karmaschild: (Default)
Mal ([personal profile] karmaschild) wrote2012-05-20 12:22 am

In which I whine.

I'm actually a little scared. What I initially thought was a twisted, swollen ankle from yesterday has become two very swollen feet and lower legs. They hurt a little, they're so swollen and if I bend my toes, the skin pulls scarily tight.

I don't know what to do about it. I don't have a job, money, health insurance. I did a lot of physical stuff today, so maybe it's nothing...

Kind of sitting on the edge of a panic attack.

[identity profile] forevervolatile.livejournal.com 2012-05-20 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
Just trying to help a little with my healthcare background... And I have to preface it by saying THIS IS NOT BINDING ADVICE, ETC ETC LEGAL JARGON.

You don't have to answer these problems if you don't feel comfortable... just trying to get info and hopefully alleviate the panic! You can reply here or just send me a private message if that works better for you!

1) How exactly did you hurt your ankle?
2) BOTH feet and lower legs swollen? :(
3) How has your water/fluid intake been? Salt? (no, no, not rocksalt)
4) Do you find yourself getting swollen lower extremities (even if just slightly) when you do heavy activity, are on your feet a lot, etc?
5) If you press a finger into the swollen areas, does the imprint stay for a bit, does it bounce back immediately?
6) Is the area cooler, warmer, same as the rest of your body?
7) Any discoloration of the swollen areas? If so, what color?
8) Do you have any heart problems? (blood pressure, issues with your heart rate, etc)
9) Medications?

Hope you're able to see my message at a reasonable time. Try laying down with your lower legs/feet elevated (like on a pillow or 3.. or 4) for a bit as well, should help some at least!

[identity profile] forevervolatile.livejournal.com 2012-05-20 06:42 am (UTC)(link)
[insert health disclaimers here etc etc] So hard when all I have are interwebz and not an actual person/problem to look at! LOL.

I wouldn't worry about the gatorade. If you were doing physical activity you're losing sodium and water through sweat anyway. Your lower extremities being about the same / cooler, and also just a little redness at the ankles is not worrisome. (warm + a lot of red is.)

More Q's: Is it around the time of your monthly visitor? Estrogen/testosterone can cause fluid changes in your body. With BMI above 25 it is also common to see swelling in lower extremities. Are you peeing normally, like as much as usual? (sorry lol, asking someone about pee is like asking someone how their weekend was for me). Also, was the transition from "oh hey my ankle is swollen and hurts" to "oh shiiiiiiiiiii---both my legs are 10 kinds of f*cked now!!!" fast or has it been gradual throughout the day? lol

I'm sorry you don't have $$/job/insurance etc eughhhh that sucks. When the time comes that you do, talk to your physician, especially since it seems there's a strong positive family history of heart problems.

Keep the legs elevated. Like they are flying away from HELLATUS or something.