Has anyone ever had swollen feet?

Lisak
Lisak Member Posts: 59
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
I am a little scared because my right foot and ankle is very swollen.. and I am gaining weight after being done with chemo for 2 months now.. has anyone had this problem??
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Comments

  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291
    #2
    hands
    My hands keep swelling. It's been three months since my last chemo and my blood pressure is very low, my hands are swollen most of the time and my weight, doc wants me five pounds lighter next visit. I've been walking, eating salads and fruits and really watching what I eat and I cannot lose a pound. I just seem to stay where I am. Very frustrating. But with the foot and ankle I would call my regular doctor and get in to see them!

    Has anyone had problems with their blood pressure being low - 91/57...

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!


    Hugs.
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #3
    I've had the swollen feet & the low blood pressure.
    LISA: I had 1 foot and ankle swell during chemo, and when I called it in they made me come in to look at it. What they told me is that if it is a blood clot, it will be painful and won't go down when elevated ans won't usually affect both feet. Since my chemo has ended (last round March 26), I had 3 or 4 days where BOTH feet and ankles swelleed up. I didn't call it in, but if it continues to happen I will have it looked at. I notice that my chemo and radiation oncologists both always squeezed up my ankles and legs as a part of my examination, so I know that swelling is something they keep an eye on. Besides blood clots which are common with chemo, your heart can be weakened by chemo and fluid retention can be related to that. I read that if you gain more than 5 pounds in any week that you cannot attribute to overeating, you should call it in. I would call your chemo nurse just in case. It's probably nothing but you need to put your mind at ease. I lost 3 pounds since chemo ended, and have 12 more that I piled on during my chemo that I know will be hard to lose, but I'm not worrying about it until my radiation is over.

    MARGE: My blood pressure has always been low, and I saw numbers like you cited throughout my chemo rounds. "Better low than high" was the typical comment. But if it is making you feel weak or is unnatural for you, then I understand your worry. The only complication I have from low blood pressure is that they have a hard time bringing me out of anethesea, and even mild sedatives knock me out cold.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #4
    lindaprocopio said:

    I've had the swollen feet & the low blood pressure.
    LISA: I had 1 foot and ankle swell during chemo, and when I called it in they made me come in to look at it. What they told me is that if it is a blood clot, it will be painful and won't go down when elevated ans won't usually affect both feet. Since my chemo has ended (last round March 26), I had 3 or 4 days where BOTH feet and ankles swelleed up. I didn't call it in, but if it continues to happen I will have it looked at. I notice that my chemo and radiation oncologists both always squeezed up my ankles and legs as a part of my examination, so I know that swelling is something they keep an eye on. Besides blood clots which are common with chemo, your heart can be weakened by chemo and fluid retention can be related to that. I read that if you gain more than 5 pounds in any week that you cannot attribute to overeating, you should call it in. I would call your chemo nurse just in case. It's probably nothing but you need to put your mind at ease. I lost 3 pounds since chemo ended, and have 12 more that I piled on during my chemo that I know will be hard to lose, but I'm not worrying about it until my radiation is over.

    MARGE: My blood pressure has always been low, and I saw numbers like you cited throughout my chemo rounds. "Better low than high" was the typical comment. But if it is making you feel weak or is unnatural for you, then I understand your worry. The only complication I have from low blood pressure is that they have a hard time bringing me out of anethesea, and even mild sedatives knock me out cold.

    low blood pressure
    Last week when I had to go to the ER with that high fever, my blood pressure was very low like that. It usually runs pretty low like 100ish/60ish, but in the ER it was 80ish/50ish and my heart was about 110. The fast heart rate is related to the fever.
    I too am noticing a lot of swelling in my hands, feet and ankles. My feet and toes have always been skinny and bony and now they are just as chubby. I have gained almost 40 pounds since surgery in September. I sure hope it comes off when I finish treatment. I am gradually increasing my activity and I am trying to eat smaller, healthier meals. Something has to give... none of my clothes fit. I don't have one pair of shorts from last summer that I can wear. Don't have the money to buy all new clothes! LOL.
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #5
    shortmarge said:

    hands
    My hands keep swelling. It's been three months since my last chemo and my blood pressure is very low, my hands are swollen most of the time and my weight, doc wants me five pounds lighter next visit. I've been walking, eating salads and fruits and really watching what I eat and I cannot lose a pound. I just seem to stay where I am. Very frustrating. But with the foot and ankle I would call my regular doctor and get in to see them!

