Water Retention/edema

[GFinDC]

I had swelling of my feet and ankles for years. I quit eating salt for years but it didn't help the swelling. I have read that swelling can be an allergic reaction, and I think that is what I had. Mine went away after going gluten-free and stopping drinking wine. I believe it was a reaction to yeast or sulfites, although there are some wines that may have gluten in them. Anyhow, I use the Morton Lite salt substitute now, it has a mixture of salt and potassium chloride. It might be good to read up on potassium and salt, as they are kind of a balancing act for your bodies cells/blood. It seems like there is a connection between potassium deficits and swelling also.

[mushroom]

Here's my story. Ankles and feet began swelling big time in my late 30's; used to be a problem only when I pulled an all-nighter before then. Blood pressure went up at same time, was on BCPills. Started taking diuretic; have done so for last 30 years--"idiopathic edema". Salt makes not a wit of difference although I have always been low salt. Don't do potato or corn chips or salted nuts, etc. Gluten free--no change, in fact worse because now they are messing with my meds, changed diuretic, potassium has been out of balance (they changed my meds because I have poor renal function now secondary to taking prescribed diclofenac for RA--went into kidney failure, but recovered) and also secondary to diuretic. Everything seems all messed up now, can't get my ankles down, carrying lots of excess fluid even though taking Lasix to try to get rid of it after trial of 1/2 dose of diuretic. Should I see an endocrinologist, or someone else when I come to Nevada in a couple of months? Have copies of all my labs.

What you folks think? Sorry to hijack thread

[LuvMoosic4life]

I was always puffy on gluten. Now that I'm gluten free I notice even more when I gain water wieght. I actaully think it has gotten worse gluten-free, but thats because it isn't a constant thing and I actually notice it now.

Although a low sodium diet can help some people. I have found that can make my water retention worse. I'm 23 and I am also a runner. I've been having horirible hormone fluctuations throughout the month which cause water rentention....I can even feel it in my vocal chords- NOT fun when you are a singer-its rather debilitating. But anyways. For a while I was keeping my sodium under 500 Mg a day....it helped at first, but then it seemed to be doing nothing. I noticed if I purposely ate something salty (not extremely salty) I would feel better. When I keep my sodium between 800 mg and 1500 a day I seem to feel best.

It really is an individual thing. I also know too much wate ris bad for me..there are times where i would feel light headed when I drink water all day on a low sodium diet. I normally have problems with feeling dizzy, but that just makes it worse.

best of luck to you. things will get better!

[caek-is-a-lie]

I get puffy fingers, neck, torso, and sometimes feet. It can get really bad. Many years ago it was so bad my skin hurt because it was so tight. I haven't noticed a direct relation to salt...for me it's more related to gluten and sugar consumption. It definitely gets bad if I eat wheat bread. People talk about getting bloated belly from gluten, but for me I get an entire bloated body! It's freaky because my stomach, hands, and chin will blow up like a balloon just minutes after eating. I can grow 2 pants sizes in 30 seconds. Freaky! And it takes awhile for it to go away. I hate it. Doctors ignore me when I tell them about it, but I try to control it by watching what I eat. After I went 100% gluten-free, I was able to wear some rings that I haven't worn in years. It was great! Lately I've been having problems with it again, though. I think it's either too much sugar or I'm sensitive to milk. Not sure which, though.

[LuvMoosic4life]

I get puffy fingers, neck, torso, and sometimes feet. It can get really bad. Many years ago it was so bad my skin hurt because it was so tight. I haven't noticed a direct relation to salt...for me it's more related to gluten and sugar consumption. It definitely gets bad if I eat wheat bread. People talk about getting bloated belly from gluten, but for me I get an entire bloated body! It's freaky because my stomach, hands, and chin will blow up like a balloon just minutes after eating. I can grow 2 pants sizes in 30 seconds. Freaky! And it takes awhile for it to go away. I hate it. Doctors ignore me when I tell them about it, but I try to control it by watching what I eat. After I went 100% gluten-free, I was able to wear some rings that I haven't worn in years. It was great! Lately I've been having problems with it again, though. I think it's either too much sugar or I'm sensitive to milk. Not sure which, though.

OMG I get the thing where my skin hurts.....i was wondering always if this is normal with edema?? It actaully gets so bad that if I press down anywhere on my body...mostly around my mid section/sides/back....it feels like bruising!!! then I can feel the same bruising feeling in my muscles. I have more muscle than fat and I know muscle retains more water.....which really sucks!!....anyone else have this problem? UGH!

[betsb90]

I've been having digestive issues for about six months now and antibody tests in the past have suggested problems with gluten, so I just recently started a gluten free diet. Some of my symptoms are better (severe stomach pain and bloating after eating, cramping, constipation), and I've only been gluten free for about a week. but I still have a lot of water retention. At first I thought it could be cellulite (yuck), but then I realized it changed throughout the day, my rings didn't fit, and my ankles were swollen. I don't eat many foods containing salt, dairy, or sugar. Since going off of gluten I eat a lot of snacks that contain rice. Can rice typically be the cause of a water retention issue? Or should I wait and be more patient? If rice is an issue, I feel lost about things to eat for snacks! As a college student, crackers are just so convenient.

[SGWhiskers]

Something else to consider as a known cause of nasal congestion, coughing, and difficulty sleeping laying down is reflux. (which we all know can be irritated by gluten).

[Ariauna]

Wow what a great question and one that brought a realization for me! About 2 years ago my ankles and feet started swelling really bad and no one could tell me why. The doctors prescribed me water pills and they didn't make much of a difference so I just suffered through it. Just about 3 months ago I was diagnosed with celiac disease and you know what I have not had any swelling anywhere with the exception of the 2 times I have glutened myself over the past 3 months!! What great news and it feels good to know I will most likely not face that again!! I hope it gives you hope to know that this may subside for you too eventually. I am one of those people that it only took a few days of being gluten-free before noticing no bloating and stomach pain after eating it was like a miracle of course it is taking a while for the lower parts of my digestive system to heal up but I am still miles ahead of where I was just a few short months ago!!!

I wish you all the luck and give you healing prayers!