Edema
I am in end-stage COPD, and was recently hospitalized with low grade fever (100.5 F) wheezing, and most alarming, serious edema in legs. While in the hospital five days on solumedrol IV (akin to prednisolone), oral antibiotics, and lasix, the edema resolved. I had been taking a lot of Prednisone at home and tapered off that as causes edema as well. Nothing but the antibiotics was different than what I do at home. I take lasix at home.
Long story short, I came home and the second morning I woke up with edema starting in my legs and feet.
I had ingested a Carnation Breakfast Essential and allowed my roommate's dog to lay by my bed for a few hours.
So it seems to me it's (1) exposure to the dog, or (2) something in.the breakfast drink.
I had been given my first oral dose to begin taper in hospital with no edema. Had not started it yet at home -- I'm aware oral Prednisone can cause edema, but it was such a drastic change --
Has anyone used breakfast drinks and had problems? I'd rather not have to give them up. It seems like a simple way to get nutrients in the morning as I am quite limited as to what I can do. I researched it online and found nothing about edema, however lots of sugar.
Sorry, didn't mean to write a book!
Hope someone has some suggestions.
Abbey
Hi abbey, and thanks so much for sharing your recent medical situation with the community.
You may be aware we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), but your concern certainly warrants a reply.
This would most certainly be a medical concern (and symptom), that you should bring to your physician's attention. The doctor will be able to provide even more of an assessment (with the new information you've provided), to determine what, if anything, medically, is causing the leg edema. I say this because there are any number of medical conditions that can lead to edema of the legs and feet.
I thought this article, published right here on COPD.net, might be of interest to you since it focuses on this very topic: https://copd.net/symptoms/swelling.
I do hope you find it to be helpful in a practical way.
Please do check back and let us know how this all turns out for you.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
I seriously doubt it has anything to do with dogs or that breakfast drink. I have neither (I have a cat) and have the same edema. Just started a 7-day course of Lasix 6 days ago and have some reduction now, but my left foot still leaks (old work injury). So I'm anxious to learn more on this. My Doc says the edema is a side effect mostly of the steroids. I did some research and this is likely part of it, and other parts of the cause are just the heart/lung interaction with the COPD. But I never had it before the steroids, so I suspect they magnify it. Just my .02. Thanks, Leon for that article - very informative, as always.
Hey kloker - glad you found the article to be helpful and appreciate you letting me know, too!
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi Abbey, how are you doing today? I hope you can find some comfort any way you can. Its too bad the Prednisone has good and bad effects. I use it quite often. As for the breakfast drinks I enjoy the cheap brand of Ensure. They have a lot of vitamins and after a week of coughing they feel really good on my throat. There is also diet drinks like Slim fast. Talk to your Doctors and tell them how you feel. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do just fine. Thank you all for your support. I'm sure you know how rare it is to find someone who really understands the seriousness of this dreadful disease. So many act as if we should just quietly accept it since we brought it on ourselves, as they throw back a few beers -- or leave for that poker game (tongue in cheek). I am so glad I found this website because I've never needed a support system more than I do now. Just as my disease has progressed to end-stage, I lost my sister and her husband, my younger son who was very caring.
I am going to close out my notes and open a new subject I haven't seen mentioned as of yet. The bipap and cpap machine recalls.
.... Abbey
Hi again, Abbey - it is our pleasure to be of assistance and support! You are certainly in the right place - our online community understands what you are going through and knows a lot about how you feel - please know you are always welcome here!
We also appreciate you starting the new topic about the Philips recall - I saw your post and was able to provide a reply to you there. For ease of reference, here is a link to that conversation: https://copd.net/forums/philips-respironics-urgent-medical-device-recall.
We truly value your input and your feedback, Abbey!
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
