does anyone know a method to reduce water swelling in legs?

Question

I have massive water swelling in my lower limbs down to the feet. sometimes clear water simply streams out of the skin on my right leg, drenching my socks and bedsheets. Rx diuretics failed to relieve the edema. Is there any soak, maybe Epsom Salts, anything , any treatment to drain and pull out excess water from my legs & feet.???? Please help me if you know any techniques. I am in severe pain and the pressure inside my leg is explosive. this began after a car ran me over ayear ago and external fixation repaired the fracture, but the water oozes out thru the fixator holes in the skin of my leg. Those holes scabbed over - or so I thought, but the water oozes out anyway. Please help me if you know any home treatment. and i did try Rx diuretics - with poor results.

Answer 1

I agree to elevate. I know nothing about the herbal supplements listed and you say diuretics do not work. When you press on your leg does it leave an indentation? If so you have hard edema and doing alternating warm/cold soaks may help to break it up and keep it moving. Also, TED hose (or pressure socks I see someone mentioned) should help. My #1 suggestion besides elevation is heel pumps (with feet flat on floor bring heels up then toes up alternating)--this can also be done while legs are elevated but it is easier to explain the movements like this. Anyway, I'd suggest doing 20-25 of them every 30 minutes or so while you are stationary (sitting or laying) which will help the fluid move out of your legs where it can be obsorbed by the rest of the body.

I assume you've been to a physician for the swelling? Longterm severe swelling can have adverse affects on your body (for example nerve compression which would lead to numbness) so please keep trying to find something that works for you. Ask about massage techniques or for a referral to someone trained in Lymphedema management (they have specialized training in dealing with edema)--I am aware of massage techniques to get swelling out of the hands but not for the legs. Good luck!

Answer 2

Okay, I'm going with a whole different way to answer this question. I have severe swelling in my legs, feet and ankles. It is very painful and with every step I take, it feels like my legs are going to burst open. There seems to be no more room for my skin to expand. I have been diagnosed with a whole different thing. This happened after I had major back surgery from an auto accident I had over 19 months ago. What I have been diagnosed with is called RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). This is from complications due to the back surgery. Although the back surgery, in itself, was successful, there are sometimes complications from surgery. Not a lot is known about RSD. I have been to many specialists and finally a neurosurgeon diagnosed my problem. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for this problem. And believe me, this is a real diagnosis. You can look it up on the internet. They have prescribed me a pill called Lyrica. It is only to be taken for people with the diagnosis of RSD. I also take narcotics for the severe pain. Sometimes, the RSD will go away, but sometimes it could last a lifetime. My mom had this after she broker her wrist. Her RSD only lasted about 6-8 weeks. Another symptom of RSD is if your legs feel like they have a fever in them. Also, there may be a red streak that appears right up the middle of your leg. The only thing that you can do for this is to keep your legs elevated as much as possible and try to stay off of them as much as you can. Please try to get a firm diagnosis. This is extremely difficult to diagnose. My doctors have actually recorded a film of my case to be used for case studies. They sent a professional videographer to my house to record "A Day in the Life Of a Person Who Lives with RSD". Unfortunately, my case is so severe that I have to use a walker to get around. I can't even take a step without screaming in pain. Please people, this is a real diagnosis. I hope that in your case, it is only edema. That would be a good thing. If you are, in fact, diagnosed with RSD, God Bless You. It could be a long and hard road ahead of you. Or, you could be one of the lucky ones, who will get over this quicker than I.

Answer 3

Well, first of all; ELEVATE!
Keep your feet & legs up.
In the meantime, I'll look up diuretics naturally...
And, no; Epsom Salts would not work. think about it...you are soaking in water. You can't pull OUT water while soaking IN water.
Ok, I'm going to list the herbs that are mentioned for having diuretic effects on the body, okay...?
alfalfa*
annatto
bilberry
birch
boldo
burdock*
corn silk
dandelion
devil's claw
dong quai
Eyebright prevents secretion of fluids.
Gotu kola helps eilimnate excess fluids.
gravel root
horsetail
hydrangea
juniper
kava kava
lady's mantle
marshmallow aids body to expell excess fluid.
meadowsweet aids body to eliminate excess fluid.
nettle
plantain
sarsparilla helps promote excretion of fluids.
saw palmetto
stone root
uva ursi promotes excretion of fluids.
I wish you the best of health. Feel free to post more questions.

Answer 4

Stay away from salt (sodium). Make sure you read labels and eat LOW sodium foods. Also stay away from MSG, commonly found in some oriental foods. Read the labels.

Answer 5

Talk to your Dr.
Pressure socks may be the answer