Stubborn water retention in legs and feet despite doing everything right - wtf?!

[Greensleeves]

I have recently (the past five weeks) given up smoking, salt and sugar, completely changed my diet (I have a lot of weight to lose but want to do it sensibly), am drinking 2 litres of water a day and have been walking 10k daily, have taken up cycling and started getting 8 hours sleep a night. DH is doing the whole lifestyle overhaul with me and it has already helped enormously with my depression, my panic attacks have stopped, I sleep more deeply and feel better during the day. I've lost nearly a stone. I'm eating sensible meals (eggs, wholegrains, fish, lots of veg, berries, lean meat, brown rice etc). I'm finding the exercise bloody hard going but also enjoying it.

I STILL have horrendous water retention in my legs and feet, nothing seems to help. It's severe to the point where if I press my finger into my lower leg the depression stays visible, like dough - I remember having it when I had pre-eclampsia 17 years ago. My resting heart rate has come down loads since I've given up smoking and started exercising (it's 67) so I don't think it's a heart problem? Just wondered if anyone could shed any light on what's causing it or how I can get rid of it?

Lymphodema? You could try lymphatic drainage massage; I think you can do it yourself.

I get this. Worse in hot weather/summer. But in the past few months I’ve started taking magnesium, zinc and vitamin D (taken as separate supplements not multivits). Not sure if it’s coincidence but my ankles have been far less swollen this summer despite the heat!

It could still be a heart problem with a normal heart rate, I think you should see your GP/practice nurse to get checked over and see if they want to do any tests.

Another coming on to say lymphoedema - the pitting (pressing in and the dent staying there) is what makes me think it might be. Worth getting it checked out at the GP as if it is, you may need compression and you'll need to be careful about skin hygiene and moisturising to avoid cellulitis as lymphoedema sufferers are more likely to get it. The exercise and healthy eating will help, as will lymphatic massage, but won't get rid of it if that's what the problem is.

My legs, ankles and feet are horrific. However, they are infinitely better if I drink upwards of 2 litres of water every day, move a lot, keep them up when seated and crucially eat next to no carbs. If I eat a piece of bread or a potato, I'm like a bloody blimp. Carb free as far as possible. And thin. The fatter I am, my ankles and feet just balloon. I'm fat at the mo and literally can only wear 2 pairs of shoes, nothing else will go on.

Definitely see the GP but it maybe that you need to drink more as it’s hot and your doing exercise. Try specific exercises for feet swelling- Google nhs pregnancy feet swelling. I know your not pregnant but it’s the same exercises.

Definitely sounds like lymphoedema. Losing weight and moving more has helped mine but I need compression too.

You need to see your Gp about that.