Friend, when I am in a spinal lesion attack, it FEELS like my torso and hands are swollen (tkirk, is it the same for you?), but I have always thought that was just a sensation. I can't get in my pants, and nor do I have any sense of tummy muscles, but I really can't say for sure if there is actual swelling.

If you have been checked over thoroughly (I just don't have a good feeling about this, given that you are not immobile), then the elastic that people use for sprains can help the sensation. When my feet are completely numb, for instance, I use those wraps and it confuses the numb communication channels to the point of being able to walk on them again. I wrap fairly loosely thought too.

I just don't feel right about this if they are in fact "swollen".

Cherie

My legs are not nearly as swollen today... but there is still a pretty deep indentation were my sock top is. Still indents when I push in with finger. I don't get why it's just the legs and feet. From knees (not so bad) but gets worse going down. I've had my feet up a lot today. Hasn't completely gone away. Drinking lots of water...not salt. They don't really hurt today though.

odd question, but with drinking more to try and flush the extra water out out of your legs...are you pee'ing a lot?

you should be. you may also find you need to get up at night or more often.

Your legs sound just like Jim's. He doesn't have clots or anything either. The doctors just say keep the feet up as much as we can. They said it's from poor circulation with Jim being in a sitting position more than standing. Makes sense to us.

Good to hear yours don't hurt as much today.

Yes, I'm running to the bathroom a lot. I hadn't been drinking enough probably, because my bladder works without warning. So I'm not getting too far from the bathroom right now. Yes, making extra trips to bathroom during night.

But I started increasing my water intake over a week ago, when my neuro told me to.

thanks!

I really think I need to be proactive with getting more exercise, someone suggested ways to do this with feet up. I want to stay on top of this. though I am still very mobile, I don't (or can't easily) walk long distance. But I can move around well enought to try to exercise my legs more and maybe take more breaks to get my feet elevated will help.

I am encouraged today, since it was not a work day... I've done better. I just need to make changes to take breaks to get my feet up.

So, you think it probably is due to not enough mobility???? And maybe I can reverse it???? I hope, I hope!!!!!!
Thanks.

Well, Jim's has never went away but then again, he's in a wheelchair. One thing you may want to look into is stretch bands. They are easy to use. You just wrap it around your foot and life up your leg. It stretches the muscles really good. Jim used to use them all the time and it helped keep his legs more flexable.

Good idea. I think my husband has a stretch band from some PT he did! Thanks, I'll try anything!