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What Causes Stiffness And Swelling In Ankles?
Question: I have been sitting at my computer working since 3:00 a.m. this morning. I have gotten up probably hourly to get something to drink or go to the restroom. I noticed that my ankles felt stiff and swollen and was alarmed to find them quite swollen with some pitting edema, particularly my left ankle. I have not had any injuries. I am probably getting ready to start my period, which has been every 23 days lately, but it has been 25 days since my last period. The only other strange sensation that I have had is a pressure near the right side of my vertebral column. It feels almost like someone is poking their finger in my back -- not sure if that is just muscular, but it has been annoying. I have just taken a dose of furosemide. How concerned should I be? I have had an exam within the past month and all blood tests were normal.
Brief Answer:
From what you are describing, looks nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thank you for using HCM,
From what you are describing it doesn't look like anything to concern about.
The pitting edema and the back pain are both maybe a cause of sitting for a long time. The muscles get tensed, and the leg veins get insufficient and the blood gather in the legs causing the pitting edema.
My advises would be to take some painkiller; support your back with a pillow to keep its straight; put something under your feet too to keep them elevated; check your blood pressure and be careful with the medicines you use without consulting with your doctor.
These are my thoughts.
Keep an eye on it...if it is getting worse and not better, then consider doing another visit to your doctor so he runs another check-up, but as I said both symptoms look nothing to worry about so far.
If you need any more clarification please let me know. I would be happy to answer.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
From what you are describing, looks nothing to worry about
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,
Thank you for using HCM,
From what you are describing it doesn't look like anything to concern about.
The pitting edema and the back pain are both maybe a cause of sitting for a long time. The muscles get tensed, and the leg veins get insufficient and the blood gather in the legs causing the pitting edema.
My advises would be to take some painkiller; support your back with a pillow to keep its straight; put something under your feet too to keep them elevated; check your blood pressure and be careful with the medicines you use without consulting with your doctor.
These are my thoughts.
Keep an eye on it...if it is getting worse and not better, then consider doing another visit to your doctor so he runs another check-up, but as I said both symptoms look nothing to worry about so far.
If you need any more clarification please let me know. I would be happy to answer.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I am concerned still. Even the tops of my feet are severely swollen. I have been drinking quite a bit lately due to stress. My blood work was normal, but could there be something much more severe going on. I have taken the furosemide, but my feet and ankles are still extremely swollen.
Brief Answer:
Advises and labs you can do to get reassured
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
I fully understand your concern, because edema is not a sign to be take easy in most of the cases.
--Do you know the names of the labs you have done? They may help me in ruling out some of the most possible causes of edema.
..Some labs that you may do to get reassured about serious causes of edema are: 1) Creatinine levels and blood urea levels that will check the kidney function; 2) Urine analyse- to check for protein loses; 3) Electrolyte levels that will give an idea of you will need to change the diuretic doses or add other medicines; 4) Liver functions will give more information about liver problems; 5) TSH and Thyroid hormones levels;
--None of the medications you are taking causes edema, but in the contrary they are helpful in some cases. But you will need regular check ups to control if you are taking the right doses. Have you been taking other medicines?
If I was your caring doctor I would recommend:
...Keep an eye on them, keep you legs elevated, check your blood pressure and make sure its not high.
...If these happen again, not getting better, or getting worse, then consider seeing your doctor again, so he goes through the list of edema causes again, and compares it with the results of your physical exam and the labs you have done, doing what other labs are needed extra.
Kindly provide me with the extra information needed, and let me know if you have other concerns from what I have explained above
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Advises and labs you can do to get reassured
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
I fully understand your concern, because edema is not a sign to be take easy in most of the cases.
--Do you know the names of the labs you have done? They may help me in ruling out some of the most possible causes of edema.
..Some labs that you may do to get reassured about serious causes of edema are: 1) Creatinine levels and blood urea levels that will check the kidney function; 2) Urine analyse- to check for protein loses; 3) Electrolyte levels that will give an idea of you will need to change the diuretic doses or add other medicines; 4) Liver functions will give more information about liver problems; 5) TSH and Thyroid hormones levels;
--None of the medications you are taking causes edema, but in the contrary they are helpful in some cases. But you will need regular check ups to control if you are taking the right doses. Have you been taking other medicines?
