Swollen legs and ankles

Hi Coolgran65. I suffer from swollen feet and ankles as well. My GP sent me for a Doppler scan which seemingly came back clear. I am also taking medication (Amiodipine, Atenol, Ramipril) which can cause it but I also take Bendroflumethiazide which is a duiretic so dont know if any of them are the problem!
I was going through tests for this and other problems just before lockdown so everything stopped!

Thank you everyone.
Whingingmom - I will mention this to GP. To be honest I feel like I’m running the show. It was me who asked for the blood test to check on heart failure. Then I suggested and got an ECG done..... it was all clear. I’ll ask for this.

It may be that you have some peripheral vascular disease and some support stockings might help with venous return and relieve the swelling in your legs.
PVD is usually a nursing speciality - you can have an ultrasound Doppler test and a specialist nurse can diagnose PVD and prescribe the correct compression hosiery if required. You really need the Doppler test first though - compression stockings can make matters worse if the swelling is caused by arterial rather than venous problems.
I’m surprised your GP hasn’t suggested this, and would advise you ask for a referral to a PVD/Doppler clinic specialist nurse. Most GP practice nurse specialists can offer this.
Hope it helps

Just a thought, Coolgran, I haven't suffered from swollen ankles since I removed gluten from my diet five years ago.

I'm not on any medication though.

Thank you everyone. I have been trying to up my steps. I have several ongoing conditions under investigation one being sleep apnea so I only sleep about 2 hours nightly.

The gp thought there was more to it (red rash and coarse skin indicating cellulitis or clot) but hospital said no.
Fingers crossed the antibiotic works.

Amlodipine is well known for causing ankle swelling.

I have always been inclined to have swollen feet, especially when I am hot. It was severe when I gave up smoking and had to wear prescribed support stockings. I was also advised to walk more.
If you are able, increase your walking. My swelling has gone away since retirement as I am no longer desk bound and am much more active.

Some BP medications can cause swelling of feet/ankles. I take Bisoprolol and my right foot is swollen as we speak. I've learned to live with this particularly as my foot has been like this since the dose was increased to 5mg from 3.75mg.

This increase has stopped the frequency of A/fib, but has caused the swelling so you can't win, but saying that if there was a choice I'll stick with the swollen foot.
My next door neighbour is on the same medication and her ankles are swollen, so it is a side effect of many beta-blockers.

DH takes 80mg of furosemide (diuretic) every day because he has heart failure which leads to fluid retention, especially in his right leg. He also takes verapamil rather than ramipril which gave him an irritating cough.

If his legs look extra puffy he can increase the furosemide but his kidneys often struggle with this so he has to go back to the original dose. He's also advised not to drink too much liquid every day which is hard when the weather is hot.

Last winter we bought a recliner so he can keep his legs elevated whenever possible. This seems to help.

I hope you get it sorted soon, Coolgran. This is a difficult time to get on top of things that go awry.

kittylester- did the diuretic work well for you.

I was put on a diuretic as well as my bp tablets (ramipril) sounds as though it's definitely worth a try.

I hope you get sorted.