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Water retention of swelling in lower legs

kathyo

kathyo

Member
Messages
10
Location
Melbourne
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
endocrinologists
Hi,
I'm new to this forum, or any forum actually, so forgive me if I don't know etiquette yet.
I get really swollen calves which I have been told is water retention. Not sure how that could be right as I am in the bathroom all day.
Has anyone got any ideas why this would happen? It only started happening when I started back on insulin. I have tried all different types of insulin but it still happens. It's only when I have been sitting or standing for a couple of hours. I get home after work and they feel like they will split. I have tried the water retention drugs but they don't make a difference. My feet also get swollen but my calves are the sorest. After sitting on the couch for a couple of hours they get back to normal.
I'm getting so sick and tired of all this stuff happening. I also have been really tired lately. To the point where I fall asleep at my desk.
I'm sure this stuff is normal for someone with pretty hi sugar levels but I'm so over it right now.
Any recommendations for fighting these symptoms?

Kathy
 
Hi,

I have lower leg swelling, mainly in the hot weather.
This is how it works for me.

I am overweight, but my ankles and lower calves swell up in the heat, if I sit too much.

I was prescribed Spironolactone for something else (PCOS), and it had an almost magical effect on my ankles - they hadn't been that slim in years! They looked 18 again! Showing that as well as the hot weather swelling, they are also permanently a bit swollen. Spironolactone is a diuretic that 'makes the kidneys work a little harder' according to my consultant. So presumably not ideal for someone with kidney problems.

Don't take the spiro any more now because it failed to tackle the PCOS symptom, and I don't like taking any drug for too long - especially since the swelling has improved a lot.

The swelling has hardly troubled me at all this last year - ever since I clamped down and went very low carb (less than 50g carbs a day). It really has made a brilliant difference. I've lost a bit of weight, but not enough to account for the improvement. I'm guessing it was cutting out the wheat and other grains, but I can't be sure.

Other things that helped:
Not sitting down for too long. Even just getting up and walking to the office loo and back, or to the printer, every hour or so makes a big difference.
Drinking more water.
Avoiding monosodium glutamate in food.
Avoiding artificial sweeteners and fizzy pop
Sitting with ankles raised in the evening
Wearing lace up boots around the ankle prevented/massaged the ankles while walking
Walking to and from work

Hope that helps!
 
Hi. Are you overweight? If so, this is always one source of potential water retention. I've never heard of any water problems with insulin or most diabetes drugs except the Glitazones which are known to cause water retention. Whilst there are always exceptions, I suspect the water problem is tied-in with your other conditions; but just guessing. You say your BS control is poor? What insulins are you on and what are the control problems? Ref T1.5, probably most diabetics who are overweight are T2 due to insulin resistance, those who are perhaps younger with a normal BMI are more likely to be Late onset T1 (LADA). I'm generalising of course. I refer to myself as T1.5'ish as I've never been overweight and needed high medication early together with a low-carb diet. I'm officially T2 but I know that's wrong as my GP just guessed with no tests. What has your endo said to you?
 
Daibell said:
Hi. Are you overweight? If so, this is always one source of potential water retention. I've never heard of any water problems with insulin or most diabetes drugs except the Glitazones which are known to cause water retention. Whilst there are always exceptions, I suspect the water problem is tied-in with your other conditions; but just guessing. You say your BS control is poor? What insulins are you on and what are the control problems? Ref T1.5, probably most diabetics who are overweight are T2 due to insulin resistance, those who are perhaps younger with a normal BMI are more likely to be Late onset T1 (LADA). I'm generalising of course. I refer to myself as T1.5'ish as I've never been overweight and needed high medication early together with a low-carb diet. I'm officially T2 but I know that's wrong as my GP just guessed with no tests. What has your endo said to you?
Click to expand...
Hi,
Not overweight. my sugar average was 15. something last time.
I was diagnosed about 6 years ago. I'm in a bit of denial so hard to clear things up.
I am starting to cut down on my carbs but have to do some research as to what the %'s are and daily intake stuff etc
 
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