    Has anyone had problems with their blood pressure being low - 91/57...

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!


    Hugs.

    Thank you Marge! :)
    I will call my doctor tomorrow.. I am planning on leaving for Tucson, AZ this Friday. so, I'm a little nervous about leaving with being so swollen. hmm and I have never had any swelling in my hands I'm not sure about my blood pressure maybe I should have it checked.
    isn't it better to have it low than high?

    Thank You so much Marge for answering and telling me what you are going through.. it really helps .. ((((HUG)))
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #6
    lindaprocopio said:

    I've had the swollen feet & the low blood pressure.
    LISA: I had 1 foot and ankle swell during chemo, and when I called it in they made me come in to look at it. What they told me is that if it is a blood clot, it will be painful and won't go down when elevated ans won't usually affect both feet. Since my chemo has ended (last round March 26), I had 3 or 4 days where BOTH feet and ankles swelleed up. I didn't call it in, but if it continues to happen I will have it looked at. I notice that my chemo and radiation oncologists both always squeezed up my ankles and legs as a part of my examination, so I know that swelling is something they keep an eye on. Besides blood clots which are common with chemo, your heart can be weakened by chemo and fluid retention can be related to that. I read that if you gain more than 5 pounds in any week that you cannot attribute to overeating, you should call it in. I would call your chemo nurse just in case. It's probably nothing but you need to put your mind at ease. I lost 3 pounds since chemo ended, and have 12 more that I piled on during my chemo that I know will be hard to lose, but I'm not worrying about it until my radiation is over.

    MARGE: My blood pressure has always been low, and I saw numbers like you cited throughout my chemo rounds. "Better low than high" was the typical comment. But if it is making you feel weak or is unnatural for you, then I understand your worry. The only complication I have from low blood pressure is that they have a hard time bringing me out of anethesea, and even mild sedatives knock me out cold.

    Thank you Linda! :)
    Thank you for sharing what you went through with me also.. when my oncologist would see me she would also check my ankles too. but, now that my chemo is over (since march 6th) I feel like I'm on my own. I went to the doctor (reg. doctor) because I was gaining to much weight and she took a bunch a blood test and said I was fine and looked at my foot squeezed it and said I was retaining water. I never retain water like that. Now I wish I would have called my oncologist. I will call them tomorrow.. it's just they are so far away and I'm not sure I can just go there before Friday.

    Thank you so much Linda for your reply. I really wish I only had your 12 lbs to lose.. hehehe :)
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #7
    deanna14 said:

    low blood pressure
    Last week when I had to go to the ER with that high fever, my blood pressure was very low like that. It usually runs pretty low like 100ish/60ish, but in the ER it was 80ish/50ish and my heart was about 110. The fast heart rate is related to the fever.
    I too am noticing a lot of swelling in my hands, feet and ankles. My feet and toes have always been skinny and bony and now they are just as chubby. I have gained almost 40 pounds since surgery in September. I sure hope it comes off when I finish treatment. I am gradually increasing my activity and I am trying to eat smaller, healthier meals. Something has to give... none of my clothes fit. I don't have one pair of shorts from last summer that I can wear. Don't have the money to buy all new clothes! LOL.

    me too Deanna
    Deanna, I've gained about 43 lbs. I am done with chemo and I am still gaining. I am hoping my wii fit that I just brought will help.. I will let you know.. :)

    It's fun to work out with the wii fit and I don't feel like I'm working out I really feel like I'm playing a game.
  • fuzzytrouble
    fuzzytrouble Member Posts: 212
    #8
    SWOLLEN ANKLE AND FOOT
    I finished my last chemo on March 11 and my left ankle and foot are still numb and swollen, if there is any pain in the calf of your leg, my doc says a ultra sound to see if it's a blood clot. I am working now and some days it's not so bad but it's still there. I was told it was just going to take some time to go away. I guess it's a wait and see.

