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Swollen feet in hot weather

(13 Posts)
Esmay Sat 18-Jun-22 16:14:41

Hi Mine ,

I just saw one of my friends ,who is a highly qualified chemist from Germany .

Okay so she's not a GP .

I asked her opinion on this subject :

She was incensed and actually incredulous that people ate being told by their GPS thst it's all part of being old .
All cases of swelling in the feet and ankles need to be investigated with a simple blood test called a Glomerular Filtration Rate .
This will detect serious problems .

I asked her about potassium and magnesium supplements as the kidneys can be compromised by taking diuretics .
These are not paid for by the NHS.
I asked her if she'd take one if on Frusemide and she said yes if she felt that her diet was insufficient as well it might be if older and unwell .

She didn't endorse a particular product ,but there are many :

Holland Barrett is a good source.

Another friend is taking Nutravita Electolyte Complex ,which is available on line .

I hope that this helps .

MawtheMerrier Sat 18-Jun-22 13:52:07

Coincidentally I too have just had what sounds like the same blood test.
It has taken since January ( when I first reported breathlessness, tiredness, and swollen ankles ) to get this far -2 months before the 1st blood test and another 2 weeks to the latest.
I was told I can access the results via Klinik but also that the Dr will contact me if there is a problem
We shall see hmmLet's see who gets there first - if at all!

silverlining48 Sat 18-Jun-22 13:41:15

My feet/ankles are also swollen. I had a blood test last month to check heart function but no test result returned and no follow up re ankles which have deep creases now, despite my drinking more water and always putting them up when i sit.

I am having trouble getting in touch with surgery.
Econsult always closed, the phone isn't answered there is no email and when i have resorted to writing get 'told off' by surgery staff.
I was given a diuretic after my hip operation but it didnt make any difference so was told to stop but ankles are getting worse.
Not sure what to do next, really dont want this to get worse.

Jaffacake2 Sat 18-Jun-22 13:30:12

Thank you for your suggestions ladies. I have been on a gluten free diet for last 10 years since becoming allergic to wheat protein. Today fluid has gone down as not quite so hot so more bearable.

MawtheMerrier Sat 18-Jun-22 13:23:43

Going on a gluten free diet may be no help at all but it might be worth a try. I also had more energy and found it easier to lose nearly three stone in weight which has stayed off.

Wow! ??? Merlot !

Mine Sat 18-Jun-22 13:22:24

I see you mentioned magnesium tablets ESMAY....What type of magnesium is recommended for swollen feet and cramps in legs.Would anyone happen to know?

merlotgran Sat 18-Jun-22 11:11:24

I think I’ve mentioned this on earlier threads but eight years ago I had to go on a gluten free diet. At the same time and completely unrelated to my symptoms, my ankles had been swelling, especially in hot weather.

As soon as gluten was removed from my diet I noticed my ankles had returned to normal. I haven’t had a day of puffiness since then.

I now have to keep a close eye on them since I was diagnosed with heart problems a year ago. I’ve been prescribed diuretics as a ‘just in case’ measure but I’ve never had to take them.

Going on a gluten free diet may be no help at all but it might be worth a try. I also had more energy and found it easier to lose nearly three stone in weight which has stayed off.

Esmay Sat 18-Jun-22 10:42:55

And not remedied by taking potassium and magnesium supplements ?

Jaxjacky Sat 18-Jun-22 10:02:11

Diuretics make you urinate more, depleting essential potassium, sodium etc from the body, hence potential kidney problems.

MawtheMerrier Sat 18-Jun-22 09:18:48

I was told they adversely affect kidney function when the Dr grudgingly allowed me a week’s supply two years ago!
I thought it was kidney function that was causing the problem - but there you go!

Esmay Sat 18-Jun-22 09:10:00

Sorry , but -why aren't diuretics good for older people if you need them ?

I have swollen ankles, which increasingly concern me .
They look ugly and they are indicating that something is wrong .
I need to lose weight and exercise .
I also take low sodium salt .
Parsley juice is a natural diuretic .
There are other herbal remedies too.
A herbalist could advise .
I'd consider a Hawthorn supplement .
I haven't tried them but nigella ,caraway seeds and dandelion leaves help .
Caffeine rich drinks such as tea and coffee are beneficial .
Plus lots of water .

I elevate my legs whenever I sit and then watch those ankles swell when I walk around !

MawtheMerrier Sat 18-Jun-22 08:54:04

I do and I don’t if you see what I mean!
Suffer, yes. Remedies, alas no
Moving around and walking more (so travelling especially plane or coach is a disaster)
Compression socks as soon as possible after you get up and comfy (size bigger and wider ) shoes, as on my Skechers thread. The joy yesterday of comfortable feet cannot be exaggerated!
So all of that plus hide them under trousers.
Commiserations.

Jaffacake2 Sat 18-Jun-22 08:47:28

Loving the hot weather but sadly my feet look like helium balloons ,all blown up with fluid retention. Years ago the doctor would prescribe diuretics in the summer but have now said it's not good for old people.
Trying to keep cool ,drink lots of water and elevate feet in the evening.
Does anyone else suffer and have any other remedies ?