Posted by gardenergirl on June 3, 2007, at 0:18:52
In reply to Re: Nardil, new side effect; swollen ankles/Philli, posted by stargazer2 on June 2, 2007, at 20:59:49
I've had swelling in my lower extremities with Nardil. It only occurs at 60 mg and higher doses. My GP prescribed Lasix, and I took that occasionally when the swelling was worst, though they never really reached the achy stage. Lasix was somewhat helpful.
For me, anytime I went to 60 mg or higher, I would get urinary retention and edema. It was annoying more than anything. I've been at 60 mg for quite some time now, and I only seem to swell now during my period or if I take an NSAID. I don't know if these side effects just eventually went away or if Lithium has anything to do with it since Lithium can increase urination. I haven't taken a Lasix in over a year. Actually, I don't know that I can anymore with Lithium.
I had the same worry as you about CHF. I'm overweight and out of shape, so I worry about health problems due to weight anyway. But I never had any other cardiac or respiratory symptoms accompany the swelling, so I think it's more of a kidney or urinary problem. But I'm only speculating. I've not had anyone explain the physiology of urinary retention with Nardil to me.
I hope you find some relief. Putting your legs up whenever you can and definitely a least once a day for 20-30 minutes or more is helpful. I would lie down with my butt up to the wall and my legs up against the wall to really really elevate them. Retrograde massage is also helpful (long strokes moving from the foot, up the leg towards the heart only, not back down). There are certain essential oils which are reported to increase circulation and "detox", and using a massage oil or lotion with them mixed in is another trick I've tried with some success. Epsom salt baths help. When you are sitting, doing ankle pumps is pretty easy (flexing the foot forward and back).
Hope this helps,
gg
poster:gardenergirl
thread:760120
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070524/msgs/760985.html