Hey there! Lately my feet have been getting very puffy and swollen. I am keeping them elevated as much as I can and I’m eating a very low-sodium diet but they’re still swollen. It’s been a little over 2 weeks now and I’m getting sad. My feet don’t even fit into my shoes They don’t hurt but they are tender at times. I don’t have an endocrinologist at this moment, I am looking for one but I called my family care doctor and he said that this is normal and it will go away but when will it go away?? Why is this happening now?? Can anyone offer me any advice or suggestions? THANK YOU soOoOooO much. I really appreciate it
Amber, you have to lay down on your bed with your feet elevated above heart level. Do this several times a day for at least 30-60 minutes if you can. Just propping your feet up won’t return the fluid back into circulation. As for why, only your doctor can answer that. Are you on your feet all day? Pregnant? Poor circulation?
Im not sure what your family doctor meant by…“normal”. Edema of the feet may be caused by numerous reason: Water retention, PMS, sodium retention, injury/trauma, laxative abuse, some drug reaction, birth control pills, varicose veins, etc. … It is best to see a doctor to have it checked so that you will know the underlying medical reason first. Until such time, keeping feet elevated and avoiding salt may help…so as drinking plenty of water and wearing of support stockings/socks.
I don’t mean to alarm you but when this happened to me several years ago I was told to come to the ER immediately. They needed to rule out that I might be going into kidney failure…
I don’t think that this is ‘normal’ under any circumstances except maybe 3rd trimester of pregnancy…
I cannot say THANK YOU enough for everyone’s advice and help!!! I have a doctor appointment today and I’m going to get to the bottom of this! When my doctor said it was “normal” I thought to myself …“seriously!!!” I am glad to know that there’s reasons for this to happen and we just need to figure out what that is. I am definitely not pregnant (hopefully in the next 2-3 years lol), I’m not on any new medications but, the water retention issue could very well be it. I tend to puff up like a blow fish if I eat too much salt. I have never had my feet get this way though. Hopefully my blood work will give us an insight on what’s happening with me. I will definitely keep you all posted and again, thank you!!! I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day
your friend,
Hey Everyone! Sorry that it took me so long to write back, my doctor apt went SO well!!! My family care doctor is getting me into an Endocrinologist that is highly recommended but is very hard to get into. I haven’t had an endocrinologist in a while and I am VERY excited to have an actual diabetic doctor who is up to date with the latest technology and news about diabetes as well as working with me closely. As far as my feet, I got a pair of compression socks and Holy Hannah are those things are hard to get on and off!!! LOL My doctor checked my feet and all is good except we have to get the swelling down. We are trying a few different things to deal with that. The doctor ordered blood work and it came back good. My kidneys are doing great but my protein and vitamin D levels are not so good. That is a possibility for the swelling in my feet. Since I have been wearing the compression socks during the day, my feet have not been getting as swollen … YEAH I appreciate everyone taking the time to write to me, I feel good about my feet and the fact that they will get better! Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Your friend,
I didn’t respond to this because I didn’t want to freak you out. I am glad your results are normal.
I was sent to the nephrologist in 2003 because I cried. I was 220 lbs, eating 400 cal/day, because that was all I could eat, and gaining weight. I cried because my dr wasn’t goign to send me to a specialist b/c my test results were normal. He thought I was a big fat liar, I guess.
So I went to the nephrologist, and I was 225lbs. Some water pills and 10 weeks later, I was 80 lbs lighter (25 lbs the first week and another 25 lbs the next three weeks.). I am 5’2" and went from 225 to 145 in 10 weeks. My kidney function tests were totaly normal. The nephrologist said that there are people with less swelling whose kidney function was worse, as well as people worse off than me who have better kidney function. The test results are average and what is normal for one is not normal for another.
This is probably not your problem, just make sure you don’t let a problem go untreated or unrealized by your doctor. One thing that helps me with swelling is eating natural diuretics like cucumbers, celery and watermelon. Don’t overeat those, like probably no more than half a cucumber at a sitting, but they are all pretty low in carbs, too. Also, don’t be too far from a bathroom until you find how you respond. = )
Oh yeah, walking also helps with improving ciruclation and get rid of extra water.
WOW Baby Tee, I cannot believe you have to go through that I can only imagine how uncomfortable you must have been. I am uncomfortable now and it’s only my feet. THANK YOU for the sharing. Your advice and information is helpful and good to know. Did you ever take any natural vitamins to help with circulation? I was wondering if that would be a good idea but I forgot to ask my doctor. I’m glad that you are better now. I wish you all the best Keep in touch and again, thanks for writing me Have a great night!
I am glad your results went so well. It is not unusual for diabetics to be low in Vitamin D. My doc has me on 3,000 units a day. He said that it isn’t toxic below 10,000 units. Many docs just recommend 800 units/day, but it isn’t enough for a diabetic. Make sure it is Vitamin D-3.
Good luck with the endo !!!
That was very refreshing to read, Thank you!!! I am glad to read that one your vitamin D levels got better so did the swelling. I have hope with that. As for the socks, I got a pair and they have helped me so much. I was surprised to have such a “simple” item help … but … they are sOooOoOooOo hard t get on and off LOL I was very impressed with my doctor and was relieved to know he didn’t think my swelling was normal. When I called him and explained my situation he didn’t realize the extent of my situation and that could be my fault. I am glad that you are doing better with your swelling. Thank you very much for taking time to reply to me Have a wonderful day!
I got my kidneys checked for a second time and they are doing great. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders knowing that. My Vitamin D and protein levels are not good. My doctor thinks that’s the reason for my swelling issues. Once my vitamin D level is better and my protein levels are in check then I should see improvement. I recently had to adjust my Lantus and so I have been having some lows … that issue is getting better too … other than that I haven’t changed any other medications. I have an apt with my new Endo this week and I am super excited!!! I have heard wonderful things about him. I’ll let you know how it goes Thanks for the reply and help!!! Have a wonderful day
THANK YOU for the heads up about getting the vitamin D-3! I have never seen that or heard of vitamin D-3 … what is the that? I’l have to look for it. My doctor wrote me a prescription for vitamin D. I’ll let you know how the new Endo apt goes. I have an apt this week with him and I cannot wait!!! I have heard great things about this doctor. Hope you’re having a fantastic day Take care!
I’m glad you got checked by a doc. Swelling CAN be idiopathic (meaning it’s just the way you are – I’m that way), BUT everything else has to be ruled out before that conclusion can be drawn. It’s the last possible explanation, not the first!
They don’t hurt but they are tender at times. I don’t have an endocrinologist at this moment, I am looking for one but I called my family care doctor and he said that this is normal and it will go away but when will it go away?? Why is this happening now?? Can anyone offer me any advice or suggestions? THANK YOU soOoOooO much. I really appreciate it 
lol), I’m not on any new medications but, the water retention issue could very well be it. I tend to puff up like a blow fish if I eat too much salt. I have never had my feet get this way though. Hopefully my blood work will give us an insight on what’s happening with me. I will definitely keep you all posted and again, thank you!!! I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed day