[DAgent]

My injury (blood clot at t3) was 5 months ago and ever since I have had problems with my body retaining alot of fluid. With taking morphine, baclofin, zanaflex, xanax, percoset and a host of other pills, my mouth stays so dry. I drink about 4 gatorades and 4 to 5 bottle waters a day and could drink more but scared to. I am taking lasix twice a day but it is a pain in the ass to have to stop and cath every 2 hours. If I stay in bed all weekend with my legs up they will go back to normal size but as soon as I get back in my chair, they swell right back up.

Has anyone else gone through this and does it ever get any better?

Thanks,

Don

[longhaul]

Hi, make sure that you don't have a sodium imbalance because that's what controls the cells ability to manage water. Some meds deplete the system of sodium. They make support stockings that can help keep swelling down also. ...................

[Unbreakable]

Quote

They make support stockings that can help keep swelling down also. ...................

Yep, they are called T.E.D.S. I strongly suggest getting several pairs and wearing them anytime you are up out of bed.

Also, we were discussing this very topic on another thread. Try here: http://www.apparelyz...?showtopic=8182

[DAgent]

thanks, looks like I am going to have to leave the gatorade alone and find some other kind of juice since it has aot of sodium. Thanks for the link to the other thread too. I have a pair of compression hose that start at ankle and goes all the way up to top of my leg. Problem is my legs are so big right now I cant get them on. Even have large red and purple splotched popping up they are so full of fluid. Looks like I will be stuck in bed for a few days taking my lasix with my legs proped up so I can get themdown enough to get hose on. Its just a pain to have to cath every 2 hrs. But I have to because it is making transfering a real problem.

Thanks for the info.

Don

This post has been edited by DAgent: 24 October 2008 - 04:54 AM

[Kwag_Myers]

Normally I wouldn't suggest this, but you may want to experiment with caffeine drinks. Caffeine is a diuretic and may help keep your body from retaining so much fluid.

The down side is that you may end up cathing every 30 minutes. It may also exacerbate the cotton-mouth. But if the compression socks (TEDS) don't work out, you may want to give it a try.

I just have swelling in my feet and ankles. The compression socks work great for that. They're a pain to get on and off, though.

[City Girl]

I gained 10 lbs of water when I first had my accident. Everything was swollen. I was the stay-puff-marshmellow-WOman!!! One option that I was privileged to pursue was Massage Therapy. I paid a private MT to treat me for one hour, 3 times/week during my 4 month hospital stay. She was fabulous in lymphatic drainage and I vehemently believe that this treatment supported my recovery such that I was able to regain all of my motor and sensory function, albeit somewhat minimalized from normality, it's all there. Inasmuch as most of the damage in a SCI is not necessarily attributed to the injury itself, but consequentially attributed to the post-injury swelling which results from the injury itself, preventing swelling is imperative to recovery.

Thus, if it is at all possible...I would whole-heartedly encourage you to purse Lymphatic Drainage through Massage Therapy...and wear your T.E.D.S.

[DAgent]

Thanks everyone....Looks ike I am going to have to get out my T.E.D.S. and stick to wearing them. May not be as bed now since the weather is getting cooler. I tried them back in the summer and they made my legs sweat and itch.

[eleanorigby]

DAgent, on Oct 26 2008, 11:23 PM, said:

Thanks everyone....Looks ike I am going to have to get out my T.E.D.S. and stick to wearing them. May not be as bed now since the weather is getting cooler. I tried them back in the summer and they made my legs sweat and itch.

I've had really bad swelling as well to the point my skin was cracking. I went to a podiatrist and he suggested a nicer form of TEDS. Essentially, they are more comfortable and are made especially for me. I had to stay in bed for several days, then I went in the morning when my feet were normal and had them measured. Then they ordered the socks with those measurements so that they're designed to fit me perfectly. They're not nearly as itchy and uncomfortable as the TEDS I had before (I hated them, they are so itchy and hot!). They only go up to my knees, so that helps too; I'm actually able to put them on myself! They cost $80. The massage is a good idea too. If someone can "push" the water out of your feet and up your legs through massage, it does help with swelling and feels good too. You don't need a professional for that type of massage, just a ice helpful person willing to take about 15 minutes to help you. My podiatrist showed this to me too. Good luck!