DocDogg
Thanks for the advice. What are some of the other things that cause swelling of the legs and feet?
Linmarie

heart problems can cause swollen legs or feet and also high blood pressure. Retaining water from kidney and heart problems can.

I don't have the swollen legs but like Jeannie said, my right leg from my knee down is bigger then my left. I noticed it quite awhile back when I turned around to look at my back in the mirror.

As far as socks. I wear them in the winter months and no matter what size I get by the time I take them off at night they have sunk into my legs and left their marks.

Docdogg, welcome to the forum and thanks for that info on the socks.

Ada

I have RSD in my legs and the swelling is just amazing, actually that is what led me to this site yesterday! I have had swelling so bad that it looks like I have small patches of little blood spots under my skin. I hurt terribly and the saga continues. I get tired of complaining as I am sure so do others get tired of hearing me. To make matters worse I had my left knee replaced at a very young age (34) because of severe damage to the knee itself and I cannot bend the knee hardly at all because of the swelling, so the knee joint never gained the mobitlity it could of had after the new one was placed because of the RSD. SOOOOO I have a Fat Swelled leg that is almost non-functional and seems to keep getting worse. I believe my skin could and surely will split soon at the rate it is going. I am at a loss for what to do next? I have tried just about everything everyone has ever suggested but I am willing to keep trying if anyone else can help .
rcboobear

Hi there rcboobear and welcome!! What does your Doc. have to say about all of this pain and swelling your having? Are you at all elevating your swollen legs? That could take some of the swelling down. Good luck to you and please post again to let us know how all gos! Love, Desi

My Doc is somewhat puzzled, because I have elevated my legs for days and that doesn't seem to change things and I have a spinal stimulator implanted in my spine and it is working but this seems kinda like a bit of a different pain.
Same yet different in some ways and we are just puzzled? I am awaiting an appointment with my orthopedic Dr. to see if he has any ideas and go from there I guess. Until then I will just hang in there and I am glad to have stumbbled onto this site to be able to chat with others who care and experience some of same things I face from day to day! God Bless each of you and Thanks for being there and for reaching out and caring!
Cindy (rcboobear)

Hi Rcboobear,
Welcome,
Sorry to hear that your knee is so dysfunctional. You did have a knee replacement at a very young age.
My pain doc sent me to a rheumy to see if there is anything else going on with my legs but the rheumy just went out on medical leave to have a baby so I'm no further ahead as to what my problem is (if something other than RSD). She took blood tests & wants me to have an ultrasound (which I haven't done yet because of fear). My legs get more swollen as the day goes on. Some days the elevations helps, some days not. I do know that being vertical makes it worse for me. I do some exercises every other day.
Some days they are just worst than others & I can't figure out why. I've been doing a detailed journal & can't figure it out.
Ada,
I, too, noticed in a mirror. I had been complaining to doctors for about a year and a half about the pain but none suggested that it might be swelling.
Come spring, I have on shorts, am standing in front of a mirror and wonder why my calves look bigger than my thighs. The sock marks used to happen to me but now I only wear loose, soft socks. They feel so much better.
Linmarie

I have been told by my doctor that is the nerve cell that is holding fluid not tissue like normal edema- that is why diuretics are not perscribed for RSD- how weird is that- just goes along with everything else dreadful about this disease- also that the bloodcell actually leaks fluid into the tissue resulting in edema- I cant say I understand all of this just repeating it. I could not stand to have my legs wrapped with Ace bandages and am surprised that helps as RSD swelling is so different from normal swellilng- Id be careful with any restriction. Good luck, CZ

This post caught my eye as I contacted RSD back in 1995 but not diagnosed until 1998.

DocDogg is correct when saying edema can be caused by many things. Best to get any swelling checked out.

Compressions socks are very good unless one is in heart failure. I wear them most of the time but you must put them on first thing in the morning. The higher the compression the more difficult it is to put these stockings on and to take off in the evenings. Get spouse or someone to help if this is difficult.
There are many places on line one can research for compression socks. These are also sold in medical supply stores and some upscale drug stores.

The lightest compression is 8-15.....These are for light swelling and fatigue.
15-20 is probably the compression that is sold the most (per the pharmacy where I buy mine) As the compression goes higher so does the price. )-:

There are many brands. I can tell the difference between brands even with the same compression. Jobst has been around forever and what my doctor recommended. But, it is up to the individual taste. Higher compression can be had with an RX. Discuss all this with your doctor if you feel they may help. Compression stockings have really helped me.
Lisa

HI CZ,
Your response is interesting, particularly since I just got results from blood tests and my aldolase plasma is very high. The research I did said that the cells leaked the fluid like you said. I haven't been able to reach the doc as she is out having a baby, so I don't know if this is the cause of the swelling but that is what she was trying to figure out.

Lisa,
Thanks for the info on the compression stockings. I'm going to wait to see what the doc says. I'm glad to here that they helped you.

Linmarie