I have a great foot massager wich helps me a lot with my swelling issues. I use it for 15-20 minutes and the swelling in my feet goes down and I can even feel my feet tingling. This was actually designed for diabetics, you know how their feet get so swollen. They actually made me a custom made one with a bar on the bottom to keep my feet from slipping off. I love my massager. Check it out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSMAhxKdW84&channel=massager2000 www.medirub.com.
Lissette Whitehead 416 W. San Ysidro Blvd.San Ysidro, CA 92173www.lwgripgloves.com From: [email protected] Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2014 19:13:04 -0800 Subject: Re: Fwd: [QUAD-L] adema or swollen feet To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] swollen feet is something that I have dealt with for years. There are all kinds of treatments that can mitigate the problem. What frustrates me most, about any ailment, is a desire to understand the cause. Age and time since injury aren't satisfactory explanations, especially when the condition seems to arise so suddenly. You are sure SOMETHING is causing the problem. All too often doctors aren't interested in exploring what might be the source problem when age and quadriplegia as such convenient scapegoats. So we have to become our own expert researchers into ourselves. Slowly vary possible contributing factors. Document severity and frequency of the problem over time. Read everything about the problem in mainstream medical literature and then beyond, if need be. I have had several bad flareups of feet swelling. By researching myself I have identified three different source causes. In one case, it was kidney stones that was having a global effect on water retention and circulation. Another time it was changes in circulation due to using a different wheelchair and cushion – – they dramatically slowed down lower extremity circulation. The third time I documented a growing intolerance for salt that probably is related to aging. The various treatments I would experiment with: Lower salt intake – – much of the American diet is smothered in added salt daily cardio exercise – – I use weight cuffs every morning for about 20 minutescompression socksslightly elevating my legs at night – – I have an adjustable bedbe prepared to spend more time in bed or go back to bed with greater frequencyPassive activity for lower extremities – – this helped quite a bit but it is difficult to get my attendants to do it regularly The single greatest treatment was repeated fulltilt pressure relief in my chair during the day. I left my beloved Ibot and moved into a permobile which I use to do a full pressure relief tilt every 90 minutes or so. It's a hassle, especially when working or when I'm out with my wife and sons. I hate doing it in public. I hate how the need to do it barges into anything else I'm doing. Funny enough, I didn't set out to treat my edema this way. The big change in the wheelchair and seating system was triggered by chronic skin breakdown. ed On Mon, Nov 3, 2014 at 3:53 PM, RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]> wrote: For the first 12 years of my injury I had access to a pool and a sci-fit bike where my feet were strrapped in and propelled around by my arm movement. I had no idea how much good that was doing me. In the three years I have been doing nothing but handcycling my body is worse off and my feet swell all the time. It really sucks, but there isn't much I can do about it sitting here at home. My primary said in ten years my feet would turn red and turn into a pumpkin Ron On Monday, November 3, 2014 3:49 PM, Larry Willis <[email protected]> wrote: You could be right, Ron. Let's hope it isn't his heart. Some exercise might help as well. My problem -- I don't have anyone to move them and certainly can't afford a therapist. Like most of us, I reside up fecal creek much of the time.Sent from my iPadBegin forwarded message:Resent-From: [email protected]: RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]>Date: November 3, 2014 at 12:21:27 PM ESTTo: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>Subject: Re: Fwd: [QUAD-L] adema or swollen feetReply-To: RONALD L PRACHT <[email protected]>I would bet a thousand dollars his heart is fine. If one foot is bigger than the other that could be something. He needs passive motion of his legs and feet. Rubbing them could help if you do it enough. On Monday, November 3, 2014 10:41 AM, Larry Willis <[email protected]> wrote: Danny, wheel could be right about the heart. My wife has heart problems (weak) and her feet swell something terrible. I would certainly ask the doc about it. Good luck, my friend.---------- Forwarded message ----------From: <[email protected]>Date: Sunday, November 2, 2014Subject: [QUAD-L] adema or swollen feetTo: [email protected], [email protected] Dan, it appears to be a circulation issue. I'd consider a heart specialist. You might need a referral from your primary doc. Best Wishes In a message dated 11/2/2014 6:34:20 P.M. Central Standard Time, [email protected] writes: I know some of us deal with swollen legs and feet, but about 2 months ago my feet have swollen real bad-I can only wear soft house slippers now..in the past we just had to elevate my legs some at night and they got better but now they stay very swelled up, my family doc. had me try Lasik A water pill I think plus had me try wearing compression hose stockings, but that did not help a whole lot, does anyone know what can be done or what type doctor can treat this?? We are not sure if is even treatable? Anyway's thanks for any information from any of you that deal with this or know any more that can be done/ ? thank you ! Dan H**
