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Do you manage uncomfortable swelling and bloating?
I know that it is common for most people to experience some type of swelling during the day, especially when the weather is warmer. But, lately this swelling and bloating has been more than uncomfortable and I have had to get on a higher dose of lasix which helps to get rid of some of the fluid retention.
Mostly I notice the swelling on my forearms and hands, I feel very full easily and get bloated on my stomach and midsection, and the veins swell in my hands and feet and cause a throbbing pain. Not only does it bother me because of how it physically looks, but it is uncomfortable to have swollen hands and stomach especially. There are some days where the bloating prevents me from eating as much as I should.
Swelling is hard because there are many factors that play into it. I try to always consult a doctor when I notice unusual swelling like in the legs and feet as this is a warning sign for congestion on the heart.
Do you experience swelling? What parts of your body get swollen or bloated? Have you noticed what may trigger this and do you monitor this symptom?
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7 Replies
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I have swelling, bloating and distension every day. This causes at least discomfort and often pain. I do not have fluid retention in my abdominal region. Since I am “blessed” with multiple co-morbidities, including Parkinson’s Disease, my problem is exacerbated by symptoms, side effects from various ailments as well as side effects from 11 medications. Managing bloating and distension is therefore quite difficult. Smaller meals each day, Restoralax frequently, probiotic every day are a few of the things I do to decrease but not eliminate the problem. I don’t know how much P.H. due to right heart abnormalities adds to my symptoms. I am just starting on this site and am beginning to read your contributions. Thanks for sharing and letting me know that I am not alone.
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Thank you so much for the response Brian. I am so sorry that you are dealing with other conditions as well. I can understand what it is like trying to manage other co-morbidities (as if a heart and lung condition wasn’t enough right!?) It is so hard to manage this symptom but it seems like you are doing all you can including eating smaller meals throughout the day and taking a probiotic. I too find it helpful to eat smaller meals and when I try to eat a large meal it causes me so much discomfort. I may look like a picky eater to others, but it is the only way I can remain comfortable and enjoy eating still as much as possible. It can get especially difficult when at restaurants (especially when the waiter thinks I don’t like my food because I have only eaten a small amount !)
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I get bloating all the time and swelling ankles. I take Lasix and another pill to stop the belly bloating. What works is to push through it. keep moving around the house and block it out. When I do that the water gets loos and I urinate much more and soon my ankles are small again. When I was younger I always worried about dying. Now, I do not give a damn, I run my life like nothings wrong. It makes it so easy to plow through the discomfort. I thank my lucky stars I was a Combat Marine, you just do it, no holding back, a brick wall is meant to be demolished. never give into your weaknesses, they will come and go. Just keep going no matter what. Look at pain like a challenge, offer pain up, give it away and thanks we are not sitting in some Lab taking chemo and all the beautiful ladies are bald.
Never ever give in, that is different than giving up. Giving up is just laying down and fluttering in the wind. Given is a temporary obstacle that we walk through, every time we walk through it becomes recognizable for the next time.
It is not easy, but life was never meant to be easy. Look at all these big shot superstars Hollywood jerks who have a little ” relationship” problem and hang themselves. Useless Human beings. We are chosen by God because we can take the heartbreak, it will assure us entrance into Heaven, where all this crap goes away.-
Ronald,
it’s so important to not give up on yourself even though I know that with this illness sometimes those thoughts could run through people’s minds especially if it seems like there isn’t much hope. Depression is something that is very common with all types of chronic illness especially those that are progressive and life limiting. I try not to think of this and think about what my future will look like. None of us knows anything about what our future holds. All we have is today and that is a fact I try to live my life around. Enjoying the moments and being present in the day is a big part of why I stay as positive as I try to be while managing this.
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Totally agree with your thoughts on eating, Brittany. I have to eat early enough that my food can digest before I go to bed otherwise I am just miserable. And some days it is hard to eat just a little because I may sleep in, get all off track on eating and eat a fairly big meal and then I am miserable. To the point where breathing is difficult. And trust me, I like to eat!!! So, I just eat early and not that much and then try to not sit around a lot after I eat. I am telling you… people who don’t have this illness do not understand all that you go through with it. Take care and keep fighting!!!
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Margie,
so true ! It is so hard for others to “get” what we go through in a day. That’s why I love talking with you all in the forums and on my columns. It is comforting to know that we are not alone in how we feel. Thank you for the tips about eating earlier in the day. That definitely could help especially at night ! Sometimes I experience a lot of heartburn and GERD at night when I eat later. Do you ever feel this symptom ?
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This is an older topic but so important, and I know many of you can relate. This week I am up 6-7 pounds. I had to cut my toe ring off, can’t wear my wedding band, and eat small meals throughout the day, which is not unusual for me. But this week, it’s more like a snack throughout the day.
My labs are still somewhat off, but my nephrologist called me after labs yesterday. I told her how I felt and about the increased swelling and weight. We agreed to try adding my Aldactone back at half the dose. Trying to stop it totally to protect my kidney function isn’t worth it. It didn’t help much.
Repeat labs…next Thursday and go to the ER over the weekend for an extra metolazone. Adding Aldactone doesn’t start relieving the swelling and bloat. Manny is out of town until tomorrow night, so I hope this will work. If I can see some improvement, I will be good.
I am truly grateful for the exceptional responsiveness of the team and the communication between my kidney and the PH doctor. I am excited to share more about this experience in my column this week.
Yesterday evening, I expressed to her my motivation to write a column detailing this journey and the invaluable support of such an incredibly efficient team standing by my side.
A reliable healthcare team helps me manage my PH and CKD
Take a peek and share your thoughts on handling those pesky episodes of swelling and belly bloat. I’d love to hear your strategies!
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