Hi everybody, I have been terribly ill for about six weeks now. I had pneumonia six weeks ago, two weeks of strong antibiotics, one week of prednisolone orally and now I am on a strong steroid inhaler which supposedly doesn't get into the blood stream, just clears the lungs. I have partially collapsed lung which should sort itself eventually. It has been a hard road these past six weeks (sorry to sound like a whiner). Anyway, I was wondering if steroids can make you retain water because my ankles and feet are really puffy and I have had to take off my wedding rings. I have still managed to lose weight mainly because I was so unwell the first two weeks I could only manage chicken broth with a bit of veg in it that my hubbie fixed (still low carb). I am drinking loads of water but seems to be going to my outer extremities. I am also extremely short of breath, particularly when climbing stairs and the heat and humidity in England these past few weeks hasn't helped but that is another story. Anyway, does anybody know if the puffiness could be caused by the steroids? Other than that, I am getting better finally and can at least sleep through the night now without wheezing or coughing.

You know, I think it can. My dad has emphysema, and from what I remember when he's been on steriods his feet have puffed up. He would just have to elevate his feet several times a day to help keep the swelling/puffiness down.

HTH.

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Debby

Musicmaker, I hope you're feeling loads better.

Dr. Atkins recommended taurine for water retention, because it helps flush the water out of the cells without taking all the good nutrients, like potassium. I take it every day because I have always retained water. You can probably find it at a good health food store. I don't remember his recommended dosage, but I'd at least follow the guidelines on the bottle. If I remember to look it up when I get home, I'll come back and post the amounts from the booklet I have. It's worth a try, and it won't hurt you. It's an amino acid.

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Nita

Musicmaker-Sorry to hear about all that! Hope you're feeling much better very soon.

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Hi, musicmaker.

I hope you'll contact your health care provider about your edema. There are many things which could be causing it, so I'm sure they'd want to rule out the ones that could be serious.

Hope you feel better soon.

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Hi everybody and thanks for the info. I do feel better thank you although my voice is still rather husky. The heat over here isn't helping matters but it is cooler today. I have rung the doctors office this morning and they did say that steroids can cause it. Luckily I don't have to be on it too long. I am less puffy today than I was and have drunk loads of water. I am sitting here at work with my feet on a box under my desk which is helping immensely.