Oedema in the elderly - feet and ankles

My dad, for whom I am carer, suffers from oedema(fluid retention)in his right foot - originally both feet but the left is ok now. The foot is very swollen and puffy and is leaking fluid constantly.There has been some breakdown of the skin on the ankle, a few sores that I have pretty well healed with Medihoney, but the skin remains broken and raw in places.
I get little help from his doctor, and conflicting advice from various chemists and medical helplines. It was suggested that a compression bandage be applied from foot to knee, but as the foot leaks constantly, I would have to replace this every day and with all the other home duties here it would be too time-consuming and also the cost of bandages would be astronomical.
Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? He is currently taking Hygroton for the fluid retention but it doesn't seem very effective.

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I would think the ankle/s are painful also? Not fair is it he has so much to contend with as you do also and it is not easy. Does your Dad get pains in the tummy. taking fluid tabs?

many seem to but they are the lesser of two evils so to speak and if a person needs them then they need them. Are speaking of Manuka honey? I have heard it does help but if the skin is paper thin as it can become, every little knock is a nightmare. Can the Doctor prescribe pressure bandages on prescription at all? I am not sure if that can be the go but you would think there would be some help with the cost. Trouble is there is in some areas and not others.

All the best sorry I am no help with your worries. Maybe others with experience will be able to help you.

Phyl.

Thanks Phyl - actually he has had leg pain, but I think that is related to his general heart weakness. His skin is very thin and brittle, I try to get him to moisturise with Vegesorb which helps. One thing many people neglect as they age is the condition of their skin;if they only regularly moisturised it, it would stay in better condition.

No, there is no financial help for the bandage and dressing situation unless I think you are a repat patient. It would just not be practical for me to dress his legs every day, as I have two houses and nearly an acre of yard to care for, all the general housekeeping, cooking, washing,shopping etc. I am interested to know if anyone out there has tried some different medication for fluid retention and if it worked. Also if anyone knows of a suitable dressing I could put on his legs to soak up the fluid more effectively.

It is very hard to get information to assist with his care, and his doctor only calls once a month to write out scripts and clear off asap.

When I am old, having no children, I will be only too ready to accept professional care in a good nursing home(and there are quite a few of those).

Have you tried using crepe bandgaes--as they are able to be washed--also there are elastic ones as well--also bale to be washed--have to rung the aged care places --there might be some in the phone book in the front under the Gpovernment run places--there MIGHT be some place that are able to help with what you need--

Yes thanks PlanB - I do use the crepe bandages, I first apply Medihoney to his wounds and skin tears, then over that a non-stick dressing, then over that a crepe bandage.That is on the area of the ankle where the skin is damaged. The crepe bandage soaks very quickly. In desperation I have cut up an old towel, and we wrap that around the ankle and upper foot, and change it regularly.He soaks right through it all, some days worse than others. The main problem is not having the time to do this every day with all the other work I have to do here, and also trying to have some little time to myself to keep fit, this being a demanding life.

Dad is a self funded retiree, so we do buy all his stuff ourselves, I guess it is not too bad.He gives me some money towards the costs every so often and of course the carers bonus helps too.

I had a similar thing recently.

The nurse at the doctors gave me an elastic sock which came half way up my leg and had an opening for the toes to poke out.

Mine was caused by a reaction to a blood pressure pill.

Doctor put me on a different pill and after a couple of weeks the swelling slowly went away.

The worst part was the skin breaking and as it is so close to the ground , got infected, so now I am on anti biotics.

It is sad that the chemist and doctors don't give more help.

Maybe look for another doctor for a fresh opinion.

Gerry

Thank you Gerry - that's interesting; Dad is 95 and of course there has been an element of infection in the skin tears but the Medihoney has fixed that pretty well. The problem with Dad is that he finds it immensely difficult to even get on an ordinary sock! I thought of the elastic stocking but I don't know how I would get it on him.Did fluid seep through when you had it on though?

His doctor visits once a month, he is the only one we can get to do housecalls, and Dad is not easily able to get out to visit a doctor so we are stuck with him.I am going to ask him to change the fluid retention meds as I feel they are not working. Here's hoping.

This is typical of the situation you face when you are caring for someone at home - not much help, trial and error for everything.

I didn't have much fluid leaking so my condition was not as severe as your fathers.

One thing I found worked was putting a pillow under my foot and leg when I was in bed.

Keeping the leg elevated helps prevent the fluid going down the leg.

Also drink plenty of water. It may sound contradictory, but a well-hydrated body is less likely to retain fluid.

Cut back on dehydrating drinks such as coffee and reduce salt intake.

I am interested in what medication your father is on, is he taking diuretics ?

