posted
I don't have bladder problems but do have lyme induced rheum arthritis. Swollen ankles and feet were a symptom that kept me housebound. I couldn't even stand long enough to shower.
Changing to a vegan (no animal products) diet for 2 weeks reduced my inflammation by 50%. I did not have to remain vegan but it did lead me to a doctor who specializes in nutrition and food sensitivities. We develop food sensitivities when we are sick.
Now, I realize you probably do not have RA, but inflammation is inflammation. I hope stopping the drug does the trick for you but eating to gain health is also necessary regardless of the cause/symptoms of your illness.
There are foods that cause us to be toxic and foods that help us detoxify. You want to focus on the detoxing foods.
-------------------- When the Power of Love overcomes the Love of Power, there will be Peace. Posts: 3038 | From america | Registered: Oct 2005
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
How are your kidneys working??
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Oh how annoying NJ...darn.
I'll share a couple of tips but you need to check with your doctor before considering anything I say... because I am not a doctor. OK?
First of all... fluid in, fluid out. Having to go to the little girls room often and getting there on time is much better than the alternative.
As they say... you may have to suck it up buttercup. You need to get rid of the fluid.. so unless you have faucets on your body elsewhere.. this is generally the way it is most effective.
I didn't want to do water pills either. I researched and found that dandelion tea helps get rid of fluid. So when I swell up I use one dandelion tea bag and one green tea bag to a pint of water... flavor as desired. I drink it warm but suit yourself.
Two cups of this mix a day should enable you to see a reduction in the fluid in a couple of days.
Just like a drug.. don't overdo it!
There are other herbs, etc that can do the same thing... but the dandelion is the only one without warnings on taking it with other meds or side effects.
Two- "Cranberry and Buchu" by Nature's Sunshine is the best and ONLY product I use for helping the bladder, et al. I've even had infections and rather than antibiotics, this has kicked them!
No, I am not promoting it and I make no money from it.. just had lots of other products in the past and this one works. Don't even expect other cranberry products to do anything. Don't waste your money.
One more point. To strengthen bladder muscles and wall and all those parts down there...
I used L-Glutamine for leaky gut. Got the added bonus of a strong bladder, uterus and did not need surgery!
I use and recommend only "pharmacutical grade", L-Glutamine powder mixed in water once a day. (No smell, no taste) It takes a couple of months as you are building muscles... but it worked for me and others.
Let me know if you will be doing any of these things after checking with your doctor.
posted
Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions!
Tincup I was going to get a cranberry product but now I will look for that one. Is it liquid or pills? I will also look into the L-Glutamine and the tea.
I will look at the diet info too as inflamation is probably a problem. Many food allergies.
I only had to get up 1x last night (YEAH!) and swelling has gone down some so feeling less anxious (somewhat anyway) today.
Posts: 262 | From nj | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
hi, nj girl; i have had the same problems, but mostly in the winter when i am not very active. i'm working outside the rest of the year, so i walk a lot. i'm 61, and my legs show very little of my age compared to a lot of women. those herbals mentioned are excellent for your problems; i've used them myself. i never used to have these problems till the bad lyme i got in 2001 really messed with everything. hope you get better quickly...i know how i hate always looking for a bathroom!
-------------------- ~*~ Carole ~*~ Young at Heart Grandmother of 4 Posts: 140 | From Morristown, NJ, USA | Registered: Jan 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
NJ..
The Cranberry Buchu is in a capsule. I tried getting a cheaper brand of cranberry and a bottle of Buchu tincture. I figured that outta work as well.
YULK! I tried taking the buchu that way and heaven above, even the smell made me gag.
So the Nature's Sunshine product is the best bet.. in my opinion.
I have a hard time finding it.. not may places I can get to that carry it.. but it can be ordered online... so maybe try that unless you are into calling around or shopping.
Good luck and feel better soon you bathroom seeking goon.
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