Tell Lil Monkey good Luck!

Definitely wise to get it checked out. My mom has bad swelling due to lack of mobility. You really need to get your feet up.

Prior to the permanent swelling, she also swelled up when she had a blood clot in her leg - please go check it out before attributing it to MS!

I had a follow-up with my surgeon today from the gallbladder. He had me tested for blood clots....and there are none. I'm so glad he checked though. So if I'm still swollen Monday, I will call my PCP.

I am going to take it easy this weekend. I need to figure out some good exercises I can do that might help. Any ideas anyone??? Thanks everybody! Your the best! Group Hug!!!

Friend, just for safety, check your legs for any cuts or scrapes. Jim had cellulitis twice in his foot and leg from a simple cut. He had redness and swelling.

After 20 years with ms Jim still has swelling whenever he is up in his chair. Humidity makes it worse. Is the humidity high where you live?

My office has been pretty stuffy since the weather has warmed up. I have no windows and the air doesn't get to my corner of the world very well. Yes we do have pretty high humidity. I checked, after I read this...I don't see any cuts and not really any redness.

I'll tell you, if it's not one thing, it's another these days. I'm glad I have so many people here who can give me things to look at and consider. As I have learned, it may not be just the ms. But even if it is the ms, if there is something I can do to make it better, I would like to try. It can't be that healthy for them to be so swollen.

Thanks for caring!

I am SOOO!!! glad that he checked for clots and you didn't have any. That is a huge relief.

Now we have to figure out what is going on. Did he check your blood pressure today? Was it normal? Are you having any exacerbation of MS? Have you ever had swelling like this other than when you were preggo? Have you been sitting more and not getting around as much? Did it come on suddenly?

Now, what you can do. You can get a good pair of support/ted hose. You can rub your pressur points to get your lymph system in gear and to try and get the clood moving better. Sit/lay with your legs propped up as far as you can. Try and drink only water. Flavored stuff, even cal free, have sodium in it. Any exercises you do, try and do them with your legs up... like lay on your back and do leg lifts, or act like you are riding a bike and such. You want to keep your legs up as much as possible =)

Hope you are feeling better soon. Keep us posted =)


Connie

Sometimes Jim's can get so swollen they actually shine. We refer to them as meatloafs. It does hurt pretty good too according to Jim. I guess the best thing is to keep them up as much as possible. Try to eat things with less salt too. Let us know what your primary doctor says. Oh, and if you rub them, a massage therapist told us to massage down towards the toes, not the upper legs. You want the fluid to go downward not upwards.

Blood pressure is normal. I am having the beginning OR, IF I'M LUCKY, a mild version of an exacerbation. Lots of burning. I "feel" like my blood pressure is high, but when I take it, it is normal. Having lots of creepy crawlies in my legs, which happened before a pretty bad exacerbation prior to dx. Muscles in legs and hips are going crazy. My hips feel like I want to stretch the muscles for relief, which I try to do. Never had swelling like this. AND it is JUST my legs and feet, not my hands.

Where are the pressure points? All of these ideas sound doable. I appreciate the tips. Good idea for exercising with the legs up. I hadn't thought of that!!! Keeping my legs up...humm....guess that could go along with resting more!!!! I finish school the 23rd. Should be easier after that...but I know your will say I need to start the resting, elevating feet part before then.. right?!?! I'll give it a go!!!

If I am starting an exacerbation, I know I need to learn better how to cope with, and treat ,the variety of symtoms that come along. So I may be asking more questions.

I know I have lots of smart folks here... so together maybe I'll get this figured out yet!.

Thanks
~Friend

The worst day I had with this, this week, they looked somewhat shiney. That is the day I finally thought I'd better try to figure this out! I appreciate all the advice. I didn't realize the massaging thing...is that good for them? I had been avoiding that till I found out if it were clots. But now that it isn't, would rubbing them be good for them? I know so little about all this, that is probably a dumb question, sorry.

You have certainly been been going through this for many years with Jim. I just realized how long it has been for him. Bless your hearts... You are SO upbeat! Jim is lucky to have you for his support system!!!

Have a good day! I'm off later to a family reunion...should be fun!

Thank you for the kind words. It's been 20 years of living with ms for Jim and I. After that long you learn to just roll with the punches. haha

Now, you can massage them now that you know there are no clots. As a matter of fact massaging them should feel good to you and make you less likely to develop a clot. Don't worry about indentations, you'll see them as you massage. The goal is to get the fluid down so the swelling goes down. I massage Jim's feet all the time from the calves down.

Ummm, do this after the reunion...haha