cindy48 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 Hi all, I wondered if anyone had experienced a swelling of the limbs on the stroke affected side ? My boyfriend has obvious swelling of his right hand, arm and leg on his right side. Dr. didn't seem concerned. Is there anything anyone knows may cause this or we can do, or if it is a problem please advise. Also to add to the vision problem comments. Tonys left eyelid and vision was affected by his stroke. He has been wearing an eye patch on good eye and it makes bad eye open more and blocks double vision. We asked Tonys general practioner and she said it couldn't hurt ? Last stroke was March 14, 2006. You are all so appreciated....Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom71 Posted May 25, 2006 Share Posted May 25, 2006 cindy48, I've had some swelling of my left hand, I was told the reason is because I can not move it that fluids collect on it, but likewise my doctor said it is no big deal, just a stroke side affect and there is nothing I can do about it God Bless, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fking Posted May 26, 2006 Share Posted May 26, 2006 Just last night, my wife noticed both my ankles swollen a little on the outsides only. The insides look normal so I think it's fluid, haven't asked my doctor yet. I had been in the hot tub and sauna. When I first got home from the hospital two years ago, I did accupuncture to get rid of the swelling in hand and ankles. This is the first swelling since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lschick Posted June 25, 2006 Share Posted June 25, 2006 Cindy, My husband also has issues with swelling on his affected side. For his hand, we used a special glove to help push the fluid out of his hand. I think the glove was made by isotoner...he wore the glove inside out, so the seams didn't bother him. This helped a little, but as soon as we removed the glove the swelling would return. After he was home from the hospital, we tried a taping method with Kinesio (sp?) tape. This helped a little, too. We later had tests done and discovered an issue with compressed discs in his neck. Steve had a series of three epidural injections to the back of his neck and WOW what a difference that made. Steve still has bouts with mild swelling, but we just make sure to move the affected limbs more and that helps. As far as the eye patch, Steve wore one for several months. We alternated eyes, though. He had severe double vision, and one eye seemed to "bug out". Now, eight months post stroke, he no longer needs the patch and both eyes look the same. Steve no longer has double vision, either. Hope this helps! Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laree Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 Cindy, My name is Laree I had a massive stroke 5 years ago and right now I am sitting here with an ice pack on my hand I too swell and I find hot weather makes it worse.My doctor didn't seemed too concerned either,but I was tested for inflamation in the body you might suggest that just to rule out other things.I also have swelling in my foot,Idid get some reliefe wearing a magnetic braclett and I have just sent for an ancle braclet,in the winter months wearing the magnet is all I need but summer is a different story.Please let me know as well if you find out anything.Good luck hang in. Laree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fking Posted June 26, 2006 Share Posted June 26, 2006 I replied to this post back on 25 May but I see this is Lauree's first post, so I welcome you. You have been reading the board, that's really good, I hope you gain the information needed to cope with your stroke. Five years is a long time but I'm half way there and still got swelling too. It's just in my ankles. Maybe it's just stages our bodies go thru, but it has slowed my walking down a bit which may have no connection at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindy48 Posted June 26, 2006 Author Share Posted June 26, 2006 Thanks all for input.. Swelling in right arm is not so severe, but right leg still has some. As far as patch..thanks.. I read post to Tony and he too thinks the alternating may be good. He has exact symptoms as you said you had... Its been 3 months now and every day still holds something new. Right now we are dealing with depression and boredom. He still cant believe this has happened to him and worries if he will ever be same. I just tell him to be greatful he is alive because I am no matter what his limitaions may be. Take care all.. you are a freat source of info and comfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MelBaker Posted June 27, 2006 Share Posted June 27, 2006 Hi Cindy - I had a lot of swelling on my left side - they said it was because of no normal movement and were very concerned because the fluid puts a lot of pressure on nerves etc. I also had a special glove with no fingertips which I wore with the seams out, and had TED hose compression stockings on my legs to help with circulation. Hope things improve for you and yours - keeping you in my prayers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest faithycan Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Hello All, Thanks for the help. My husband Tom's hand and leg are very swollen. I am glad I read all the replies on here because it helped alot. The PT called me and said she was concerned because he refuses to get out of the wheelchair, (she wants his leg attachment gone) and refuses to get rid of the attachement. So my concern is relieved somewhat about the swelling. I am going to try and help him walk more when I get home from work, maybe that will help. Again, Thanks :Clap-Hands: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriva Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 faithycan, If your husband's PT wants the leg attachment on the wheelchair gone, why haven't you taken it off and put it where he can't get it? This is one of those 'tough love' situations where you have to do what is right for his recovery. He will get a lot more movement in his leg/s if he's encouraged/made to use what he's still got left to propel the chair around and he can't do that with a foot attachment in place. More movement means less swelling. Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest faithycan Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 . Jean, I know all about tough love, I have been in recovery over 18 years. She tried taking it off today and he flipped out. His brother hid it on him and he started throwing things. It isn't a matter of tough love. He is a grown man, and he has rights, as I am being told. The only one that he is hurting is himself. I called his sponsor and he is coming over to talk to him tonight about his behavior. He is defiant, crude, and down right mean to everyone. And we are starting to walk him three times at night. thanks for the imput Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slmstrokeangel Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Swelling is nothing to mess around with. It was the first symptom of my heart disease. And yes my right side (affected side) swells more than the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisas Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Cindy, My daughter also has swelling on right side(side affected by the stroke). It has stayed somewhat swollen since her stroke a year ago. We do need to watch for swelling on both sides though because of her CHF. She was on Lasix for this but has since been taken off. So far so good. Our doctors have also stated that right side affected is normal due to stroke. She sleeps with leg on pillow at night. This helps some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pprovost Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 My shoe size has gone from a 9 AA to a 9 1/2 E in the 10 years since my stroke. My podiatrist told me that the muscles in my feet have atrophied and there is nothing left to hod the bones tight together. Even without my disability it is normal to get wider feet as we age. My affected arm shows no signs of thickening however best, Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest faithycan Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Thank you all for your encouraging support. It is very hard being a caregiver, but even harder for my husband who is the stroke patient. I work 40 hours plus a week, and come home and glady take care of him. At first it was a huge adjustment, but now when I feel myself getting short and stressed out, I turn to my higher power and my friends and family, I am grateful he is alive. If I always remain humble, be grateful, I can get through the day. Sometimes it seems forever and ever but we muddle through it. Thanks for letting me share. Even though I do not like every answer I get, I am grateful for everyone's opionion. Faith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phyllis4732 Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 My ankles swell and it isn't due to kidney disease as many think; I take a medication that can cause swelling. Even if a person does not have a stroke, standing for long hours as I do can cause it- but of course, not everyone stands. As for taking the foot parts off the wheelchair, this happened to me in the acute care rehab I was in after about 2 days. I was then able to work my feet and use the bars they have on the walls in the halls to get around. When I was taken to the various therapies, I just had to hold my feet up, which probably was a good thing. After 2 weeks, I went to a step-down rehab and the same thing happened; they were taken away. In fact the 'van' driver from the county bus company who has the contract to take nursing home patients etc. to doctors appointments was furious when there weren't any because by law, they must be on the chairr so that it can be locked in plsce. They had to run around to find a pair. Then again were removed on my return. If this had happened, there wouldn't have been the problem that you have now (perhaps) but it you can explain to your husband why it is requested by the PT perhaps your husband will accept it. Tell him, it's an indication that he is getting better; that should make him happpier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriva Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 . Phyllis, Thanks for backing me up on the foot rests. I really didn't mean to offend Faith about this. (Sorry Faith!) But it isn't helping to not go along with what the therapist wants here. It's not only the swelling issue. which is a huge consideration, but it's also about learning to be independent. We have a friend whose husband wouldn't let her take the foot rests off in rehab either and now, 4 years later, she has to push him from room to room and EVERY where they go. Don, with only one working arm and one foot, is able to propel himself around all over the place. When I do push him it's only because I'm using his wheelchair for a walker or we're going up hill. Much better to have this 'fight' in rehab than let it go and deal with the long lasting repersussions later on. My friend regrets that she didn't and now her husband has the mindset of a disabled person who can't do anything. Jean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest faithycan Posted March 5, 2007 Share Posted March 5, 2007 . Hi Jean, I was sensitive when I replied, sorry about that also. Come to find out, we had to request a new therapist because she kept telling Tom she will discharge him if he didn't do what she said, and also she kept taking the foot rests away from him. Which she wasn't supposed to do. (the ot was there when she did this and reported her to the agency). Long story short, new therapist new technique. She immediately raised the footrest and within that day, his swelling went down completely. He is however (started sunday) to use the footrest less and less. He has been fitted for another walking brace also that will help him more. The therapist also said when he has swelling to keep the rest up high to alleviate the swelling. He has also been paddling more. So a day at a time he is getting better. Thanks for the encouragement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JessieJ Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 My mom originally had some minor swelling post stroke, but her situation has taken a turn for the worse. In addition to the stroke causing her right side to be affected and causing swelling, she also had triple bypass surgery two years ago which used veins from that leg. She started losing circulation two weeks ago, and now they're talking about amputating her leg just below the knee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwatrous Posted April 13, 2007 Share Posted April 13, 2007 The best I can say is my affected side did swell after too much walking - Just have him elevate his affected side, and by all means, limit his salt intake June :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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