Does anybody have a good tip what I can do? Thanks a lot in advance.
Maybe somebody here knows how you can get rid of fluid retention. I had this problem during my pregnancies but it went back to normal after birth. But this time it seems the fluid stayed and I have severe problems, especially in my legs. Talked to my doc and she advised me to drink tea made from stinging nettle. But that doesn't help.
You can buy elastic stockings for air travel in Müller's drogery. These will reduce the swelling. Are you overweight and drink a lot of alcohol?
As the nettles don't work you can buy tablets from the pharmacy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diuretic
I think you should persevere with your doctor, go back and tell her, as you might be ill!
Drink lots of water....avoid caffeine...get some gentle exercise a few times a day, get checked out thoroughly by the doctor, put your feet up when you can...
A friend of mine found that the cause was 'diet' cola drinks - combination of caffeine, artificial sweeteners and not drinking enough water. When she gave up diet cola she had a big improvement and a year later she's brought her weight down substantially...
neither overweight nor heavy drinker. I have elastic stockings and wear them on long journeys. But I can't wear them to work (way too warm!)
Thanks for the other ideas.
Put your feet up, drink loads of water, cut down on salt, cut down on caffeine, cut down on alcohol.
Not so easy at work, and I work long hours.
Also watch your salt intake - too much encourages the cells in your body to hang onto fluid.
You could try eating celery, which is a natural diuretic, and I have heard that dandelion root tea (Clipper do one) can also help.
1.Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,and drink plenty of water. This can help you urinate more often, thus helping flush excess water.
2. Avoid alcohol.
3. Insufficient levels of potassium, calcium or magnesium can cause fluid retention So eating veg, fruits, dairy product, nuts, whole grain may help you consume these important nutrients, thus reducing water retention.
4. Eat garlic, it is one of the most popular natural remedies.
5.Take 500mg of VitC twice per day as it helps to improve lymph flow.
6.Reduce salt in your diet. Avoid food with MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Doesn't have to mean chilling out with a cool drink etc.
Get this:
http://www.effective-ergonomics.com.au/footstools.htm
and this for bed:
the leg elevator looks good - I can imagine it really helps once you're in bed.
As mentioned by zyxel above, and not wishing to get into another long debate ... do try and avoid MSG - it caused serious fluid retention for me.
Read labels carefully as it crops up in the most unexpected places, as well as the expected ones such as certain stock cubes, Aromat (!), flavoured crisps and snacks and a lot of Asian sauces.
Yes I remember - thanks for pointing it out again. You see it's difficult to try all these things when you work all day and eat at the canteen. I think I just have to stop eating at the canteen.
Any disease of the kidneys, liver or heart is partly expressed by water retention. Certain medications may cause the conditions too.
To MacGregor's Daughter: having another consultation with your doctor may help you treat any underlying causes.
It's funny you should say that but I was suffering quite badly from fluid retention when I was working for a particular firm in London and eating their delicious (too delicious ...) soup every lunchtime. I am careful about what I eat and could not put my finger on it, until I realised that the soup must have been made with MSG laden stock cubes/flavouring.
You can still eat in the canteen though, as long as you are selective about what you choose - ie, anything that is identifiable as being natural and free from additives.
Thanks, but that can be excluded. I was checked from head to toe, including blood test and everything. There was nothing unusual except a certain lack of iron.
Did they check your thyroid function? Just a thought, as an imbalance can lead to all sorts of side effects, including anaemia.
I tried most above including some very reaction happy pills, them buggers could find water on mars so for most of the day I felt like the Mannekin Piss statue.
Strangly enough I am no longer wearing socks and bingo no more sloshing ankles, works for me.
Nope, wise choices will do it. Choose things without carbohydrates and without sauces. Choose meat and fish especially grilled plus vegetables/salad but without dressing or bring your own. If they do oil and vinegar do that, dressings can contain loads of salt. Fruit or fruit salad is always a good bet, even a sandwich is OK. Soups, stews, pies, bakes and rice/pasta dishes will contain the most salt.
Did I understand correctly that everything you tried didn't work except for the no longer socks part?
Osteopathy, acupucture and lynfodrainage massage can also help.
With docs prescription, you should be able to get it reimbursed from health insurance.
My midwife also reccommended cold foot bath with salt.
For the socks: you need to get the proper prescription ones (cost about 80-90 chf) these really work! They are not thick at all so can be worn with work shoes (ok, not ballerinas ) you can have full leg or also knee high. Buying the 30 Chf Scholl is a waste of money IMHOif you have serious fluid retention.
Lastly, when you put your feet up, you must pas attention at the angle at your groin: if you are sitting with feet on small stool and this angle is close to 90 degrees you are not helping much as this "blocks" the liquid in your legs anyway. Ideally you should lie down and elevate your feet or at least semi recline.
Cheers,
K