Gerry

Dad was put on Hygroton by his doctor as soon as he started to get oedema - it worked at first but now it doesn't.It is the old standard diuretic medicine for this problem , but there may be others. He rarely drinks tea or coffee, maybe a small cup once a day, and our family don't use salt, haven't for years.

It's caused by his general aged debility, having a weak heart and kidneys. It is not a bad condition just really annoying with the constant leakage and being unable to stop it, and having to wrap towels round his leg at times.

He does put his leg up regularly but the fluid goes back down to the foot when it is not raised. I try to make sure he is always hydrated and he has water in his room to drink if he wakes during the night. I think he could drink a bit more but it's hard to enforce that, he is pretty stubborn.

Was talking to a lady also a carer who found buying many sheets from op. shops and washing in disinfectant and also having family and friends donate sheets no longer wanted as most sheets go in the middle but heaps of use from them still, if you cut into strips they make great bandages which are quite absorbent and bad bits can be turfed but some can be washed if you have the time. Jacinta I am sure you have probably done all this but just thought I would mention it in case it was something you had not thought of and sheeting dries faster and easier than towling and you can get it very cheaply against expensive bandages when you need so many.

All the very best and hope your Dad's legs are at least a bit better.

Phyl.

I can feel his pain as I also have swollen feet and ankles and have had for last several years.

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Doctors dont seem to be all that forthcoming on why I have found.

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Mine put me on a script for Moderetic a diuretic and I took since 2004 and had shocking time really - got so I couldnt sleep or sit comfortable for having restless legs and the pain in the feet was bad and in summer sat with them in cold water with hubbie fetching ice now and then to help the pain as we both thought they would split like sausages in the grill and ooze.

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Didnt but I cant walk too well even now and when my doctor was on his hols - got another one in the practice who took one look at my feet without me saying anything and looked at my chart and said I am taking you off that medicine and putting you on one that will make those feet a bit better. So he gave me Natrilix and I have been taking this for some 110 days and the swelling is not as bad - mind you summer hasnt arrived but this year instead of going down in winter a bit - didnt - and feet go white where blood is not when stretching or poking the swelling. Also they are very red and very sore right up to above the ankles but now it is receeding a bit towards the toes and I am hoping this is working. Now maybe this is similar to what your Dad has or maybe not. I am 25 years younger so skin is not so thin but on its way.

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Also he said that taking a diuretic bleeds the magnesium out of your body and the last to go is the muscles - and that is what is causing the restless legs and pain in the legs as muscles loose last dregs the shooting pain I got now and then in my lef tthigh - I had thoughts oa bone cancer I can tell you not nice! But we all imagien the worst.

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Anyway he told me to go buy MagMin made by Blackmoores - $42.70 for 250 tablets but worth its weight in gold as it works a treat and I have had last 2 nights where except for popping to the loo around 3.30am slept the whole night through and havent done that for far too many years - take 6 a day max dose but seemingly will be able to rack that down as it takes effect - which as I am just starting on my second bottle of 250 seems to be replacing it .Not game to stop taking max yet!

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Dont know if this is anything like Dad's feet as mine dont leak - I have tried bandages but didnt work and tried all sorts of creams - best one is L'Oreal Age RePerfect Night Cream which was part of a package as I use the day cream but not night sitting spare so used it on my feet and it was the best - also tried Alo Vera gel and that helped too - when use up the Age Reperfect will go back to gel - as too expensive for feet but worked a treat as a good moisturiser.

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I have tried to find out more about swollen feet and ankles particularly as when I get out of bed in the night or early am they are bright red but also my hands go bright red too but are not swollen - weird eh - except for the pain and thinning of the skin which worried me and hearing about your Dad's trouble think I am so lucky not to leak too as Doctor - new one who I am now sticking with BTW said if I go on this way could end up with ulcers etc but all he said was walk to get the swelling down plus the meds. But I cant walk far as my legs are so shaky - need a stick these days - alright in the supermarket with a trolley to push so maybe need a waljker - yikes !

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We moved to ur current loctation because it is flat - used to live in Hobart which is like living on the side of a mountain as all hills and some are very steep - but they allow push bikes on the foot paths and I cant jump out of the way fast enough for the young adults or not so young adults who say move out Gran or I will mow you down -- went to the Police to ask - seems legal under 1999 Road Act which covers all Oz and unless State puts in legislation to stop it bikes can ride on the footpaths - problem is also motorised bikes are using them and to step outside my own house and nearly get mowed down is a bit much but seems old folk are expendible. No one listens!!! I have arthritis in the knees and one hip currently which means cant change direction or move out of the way quick smart any longer!

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Thin skin is a problem - mine on my arms these days only have to knock them and up comes a blood mark - shocking getting old is it not?

Wonder what is happening in Miss Jacinta's life these day.  Is Dad still going strong?

How are your cats? and how are you - maybe married?

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