swelling after chemo

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pattibear
pattibear Member Posts: 21
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

hi everyone, i have noticed that my feet and ankles are swelling up anytime i walk or stand.im assuming its because i have had great leg muscle pain after the last round of chemo,but reading everybodies different symptoms about swelling im kinda getting freaked out. does anyone have the muscle leg pain and the swelling,if so are there remedies to help it.....thanks

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited April 2011

    Hi pattybear- You may have edema which is a fluid buildup from the chemo and or steroids, I also had leg cramps and swelling,my dr told me to put my feet up, try not to stand for long peroids of time, reduce your salt intake, dont cross your legs.I would however call your dr. office tomorrow and let them know what is going on, or if the swelling gets worse tonight or your tongue swells or itcyness occurs i would go to the er, (just something to watch for) Im sure you will be ok, but the dr might give you a duiretic to take the swelling down. Hope this helps!  ((((((((hugs))))))))))

    Debbie
     

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  • KS1
    KS1 Member Posts: 632
    edited April 2011

    A lot of drugs have peripheral edema (not the same as LE) as a side effect.  It tends to collect in legs due to the effect of gravity, so like Debbie says, if you can put your legs up periodically, the swelling shouldn't be so bad..  Even if it is just drug related, you might consider wearing compression stockings.  I wear class 1 Juzo soft compression knee highs most days.  I don't like wearing my class 1 Juzo sleeve, but I love wearing the way the knee highs make my legs feel.  Lots of people who stand on their feet all day (nurses, store clerks) who don't have any medical issues wear compression stockings.  Compression stockings  comeas knee highs, thigh highs or panty hose.  I get mine at brightlifedirect.com.  With a silicon band on the top, the juzo soft 2001 knee highs cost $67.  Pricey, but they last so long that, per wear, they end up being cheaper than regular knee highs.   KS1

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  • pattibear
    pattibear Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2011

    thanks so much for your advice,i willgive it a try

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  • crabbiepattie
    crabbiepattie Member Posts: 108
    edited May 2011

    Hi pattibear,

    I had some minor ankle swelling during/after chemo but it went away a few weeks after the end of chemo. Had it been worse or lasted longer I would have gotten some compression stockings.

    The leg muscle pain was awful and it took longer to go away; maybe a couple of months after the end of chemo for me. I went out with friends and couldn't even walk a block to the restaurant without stopping to let the pain die down. The pain was not like normal muscle pain from exercise or weight training.  I wish I knew something you could do to get rid of it, but at least you've finished chemo and will feel much better in time.

    Crabbie Pat

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  • grneyd5600
    grneyd5600 Member Posts: 420
    edited May 2011

    Pattibear - I have had trouble with swelling, joint pain in my feet and hands since I finished up the Taxol.  I did start of Armidex which is responsible for some of it.  One thing that has helped is the compression stockings.  I do try to do 30 minutes of excercise a day which is helping - I either walk outside if the weather is ok, treadmill or elliptical.  Onc said it would help and I thought he was nuts because of the swelling but it does help.  I do sit with my legs up when I can.  As weird as it sounds I drink as much water as I can - again I thought that was contrary to what I thought but onc said it would help. 

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