swollen ankles

[mominschool2]

Hi everyone,

I have been studying many, many long hours and I have noticed that my ankles are severely edematous. I realize fluid is pooling because of all the hours I'm at my desk. I just don't see a window of time I'm willing to sacrifice to "get active" if it means I have to take time away from my studies. I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

If this is a new change for you, have you consulted your primary care provider? I can't imagine that simply sitting at a desk for longer than normal would lead to "severely edematous" ankles. Perhaps a visit to the PCP to rule out any other contributing causes?

[mominschool2]

Thanks for responding. Truthfully I've gone from one extreme to the next. I used to exercise daily and now that's virtually nonexistent. I spend an obsessive amount of time at my books. I went to the doctor, my labs came back fantastic. I'm no spring chicken either, I wonder if that is part of my problem. I'm thinking its my body saying "get up off your bumm".

[cinlou, BSN, MSN, RN]

pump your feet and rotate your ankles while sitting. If you are older this is not necessarily uncommon, since you have seen your PCP, set an alarm and get up and walk around every so often,put a step stool under your feet to relieve pressure on the back of your knees, drink lots of water, if you get dehydrated you will retain more water, or if you feel you drink enough, add lemon to your water for a natural diuretic.