9 replies to this topic

[sciiaf]

I assume that all of us here have to deal with embolism in our legs, or massive swelling in our legs and feet due to lack of proper circulation in the lower half of our body. This is one side effect that pisses me off! I can't hardly wear any shoes except tennis shoes and even then my feet are bulging out of those.

My question is does anybody have any tips? Yes, I have embolism stockings. Thigh highs (sexy). No joke, I need help putting them on and sometimes they help bring the swelling down, sometimes no. I try and elevate my legs at night but that doesn't seem to help. What about diet? Should I cut down on the sodium (salt, processed foods) to eleviate bloatedness?

Desperate here, would appreciate anybody's insights. Also, it makes transferring really tough too. When your legs are bloated and swollen they're that much more difficult to lift.

[Texaswheelz]

Drink more water, eat less sodium, exercise more to increase circulation and try to elevate your feet above your head. Lay in bed with your feet on pillows. When I am very inactive and not drinking much water my feet will swell a lot. When this happens I make it a point to start drinking more water and to getting out and about more.

[cate]

Perhaps MLD would help, as with people who have lymphodema. Massage lymp drainage you would need a therapist who has trained in this. maybe would help.

[airart1]

I've never quit wearing my stockings, everyone thinks i'm nuts, but i've always wore mine to keep the swelling off............i take them off at night.....and thats when your actually suppose to wear them........but it keeps my feet from swelling and no blood pooling....

[greybeard]

airart1, on Feb 14 2010, 05:29 PM, said:

i take them off at night.....and thats when your actually suppose to wear them.

Anyone else got an opinion about this?

[airart1]

salt pills..i guess, takes your water weight off..go to the dr..........he'll give you a dieretic...........keep your feet above your head, been 20 years in this flippin chair, anything to do to increase circulation........set your ft out on the couch if your up along time, i use to sit mine in a chair, when i sat at an easel for 18 hours........

[Soryfam]

The stockings are the best solution I have. I also take them off at night. I figure since I'm laying down there is less chance for the water to pool in my legs. When I don't wear them my legs swell up terribly.
Diuretics work also, but I hate them. I end up having to sit on the pot for a couple of hours because they work so fast. If they put me on diuretics in the hospital I insist on a catheter!

Sandy

[Quad65]

I've been wearing mens over-the-calf support dress socks for decades. Does the trick for me. Also, check to make sure your foot riggings are adjusted properly so there's not to much pressure on the back of your thighs. If they're too low, then you may be cutting off the circulation to your lower legs. Frequent weight shifts also help.

[Beautiful]

When my legs get bad, I wear my orthotics. Theyre basically like plastic shoes and kind of has the same effect as those socks/stockings. I don't get swelling too much, but that always brings it down for me. When I get up from bed in the morning, my legs are really small. Throughout the day though my left one gets a little bigger. My right one stays small. I dunno why this is, but I think it has something to do with breaking my left leg 3 times, so its always been a little big bigger than my right.

[airart1]

circulation........mostly