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Posted 8/24/2009 6:45 AM (GMT -5)
I feel like I am posting too much but this seems to be the place I am getting the most answers!

Does anyone have trouble with water retention? I noticed it the day I was released from the hospital and my dr. said it was from all the IV meds I got. That was a week ago today and I still seem to be suffering from it!

What's up with this?!?!?
Posted 8/24/2009 10:13 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Sophie,

You are not posting too much. Asking questions is one way you learn.

Have you told your doctor that you still have water retention? Maybe he can give you something to get it all out.
Posted 8/25/2009 6:45 AM (GMT -5)
I've had water retention since March and it is driving me nuts. One doctor says it is from low protein, but my own theory is too much salt & not enough potassium. Both low protein and high salt/low potassium may be playing a role in my own water retention. Watch out if you are given a diaretic (a "water pill" - to make the water retention go away), because most of the time doctors do not give potassium sparing water pills and so you can easily become depleted in potassium unless you are eating potassium rich foods (bananas, dates, potatoes, etc.). It is not possible to compensate for this with supplements unless you are given prescription strength potassium because it is illegal to sell over-the-counter supplements with more than 99mg of potassium in them. The recommended daily intake for potassium is 4700mg (assumes one is a healthy person with normal kidney function).

For more details about potassium, check out http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/DRI//DRI_Water/186-268.pdf
Posted 8/25/2009 6:55 AM (GMT -5)
Oops, forgot to add some other things that can contribute to water retention:

1. Lack of aerobic exercise.
2. Some medications can cause water retention as a side-effect.
3. Poor kidney function.
4. Poor circulation - i.e., heart disease, narrowing in blood vessels from plaque buildup, clothing too tight, etc.
5. Sodium/Potassium intake imbalance - I've read that the optimal ratio of Potassium to Sodium is 2:1 (for healthy people...your own particular need may be different depending on your specific health issues).
6. Low protein intake.
7. Overhydration.
8. Allergies (usually causes localized swelling, but can cause generalized puffiness).

Sometimes simply elevating the feet above the level of your heart for 30 minutes 2-3 times/day can help reduce water retention around ankles/feet/lower legs.

I agree a physician familiar with your health history should be consulted prior to embarking on any efforts to try to address the water retention on your own...

Good luck,
Posted 9/5/2012 3:25 PM (GMT -5)
Most likely its due to the procedure done at the hospital.

Razzle pretty much summed it up. If you are taking a diuretic, it can deplete electrolytes such as potassium and make the water retention worse.

I just realized this was posted a few years ago too. So hopefully you are doing better now.
Posted 9/20/2012 12:10 AM (GMT -5)
For water retention lymphatic drainage has helped me tremendously, I ballooned to 185 pds. from 140 and now I am down to 169 and losing more. The lymphatic system gets funky with lyme
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