LE in my leg...is it possible?

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juneping
juneping Member Posts: 1,594
edited April 2015 in Lymphedema

Hi ladies,

Just want to ask your opinions before i make an appt with my doc.

It happened on last Thursday, i wore flat boots to work but changed to heels (3+ inches) when i got to the office. i've been doing this for a few months and i just noticed that day when I was looking into the mirror in the bathroom that my ankles swelled up badly. i changed back to boots and the swells died down a little. and the weekend with even better improvement. but my ankle swelled up even when i wore socks.....and today i wore a pair of ankle boots with 2.5 inches chunky heels. and the right ankle swelled up again. it got better after i got home when i put my feet up on the coffee table.

i had 35 nodes removed on my right and the right ankle is the swelled up one.

and do they have compression leggings?? what's going to happen if i fly??

any thoughts?? pls shed some light.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited March 2015

    LE is possible in any part of the body. There can be a lot of reasons for swelling that comes and goes. With a lower leg issue, Inwoukd be checking with my Dr to rule out any potential kidney/heart/etc problem.

    There are compression garments for all parts of the body as LE is not limited to only arm/chest area after BC.


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  • Nordy
    Nordy Member Posts: 2,106
    edited March 2015

    My thought is that your system is just having a hard time keeping up with drainage. 35 nodes is a lot to remove and chances are your body may be trying to make new pathways for the lymph system. One of those pathways happens to be draining in the groin area on the same side of the body that your surgery was on. I would consider an eval with a good lymphedema therapist to get fluid moving. Another thought is some vascular insufficiency, but given the circumstances I still think system overload. Check in with your doc and ask for that eval.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    i would definitely see your doctor and get it checked out.  Swelling that comes and goes when you put your feet up sounds more like fluid overload to me,,, doesn't mean it is not LE, but I would get it checked.  

    And yes,, there are compression stockings and knee high socks.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2015

    thanks ladies....i'll call my primary doctor tomorrow. i have two primary doc and one didn't have availability until friday and i think i'll call the other one.

    i googled a lot...both my ankles and lower legs are swollen just the right side is worse. so it looks like its edema....this is so annoying.

    this morning when i woke up...they're fine until afternoon....

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  • cider8
    cider8 Member Posts: 832
    edited March 2015

    this has just happened to me, too! I was on my feet a lot (way way more than I am used to) during a 4 day retreat this past weekend. My feet, ankles and calves swelled when I switched from athletic shoes to a low heel slip on. I also had 10 meals in a row prepared for me, so I'm thinking high sodium as well. My LE therapist recommended wearing compression socks (closed toe knee high) when I'm on my feet more than usual. I also have to rethink some of my footwear. What a PITA! I know I have to let my MO know of this new development.

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  • jarris77
    jarris77 Member Posts: 100
    edited March 2015

    I have swelling in my legs and feet. I checked with my oncologist and was told that it is probably venus insufficiency. It's nothing new for me but it has gotten worse as I get older. He said to get support socks or stockings to see if that helps. He said you really wouldn't want to have to use the compression ones unless you have to. Said they're not very comfortable.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2015

    i suspect it's tamoxifen...i've been on it for almost 15 months....

    http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/tamoxifen+citrate/peri...


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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    it could definitely be the tamoxifen.  edema is one of the listed SE's.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2015

    called my MO today and the nurse called me back and told me its highly possible the swelling was because of tamoxifen. She told me to stop the med for two weeks.

    But I am going to my primary doc tomorrow anyway just to make sure nothing wrong with my heart liver kidney.....

    Will report back.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited March 2015


    Great.  Let us know!!!

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited March 2015

    Hi,

    Went to see my primary doc who checked me thoroughly...and the blood work came back, everything was normal except my thyroid was too active. which explains why i have been fatigue and nausea in the morning.....

    I faxed the blood work to my MO....and i was ordered to have a US for my thyroid...

    thanks for your kindness and stopping by.

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  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 1,594
    edited April 2015

    turned out i have hyperthyroidism...and got the US done yesterday. the result came back...nodules and cyst. and they will keep watching my condition and decide what to do next. my MO put me under her hospital for care..MSK.

    my swelling is a lot better after stopping tamoxifen but if i wear socks or those pants with elastic bottom (tight at my lower legs) then i could see my legs would swollen a little but nothing as bad as before.

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  • glennie19
    glennie19 Member Posts: 6,398
    edited April 2015


    well, it does suck having another medical condition to deal with,, but I'm glad you do not have lymphedema.  It does sound like tamoxifen is the problem.

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