Arthritic feet swollen and discolored, doctors are no help. Advice?
Mom is in severe pain from arthritic feet & ankles. Both L.& R swell thru the day. One side is very purple by the early afternoon. She has flat feet, so podiatrist has her in orthopedic shoes all the time (even in the house which mom hates). Recently one foot worse so she is in a compression boot. That lower leg now has several purplish areas as well as back of heel, so we went to regular doctor who said quit the boot. That doc also prescribed Tylenol alternating with Aleve, says is OK for her to take Aleve since her kidney function is fine. After almost 2 wks, swelling persists, pain still wakes her at night, and she doesn't want to go out to the store or beauty shop. I am worried she is not getting enough exercise, and stuck in a vicious cycle. Anybody have a similar situation, resolved in a positive way? If not I'm afraid she is headed to facility care, I can't give her all the help she needs all day into evening. And she HURTS so bad.
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Accommodating her swelling can go a long way to relieving her pain. Perhaps, more use of the walker/transport chair --- and then as her pain becomes more controlled, accommodate by increased the amount of movement activities.
Secondly, comfortable shoes that accommodate the swelling might help as well.
Lastly, perhaps a trial respite stay in a retirement home with the accommodating devices can be beneficial. A well-structured routine in a caring and empathetic setting could go a long way in relieving some of your loved one's anxiety and therefore help with the pain as well - and can only help with your stress as well. In Canada, they have two-week trial stays, and some places offer day programs for your loved one to get acquainted.
Being in social settings can often help - as it can take focus away from the painful joints/areas. But also more importantly - having good social settings and surroundings go a long way in improving quality of life. Hard conversations to have perhaps - but big benefits in the end.
Much to consider. All the best to you and your loved one.
I've also found relief by eating foods high in quercetin. livestrong/article/19332-benefits-quercetin/. Raspberries, cherries and blueberries work the best for me. See the second paragraph, "Anti-inflammatory properties".
I wouldn't even consider supplements as quercetin is found in so many healthy foods: livestrong/article/301326-foods-with-the-highest-content-of-quercetin/
Another anti-inflammatory is resveratrol:
sciencedailyreleases/2011/06/110621114155.htm
If you research resveratrol, you may find articles which dispute its effects, so I'll just mention this even though I think there's far more evidence that it does have positive properties: http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-rich-resveratrol-offers-health-boost-201405157153. This was also a small study as well.
Celery is high in Vitamin K, and has other positive effects as well: (a) NSAID like pain reliever (b) diuretic
medicalnewstodayarticles/270678.php. Note that it can cause anaphylactic shock in someone who's allergic to it, so that should be a consideration and determined before taking it. I can most certainly testify to the diuretic effects. Just don't eat that much in the evening!
There are some considerations to be aware of:
livescience/50640-celery-nutrition.html
As to exercising, in addition to ankle pumping, there's also stationery bike riding. You might have seen the stationery arm or leg exercisers in PT departments. This is a less high tech but effective stationery cycle which can be used at home and costs a fraction of the heavier duty machines:
http://www.drleonards.com/pedal-exerciser-as-seen-on-tv/11064.cfm.
My father uses it to strengthen his legs; it's helped him, and it's an alternative to going out for therapy.
AZO can adversely interact with other drugs, including vitamins.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a physician or pharmacist, this is not medical advice, just a referal to look it up, ask your doctor. Hope something is helpful to you.
I would have her checked, really checked (not just a dipstick), for a UTI.
in the meantime, I read that a lack of Vitamin K can lead to weak veins, so I am looking for a supplement--there's no way she could eat boiled collard greens.
My mom's feet get swollen if she sits too much in a wheelchair without elevating her legs. I have not seen them turn ourple, though, and that is worrisome!
Good luck!
http://www.arthritistoday.org/arthritis-treatment/natural-and-alternative-treatments/supplements-and-herbs/supplement-guide/turmeric.php
I'd also get her to walk as much as possible, even though that seem counter-intuitive. But activity is good for arthritis, so if she's sitting a lot, her pain will be worse from stiffness and disuse.
Another thought ... has she been on the same BP med for a while? Some of them can cause issues with leg and foot pain. we had to switch a couple of times.
We elevate and do exercises...and take alternating tylenol and advil.
She takes lasix for fluid but we need to watch the amount.
Have your mom see a cardiologist and get checked out. also if her blood sugar is a problem...diabetic clinics or docs would have good solutions. good luck with increasing the circulation without increasing the pain.