Swelling in Hands, Knees, Feet

[Mars]

My husband almost always has swelling in his hands (he can't make a fist), knees and feet. Some days are worse than others, but it is always there.  He thinks it is fluid, but his doctors basically say they don't now (their answer to near everything).  Does anyone else have this? Walking is getting more and more difficult for him.  He is 50 and I am afraid in another year he won't be able to walk.  He does have heel spurs, but the one dr thinks he might have some neuropathy, too. (He is not diabetic.)  It seems like better management would at least help this, but he is sort of resigned to "this is just the way it is" and doesn't push for answers.  The doctors don't seem to try to deal with it.  It is frustrating to me on both ends.  Can anything be done?

[goofynina]

The first sign when i am overloaded is my feet, ankles and hands swell.  Usually, if i use 2 red bags, i am on PD, and watch my salt intake then it goes away in about a day.  How is his breathing?  If he has excess fluid and it is causing edema then it would be hard for him to breath too, especially when he is laying down.  Do you know what his dry weight is?  and what he is weighing now?  does he have a problem controlling his fluid?  all these can be a factor to your problem.  I am surprised if the dr. didnt ask you all these questions and see if they needed to adjust his dry weight.  Good Luck to you and please let me know how he is doing,  WE ALL CARE HERE.....

[kitkatz]

I would definitely get a hold of where his dry weight is and see if it can be challenged.  Is he cramping during dialysis? Does he have trouble breathing?  Is he short of breath when he walks short distances?
Does the swelling go down after dialysis and slowly back up?  I would check with his doctor.  Edema is nothing to fool with especially in an already compromised system.

Katherine

[Epoman]

I would definitely get a hold of where is dry weight is and see if it can be challenged.  Is he cramping during dialysis? Does he have trouble breathing?  Is he short of breath when he walks short distances?
Does the swelling go down after dialysis and slowly back up?  I would check with his doctor.  Edema is nothing to fool with especially in an already compromised system.

Katherine

Not to mention the damage being caused to the heart. Excessive fluid overload WILL cause an enlarged heart overtime.

- Epoman

[Panda_9]

If he cant make a fist then I would say it probly is fluid. If he still has swelling post dialysis then his dry weight needs adjusting. If they just take 200ml extra off each dialysis, to slowly reduce his weight, you will soon know if its fluid or not. How is his blood pressure?

[kevno]

If it is fluid, how is his Blood pressure. If it is high that is usually a sign of fluid overload. BUT, if he on on BP tablets, that can mask the sign of the high BP. He needs to get checked out by a renal Doctor. Swelling is a major sign of overload. If you Husband will not push for a answer, Then Please you MUST push for the answers for him. Fluid overload is very dangerous for a renal patient, the sooner it gets sorted out the better it will be for you husband.

Kevno