Swollen ankles after long walk

[Nosunhere]

After walking in the woods, so very uneven ground, for best part of the day I found by the end my feet were starting to pain badly. Got home and discovered it was actually my ankles that had ballonned. Had to take painkillers and go to bed. Fine by morning. Now it’s happened again after standing and not managing to sit down all day. Has anyone any experience of this? Worried because the pain was so bad. Trying to drink lots of water regularly from now on but is there anything else I should be doing?

It sounds like peripheral edema. It's pretty common after a long walk especially if your boots or socks are tight. Standing for long periods dies the same thing. Regular rest is usually how to deal with it and if you are worried check in with a doctor.

Thanks laserbird16 in the ‘good old days’ I’d have thought about asking a GP but now find myself turning to MN. I lost lots of weight last year and thought what, why, how now!

Mine improved after losing weight, though they'll still be puffy: on very hot days; if I've walked a long way; if I haven't drunk enough liquid; if I'm pre-menstrual. They also used to get more swollen when my blood pressure was high (now in normal levels, through medication, exercise, weightloss and changing manager at work - that last made the biggest difference...)
Lieing on a bed or the floor with your legs up the wall can also help.

Look into pots and lymphoedema