    Sharon
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #9
    fuzzytrouble said:

    SWOLLEN ANKLE AND FOOT
    I finished my last chemo on March 11 and my left ankle and foot are still numb and swollen, if there is any pain in the calf of your leg, my doc says a ultra sound to see if it's a blood clot. I am working now and some days it's not so bad but it's still there. I was told it was just going to take some time to go away. I guess it's a wait and see.

    Sharon

    Thank you Sharon ! :)
    Thanks Sharon for telling me about your foot and ankle. mine is the same way and i don't have any pain from my foot. I do have body aching and take a pain pill every night before bed. I'm not sure if I should be feeling body (whole body ache) or not.. I just thought it was part of the recovery. do you still have body aching?

    thanks again Sharon for your reply! (((Hugs)))
  • shortmarge
    shortmarge Member Posts: 291
    #10
    Lisak said:

    Thank you Sharon ! :)
    Thanks Sharon for telling me about your foot and ankle. mine is the same way and i don't have any pain from my foot. I do have body aching and take a pain pill every night before bed. I'm not sure if I should be feeling body (whole body ache) or not.. I just thought it was part of the recovery. do you still have body aching?

    thanks again Sharon for your reply! (((Hugs)))

    Body Aching
    I still do. Wish I had a big vat of Ben Gay! It's not constent and I'm beginning to feel that the chemo stays in the muscles for awhile. It's strange, somedays I will feel on top of the world and the next day, ooooooooooh I'm afraid to stand up. When I went for my 3 month check up I told the oncol about the swelling in my hands, she said I need to go see my regular doc and get check for rheumatoid arthritis. Hmmmmm, do they know something that they don't like to tell us, like some side effects of chemo!

    I will say that a deep tissue body message does help. Had one a month ago and am going back on the 22nd. I was going to have them monthly but I'm thinking I might step it up and have them every two weeks.

    Hang in there, this is a whole new world but we are survivors and we will adjust!

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

    Hugs.
  • MoeKay
    MoeKay Member Posts: 493 Member
    #11
    Inquire About Lymphedema
    Lisa,

    I would suggest that you ask your treatment team whether you might be experiencing lymphedema. Lower extremity lymphedema (or swelling) can sometimes be a side effect of gynecologic cancer treatment, including surgery and lymph node removal, radiation and/or chemotherapy. If it turns out that this is your problem, early treatment is very important.

    See: http://www.oncolink.com/coping/article.cfm?c=5&s=23&ss=104&id=980&p=1

    Best of luck and health,

    MoeKay
  • barb55
    barb55 Member Posts: 91
    #12
    Aches and Pains
    It was a good year after surgery, chemo and radiation till I could recognize my body again. Fatigue and aches were frequent- I do remember that my doctors frequently asked about swelling (It wasn't a problem for me) but I think it important that they hear about it ASAP. Slowly and surely I began to feel stronger. Regular exercise which I gradually increased helps so much! One after effect I am dealing with now is severe osteoporosis - my bone density definitely decreased during treatment. I am taking Pilates and love it. My body is stronger and more balanced. I also think the beginning of arthritis in several joints is taking hold- though I'm almost 60 so it may have happened anyway. Barb
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #13
    shortmarge said:

    Body Aching
    I still do. Wish I had a big vat of Ben Gay! It's not constent and I'm beginning to feel that the chemo stays in the muscles for awhile. It's strange, somedays I will feel on top of the world and the next day, ooooooooooh I'm afraid to stand up. When I went for my 3 month check up I told the oncol about the swelling in my hands, she said I need to go see my regular doc and get check for rheumatoid arthritis. Hmmmmm, do they know something that they don't like to tell us, like some side effects of chemo!

    I will say that a deep tissue body message does help. Had one a month ago and am going back on the 22nd. I was going to have them monthly but I'm thinking I might step it up and have them every two weeks.

    Hang in there, this is a whole new world but we are survivors and we will adjust!

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

    Hugs.

    Thank you Marge!!
    That is exactly how I feel too.. some days I'm on top of the world and probably go over board with working in the yard or doing things I used to do with ease now they hurt. I work in the yard last weekend mowed and then pushed mowed all the trimming and around the trees then the riding lawn mower for the rest and pulled some weeds and picked up sticks and then wow.. the next morning I couldn't hardly get out of bed i was soo sore. Thank you for letting me know you are going through this too.. I wish you weren't but, thank you for sharing your aches and pains with me.
    (((HUGS)))
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #14
    MoeKay said:

    Inquire About Lymphedema
    Lisa,

    I would suggest that you ask your treatment team whether you might be experiencing lymphedema. Lower extremity lymphedema (or swelling) can sometimes be a side effect of gynecologic cancer treatment, including surgery and lymph node removal, radiation and/or chemotherapy. If it turns out that this is your problem, early treatment is very important.

