Swelling with Arthritis | Arthritis Information

 

My husband has been presribed paquenill, a steriod, to take for arthritis. He has been having problems with his feet, ankles, legs, hands swelling and getting tight and puffy looking. I am not sure if this is a side effect of the medication or not.

well..my ankles swell every day that I sit at my desk at work.. If I am home.. and up and moving about.. they swell much less.  My hands will also swell up with some repetitive use.. and /or if I walk a lot and hang them at my sides.. if I move them up and down pumping my arms I don't have that problem..  so.. In  my case, the lack of movement and activity causes swelling. My ankles and knees swell a lot when I am in a flare, especially if I am at work all day. I put them up when I come home from work, and my doc prescribes prednisone, and the swelling goes way down.Intermittent ankle swelling in rheumatoid arthritis is common and most likely occurs as a result of active inflammatory synovitis. Rheumatoid arthritis vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) with peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves) is also a consideration. Swelling of the ankle and calf may represent phlebitis (inflammation of a vein) or blockage of the lymphatic system (lymphedema), torn calf muscle with bleed, as well as other general medical conditions i.e. heart failure and kidney disease.
Have your doc. give you a thorough check and further tests done to clear any doubts you may have. Let us know how your doing.

http://www.arthritisjointpaingone.com

Like Babs, most of the swelling I have is due to inactivity when sitting for long periods.  I recently took a trip that involved a long flight and Oh Brother!  The swelling was horribly horrid, from my hips down were the worst but the rest of my body was not spared.  I did have a big ol' steroid shot in the knee the day before I left, so I wonder if I hadn't had that, would the edema have not been so awful??? 
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com