"Cankles" anyone?

jenbal

I'm about 2-1/2 weeks PFC (TCH x6) and toward the end of last week, my ankles vanished. I've developed horrible edema in my legs and feet and feel like I'm walking around on elephant stumps. Doc put me on 10mg of Lasix, but it doesn't seem to be having any effect. If anything, I'm peeing less! Oh yeah, and I gained 6 pounds over the weekend -- after I started the Lasix. Anyone else had this SE? Feels like a mean parting shot from the chemo. This, I could really do without.

JGrim

Erm, I may be wrong, but isn't water retention specifically in the feet and legs and sudden weight gain a possible indicator for heart problems?  I know the whole time I've been on chemo and herceptin they said to watch for both of those (foot swelling, gaining more than five pounds in one or two days) and hit the emergency room for a heart workup if those things happened.  I don't want to panic you in case I'm wrong, but I'd get that checked out if I were you.

helena67

Hi,

I think it is most likely a side effect from the paclitaxel..What does your Dr say?

-Helena

jenbal

I'd be worried about my heart function too if I hadn't just had a MUGA scan that showed -- actually -- better heart function than before I started chemo! (go figure). My worry is about kidney function -- sure as heck don't need kidney failure on top of everything else. Doc doesn't seem too worried about it -- says it's in the list of side effects of Taxotere. Said I should drink more water, walk at least 30 minutes a day, watch my salt intake, etc. I'm working on that, but it ain't easy -- my feet hurt from the extra weight. After I called and whined some more, he doubled the Lasix dose and I have an appt to go in on Wednesday. The doubled dose does seem to be having more of an effect, but I still feel squishy.

JGrim

Well, if it is just "normal" water retention, you can at least try to control where it rests.  In the past when I've retained vast quantities of water weight because of kidney problems I would wake up unable to see because while I slept the water retention all moved to my face.  So maybe in the meantime try propping your legs and feet up as often as possible to move some of that around a bit?  My feet have been hurting from the extra steroid weight lately, too... I've been considering some kind of shoe insert.

septembersong

I experienced swelling of the feet and ankles during treatment (Taxol and Hercpetin--weekly for 12 weeks--then Herceptin every three weeks), but this disappeared gradually once I finished with these drugs. Exercise (walking on a treadmill and riding a stationary bike) made a big difference once I was done with active treatment and able to get to the gym regularly. 

pdlc436

Hi Jen,

I AM SO GLAD you posted this!!  I am almost done with Herceptin and since the first dose my knees and legs swelled up and pretty much stayed that way.  It does diminish towards the second week after treatment but never completely.  I have had an echo every three months and my heart is fine.  I also have a light nose bleed and a constant runny nose...so lots of kleenex for me!

P.