From: Kathy Stevenson (adsl-82-173-244.mem.bellsouth.net)
Subject: Re: Dr. Pickney! Help! Edema !
Date: January 18, 2002 at 2:34 pm PST

In Reply to: Dr. Pickney! Help! Edema ! (post is a bit long) posted by DiDi on August 28, 2000 at 4:52 pm:

Dear Dr. Pinckney:

I have a nerve disease of the spinal cord. It is called Arachnoiditis. I also have neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, Cervical Stenosis, Neurogenic Bladder, Rotator Cuff syndrome and A Paralytic Ileus. I am having a very bad problem with edema of my feet and legs. They were so bad a couple of weeks ago, that they dere drooping over the sides and also dropping. My doctor said that he was hearing the fluid when he listened to my heart and lungs and right away put me on Lasix 40 mgs. for about a week you could tell the Lasix was working, but now the swelling is coming back and the pain in my feet is horrible. My lower back is so bad, the pain level this past two weeks has been at about 8 or 9. I have not been able to move, hardly. I went to the Urologist today and they cathed me, no residual came out which is very unusual since I went during the night, took my fluid pill, drank about 4 cups of coffee, sipped on a cold drink last night and everytime I woke up during the night. the Urologist said that the fluid retention and the edema has nothing to do with my bladder. I have had blood work done two weeks in a row and my doctor said that it is not showing any kidney damage even though the pain and burning around the area of the left kidney. I know or at least I think that he is doing everything he can, but it is not helping now like it was at first. I was so happy, you could at least see my ankles, which this was rare for the last couple of months. What do you suggest. Do you think any of it could be from a low thyroid activity. I know some of the symptoms are weight gain and fluid retention and it does run in my family. I have gained so much weight and I know that it has got to be the fluid as I don't have a very good appetite. Please can you help me with this. I sure would appreciate it. When I was diagnosed as having this horrible, incurable and inoperable disease of the spinal cord, I was devastated, but time has passed, now I am very frustrated over the edema problem. The answer is always the same, I don't know, There is nothing I can do about it, etc.

Thanks

Kathy Stevenson