Swollen Legs & Ankles | Arthritis Information

Hi Everyone,

I was only diagnosed with RA about a month ago and have not been able to start the shots yet due to being sick. Three days ago I started having problems with my lower legs(below knee) and ankles swelling a lot. It goes away at night when sleeping but within an hour of waking it starts again. I have never had this before and was wondering if anyone has experienced this as a part of RA? It kind of scares me as my sister is a nurse and she said it could be a sign of CHF(congestive heart failure). I am hoping it is from the RA and maybe someone on here has had it. My lower legs also feel heavy like lead.

Thanks So Much!!!!

Hi nvalone

I am sorry to hear about your legs. I don't know what could be causing it. I just wanted to wish you luck in getting your answer real real fast. It does sound scary.

Nvralone,

Have you recently started taking Celebrex or any other Nsaid anti-inflammatory? Some of them cause oedema, or swelling of the lower legs and feet. Celebrex is notorious for that.

Ask your doctor, and maybe he can reassure you.

Hope you'll be well enough to start your therapy soon.

Ellie

nvralone - I had symptoms close to yours about two years ago, right before I was diagnosed. It took time, but these symptoms finally reacted to the meds and at least this part stabilized. Hang in there. CathyHi nvralone,

I also am an RN. The first thing I thought was CHF as well. Do you have abdominal swelling? Are your arms swelling as well? I would DEFINITELY get this checked out asap! Are you short of breath with or without exertion? Are you leaking any fluid from your legs or ankles? I know it's alot of questions, however, they are all symptoms of CHF. Are you on any type of med that causes those symptoms?

You'll sleep better at night if you see your Primary care physician and find out. I hope you feel better very soon and you can see your doc asap! Please let us know that you're ok.

Take care!

Hi,
Sorry to hear your suffering.

Thank you everyone for all of the information!!! I will be going tonight to have it checked out and will let you know. Thank you so much for your advice, knowledge and kind words. I love this forumn and don't know what I would do without you guys. Thanks, Angie

Welcome, sorry you are here, there are lots of people with lots of helpful info on this site. Go to your next appt. well prepared with questions and dont leave till you feel you've been fully answered. One step at a time is the thing with all the info, you can only absorb so much. Fingers crossed you can get the swelling sorted.

I was reading on the heart failure and it says that if you press the edema area and it pits after, then it will be the heart, if it bounces back like mine, then it isn't caused by the heart.

Along with my RA, i have bouts of asthmatic type attacks without asthma, bronchial attacks without bronchitis, i have swelling galore right under the knee and in the feet, i have swelling sometimes in my stomach area and my thighs, shoulders (not the joint) etc.

Doctors don't know what it is, I had the heart thing done once earlier this year where they hooked me up to electrode things and and said it was fine. Ekg, EEg one of those e things lol.

But i have the same kind of thing going on, so if you learn what yours is, please please please let us know cuz my doctors are sumped.

Thanks and god bless, i know how scarry it is. It's hard enough to live with something that you know what it is like RA, but when mystery things happen, especially when breathing occurs, it is very scarry.

God bless you and i wish you well.