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Suffer Severe Swelling Of Feet And Lower Legs. Take Tenoretic And Prozac. Taking Mobic For Knee Arthritis. Help?

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Posted on Sun, 18 Aug 2013
Question: I think I may have a condition called lipoedema affecting my legs. I have unremitting severe swelling of my feet and lower legs without pitting edema. This does increase with dependent activities; however, never completely resolves. Even at the most reduced amount of swelling I cannot wear shoes I wore just 4 months ago, and I'm talking clogs. I am 61 years old, weighed 328 lb at my last office visit 3 months ago, and take Tenoretic 50 for mild hypertension, Prozac for anxiety/panic disorder, Mobic for severe knee arthritis and Zyrtec for allergies. I do have an appointment with my M.D. at the end of August (first available), but I want to know if there is anything else I can do (or not do) to help with this in the meantime. Thank you for your help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (2 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

To start with you will need to know that lipoedema is a chronic disorder of the adipose tissue generally affecting the legs, which causes the legs, and sometimes the arms, but not the feet, to accumulate fatty tissue. It is different from pitting edema due to heart failure or kidney failure or other leg swellings. If you confirm that you are actually having lipoedema, then there might be a variety of home-care you can attempt to remedy before you see your MD.
You may try wearing a custom-fitted compression garments usually stockings and sometimes biker shorts (this is more effective after going through manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging by a lymphedema therapist). There is currently no known uniform procedure to cure lipedema. It is, however, successfully managed through a variety of consistently applied techniques to improve the health of the legs and prevent the condition from returning in more difficult to manage levels. You will need to reduce dietary sodium intake, do frequent, gentle exercise to promote circulation in the legs, such as rebound exercise, and then you may see your doctor on appointment date.

Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Please feel free to ask any more questions.
Dr. Nsah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (52 minutes later)
Thank you for your quick response, Dr. Nsah.

What are rebound exercises? Also how long should manual lymphatic drainage massage be performed to be effective but not overdoing it?
XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (20 hours later)
Hello XXXXXXX

You are welcome,

Rebounding strengthens your entire body and promotes lymphatic circulation and detoxification. You will need to get an exercise tutor or see a physical therapist to help you with adapting to an appropriate rebound exercise.
Well lymphatic drainage should absolutely be done by an expert/therapist. There is no fix amount of time needed for the drainage to be effective as it depends on effectiveness of treatment. You will need to exercise a little patience for the drainage to work.
In the mean time, you will need to see a doctor who can take a closer look at your situation.
Hope this helps further.
Dr. Nsah
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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Suffer Severe Swelling Of Feet And Lower Legs. Take Tenoretic And Prozac. Taking Mobic For Knee Arthritis. Help?

Hello,

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

To start with you will need to know that lipoedema is a chronic disorder of the adipose tissue generally affecting the legs, which causes the legs, and sometimes the arms, but not the feet, to accumulate fatty tissue. It is different from pitting edema due to heart failure or kidney failure or other leg swellings. If you confirm that you are actually having lipoedema, then there might be a variety of home-care you can attempt to remedy before you see your MD.
You may try wearing a custom-fitted compression garments usually stockings and sometimes biker shorts (this is more effective after going through manual lymphatic drainage and bandaging by a lymphedema therapist). There is currently no known uniform procedure to cure lipedema. It is, however, successfully managed through a variety of consistently applied techniques to improve the health of the legs and prevent the condition from returning in more difficult to manage levels. You will need to reduce dietary sodium intake, do frequent, gentle exercise to promote circulation in the legs, such as rebound exercise, and then you may see your doctor on appointment date.

Hope this helps and wish you the best.
Please feel free to ask any more questions.
Dr. Nsah