Does ankle/leg swelling o away quickly?

I'm a new member who was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea recently, and I'm expecting to receive my CPAP unit and training soon.

While the sleepiness has been really bad, I almost find the lower leg and ankle swelling to be even more annoying. Does this typically go away quickly once you begin using a CPAP unit? For the second sleep study, I was able to get a few hours of real sleep, which was exciting. Almost as exciting though was that I didn't have to use the bathroom at all during that!. So seeing some of these other symptoms relieved is very cool too.

As soon as I get the CPAP I'll set up a proper SIG with the make, model number, etc.

That has nothing to do with Cpap, though it may be related to OSA in that you have some cardiac involvement and should see your doctor. Cpap may help to get rid of it, but it's not something you want to just wait around and see about... please let your MD know.

WhatMeSnore wrote:I'm a new member who was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea recently, and I'm expecting to receive my CPAP unit and training soon.

While the sleepiness has been really bad, I almost find the lower leg and ankle swelling to be even more annoying. Does this typically go away quickly once you begin using a CPAP unit? For the second sleep study, I was able to get a few hours of real sleep, which was exciting. Almost as exciting though was that I didn't have to use the bathroom at all during that!. So seeing some of these other symptoms relieved is very cool too.

As soon as I get the CPAP I'll set up a proper SIG with the make, model number, etc.

the edema may get better as you get more rested, it's not necessarily a side efect of OSA,though it's likely a side effect of being bloody exhausted

read this before you go further in getting a machine http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

Edema (swelling in the legs) IS listed in many places as a symptom of Sleep Apnea. What I'm asking is as the CPAP allows me to sleep normally, can I expect the swelling to go down, based on peoples' experiences.

I did let my MD know about the swelling though, thanks.

palerider wrote:read this before you go further in getting a machine http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

MY DME provider contacted me today to say they'd received the prescription today and were awaiting the insurance approval. My insurance is pretty good, and I think will cover the full cost. The DME is supposedly going to schedule training, etc. so it SEEMS like things are going ok. My DR is head of the sleep study center at a local hospital. So far everything's been in network and all I've paid is a small copayment at that first appointment with the Dr.

Do read the link above.
-Especially the comparison of machines
It is essential to know what is going on to assure you of optimum treatment--rather than only passable.

WhatMeSnore wrote:

palerider wrote:read this before you go further in getting a machine http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

MY DME provider contacted me today to say they'd received the prescription today and were awaiting the insurance approval. My insurance is pretty good, and I think will cover the full cost. The DME is supposedly going to schedule training, etc. so it SEEMS like things are going ok. My DR is head of the sleep study center at a local hospital.

I've bought all my stuff on craigslist, so I don't have any personal experience with this "DME" thing, but from what I've read here and on other forums, it really stands for "Devils Medical Experiment". they typically have a vested financial interest in shoving you out the door with the absolutely cheapest piece of crap they can foist off on you, because, (so I've read) they get paid the same amount from insurance whether you leave with a basic model that is basically just a fan that blows air in your face, or a smart model that can determine how much air you need, and record a boatload of data about how you're doing.... needless to say, many prefer to shove you out with the brick.

others have observed that if your DME says that it's raining outside, go and check. there have been reports of good, honest, caring DMEs here and on other forums, but those are in the minority.

did I mention that some folks here feel that DMEs make used car salesmen look like saints?

How your swelling responds to healthy sleep will depend on what conditions contribute to your swelling. Just a few culprits could be thyroid, kidneys, anemia, vascular or cardiac issues, or just inefficient flushing when either sitting or standing too long. My severe edema was said to be idiopathic - never pinpointed a cause, though every possibility was checked out. I still must keep my legs elevated a lot, take a water pill,and watch my sodium intake, but at least with better sleep, I can start each day well flushed. I may or may not have one potty trip during the night, mostly depending on how swollen I was when I went to sleep. When our bodies get the restorative sleep we need, everything can function more efficiently. If you don't have a specific reason for your swelling, maybe quality sleep will be enough to resolve your problems with fluid retention.

Have you discussed the edema with your doctor? It can be a sign of a serious problem, or it can be something minor.

CPAP may help, or it may not.

I find my sleep position makes a lot of difference in this, along with blood pressure meds. I used to get edema every time I visited my dad. I finally figured out it was my sleep position. I sleep in a recliner for back pain, and it makes CPAP easier. When I slept in one recliner at dad's house, my legs swelled. When I changed chairs, the problem went away. I assume it had to do with pressure on some part of my leg affecting blood or other fluid flow.

Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staff


Leg swelling can occur in any part of the legs, including the feet, ankles, calves and thighs. Leg swelling can result either from fluid buildup (fluid retention) or from inflammation in injured or diseased tissues or joints.

Many of the causes of leg swelling, such as an injury or prolonged standing or sitting, are easily identified. Sometimes leg swelling may be a sign of a more serious disorder, such as heart disease or a blood clot.

Seek medical care right away when leg swelling occurs for no apparent reason or you also have difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a serious heart condition.


Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staff


Many factors — varying greatly in seriousness — can cause leg swelling.

Leg swelling related to fluid buildup

Leg swelling caused by the retention of fluid in leg tissues is known as peripheral edema. It can be caused by a problem with the circulatory system, the lymphatic system or the kidneys. You may also experience swelling due to fluid buildup after sitting or standing for a long time.

Factors related to fluid buildup include:
•Acute kidney failure
•Cardiomyopathy (disease of heart tissue)
•Chronic kidney disease
•Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
•Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
•Heart failure
•Hormone therapy
•Lymphedema (blockage in the lymph system)
•Nephrotic syndrome (damage to small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys)
•Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
•Pericarditis (swelling of the membrane surrounding the heart)
•Pregnancy
•Prescription medications, including some used for diabetes and high blood pressure
•Sitting for a long time, such as during airline flights
•Standing for a long time
•Thrombophlebitis (a blood clot that usually occurs in the leg)
•Venous insufficiency, chronic (leg veins with a problem returning blood to the heart)

Leg swelling related to inflammation

Leg swelling can also be caused by inflammation in leg tissues. Inflammation may be a normal response to injury or disease, or it may be due to rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory disorder. You will usually feel some pain with inflammation.

Factors that can contribute to inflammation in the leg include:
•Achilles tendon rupture
•ACL injury (tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee)
•Baker's cyst
•Broken ankle/broken foot
•Broken leg
•Cellulitis (a skin infection)
•Gout (arthritis related to excess uric acid)
•Infection or wound in the leg
•Knee bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs in the knee joint)
•Osteoarthritis (disease causing the breakdown of joints)
•Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory joint disease)
•Sprained ankle



Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.

When to see a doctor
By Mayo Clinic Staff

Seek emergency medical care if you have leg swelling and any of the following signs or symptoms, which may indicate a blood clot in your lungs or a serious heart condition:
•Chest pain lasting more than a few minutes
•Difficulty breathing
•Fainting or dizziness
•Confusion

Also, seek immediate care if your leg swelling:
•Occurs for no apparent reason
•Is related to a physical injury, such as from a fall, a sports injury or a car accident

Schedule a doctor's visit

Nonemergency problems related to leg swelling still need prompt care. Leg swelling that is the side effect of a drug can look just like leg swelling caused by a kidney disorder. Make an appointment as soon as possible so that your doctor can diagnose the underlying problem.

Before your appointment, consider the following tips:
•Put a pillow under your legs when lying down, which may lessen swelling related to the buildup of fluid.
•If you need to stand or sit for long periods, give yourself frequent breaks and move around, unless the movement causes pain.
•Don't stop taking a prescription medication without talking to your doctor, even if you suspect it may be causing leg swelling.
•Over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain medication may lessen painful swelling.


Good luck! My wife and I have it too. My 74 wife has in the ankles and me above it where the socks dig in into the flesh.

I, too, have edema from the calf down to the ankles. I could not figure out why my ankles are always swollen. My blood pressure is controlled, I also take a water pill, I stay away from sodium as much as possible. Had an ultrasound of my legs this week and turns out it's Venous Reflux.

I developed leg swelling a couple of years ago and was diagnosed with "venous insufficiency". The blood flows down the legs fine but does no go up very efficiently. It is from spending a lot of time sitting or standing over the years (I am 75 now and was a school teacher). I wear knee high compression stockings during the day for it.

I have been on cpap for about 12 years so it is not related. My cpap therapy has always gone well according to the software results (AHI almost always below 1).

You need to get that checked out since I don't think it has much to do with sleep apnea.

With a little Googling, I found several scientific indications that there's at least some relation between edema and sleep apnea. However, it wasn't clear whether CPAP will fix it or how quickly.

There's also a lot of other causes for edema.

Do your CPAP, you need it anyway. Hope the edema goes away as a result.

I'm a new member who was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea recently, and I'm expecting to receive my CPAP unit and training soon.

While the sleepiness has been really bad, I almost find the lower leg and ankle swelling to be even more annoying. Does this typically go away quickly once you begin using a CPAP unit? For the second sleep study, I was able to get a few hours of real sleep, which was exciting. Almost as exciting though was that I didn't have to use the bathroom at all during that!. So seeing some of these other symptoms relieved is very cool too.

As soon as I get the CPAP I'll set up a proper SIG with the make, model number, etc.

Before I was diagnosed with severe mixed sleep apnea, my calves, feet and ankles were swollen so bad I could hardly walk. I kept being diagnosed with lymphedema and they suspected conjestive heart failure but the blood tests, x rays and echoes always came back normal. About 7 to 10 days after I started using the BiPap machine, the swelling started going down. I was absolutely amazed. If I miss a day on BiPap, I notice that the swelling will start back up. CPAP and BiPap is miraculous.

saycheese wrote: CPAP and BiPap is miraculous.

thank you for that word from our sponsor, philips respironics... and, now over to you, kathi, what's new on the world cup today?