Gransnet forums

Health

Swollen ankles, what can I do?

(22 Posts)
bytheway Mon 13-Feb-23 14:01:36

I’ve always prided myself on my good health, albeit more than a little overweight, so imagine my surprise on getting out the bath last night, going to put body lotion on my legs and noticing that the area around both ankles has swollen up, more so on my right leg than my left.

I’m perplexed as to what has caused this? There’s no pain at all. I’ve prodded and poked the area and not sore or anything.
Walking on it is fine (I did an hours walk with dog this morning)

Thought I’d leave it and have another look today so just checked again and exactly the same.

Anyone any idea of why this could have happened, more importantly, what can I do about it?

Cabbie21 Mon 13-Feb-23 14:04:27

I don't want to worry you unduly, but it can be a sign of heart problems. Worth mentioning it to your GP next time you can get to see them.

growstuff Mon 13-Feb-23 14:05:24

Get a GP appointment as soon as possible.

tanith Mon 13-Feb-23 14:16:17

Are on BP meds? As I had to change meds for the same problem. Otherwise as has been said see your GP.

bytheway Mon 13-Feb-23 14:33:50

No, I generally have low BP and have had a couple of dizzy spells recently so did take my BP at home and it was unusually low but as this is fairly common for me I wasn’t worried about it. Think maybe it’s time to see GP.

Redhead56 Mon 13-Feb-23 15:02:24

Sounds like water retention make an appointment to see doctor or practice nurse. In the mean time you need to raise your legs to relieve the pressure on your ankles and feet.

Pittcity Mon 13-Feb-23 15:22:53

I get swollen ankles as I have underperforming kidneys. Please see a GP.

HowVeryDareYou2 Mon 13-Feb-23 17:00:59

My ankles swell up (right up to my calves by the end of most days). I didn't ever have this problem until I was put on BP tablets 18 months ago. I try to sit with my feet up and also move about every hour or 2 throughout the day

Nanagem Mon 13-Feb-23 22:57:22

It’s as well to get it checked, doesn’t hurt to be careful

Hellogirl1 Mon 13-Feb-23 23:05:47

I had a bad fall nearly 3 years ago, fractured 3 vertebrae. My legs and ankles swelled up terribly, the left one has gone down some way, but not altogether, but the right one is still badly swollen, to the extent that I have difficulty putting shoes on that foot. I was prescribed water tablets, but they didn`t do any good, and I`ve stopped taking them now because they were making me incontinent. I take medication for Atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, high BP, amongst other ailments.

crazyH Mon 13-Feb-23 23:08:14

I’ve had that for years, especially if I’ve been on my feet a lot, or sitting a lot - I am on BP medication. I check my BP at home and it’s shows normal or slightly above. But, as others say, see your GP and in the meanwhile, put your feet up.

Chestnut Tue 14-Feb-23 00:19:11

Mine started swelling up about a year ago. No answers from the doctor although they did check me for peripheral vascular disease which I didn't have.

There's dependant oedema (where the swelling goes down in the night) and non-dependant where your feet or legs are still swollen in the morning.

Hetty58 Tue 14-Feb-23 03:07:44

If I ever had swollen ankles, I'd be going straight to the GP, (pdq) to find out why! If it were caused by BP meds, I'd insist on another type. Of course, if you don't complain, they'll just keep you on the cheap ones.

Wyllow3 Tue 14-Feb-23 03:55:37

As well as the GP, (definitely) temporary relief, if you can manage, is to lie down next to a wall and put your legs up on the wall - a stage further than legs up on leg rest.

bytheway Tue 14-Feb-23 18:28:06

The thing is I always have low blood pressure (101/65 checked today) and not on any BP tablets. Anyway, legs still the same, no pain just swollen. Tried the legs up against the wall for 20 minutes, no change buy maybe it takes time so will persue this.

Booked appointment with GP, would you believe the earliest appointment I could get is 4th April, 6 weeks away.

Pittcity Tue 14-Feb-23 18:52:59

6 weeks! That's outrageous.

Patsy70 Tue 14-Feb-23 19:02:21

bytheway. That is too long to wait for an appointment. You may be able to get one at short notice if someone cancels. Insist, if they are difficult.

Pittcity Tue 14-Feb-23 19:04:35

Could you try 111 online bytheway?

bytheway Fri 17-Feb-23 14:14:48

An update: after a restless night I called 111 this morning and explained situation (which is still the same) after answering lots of questions they said a clinician would call me back, which they did almost immediately. After answering the same questions they advised me to either go to A&E, which I just wouldn’t do as not in any pain at all, or walk in centre.

So went to walk in centre for first time and pretty amazed by their efficiency, was seen in about 20 mins.

Told my ankles weren’t very swollen, though clearly oedema, possibly caused by a new dance class I started a couple of weeks ago ( I do a lot of exercise but mainly strength training and low intensity cardio) so the dance class was fast and rather high intensity ( which I hadn’t really thought about) advised to rest/ elevate legs as much as poss and stick to gentle exercise for now, hopefully it will reduce the swelling, and to keep GP appointment incase it doesn’t.

watermeadow Wed 22-Feb-23 20:36:11

My ankles are always swollen in warm weather. Went to the Dr years ago when they were very bad and he didn’t so much as glance at them. He said, ‘It’s gravity’. End of consultation.

Oreo Wed 22-Feb-23 20:42:29

crazyH

I’ve had that for years, especially if I’ve been on my feet a lot, or sitting a lot - I am on BP medication. I check my BP at home and it’s shows normal or slightly above. But, as others say, see your GP and in the meanwhile, put your feet up.

Same here, sitting on sofa with feet up seems to have helped a lot.

Sara1954 Thu 23-Feb-23 06:13:40

I go through the winter with my neat little ankles all wrapped up, come summer, they start to swell, one more than the other, and look horrible