Various Topics on Diabetes

.... ..

I'm suffering from leg edema something fierce.
For a long time it was only my left leg, but recently
mny left leg got real bad and my right leg started to
join it.

My doctor said it was because of some of my BP drugs
( Calcium channel blocker, and minoxidyl ), and took
me off of minoxidyl.

The edema is present so long and so harshly that it
worries me. Recently something bothered me.
If it is the case that the drugs are the cause then
wouldn't I have bilateral leg edema? I would think that
some systemic cause would produce bilateral edema.

..d ..senbe..

cc'd by email

Well, I can only speak from my personal experience.

Edema is a complex problem, and while we can give you some ideas from
experience - You should use them to ask your doctor, or, possibly better
yet, a new doctor. While your problem is common, do NOT take any
solutions given here as answers, merely as POSSIBLE answers, to get
professional advice on.

1) I have never heard of your meds causing edema - You can check the
side effects details on each website, or on the FDA website. I have not
done an exhaustive search, merely a skim.
2) I, and many of my friends (all fat old diabetics with mild heart
problems) wrap our swollen leg(s). I use a 4" tubular bandage instead
of a wrapping. Earlier threads show that a lot of others, mainly non US
do the same. Cardiologists in the US seem to prefer wide Ace bandages.
Orthopods seem to like tubular bandages for edema.

if wrapping, start at the foot, and wrap evenly up up the top of the
calf, NOT from the top down.

3) keep your feet as high as possible when not walking. - it will keep
the blood from pooling.

4) walk or swim as much as you can confortablu. It will keep the blood
pumping - don't overdo it.

sitting or standing is BAD for your legs - walking or lying down is good.

5) Are you on diuretics ? Lasix in particular is good for edema - it's
original use was to treat edema. I was put on Lasix when I had a bad
case of cellulites - I had gained about 30 lbs from the cellulites - I
lost not 30, but 60 lbs !!! I now am on Lasix regularly, and my edema
is under control. It appears that I was carrying around a LOT of excess
fluid, most of which settled in my legs (particularly my right leg)


Thad O wrote:

> I'm suffering from leg edema something fierce.
> For a long time it was only my left leg, but recently
> mny left leg got real bad and my right leg started to
> join it.
>
> My doctor said it was because of some of my BP drugs
> ( Calcium channel blocker, and minoxidyl ), and took
> me off of minoxidyl.
>
> The edema is present so long and so harshly that it
> worries me. Recently something bothered me.
> If it is the case that the drugs are the cause then
> wouldn't I have bilateral leg edema? I would think that
> some systemic cause would produce bilateral edema.
>
>

--
"...in addition to being foreign territory the past is, as history, a
hall of mirrors that reflect the needs of souls observing from the present"
Glen Cook

.... ..

On Sun, 20 Jun 2004 13:33:11 -0400, Ted Rosenberg
<tedrosenberg@iname.com> wrote:

>cc'd by email
>
>Well, I can only speak from my personal experience.
>
>Edema is a complex problem, and while we can give you some ideas from
>experience - You should use them to ask your doctor, or, possibly better
>yet, a new doctor. While your problem is common, do NOT take any
>solutions given here as answers, merely as POSSIBLE answers, to get
>professional advice on.
>
>1) I have never heard of your meds causing edema - You can check the
>side effects details on each website, or on the FDA website. I have not
>done an exhaustive search, merely a skim.
I said CCB instead of a specific drug because over time the specific
drug has changed. The website for one, Norvasc, specifically lists
edema.
http://www.norvasc.com/patient/about/
One of the otheres Procardia, lists swelling, which I guess means
edema.

However ( it was a ***** to find, everyplace talks about topical
minoxidil ), I couldn't find edema as a side effect of minoxidil.

>2) I, and many of my friends (all fat old diabetics with mild heart
>problems) wrap our swollen leg(s). I use a 4" tubular bandage instead
>of a wrapping. Earlier threads show that a lot of others, mainly non US
>do the same. Cardiologists in the US seem to prefer wide Ace bandages.
> Orthopods seem to like tubular bandages for edema.
>
>if wrapping, start at the foot, and wrap evenly up up the top of the

>calf, NOT from the top down.
>
Sometimes the areas are hard, sometimes they get hard. Usually
depending on how much sleep I get ( the less sleep the harder ).
If it is soft, should I wrap it tightly?

Also, the left leg has a hardening of sorts. How should I treat that,
and how should I wra around that area.

>3) keep your feet as high as possible when not walking. - it will keep
>the blood from pooling.
>
>4) walk or swim as much as you can confortablu. It will keep the blood
>pumping - don't overdo it.
>
>sitting or standing is BAD for your legs - walking or lying down is good.
>
What about bicycling

If I sit, then should I elevate my legs?

Also. I am a *big* Cubs fan. I decided a long time ago it was better
to stand watching games and get a little exercise then watching either
sitting or lying down.

