Swollen ankles and feet

[symara]

Originally Posted by jessmith07

Symara, what meds are you currently taking? Could it be that you've added something new recently (or changed dosage of existing meds or even changed to a generic) and that you might be taking two or more things that are causing a reaction with each other? Do you have different docs prescribing different meds that you may be filling at different pharmacies, and because of this, no one has caught on to what is happening? I've been down this road with my mother-in-law, and if I hadn't asked all these questions of her, and caught what was happening, she would have been in a coma within 24 hours...

Also, I completely agree with Dale about having another discectomy...and if I'm reading your signature correctly, this would be your 3rd one on the same disc in 5 years? Seems to me that there'd be a lot of scar tissue build-up by doing that many...and then if you do decide to do ADR in the future, could all this scar tissue prevent you from being a candidate?

If you can't find a doctor in your area that does ADR and that's the way you want to go then you may have to travel. And if you have to travel, then you may as well travel to the best. Experience in placing these implants is critical to the success of the surgery. There are many people on this forum who can help you find a good doctor or you can go to Mark...just send a PM to mmglobal and he can help you.

Hang in there...we're here for you...keep us posted. One more thought...have you tried elevating your legs in the evenings?

Jess

I'm taking Hydrocodone with phenegren for pain and nausea with the meds, taking for awhile so I don't think that's it. I started Topamax a few weeks ago, but i can't find that as a side affect anywhere. I started Cymbalta a few days ago, but that was after all this started. I get this all filled at the same pharmacy.

Yes, this is my third discectomy, if I do it. I have one appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for a second opinion, getting another in june after I get my surgical notes from the previous surgeries faxed over to them. I have a call in to the professor of orthopedic surgery at UofK in Lexington, should be getting a priority consult from them anytime now, it will probably be July before I can be seen though. I'm calling Dr Balderston's office today about an e-mail I sent to see if I can do a phone appointment with him.

as far as elevating, I've been putting them up, probably not above my heart like I should, but it hasn't been as bad that the last couple days, not gone, but not ballooned up like hobbitt feet.

[jessmith07]

This may be your problem...looks like the two together could be causing fluid retention. I take Topamax too, to prevent migraines, and it also helped me with nerve pain...

You searched for interactions between:
topamax (topiramate)
Phenergan (promethazine)
Interaction(s) found:

promethazine and topiramate (Major Drug-Drug)

MONITOR CLOSELY: Certain drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and drugs with anticholinergic activity (e.g., antihistamines, antispasmodics, neuroleptics, phenothiazines, skeletal muscle relaxants, tricyclic antidepressants, disopyramide) may potentiate the risk of oligohidrosis and hyperthermia associated occasionally with the use of topiramate, particularly in pediatric patients. These agents may alter electrolyte and fluid balance (carbonic anhydrase inhibition), inhibit peripheral sweating mechanisms (anticholinergic effect), and/or interfere with core body temperature regulation in the hypothalamus (neuroleptics and phenothiazines), resulting in the inability to adjust to temperature changes, especially in hot weather. Also, agents with anticholinergic activity frequently cause drowsiness and other central nervous system-depressant effects, which may be additively or synergistically increased in patients also treated with topiramate.

[symara]

Just so I make sure I'm reading it right, it's the two together that's probably causing it???

That's why I couldn't find anything on the topamax before, because I was just looking at it by itself. The weird thing is, I was taking it before and after my last surgery along with everything else (exept the cymbalta) and didn't have this. They say your body goes through a complete cellular change every 10 years or something though and you can react differently though, so maybe that's it.

Right now, it's not bad, so I'm going to see if it goes away, maybe it's just one of those side affects that goes away after a bit. If it starts to get bad again I'll contact my primary care physician to see if he can give me something else instead of the topamax.

BTW, the person the recomended Mark, do you know if he could find out if a 3rd Discectomy would remove me from being a candidate for ADR in the future?

[jessmith07]

Also, Topamax does take a while to build up in your system, so it's not surprising that it took a while for these symptoms to appear, if this really is what's going on. I do know, from my research before beginning Topamax, that this is a pretty heavy-duty drug and should be monitored very closely with other things that you take. Do you take the Phenergan every time you take the pain meds? I know that in the beginning, you can be sensitive to certain things, but build up a tolerance over time. Have you tried the pain meds without the Phenergan? Or take all this info to your doctor and ask if you can take a "water pill"...just a thought...

[jessmith07]

One more thought...could the fluid retention that you might be experiencing from these two drugs be exacerbated by your cycle?

[symara]

no, I'm not due to start for another week or so

[symara]

Originally Posted by jessmith07

Also, Topamax does take a while to build up in your system, so it's not surprising that it took a while for these symptoms to appear, if this really is what's going on. I do know, from my research before beginning Topamax, that this is a pretty heavy-duty drug and should be monitored very closely with other things that you take. Do you take the Phenergan every time you take the pain meds? I know that in the beginning, you can be sensitive to certain things, but build up a tolerance over time. Have you tried the pain meds without the Phenergan? Or take all this info to your doctor and ask if you can take a "water pill"...just a thought...

sorry, didn't see this post.

I try occasionally to take a pain pill without the phenegran when I'm low on the phengren, but i still get pretty ill, unless I've gorged myself on food before taking it, but then of course the pain pill doesn't work as well either. I take half a phenegren when I take a whole pain pill, or a quarter with a half pain pill. when I first got them I was taking a whole phenegren and it was knocking me out (2 years ago).

Will they give you a water pill for swelling just for feet and ankles? I know nothing about water pills except that my grandmother took them.

[jessmith07]

You can get them over-the-counter at the drug store, I would just make sure that your doctor or pharmacist says it's safe. The brand that I have used is called Aqua-Ban...it's a little blue pill.

[runner]

Symara,

"Water pills" are diuretics. Meaning they flush water out of your system. I would not recommend taking them without the advice of your physician. I swelled up a little bit when i started Gabapentin (neurotin) (the anti-seizure medicine used for nerve pain) but it decreased a bit with time.
On the side effect listing on Gabapentin, fluid retention is one side effect.

Runner

[treefrog]

And just remember that side effects can start at any time, even if you have been taking a drug for a while. But, Jess has given you some good advice, and found some good information.

I guess you talked to your doctor about the swelling? Did you talk about possible drug interactions, or side effects? Sometimes all the possible side effects are not listed, and of course everyone is different.

[symara]

i'm off the phenegran!!!!

we'll here's what happened...

went to my primary care doctor, had a bad time with all pain management doctors here recently and don't have one right now. they are putting some new ones in at the hospital and my primary care doctor is waiting for them to go in there to send me to them, he say they should be doing long term.

so her put me on the fentanyl patch, which I do not need the phenegran for since it doesn't make me ill. he did go ahead and give me a water pill though to be safe on the swelling. so I am now fairly pain free thanks to the patch, sleeping better thanks to the patch, and not sleepy durring the day since I'm not on phenegran, and no pain in the feet or swelling.

i just have to remember that this is just covering up my symptoms and i'm not better. I almost feel normal, but I have to remember I'm not.

[dshobbies]

Symara,

Great that you're feeling better and you're right, it's only a pain fix, not a fix. It's kind of a catch 22. Why do anything if you're feeling good but in order to feel good, meds are a part of your daily life, and there's always the risk of further injury, etc. I'm sure you're mind is whirling with all these thoughts but at least you can think much more clearly.

Keep us posted, Dale

[mmglobal]

drink lots of water... keep your bowels moving. The fentanyl can really clog things up. It's nice that you have a GP who will take care of you until you get with a PM who will provide appropriate care.

Mark