Swelling In Shins

[Darlene]

Does anyone else have sweliing in their legs? I have swelling in my shin area on both legs. If you push on my legs, it leaves an indentation. Its been like this for 6 years. I don't recall ever mentioning this to the Dr. I remember for about a year or two, my shin (left leg) use to hurt to touch it.

[redoctober]

That sounds like pitting edema...I only had that when I was taking too much Florinef. Just curious....have you tried icing the area that is swollen to see if it goes away?

[MomtoGiuliana]

I get this too (but mine is never painful--so far). My drs (POTS specialist and endo) are unconcerned b/c it clears up every day (no swelling after being in bed overnight). It is aggravated greatly by sitting for lengthy periods or hot weather. If I am walking around a lot it is insignificant--sitting a lot it is quite obvious.

This has gotten worse for me over the past two years. One dr said this is just a common effect of aging, but I wonder if it is also POTS related b/c I don't see mosr 42-yr olds w this!?

[Brye]

I have a lot of leg swelling. I figure for me it's a combination of florinef, high salt diet, and some peripheral vascular insufficiency. Mine improves by morning normally!

Brye

[DoozlyGirl]

Just like most of my odd symptoms, I too was wondering if pitting edema was part of dysautonomia or if I have something else going on. My pitting edema comes on in waves, usually preceeding my period and lasts several days. I've had to purchase shoes a full size larger to wear when at it's worst. My PMD had prescribed spiralactone, and older dirutic, but it didn't help, as well as HCTZ, and lasix, which I coudn't tolerate. Several times the swelling was so bad, I could barely bend my knees.

My neurologist recently prescribed Florinef for my OH, but have been advised to wait until my current episode of pitting edema goes down before starting. Meanwhile, while going over old labs, I noticed that I had an elevated aldosterone last year as part of my ACTH challenge, with aldosterone at baseline and 30 minutes post ACTH both hovering at 40 ng. Not sure why my previous endo didn't follow up, but I see a new endo later this week. Hoping to learn more then.

Best wishes in getting to the bottom of your selling issues.

Lyn

[MomtoGiuliana]

It is very normal to experience some swelling as part of "PMS". I think mine can get worse at that time as well.

[DoozlyGirl]

If only this symptom was just some "PMS swelling", Hehehe. Over the past few years, the swelling looks more like my grandmother's CHF type edema, but can come on and release quite rapidly. Recent cardiology work-up ruled this out. I can gain and lose a full shoe size, anywhere from 15-20 pounds overnight. Even though I have been sharing this and other symptoms with every physician for years, it wasn't until reading this forum, that I have been able to sort out which symptoms are due to my various diagnoses, and which ones are yet to be explained.

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories, because it is certainly helping me understand my own story better.

Lyn

[MomtoGiuliana]

I had pretty bad swelling towards the end of my pregnancy in 2002, while everyone has some swelling w pregnancy, I think I was headed towards preeclampsia, personally, although my dr said I had no other signs of it. (My younger sister has now had 2 pregnancies and preeclampsia w both). I could only wear a pair of shoes one size larger and the swelling would not entirely resolve overnight, in my 8th month. Anyway, I also wonder if having experienced that has made me more susceptible to this swelling now, or is somehow related.

[Magnesiumgirl]

I have major edema.

[redoctober]

Promoting blood flow in the shins can be tough...try walking on your heels with your toes raised...taking tiny steps. We used to do this back in the day for shin-splints...it exercises the muscle sheathing that covers the shins...which should promote blood flow.

[Darlene]

Thanks!

[javablues]

I am new here and just wanted to give my input. I have leg swelling that seems to be increased by all the salt I am eating to feel better. I have noticed it is worse if I don't drink enough water for the amount of salt I am eating. If I press on an area it does dent in, but then it disappears. I can gain 4-6 pounds during the day and lose it overnight. If I did not lose the weight overnight I would be worried. My mom died of CHF. My legs do hurt to the touch when they are swollen and bruise very easily. Even running a razor over my legs is uncomfortable. The doctors always want to squeeze my ankles to feel the swelling. Ouch! Makes me flinch, even sometimes just knowing they are going to do it. Why do they have to do that when they can see with their eyes! My shoes seem to keep my feet from swelling. I also have varicose veins up and down the backs of both legs that also make my legs hurt. I wonder if the hole in my heart has any relation to the swelling. Drs never decided if it is PFO or ASD.

[L4UR3N]

It's called edema and it can happen for a variety of reasons. Some people have venous insufficiency (which could be contributing to your POTS), others have fluid overload. If you are not taking any medications to increase your volume, or eating a ton of salt, then I would suspect that you have some venous insufficiency. Unfortunately this can lead to other problems like ulcers (which I have developed). Elevating your legs or wearing compression stockings can help get the fluid out of your legs and back into your circulation where you need it!! ...That being said... it doesn't solve everything