What if I move my feet. Not fast ( like doing a dance ). But for
example moving them slowly side to side?
>5) Are you on diuretics ? Lasix in particular is good for edema - it's
>original use was to treat edema. I was put on Lasix when I had a bad
>case of cellulites - I had gained about 30 lbs from the cellulites - I
>lost not 30, but 60 lbs !!! I now am on Lasix regularly, and my edema
>is under control. It appears that I was carrying around a LOT of excess
>fluid, most of which settled in my legs (particularly my right leg)
>
Yes. HCTZ not Lasix. For a year and a half. Maybe it's not effective
and it's time to change.

>
>Thad O wrote:
>
>> I'm suffering from leg edema something fierce.
>> For a long time it was only my left leg, but recently
>> mny left leg got real bad and my right leg started to
>> join it.
>>
>> My doctor said it was because of some of my BP drugs
>> ( Calcium channel blocker, and minoxidyl ), and took
>> me off of minoxidyl.
>>
>> The edema is present so long and so harshly that it
>> worries me. Recently something bothered me.
>> If it is the case that the drugs are the cause then
>> wouldn't I have bilateral leg edema? I would think that
>> some systemic cause would produce bilateral edema.
>>
>>

..d ..senbe..

"hard" swelling in the legs is called "woody edema" and is treated the
same as any other edema - in any case, wrap as tightly as you can
without cutting off circulation..

In general, any exercise is good, but don't overdo it. Swimming and
water aerobics in a therapy pool is REAL good.

Thad O wrote:
> On Sun, 20 Jun 2004 13:33:11 -0400, Ted Rosenberg
> <tedrosenberg@iname.com> wrote:
>
>
>>cc'd by email
>>
>>Well, I can only speak from my personal experience.
>>
>>Edema is a complex problem, and while we can give you some ideas from
>>experience - You should use them to ask your doctor, or, possibly better
>>yet, a new doctor. While your problem is common, do NOT take any
>>solutions given here as answers, merely as POSSIBLE answers, to get
>>professional advice on.
>>
>>1) I have never heard of your meds causing edema - You can check the
>>side effects details on each website, or on the FDA website. I have not
>>done an exhaustive search, merely a skim.
>
> I said CCB instead of a specific drug because over time the specific
> drug has changed. The website for one, Norvasc, specifically lists
> edema.
> http://www.norvasc.com/patient/about/
> One of the otheres Procardia, lists swelling, which I guess means
> edema.
>
> However ( it was a ***** to find, everyplace talks about topical
> minoxidil ), I couldn't find edema as a side effect of minoxidil.
>
>
>>2) I, and many of my friends (all fat old diabetics with mild heart
>>problems) wrap our swollen leg(s). I use a 4" tubular bandage instead
>>of a wrapping. Earlier threads show that a lot of others, mainly non US
>>do the same. Cardiologists in the US seem to prefer wide Ace bandages.
>> Orthopods seem to like tubular bandages for edema.
>>
>>if wrapping, start at the foot, and wrap evenly up up the top of the
>
>
>>calf, NOT from the top down.
>>
>
> Sometimes the areas are hard, sometimes they get hard. Usually
> depending on how much sleep I get ( the less sleep the harder ).
> If it is soft, should I wrap it tightly?
>
> Also, the left leg has a hardening of sorts. How should I treat that,
> and how should I wra around that area.
>
>
>>3) keep your feet as high as possible when not walking. - it will keep
>>the blood from pooling.
>>
>>4) walk or swim as much as you can confortablu. It will keep the blood
>>pumping - don't overdo it.
>>
>>sitting or standing is BAD for your legs - walking or lying down is good.
>>
>
> What about bicycling
>
> If I sit, then should I elevate my legs?
>
> Also. I am a *big* Cubs fan. I decided a long time ago it was better
> to stand watching games and get a little exercise then watching either
> sitting or lying down.
>
> What if I move my feet. Not fast ( like doing a dance ). But for
> example moving them slowly side to side?
>
>>5) Are you on diuretics ? Lasix in particular is good for edema - it's
>>original use was to treat edema. I was put on Lasix when I had a bad
>>case of cellulites - I had gained about 30 lbs from the cellulites - I
>>lost not 30, but 60 lbs !!! I now am on Lasix regularly, and my edema
>>is under control. It appears that I was carrying around a LOT of excess
>>fluid, most of which settled in my legs (particularly my right leg)
>>
>
> Yes. HCTZ not Lasix. For a year and a half. Maybe it's not effective
> and it's time to change.
>
>
>>Thad O wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I'm suffering from leg edema something fierce.
>>>For a long time it was only my left leg, but recently
>>>mny left leg got real bad and my right leg started to
>>>join it.
>>>
>>>My doctor said it was because of some of my BP drugs
>>>( Calcium channel blocker, and minoxidyl ), and took
>>>me off of minoxidyl.
>>>
>>>The edema is present so long and so harshly that it
>>>worries me. Recently something bothered me.
>>>If it is the case that the drugs are the cause then
>>>wouldn't I have bilateral leg edema? I would think that
>>>some systemic cause would produce bilateral edema.
>>>
>>>
>
>

--
"...in addition to being foreign territory the past is, as history, a
hall of mirrors that reflect the needs of souls observing from the present"
Glen Cook