[at-l] Puffiness and swelling

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C.)]

>"...I hesitate to visit my doctor since he gives me the quick once over and a
>bunch of drugs. To see a sports specialist would take a referral from him which
>he is unlikely to give."

A basic, fundamental rule is to never stick with a doctor who resists patients
getting second opinions.

  My other general rule over the years has been to research all drugs that are
  prescribed. It's easier now with the internet. Unfortunately, I slipped up
  once and a drug permanently damaged my lungs.

  Medicine is not an exact science. My heart doctor is considered the best in
  the area. Unfortunately, he did not recognize the symptoms caused by what he
  described as a "routine" medicine for regulating irregular heart beats.

   After recovering from a heart valve replacement well enough to walk five
   miles over rough, hilly trails, I suddenly couldn't walk 150' feet to the
   head of my driveway.

   The Doc said to keep exercising and come back in 6 months. A check of the
   internet revealed that the "routine" medicine he had prescribed is notorious
   for causing lung damage. It causes lung inflamation that eventually is
   replaced by non oxygen absorbing scar tissue.

   A lung specialist ordered all six drugs I had been taking be halted. I
   immediately got better, but not well. I now puff after two flights of stairs.
   I can only crawl up mountains.

   Having said this, I still think you should seek professional help to figure
   out the why overall puffiness results from long distance hiking. Having lived
   with a person with terminal kidney disease for three years, your symptoms
   suggest to me fluid retention, not dehydration.

   Weary