    See: http://www.oncolink.com/coping/article.cfm?c=5&s=23&ss=104&id=980&p=1

    Best of luck and health,

    MoeKay

    Update .. I called my chemo nurse today
    Thank you so much MoeKay and Barb and everyone for your replies.. I called my chemo nurse today and she was very concerned until she asked if I was feeling sharp pain with the swelling feet and I said no I didn't then she asked if it was warm to the touched and I said no it's just a fat foot. She seen to think it was nothing to be alarmed with right now but she told me she would talk to my doctor and if they think it was something wrong they will call me back.

    I was very happy with her tone in her voice.. she didn't act like it was a big deal. :)
  • Lisak
    Lisak Member Posts: 59
    #15
    barb55 said:

    Aches and Pains
    It was a good year after surgery, chemo and radiation till I could recognize my body again. Fatigue and aches were frequent- I do remember that my doctors frequently asked about swelling (It wasn't a problem for me) but I think it important that they hear about it ASAP. Slowly and surely I began to feel stronger. Regular exercise which I gradually increased helps so much! One after effect I am dealing with now is severe osteoporosis - my bone density definitely decreased during treatment. I am taking Pilates and love it. My body is stronger and more balanced. I also think the beginning of arthritis in several joints is taking hold- though I'm almost 60 so it may have happened anyway. Barb

    Fatigue and aches
    It's great news to hear there will be a time that I will feel good again and be able to recognize my body. I do need to get into a exercise program .. I heard pilates is very difficult... and with my body aches I'm not sure I can do it.
  • deanna14
    deanna14 Member Posts: 732
    #16
    shortmarge said:

    Body Aching
    I still do. Wish I had a big vat of Ben Gay! It's not constent and I'm beginning to feel that the chemo stays in the muscles for awhile. It's strange, somedays I will feel on top of the world and the next day, ooooooooooh I'm afraid to stand up. When I went for my 3 month check up I told the oncol about the swelling in my hands, she said I need to go see my regular doc and get check for rheumatoid arthritis. Hmmmmm, do they know something that they don't like to tell us, like some side effects of chemo!

    I will say that a deep tissue body message does help. Had one a month ago and am going back on the 22nd. I was going to have them monthly but I'm thinking I might step it up and have them every two weeks.

    Hang in there, this is a whole new world but we are survivors and we will adjust!

    MIND, BODY AND SOUL!

    Hugs.

    Do they know things they are not telling us?
    Marge,
    I'm glad you brought this up b/c I too get the feeling sometimes that they know things they don't want to share. I also noticed when going through radiation, I would bring up a symptom I was having and they would say "it isn't anything we are causing with the radiation." So I would ask the gyn/onc "it isn't anything we caused with the surgery, it's probably the radiation."
    Anyway, I too have a lot of swelling feet, legs and hands. It seems to be worse with the weather getting warmer. Hopefully, eventually when all of this poison is out of our systems, some of these annoyances will gradually go away.
    I'm happy to be alive, happy to be able to play with my granddaughter! I think a massage sounds like a fabulous idea. That may be my gift to myself after my last chemo.
    We are survivors!!
  • barb55
    barb55 Member Posts: 91
    #17
    Lisak said:

    Fatigue and aches
    It's great news to hear there will be a time that I will feel good again and be able to recognize my body. I do need to get into a exercise program .. I heard pilates is very difficult... and with my body aches I'm not sure I can do it.

