Hi, I am wondering if I am the only one who suffers with swollen fingers and ankles? My shoes are getting tight and it is painful to walk, my rings don't fit. I drink a lot of water 4 liters a day sometimes more.
I went to my Doc. yesterday and got some pills Hydrochlorothiazide supposed to help. So far it just made me dizzy.
I am also not losing any weight and getting very discouraged and ready to quit.

Hi Traveller!

Hot, humid weather always makes me retain water too, but as soon as it cools off again the water retention goes away. If you are taking Dyazide (hydrochlorothiazide), you need extra potassium, magnesium and calcium (hope your doc told you that) and that could be why you are feeling dizzy. Diuretics cause you to lose a lot of water, but along with the water goes minerals that you need. Losing weight isn't the only reason to stick with low carbing; think of all the other health benefits you are getting along with this WOE. Those alone would be enough to keep me with this even if I never lost another pound! It might be a good idea to cut back on the salty foods, too. Salt also makes you retain water.

Thank you Lisa. I am taking Cozaar for HP and it contains potassium. I also take Calcium450mg , Magnesium 250mg. Maybe I should take another tablet. And I love salt but I have changed to Seasalt and sometimes half salt. I'll try to have less.

Hi Traveller,
The half salt you use contains extra potassium, so that might help with the potassium loss as well. I don't get the swollen fingers anymore, but sometimes my ankles still get a bit swollen. But not to the point of being uncomfortable. As soon as cooler weather hits, it's better. So I don't do anything for it, other than drink my water!!!!

Please don't give up. This WOE fixes health problems, not just obesity. Even if you're at a stand still, you are still healing your body with the right food choices. Hang in there! Do you think your weight stall may be medication induced? It seems like some meds make it harder to lose. I'm not a medical professional, but I do think I've read that here and there. Victoria

hi Traveller,

Cozaar contains potassium in trace amounts only ... 2.12mg in the 25mg dose, and 4.24mg in the 50mg tablet I noticed that edema/ fluid retention is a less-common side effect of this drug, and might be a precipitating factor with your swelling symptoms, and apparent failure to lose weight.

HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) has the potential to deplete not only potassium, but also sodium and calcium. You would be wise to phone your pharmacist to ask for guidance with supplements. IMHO, s/he would be a better resource than the dr

You've been given some good advice ... definitely cut out the processed salty foods. Eat more high-fiber vegetables ... note that pale lettuce isn't very high in fiber, it's mostly water. Spinach, asparagus, broccoli and lots of fresh parsley are terrific, and just happen to also be rich in natural potassium. Avocados and salmon are high in potassium as well; you might want to incorporate these foods into your menu more often.

I've experienced swelling and edema with the hot humid weather for most of my adult life. My previous dr. was quick with the prescription pad, and HCTZ was the drug of choice. I liked the quick "fix" and lost up to 10 lbs of water .. but also experienced the dizziness and weakness from low potassium and calcium. Back then, the dr just told me to eat a banana, I'd be fine. The trouble with taking diuretics is .. it's just a bandaid. Yes, they relieve the fluid retention, but they don't correct the underlying cause, which could be anything from side effect to other medications (in your case the Cozaar, plus NSAIDS like Motrin and Aleve can cause fluid and salt retention), hormonal imbalance, too much salt in the diet and/or not enough potassium, low thyroid .. etc, etc, etc. My current dr. refuses to prescribe diuretics, even though my swelling is significant (even my face and eyes) and pitting at times. I've found taking extra vitamin B6 to be helpful ... but make sure you're also taking a supplement with all the B-complex in it as well. You could try an extra 50 to 100mg B6 daily.

Dr. Atkins and Dr. Pescatore (Thin for Good, also LC) recommend B6, plus Taurine, an amino acid which you can find at a health food store.

Hope you're feeling better soon. And do talk to the pharmacist about supplements

Doreen

I do use Taurine when the swelling in my fingers and ankles gets noticible...up to 2,000 mg a day in two divided doses morning and afternoon and it does help. Granted, it won't likely make you drop 10 lbs. of water overnight, but I does take the swelling down again. I think Dr. Atkins also recommended Asparagus tablets for water retention, but I haven't tried those yet. The Taurine does a pretty good job on it's own.

Forgot to mention in my post above that yes, I've taken Taurine as well and found it to be helpful, especially with the extra B6. I must get more, now that the hot and humid weather here in Ontari-ari-ari-oh is here.

Doreen