Any tips for water retention?

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

So far as your problem goes, have you had a Gynecological check up? PAP, Pelvic Ultrasound. What about a CT or MRI of your body? You may also require some cardiac testing such as a MUGA Scan or even an Angiogram.

I think it's time that you had more than blood tests done. If it's only to your lower body it's obvious that it's not simply excess water retention. There is something way more serious wrong.

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The answer to your question is all no. I haven't had a physical in 3yrs. (tho I see him every month) I complained to my doc about it (swelling), he sent me for bloodtests, that was a couple months ago. I just got to the bloodtests ( yes, at that point I didn't feel anything was seriously wrong and put it off up untill recently when I've had a huge weight gain and in actuality I should have lost weight.....results will be in by Tues/Wed.)..... once I get the results (which I expect will be fairly normal for the tests he's run) I know what he'll say..... he will dismiss it.... and I'm at a crossroads, I don't know what to do.

I know based on another experience, that he responds to the power of suggestion. As in if I suggest it is lymphoedema, he'll agree and try to treat that.

My next appt isn't till Jan. but I'm going to go and ask for a copy of my bloodtest results. Till then I have to research and find "illnesses" that may cause swelling, and substantial non-dietary weight gain so that I can suggest it to him when I go in Jan.

I do agree Linda, and honestly, it scares me..... but at this point, I do not know what else to do

You have to advocate for your own health and not leave it up to the doctor. It's your body and your life. It's not up to you to research out diseases/problems and doctor yourself. He's paid a very good wage to do that for you.

Call on Monday and get an appointment. Go there and talk to him and tell him that you don't feel that he's doing all that he can to help you.

Call the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons and ask for a list of family doctors that are accepting new patients and get into see one of them. You don't have to settle for the type of healthcare you are currently getting. I learned that while I was off work sick. If it had been left to my old family doctor I'd still be off work, probably dead or a complete invalid. Until I found this new family doctor that I've been seeing since early this year, I didn't know what having a good doctor was like.

Stop settling and take control of your situation.

Brown bag everything you are taking, OTC and prescription and go to a pharmacist to rule out any interaction that your doctor may not be aware of.

I did this once and I was very amazed at what some of my drug combos were doing to me.

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Brown bag everything you are taking, OTC and prescription and go to a pharmacist to rule out any interaction that your doctor may not be aware of.

I did this once and I was very amazed at what some of my drug combos were doing to me.

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all of us should EVERY dr visit... and keep them ready in case you are suddenly hospitalized ... ie write every thing and doses down and keep the paper on you ...

lemon water is basically lemonade without all the sugar

Originally Posted by Arlyn

Brown bag everything you are taking, OTC and prescription and go to a pharmacist to rule out any interaction that your doctor may not be aware of.

I did this once and I was very amazed at what some of my drug combos were doing to me.

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That is about the only thing I can say with any certainty that I'm fine as far as combos go. I've dealt with my pharmacy for many years, and they've stopped my doc on a number of times from prescribing conflicting meds.

Due to some very terrifying experiences, I am very very careful of what meds/supplement/prescription/OTC/herbal things I take

thats bout the only thing I do know LOL.

I have terrible pitted edema in my legs. I take several diuretics daily and have had to lower my fluid intake to 1.5 liters daily. Please see a specialist, because I got so much fluid in my body, it went into my lungs, causing pneumonia, and it had to be drained off, 4 liters of it. They said a few more hours and I could have been dead. I had it this time last year, and again over the recent Thanksgiving holiday. We would all hate to see this happen to you. Keep us posted, please.

Again knowing some of the meds that you are on, if you look at the side effects you will see some information about water retention and lower kidney function. I am surprised that with pitted edema you were not already put on fluid pills. If you are going to speak to you doctor about make sure he does a blood test to check you potassium levels. One type will decrease you potassium the other will increase it.
As I mention before wild cherry juice is good. Also any juice that has the nutrient bromine in it, pineapple, mango, passion fruit, mostly all types of tropical fruit.
Try to not restrict you water because you'll only dehydrate yourself. And coffee or tea are both good because of the caffeine which has a diuretic effect.

Originally Posted by tierre0

And coffee or tea are both good because of the caffeine which has a diuretic effect.

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Again, this is a myth that was perpetuated but had no real studies to back it up. Current finding is that caffeine in drinks has no more diuretic effect than water itself does. So yes, coffee and sodas containing caffeine count towards fluid intake and won't help in place of a diuretic.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Again, this is a myth that was perpetuated but had no real studies to back it up. Current finding is that caffeine in drinks has no more diuretic effect than water itself does. So yes, coffee and sodas containing caffeine count towards fluid intake and won't help in place of a diuretic.

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it only works if one is not used to it or if used in a not usual amount... ie my 1 coffee a day has not effect but if I drank 3 in a day it would.. there are studies explaining that

Originally Posted by sharky

it only works if one is not used to it or if used in a not usual amount... ie my 1 coffee a day has not effect but if I drank 3 in a day it would.. there are studies explaining that

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Actually, I think it takes a bit more than that - since people can take caffeine containing meds (Excedrin) and not have issues with it. Then again, I don't know how strong you make your coffee!

Originally Posted by strange_wings

Actually, I think it takes a bit more than that - since people can take caffeine containing meds (Excedrin) and not have issues with it. Then again, I don't know how strong you make your coffee!

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I do like it strong but that actually = less caffeine ( former Barista ie coffee girl)... I rarely take excedrin as my body is not used to more than a cup of coffee ( my teas are low to no caffeine)...

Essentially if your body is used to it NO Effect ... If you are not then great diuretic until your body gets used to it ... Somewhere I have several articles pertaining to this ... Mostly written by pulmonary doctors as I researched it for my Mom and her issues

Originally Posted by sharky

it only works if one is not used to it or if used in a not usual amount... ie my 1 coffee a day has not effect but if I drank 3 in a day it would.. there are studies explaining that

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I am the same way..... I've found since quitting smoking, I am way more sensitive to caffeine. I can only have 1-2 cups a day, whereas before, I'd have 6-12 depending on the day. But along with the diuretic effect, I also get extremely jittery and more anxious that normal, so I say away from excess caffeine.

Oh, my bloodwork should be in today so I'll be giving them a call later on and seeing if I can get a copy of it so I can compare it to my last bloodwork 2yrs ago.