    Pilates
    I didn't start out doing Pilates after my cancer treatments ended. In the beginning I took gentle walks- that was enough. I work one-on -one with a PIlates teacher once a week. It costs a lot of money but I really get so much out of it and I knew I couldn't keep up with a group and was afraid to hurt myself. I took on an extra job on the weekend selling artisan cheese at the farmers market just to pay for my lessons. Of course now I've gained weight from all that yummy cheese :) We started very slowly. What I love about it is it focuses on the core- stomach and back muscles for strength and I really felt that was important for me especially after the surgery. It's not hard- but like any excercise a good teacher is crucial. I'm an extremely uncoordinated person- I fall all the time. It's not for everyone but it gives me confidence along with strength and balance. We just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep on moving- physically and mentally. Of course, I found the best advice was to just listen to my body. If it needs to rest it gets rest.
    Barb
  • MaryAnnOnTheBay
    MaryAnnOnTheBay Member Posts: 20
    #18
    Swollen leg
    My leg swelled up before I started chemo, probably due to some kidney issues. Doctor sent me for an emergency sonogram within the hour, to be sure it wasn't a clot. It wasn't. Got lasik, which kidney doctor told me was mainly for comfort. Leg is still swollen 6 months later. Wearing elastic stockings seems to help. Only the oncologist seems interested in it now. Mary Ann on San Francisco Bay
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    #19
    MaryAnnOnTheBay said:

    Swollen leg
    My leg swelled up before I started chemo, probably due to some kidney issues. Doctor sent me for an emergency sonogram within the hour, to be sure it wasn't a clot. It wasn't. Got lasik, which kidney doctor told me was mainly for comfort. Leg is still swollen 6 months later. Wearing elastic stockings seems to help. Only the oncologist seems interested in it now. Mary Ann on San Francisco Bay

    Swollen Leg
    Hi, MaryAnn,
    I put a copy and paste link above as a thread? about swelling under Lymphedema. It's a link to very useful sites.
    Also, I was reading one of your posts about your experiences through your cancer treatment, where you mentioned writing a book.I think writing a book of your experiences would be a fantastic idea as you are a very interesting writer.
    As always
    Love and hope to us all,

    claudia

    I see you are in San Francisco, were you there during Loma Prieta Quake? Where is you boat, San Francisco or Sausalito? I miss Golden Gate Park and the ocean so much.
  • MaryAnnOnTheBay
    MaryAnnOnTheBay Member Posts: 20
    #20
    california_artist said:

    Swollen Leg
    Hi, MaryAnn,
    I put a copy and paste link above as a thread? about swelling under Lymphedema. It's a link to very useful sites.
    Also, I was reading one of your posts about your experiences through your cancer treatment, where you mentioned writing a book.I think writing a book of your experiences would be a fantastic idea as you are a very interesting writer.
    As always
    Love and hope to us all,

    claudia

    I see you are in San Francisco, were you there during Loma Prieta Quake? Where is you boat, San Francisco or Sausalito? I miss Golden Gate Park and the ocean so much.

    Swollen leg, Lymphedema, San Francisco, Thanks Claudia
    Thanks, Claudia. I checked out the site and seem to be doing some of that stuff, medication, elastic stockings. It did remind me to make an appointment with the podiatrist, which I just did. I am trying to write my memoirs and going to a workshop with some professional writers, who are very encourging and keep telling me to put in more detail, more emotion and some more dialog. Unfortunatly I haven't gotten past 10 years of age. I think we all have lived in interesting times and have something to write down or dictate to leave to our families, even if just a few paragraphs. My stuff is just growing because these guys keep telling me to add more detail. I was on an airplane, returning to San Francisco during Loma Prieta, diverted to Los Angeles. My partner had cleaned up the mixture of broken glass, vinegar and corn startch and other stuff by the time I got home. My boat is between Candlestick and the airport, in the San Bruno wind gap. Last night the gusts were so bad, I almost took a leftover nausea pill. Mary Ann on San Francisco Bay
  • california_artist
    california_artist Member Posts: 816 Member
    #21
    Bay Area
    I lived in the Bay Area for forty years, just moving to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan about five years ago. I miss California so much, I very rarely go out in the winter here because it gets below zero lots of the time.. Plus with all the ice and me not having ice legs, I spent a great deal of time lying on the sidewalk after falls. I think that the change in the level of my exercise could have had a bit to do with me getting cancer. I should be going back to the Bay Area for a visit over the summer. My brother and sister live in Marin County, my son in San Jose. Well, this has nothing to do with anything. Just your mentioning those place brought back wistful thoughts.
    All my love to you MaryAnn.
    I hope you will thrive and be well.

    Claudia

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