Advice please - fluid retention and MCP

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GaryinUK
GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hey

Been a while since I posted last, but my partner has been having a rough time and I have been concentrating on making him as comfortable as I can.

He is suffering a bit from fluid retention, showing in his feet and nkles, if he raises his legs we get as far as the thighs.

Small dose of water tablets has drawn a blank.

Any other suggestions?

MCP - Modified Citrus Pectin

He is using a small dose, 5gms per day, I know some on here use it, any positive news from anyone gratefully recieved.

Finally

Did I miss any other innovative suggestions, always like to hear and research.

Does this sound desperate, well with tears welling in my eyes, yes it is, so don't hold back.

Gary

Comments

  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #2
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    Gary,
    Are you certain it is water related? Have you ruled out lymphedema?

    Just saying, as the ankle swelling is where mine started, then, over a couple of weeks, it moved up my leg.

    Yours,

    Blake
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    #3
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    Buckwirth said:

    Gary,
    Are you certain it is water related? Have you ruled out lymphedema?

    Just saying, as the ankle swelling is where mine started, then, over a couple of weeks, it moved up my leg.

    Yours,

    Blake

    Blake
    Might well be, the
    Blake

    Might well be, the pallatative nurse has had water tablets prescribed, so I was basing it on that.

    How is yours managed? or has it been resolved?

    Gary
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #4
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    Hi Gary
    I get that sometimes but usually on a smaller scale. My Mom, 92, also gets it but it's not cancer related. She elevates her legs when she sleeps and sometimes puts them on a footstool if she's resting in a chair.
    I take a water pill, spironolactone, which seems to help with my situation.
    Is the swelling equal in both of his legs? I do think that if one is worse than the other that it could be clot-related (I think, not positive so don't take that bit as fact please).
    I'm sorry that is all I have to offer with this. I have no experience with the MCP.
    -phil
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #5
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    GaryinUK said:

    Blake
    Might well be, the
    Blake

    Might well be, the pallatative nurse has had water tablets prescribed, so I was basing it on that.

    How is yours managed? or has it been resolved?

    Gary

    is he having dexametasone or any other kind of cortisone?
    Hope he feel better very soon!
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    #6
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    pepebcn said:

    is he having dexametasone or any other kind of cortisone?
    Hope he feel better very soon!

    Hi Pepe
    Yes he is, has this
    Hi Pepe

    Yes he is, has this caused it? or likley to have contributed to it?
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    #7
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    PhillieG said:

    Hi Gary
    I get that sometimes but usually on a smaller scale. My Mom, 92, also gets it but it's not cancer related. She elevates her legs when she sleeps and sometimes puts them on a footstool if she's resting in a chair.
    I take a water pill, spironolactone, which seems to help with my situation.
    Is the swelling equal in both of his legs? I do think that if one is worse than the other that it could be clot-related (I think, not positive so don't take that bit as fact please).
    I'm sorry that is all I have to offer with this. I have no experience with the MCP.
    -phil

    Phil
    Thanks for your reply,
    Phil

    Thanks for your reply, we have the legs raised, it is worse down one leg, but the tumour is on the same side so we are making that connection.
  • smokeyjoe
    smokeyjoe Member Posts: 1,425 Member
    #8
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    GaryinUK said:

    Phil
    Thanks for your reply,
    Phil

    Thanks for your reply, we have the legs raised, it is worse down one leg, but the tumour is on the same side so we are making that connection.

    Hey Gary, have you
    Hey Gary, have you considered him trying those compression stockings. I had edema in my legs when I was in hospital and when I went in for the surgery is when they put those compression stocking on me. After surgery the swelling was all gone. If it's hot where you are this won't be comfortable, as they are quite warm to wear. Run this by his nurse and see what she says.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #9
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    Doctor
    What exactly is doctor saying? Get an opinion. Swelling is not good and you need this checked. It could be nothing though so don't think this is serious. Just ask his doctor some questions.

    Kim
  • hansonp
    hansonp Member Posts: 18
    #10
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    swelling
    Does he have swelling in his stomach region as well?
  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    #11
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    GaryinUK said:

    Blake
    Might well be, the
    Blake

    Might well be, the pallatative nurse has had water tablets prescribed, so I was basing it on that.

    How is yours managed? or has it been resolved?

    Gary

    Initially
    Managed with a compression stocking (they are a bear to get on). The swelling has now subsided.

    For the record, my inguenal node on the left side is swollen with C, and the lymphedema was in my left leg.
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    #12
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    Gary -

    Fluid retention can be a side effect of many drugs, and without
    knowing all the drugs your partner is taking (and the interactions
    of each), it is difficult if not impossible, to offer a suggestion.

    I suffered swelling in my left leg. A subsequent sonogram indicated
    a "DVT" (blood clot) behind my left knee.

    Swelling of the extremities should not be taken lightly, since clots
    can often be the problem. But since it is in both legs, water retention
    could be the culprit as well.

    I would be alarmed, but not panicked, and I would visit a specialist
    or even your GP ASAP, rather than take a nurse's opinion.

    Good luck, and better health!

    John
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #13
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    GaryinUK said:

    Hi Pepe
    Yes he is, has this
    Hi Pepe

    Yes he is, has this caused it? or likley to have contributed to it?

    Corticoids are the main cause for any inflammation in legs
    and arms it happens to me very very often check the doc he probably will reduce dosage or remove for a while!. ( really don need it if don't get nausea).

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