If I was your caring doctor I would recommend:
...Keep an eye on them, keep you legs elevated, check your blood pressure and make sure its not high.
...If these happen again, not getting better, or getting worse, then consider seeing your doctor again, so he goes through the list of edema causes again, and compares it with the results of your physical exam and the labs you have done, doing what other labs are needed extra.
Kindly provide me with the extra information needed, and let me know if you have other concerns from what I have explained above
Regards,
Dr. Papaqako
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Hello Dr. Papaqako,
From what I understood, my liver and kidney function were completely normal, along with all other values. I did not have a urinalysis. I am very concerned about the drinking. I have been feeling pressure in my back on the right side for some time, but have been sitting on the computer quite a bit and also sleeping on a mattress that needs to be replaced, so I rationalized that it was probably muscular rather something more internal.
The swelling and pitting edema in my feet is equivalent to when I had pre-ecclampsia several years ago. I did call my physician this morning and was told to double the lasix to 40 mg. He didn't schedule an appointment to see me. I took 20 mg of lasix and 50 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide last night and 40 grams of lasix today, but my feet are still swollen, not as severely, but still with pitting edema in my ankles and on the ventral aspect of my foot. I teach and was just trying to get to the end of the semester before I dealt with some of these issues. I am feeling pretty scared right now that irreversible damage has been done.
From what I understood, my liver and kidney function were completely normal, along with all other values. I did not have a urinalysis. I am very concerned about the drinking. I have been feeling pressure in my back on the right side for some time, but have been sitting on the computer quite a bit and also sleeping on a mattress that needs to be replaced, so I rationalized that it was probably muscular rather something more internal.
The swelling and pitting edema in my feet is equivalent to when I had pre-ecclampsia several years ago. I did call my physician this morning and was told to double the lasix to 40 mg. He didn't schedule an appointment to see me. I took 20 mg of lasix and 50 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide last night and 40 grams of lasix today, but my feet are still swollen, not as severely, but still with pitting edema in my ankles and on the ventral aspect of my foot. I teach and was just trying to get to the end of the semester before I dealt with some of these issues. I am feeling pretty scared right now that irreversible damage has been done.
Brief Answer:
If its getting better, looks like lasix is working on it.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
--I'm happy to hear that kidney and liver functions were normal.
--The fact that the swelling is better with the use of lasix, its a good news too. Will need some time to get back to normal. Your doctor knows your health and I'm sure he knows what he is doing. Anyway, if the edema still continues, or is not getting better, follow up again with him, so you keep him updated.
--Drinking plenty of fluids is normal for people who have been taking Hydrochlorthiazide. You should not use lasix for longer periods, or if you will need using it for long term, you will need to do regular check ups for the electolytes in the blood (especially Kalium)
--The back pain, from what you are explaining looks muscular to me too. Take some paracetamol (500mg/1 tab every 4 hours, as needed, or apply a analgesic gel locally if possible, to fell better with it. Remembering yourself to move from the sitting position from time to time while you work, may help too.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have further concerns. Let me know if you wish how it will go in the days to follow...I would be happy to follow up with you.
Otherwise please close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
If its getting better, looks like lasix is working on it.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again dear,
--I'm happy to hear that kidney and liver functions were normal.
--The fact that the swelling is better with the use of lasix, its a good news too. Will need some time to get back to normal. Your doctor knows your health and I'm sure he knows what he is doing. Anyway, if the edema still continues, or is not getting better, follow up again with him, so you keep him updated.
--Drinking plenty of fluids is normal for people who have been taking Hydrochlorthiazide. You should not use lasix for longer periods, or if you will need using it for long term, you will need to do regular check ups for the electolytes in the blood (especially Kalium)
--The back pain, from what you are explaining looks muscular to me too. Take some paracetamol (500mg/1 tab every 4 hours, as needed, or apply a analgesic gel locally if possible, to fell better with it. Remembering yourself to move from the sitting position from time to time while you work, may help too.
Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have further concerns. Let me know if you wish how it will go in the days to follow...I would be happy to follow up with you.
Otherwise please close and rate the question.
Take care,
Dr. Papaqako
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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