swollen ankles

11-19-2007, 07:42 AM

Susan and others with same problem,

I had swelling of feet and ankles while on herceptin, and it got worse as year progressed, not better. Immediately after my last infusion in August, I had huge dimples surrounding my ankle bone and was quite worried about my heart. I also had shortness of breadth. However, my stress echo in late June showed my EF was 60%.

In September, without herceptin, the swelling was gone. I still have shortness of breadth and get winded quite easily, so perhaps that was not the herceptin--I don't know, but I know for sure that the swelling was herceptin. It started with herceptin and went when the herceptin went. I hope that's the case with the rest of you.

rinaina · 11-20-2007, 11:39 AM

I had swelling in my ankles and my onc put me on the lowest dose of a diuretic and that took care of it. My echos were all fine. My nephrologist just recently took me off the diazide because my calcium levels were very high. Sure enough, the swelling came back within a few weeks if that. He now has me on a different diuretic that won't increase my calcium levels. I am convinced this all started from the herceptin because I never had problems with swelling in the past. I also now have hyper parathyroidism not to be confused with hyper or hypo thyroidism. Anyone else every have hyperparathyroidism?

suzan w · 01-14-2008, 07:17 AM

Bumping this us again!!! Knowing that there are others with the same symptoms eased my mind until I could get to the doctor!!!

Karen W · 01-14-2008, 08:12 AM

I haven't really had a problem during or after treatment with swollen ankles or legs. However, like Sassy, my fingers (more joints) are extremely swollen. I can't even bend the fingers of my right hand at all, yesterday and now today.

I am sure my symptoms are from Aromasin and I will speak to my onc about it this Friday at my appointment.

Karen

Mgarr · 01-14-2008, 05:41 PM

Forgive me ahead of time I don't usually get like this but I am reading more & more here about swelling & joint problems.

I had alot of swelling after my Herceptin treatments & I drank lots of water to help alleviate, it started in my ankles and then I had pain in one of my calves. I mentioned it but the doc wasn't concerned because my MUGA's were good so I suffered. Fast forward to ending treatment I had a little relief in the calf then my hip started aching non stop went thru PT to no avail then had a MRI; there was a great deal of swelling but they were not sure what the problem was. I went thru numerous blood tests and other tests with orthopeds until they finally decided it was not an infection or cancer so I could have the hip replaced. While using a cane my left wrist and elbow were swellling (I wrote a post or two about having lymphadema.) It was not lymphadema (recommened to see a neurologist because it was probably caused by surgery) before I could see a neurologist every joint in my body tripled in size and I could barely move. Back to the docs finally to a rheumatologist who drained all the fluid testing it and determined I have an "inflammatory arthritis" - which he said is mostly hereditary. Now, there are health issues that run in our family and this is not one of them. I tell every medical professional that will listen this is a result of my treatment & everyone dismisses me!

sassy · 01-14-2008, 07:12 PM

Fast forward for me too---

My swelling and stiffness in all joints, especially hands/fingers persisted until November 07. My regular doc and my onc started working on changes in meds to try to alleviate side effects. I had been on HZTZ for slightly elevated BP. My regular doc suggested trying Lasix--and after a little trial and error on dosing, the Lasix seems to have all but eliminated my stiffness! I would not have thought fluid had so much to do with the stiffness. I know Arimidex and Lupron probably contribute, but with the improvements since starting Lasix, I don't think I need to change anything else. I feel SO much better.

Paris · 01-15-2008, 11:34 AM

I was on taxotere and definitely noticed I would swell up as soon as I took decadron which I thought was odd because it's supposed to help prevent the fluid retention issues of taxotere. Anyway, I was looking forward to all that going away after I finished chemo but then I started herceptin and I still have problems with swelling. Ironically over the last two months I started getting lymphadema as well as swelling in my ankles, abdomen and wrists. I saw a lymphadema specialist for the arm and a cardiologist because I was concerned the fluid might indicate a cardiac issue but he didn't seem to think I was retaining fluid. I am small framed to begin with so it's hard to "prove". I felt like I had to do alot of convincing to get further testing done. I hate feeling like a hypocondriat. Do the doctors think I enjoy sitting in their waiting room?

Thank you Suzan for posting this thread!

Jamie

tousled1 · 01-15-2008, 06:45 PM

While I was on Herceptin only I had swelling in my ankles/feet. Some mornings when I got up I felt like my feet were going to snap off. I attribute it to the Herceptin. I continue to have swelling and before I get out of bed in the morning I do some ankle exercises -- just roll them in a circle a few times -- seems to help.