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  #1   ^
Old Thu, May-28-20, 08:04
Kristine's Avatar
Kristine Kristine is offline
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Posts: 25,581
 
Plan: Primal/P:E
Stats: 171/146/150 Female 5'7"
BF:
Progress: 119%
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Default Pitting Edema in Heat

TMI WARNING: ugly foot photos ahead.

Does anyone else experience this? I didn't realize how drastic it was until I took these photos. I've often thought it was in my head, that I was having a "fat day" and my feet just look fat.

It never happened to me until about 10 years ago now (age 35ish) when I flew to Florida in the middle of February. I assumed it was a combination of drastic weather change and whatever weird things aircraft pressure change does to you. Now I seem to get it at home when we get a sudden heat wave. After googling around, heat does seem to be a common cause. I guess I have to remember to get my electrolytes and keep moving. I do have varicose veins; that probably doesn't help.

Here's the before/after. In the first pic, you can see the crater my finger left after holding it there. In the second pic, it was completely resolved, 15 hours later.
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  #2   ^
Old Thu, May-28-20, 08:33
cotonpal's Avatar
cotonpal cotonpal is offline
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Posts: 5,283
 
Plan: very low carb real food
Stats: 245/125/135 Female 62
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: Vermont
Default

That's petty dramatic.
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  #3   ^
Old Thu, May-28-20, 10:25
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Demi Demi is offline
Posts: 26,664
 
Plan: Muscle Centric
Stats: 238/153/160 Female 5'10"
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: UK
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kristine
Does anyone else experience this? I didn't realize how drastic it was until I took these photos. I've often thought it was in my head, that I was having a "fat day" and my feet just look fat.

This happened to me quite often when I was heavier, and I do still experience it occasionally. Heat seems to be the main culprit for me too.

I've found that drinking plenty of water and keeping active helps. Also, something else that works for me is sitting with my feet in a bowl of cold water.

I'm currently off my feet because I broke my ankle a few weeks ago, and have been experiencing puffy ankles due to my inactivity, plus it has been quite hot here in the UK. Along with some leg execises, which I can do while sitting and lying down, drinking more water and putting my good foot in a bowl of cold water has really helped.
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  #4   ^
Old Fri, May-29-20, 08:50
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Benay Benay is offline
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Posts: 876
 
Plan: Protein Power/Atkins
Stats: 250/167/175 Female 5 feet 6 inches
BF:
Progress: 111%
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
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Kristine
I don't want to be an alarmist, but there are medical reasons for pitting edema
Have you considered taking this picture to your physician
Personally, I think it would be wise to have this checked out
Or, if you are under house arrest - as I am - perhaps you could send him/her the picture and ask for advice.
You may be referred to blood work
My feet and hands swell in the heat too - but are never pitting.
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  #5   ^
Old Fri, May-29-20, 16:06
Kristine's Avatar
Kristine Kristine is offline
Forum Moderator
Posts: 25,581
 
Plan: Primal/P:E
Stats: 171/146/150 Female 5'7"
BF:
Progress: 119%
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Default

Thanks for the replies. Demi, I had never heard of cold water helping, maybe I'll try that next time. We have a detachable shower head, so I could just stand in the tub with cool water running on them.

Benay, I'll probably do that when my annual physical is due next month. I have no other apparent issues; no heart/lung/kidney disease, and no other discomfort other than mild leg cramps at night, and they were okay that night (just a bit of twitching and I went right back to sleep.) It tends to happen in the evening, so I feel like there's no point getting in touch with her because it's always gone by the time I'd be calling for an appointment. I can imagine I'll just be prescribed compression socks, and I won't be able to afford them. One of my coworkers said our insurance won't cover them because they were "cosmetic." ...but maybe we'll be discussing the worsening varicose veins, some of which have gotten really ropey. Maybe if edema is part of the diagnosis, they'd be paid for.
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  #6   ^
Old Sat, May-30-20, 03:31
Benay's Avatar
Benay Benay is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 876
 
Plan: Protein Power/Atkins
Stats: 250/167/175 Female 5 feet 6 inches
BF:
Progress: 111%
Location: Prescott, Arizona, USA
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[QUOTE=Kristine
Benay, I'll probably do that when my annual physical is due next month. I have no other apparent issues; no heart/lung/kidney disease, and no other discomfort other than mild leg cramps at night, and they were okay that night (just a bit of twitching and I went right back to sleep.) It tends to happen in the evening, so I feel like there's no point getting in touch with her because it's always gone by the time I'd be calling for an appointment. I can imagine I'll just be prescribed compression socks, and I won't be able to afford them. One of my coworkers said our insurance won't cover them because they were "cosmetic." ...but maybe we'll be discussing the worsening varicose veins, some of which have gotten really ropey. Maybe if edema is part of the diagnosis, they'd be paid for.[/QUOTE]


That's why I suggested showing her the picture. When I found a lot of blood on my pillow one morning, I took a picture of it to show the pulmonologist. It may be nothing at all but you do have the pictures as evidence of an issue. I wish you best luck on your next exam.
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