Question: Hi, i am a female, 45yrs. old, overweight and been treated for chronic back pain since 2004. Before Dec. 2011, i weighed around 180, height 5'4". Since Dec. I have gained an enormous amount of weight, but i think it is mostly water retention. I have used over the counter diuretics in the past at random times with help. They don't work anymore. I thought it may be the fact that i'm sleeping in a chair trying to put my feet on a stool, but usually wake up with them off. (staying with mother temp) also i do not drink alot of water. I've tried to change those 2 things with no difference. This swelling seems severe in my feet, ankles, legs, bottom & stomach area. I am truly miserable. within the last week i got a rashy, dry area on the front iof my left leg, down around ankle area. i don't know if that is related. i have put hydrocortisone on it for itching. For my chronic pain i take Methadone, tramadol and clonopin. Ive been on methadone since 2004 no problems like this, the tramadol and clonopin i only take as needed, no problems in past. On my left leg under my knee, 1/2 way down to my ankle I have a indentation that looks like i wore a tight sock that left an indentation. only i haven't but the indentation is always there, it makes my leg alot bigger above that area. (only on left leg). It seems like this just happened so sudden, i just know that in Dec 2011 i was wearing a size 14-16 in jeans, cant even begin to get those on now, to be comfortable my pants are a size 20, maybe alittle bigger depending on the brand. i cant wear shorts because of the gross nature of my legs and i am hot all the time. this could be a seperate issue since my periods are random lately, my last one was april - may 5th which is very long for me. before that i don't think i had one for 2 months. I researched the internet trying to diagnose myself and found out about Edema and Lymphedemam, which both sound very close.Online there is alot of talk about a product called "CAPISETTE". Capisette by Progressive Health alleviates edema by providing all natural, fluid retention relief. It contains, potasium, horse chestnut and ginko biloba among other natural ingredients. I do have some big vericose veins in the backs of both my legs which are painful from time to time. If you could help me #1-determine what this is, #2 if i need to be seen by a physician and #3 if it is edema, can i take an overthecounter product called "capisette" with the medications i already take.

i did not know that methadone & clonopin were diuretics. I thought with the swelling so bad maybe i should try something before going to the doctor. i am not working, very short on money. do not have insurance, and not sure what dr. to see. Right now i only see a pain management dr. and that fee just about drains me. thank goodness i see him every other month. So, until i can get to the dr. i should just elevate my legs and wrap my legs? should i keep them wrapped all day or only when elevated? and just get a few wraps like you use for a sprained ankle? But otherwise there is nothing safe to use over the counter? Also, do you think i would be okay seeing a general doctor at the health department and taking a copy of your advise to lead them in the right direction? I don't know much about the health dept. except it is cheap. cheap kinda scares me. would you feel comfortable there for this type of problem or should i see a specialist for this next move. Oh, should i drink alot of water or will that make it worse?If you could tell me these few things, that would be great and i will be on my way to finding someone to see. I thank you for the work you have done and any further advice you can give me. This is a great service for people like me who don't know what we are doing. It could keep alot of people from self-diagnosing ourselves from the internet and making serious mistakes. great service.