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My left ankle and foot were swollen the past few days but are now back to normal. I called a nurse and she said it could be possible heart failure. I haven't injured my foot or ankle at all. Now tonight I have a pain on the right side of my head around the temple and lately have been noticing the muscle in the right side of my neck feels strange. Am I just paranoid? I am 51 and ever since turning 50 I seem to be thinking I will kick the bucket soon. My lifestyle habits sure don't help. I am overweight and smoke and recently my blood pressure medicine was increased. My plan is to get through the holidays and then lose weight and quit smoking. Am I overreacting? I have a physical scheduled Monday morning and will mention all of this to my Dr. Thanks for any replies.
All I can tell you is what my old doctor told me once: If your ankles swell, but holding your feet up reduces the swelling, it's not congestive heart failure. If you can push on the swelling with your finger and it leaves an indentation, it probably is.
All I can tell you is what my old doctor told me once: If your ankles swell, but holding your feet up reduces the swelling, it's not congestive heart failure. If you can push on the swelling with your finger and it leaves an indentation, it probably is.
Thanks, this is most helpful. If the swelling comes back I will do this.
It's not called hypochondria anymore it's called 'health anxiety'
I doubt you have health anxiety - because a diagnosis of that can only be made after you've been given the all clear by your doctor.
All you have a symptoms and fears - we all have those and you're smart enough to know that you've got a few risk factors.
I think what you're experiencing is NORMAL and I don't think you should wait before cleaning up your diet.
But first - see a doctor ASAP, heart failure kills people and is very very serious.
Ok, thanks for this information. I don't eat poorly. In fact, I just had some lentil soup. I stay away from fried foods, etc. I do drink too much wine (or have in the past) and this is when it swells up. So I am not going to do this going forward. As far as the smoking is concerned, I have a box of the patches sitting on my kitchen counter. I have two cigarettes left and then will put on the patch. I do appreciate the warning.
Good luck to you on your endeavor. Try to add exercise into your life to help manage the stress and lower your blood pressure.Choose red wine if you're not already and stick to 2 glasses a day.My husband quit smoking cold turkey 3 years ago after over 20 years.Very hard at first,but he did it.He has taken up running,changed his diet and lowered his blood pressure and cholesterol through that alone.I hope you have support of friends and family.
I was having some serious ankle swelling in one foot where I had a past injury [metal plate] about four years ago after walking a lot or sitting all day.
Kicked down the sodium and ate more potasssium rich foods and it has completely gone away. I have become very sensitive to sodium as I have gotten older. Sodium 101: Shake the Salt Habit
Thanks all. I did go to see my Dr. today. My EKG was normal and, although he said I could go to get an echocardiogram from a specialist, he didn't tell me to, so I guess that is a good sign...maybe?
I think if I just make lifestyle changes now I should be ok. I should probably watch my sodium intake too. As to the smoking, I won't be quitting before the first of the year. This much I know. Did you all hear that being lonely is worse on one's health than smoking? It was reported on the radio. Well, I am alone during the holidays so I'll just indulge myself the smoking until 2010.
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Am I a hypochondriac?
