leg and ankle swelling?????? help

[hjeffs]

I am currently taking Kaletra and Combivar as well as a blood presure medication and Bactrim. My legs have started swelling about 4 months ago. HIV doctor said it was nothing and slightly swollen up. I get more swollen up in the evening after working all day. You can see my sock indentations in my skin and no ankles just stumps. My skin gets really tight and my feet are very sensitive. Swelling goes all the way up to the knee, sounds really atractive!
Anybody else have any ideas. I went to my general physician and he took a blood panel (like I needed more blood drawn) but I haven't heard from him yet. Only been a week.

any info would help.

[gerry]

What blood pressure meds are you on, if you don't mind my asking?  There are some blood pressure meds that may cause fluid retention and consequently ankle and leg swelling.

[frenchpat]

Hi,

short of having an explanation for the swelling I would recommend lymphatic drainage by a professional masseur; it will  relieve you of the swelling (or at least reduce it significantly).

Hope you find the reason behind this

Pat

[hjeffs]

Just an update. I had discussed this with my general Doctor and he took some blood work. I got it last night and all is fine there. I am calling him today to get some kind of relife. I am on my feet alot at work and it is killing me!
Thanks for your advice and help.
Jeff

[AlanBama]

Jeff,

are you drinking lots of water?  The tendency when you feel 'swollen' or like you are retaining fluid is to not take in too much, but you probably need to take in more.

My ankles used to swell terribly before I got my cardiac situation under control with medication (I have Congestive Heart Failure).

Sorry you have to stand up a lot, I know that is a pain.   I'm thankful I get to sit on my skinny butt at my job!

Hugs,

Alan

[karen]

The doctor told me that my reason my legs and feet are swelling is because the blood is flowing downward and is not being pumped back up to my heart properly.  It is  definitely a circulatory problem.  He told me to cut out all salt (sodium constricts blood vessels?), to wear graduated compression hosiery (too hot to wear in the summer) and to elevate the feet above the heart (so the blood can flow back upward to the heart more easily).  That's the reason the swelling is less in the morning (after lying down all night) than after standing on your feet all day.  I've found that the higher the feet are elevated, the faster the swelling goes down and the more it is reduced.  If I need the swelling reduced in a hurry, I elevate my legs as high in the air as possible (LOL, ok, I know some of you are doing this already which may explain why this problem doesn't affect you.)  All jokes aside, slightly elevating the foot of the bed at night really helps.  A nurse friend told me to put a pillow under the mattress at the foot of the bed.  Helps me!

[clarke]

you might also want to try some support pantyhose. I used to wear them years ago for leg cramps (being on my feet all day, wish I could wear them now).  Putting your feet/legs up at the end of the day helps too.