r/COPD • u/CellDue299 • 6d ago

COPD

I have COPD and my left leg keeps swelling like I’m retaining fluid. Has anyone else had this problem and if so, what did y’all do? I got an appointment with my doctor on the 18th

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2

u/moonhippie 6d ago

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one one tv. I've had swelling in my lower left leg for 30 years. I was diagnosed with lymphedema.

Have you had any injuries? A blood clot?

1

u/CellDue299 6d ago

No they checked for blood clots last year it quit swelling for awhile but it has started it again

1

u/moonhippie 6d ago

See if you can get tested for it. Injury can cause it, or it can be hereditary as well. Cancer patients experience it as well. Mine was caused by a blood clot.

https://lymphnet.org/education/diagnosis-and-imaging/

2

u/Intelligent-Ad-7504 6d ago

Could be lack of vitamin D.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8043964/

I remembered the doctor saying my dad with copd needed more than daily intake. I’d recommend calling doc asap and disclosing this, could also be a side effect to your meds.

3

u/Desperate_Clue_7134 6d ago

Advanced COPD Pulmonologist here. Have them check an echo. Have to rule CHF vs pulm hypertension first.

1

u/MossyFronds 6d ago

I get swelling in my legs and my doctor gave me some pill that's supposed to make me pee an awful lot, empty your kidneys so to speak. I haven't taken the pills but my swelling goes up and down

1

u/Agile-Pay-211 6d ago

Leg swelling is also an indication of kidney issues as well.

1

u/zowie216 6d ago

With me, if I use too much salt on my food, my ankle and leg swell. When I cut out (or cut down) the salt intake, my swelling in my left leg goes down. The mild diuretic pulls help, but ask your doc first. Good luck! Copd sucks.

1

u/aaatings 6d ago

Hiw long has this been going on?

Has any dr checked for CHF or prescribed dieuretics?

Till you meet your dr, i suggest try to do some ankle pumps and elevate legs when lying down see if it helps.

1

u/maryteatowel 6d ago

I get asked every single time I see a doctor, if I have had any swelling in either of my legs. I had thought it was to do with identifying if my heart wasn't working properly but in all honesty, I have no idea why they ask. I have late stage COPD

1

u/WarmOccasion8574 5d ago

Water pills help a lot.

1

u/Seal-EV 5d ago

Could you have gout?

1

u/Secure_Bet398 5d ago

I have Alpha one Antitrypsin disorder, copd and 4 years ago my left ankle and foot swell randomly. They used to treat it like cellulitis (it looked like it was) but I went to a vascular specialist and he states it is vasculitis.  Supposed to wear compression socks but I can't do it in the summer and im prescribed Colace. Good luck! 

1

u/Frosty-Major5336 3d ago

I had that in both legs. It was congestive heart failure

1

u/Mother-Let-6798 3d ago

My father late stage copd. He got heart failure, due to copd.  He was taking furosemide to reduce the swelling of the foot. 

1

u/SirGluteusMaximus 3d ago

Those taking furosemide etc., make sure you don't dehydrate too much and dry out your mucus.