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Issues related to swollen feet and legs

Editor’s Note (August 24, 2021)

I just read a collection of insightful comments to a recent post to the PRP Facebook Support Group. In part the post read:

“My father is suffering … severe lower extremities swelling from feet to upper thigh. He is wondering if anyone had this issue and if anyone would have any suggestions. Water pill not help at all.

Members may CLICK HERE to access the post.

The following is older feedback shared by members of the PRP Facebook Support Group.

Stewart L (Portsmouth, Hampshire, England)

I used tight socks like ones you buy for hiking as they gave me best support and could pack cream under them

Mary H (Novato, California, USA)

Elevate your legs and rest. You have to get off your feet or you will get edema and wind up in hospital. This is a very bad phase, you will get thru it.

Janice F (Plover, WI, USA)

And don’t forget to wrap them when elevated … to force fluid up/keep it up higher.

Bobbi B (Riverside, California, USA)

Our doctor suggested the following:|
(1) compression socks that go to knee. We have lots of pairs.
(2) elevation: feet above your heart
(3) cut out salt
(4) water pill
(5) weigh yourself every morning. If weight goes up use water pill
(6) no Gatorade or Body Armor drinks
(7) eat ice chips rather than drinking lots of water.  |
(8) avoid seafood for now because it’s high in sodium.

We have seen good results with these tips.

Murray R (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada)

The reason for elevating your feet above your heart is that this helps the extra fluid move back towards the heart for circulation to the rest of the body. In addition,  my dermatologist told me to exercise my lower legs by rising up and down on my toes so as to move the pooling fluid.

Bill M (Plano, TX)

It was 10 months into my PRP journey. My legs were swollen, but not to the point where I was concerned. Not until Dr. Dominguez, my dermatologist at UT Southwestern in Dallas, felt my right leg and sent me straightaway to the emergency room where a blood clot was diagnosed. It went from my ankle to behind my knee. I was transported back to Plano admitted to the hospital where I stayed for nearly a week. To this day I still take Xarelto daily.  PRP won’t kill you, but stuff like Deep Vein Thrombosis can.

MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (second opinion)

Home CarSome tips that may help reduce swelling:

✽  Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
✽  Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
✽  Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
✽  Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
✽  When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
✽  Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
✽  Lose weight if you need to.

Mayo Clinic: Edema

Symptoms & Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment”