I have swollen ankles and feet. Could it be from lortab?

Did your feet and ankles just swell as if "out of the blue" today or is this a recurrent event. If so, are you having any other symptoms with this?

Answering these questions will help me provide you with a more complete answer.

Thanks so much.

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Terri L. Romaker

two days ago. been taking lortab

Hi Wendy,

The swelling that you are having is most likely due to a) being on your feet for an extended period of time; b) sitting for long periods of time (secretarial work) without motion in your feet or riding long distances in a vehicle; c) result of injury; d) Congestive Heart Failure; e) excessive heat; f) high blood pressure, etc.

If you have only been taking the Lortab for 2 days the swelling could be related to this. Swelling isn't one of the indicated side effects, but difficulty urinating is. I would suggest that you drink more water than you normally do to help the body rid itself of excess water by flushing itself, and decrease your salt intake as well.

Lortab is a form of hydrocodone and is generally prescribed for pain. Is this why you are taking it? Have you received a recent injury? The reason I ask this is because if you don't have a recent injury or an injury in the region of swelling, I would have my doctor observe the foot and ankle just to be sure that the Lortab isn't producing the swelling as a side effect. You may be experiencing an allergic reaction to this medication.

Tylenol does build up over time in the liver. It is actually the acetamenophene in the Tylenol that can become toxic. There isn't a given number per day that allows toxicity to be determined per say; however, the more you take and the longer the time frame the greater your chance is to develop liver disease or become toxic. You should discuss the amount of Tylenol that you are taking with your doctor. This is important information that he needs to be aware of. The amount that you are taking sounds like a lot. Do you currently take this amount in addition to the Lortabs? If so, I would suggest that you stop taking the Tylenol unless your treating physician has instructed you to do so.

In addition to returning to your doctor so that he can examine the swelling in your foot and ankle to determine the cause, you can elevate the foot and keep weight off of it for a couple of days. Gently rotate the foot if it isn't injured. Yes, the swelling should decrease if it is a result of the Lortabs and you quit taking them. Once Again: You still need to let your doctor know of this in case you are having an allergic reaction to the Lortab. You wouldn't want to have a serious injury occur later in life and be given Lortabs when you can't respond if you are allergic to them. If you don't make your doctor aware then no one will know should an emergency occur.

If this information has been helpful to you then please accept. Positive feedback is also appreciated. Let me know if I can help you further.

Get yourself well...Life is short and we are all important!:-)

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Terri L. Romaker

I wanted a physican to answer not a cosmetologist.

Dear wendy,
I think that Theresa has pretty much covered most of the bases here.
However since you want a physician opinion, here it is.
Causes of swollen feet can range from the simple (extended standing, drug allergy), to the moderately worrisome ( kidney disease, liver disease, veins valve problems, lymphatic obstuction etc.) to the really serious (decreased protein in the body, heart failure, excessive blood pressure) etc.
If this is the first episode, we would need a detailed physical examination and a few tests to rule out some of these diseases.
To your specific question, yes it is possible for LORTAB to cause this problem, due to either an allergy or liver damage, however this would be unusual,

Please ACCEPT the reply (by pressing the GREEN accept button), and give a BONUS if it was useful. If you need more information, just let me know.
Regards
Dr. Gupta

I have had swelling before when I take lortab. It seems that i take it to excess and don't know why I do but I am stopping tomorrow. Im going to take buprenoriphe with a doctor who rx's it. So yes I had it before and had kidney function tests, liver tests and I am on beta blockers. My blood pressure is 116/78. The other tests turned out okay. that was bout a year ago this happened. I had a echocardio gram also, that was fine. These were all last year. I had a live panel last year also, that was fine. I took the lortab for dental procedures but have a tenancy to overdue it. based on that, please advise.

Dear Wendy,
You are right in stating that you are overuisng Lortab, and need to quit...
As i said in my previous reply, a physical exam and a few tests may need to be repeated to find out the exact cause for your illness (especially since many of these have been done more than 3-6 months back).
I would go with ? excessive standing, or a kidney/ liver / heart problem,
Anything more definitive will need a doctor's consultation and further investigations,

Please ACCEPT the reply (by pressing the GREEN accept button), and give a BONUS if it was useful. If you need more information, just let me know.
Regards
Dr. Gupta

I will accept with bonus, one last question...I have a doctor appt to quit tomorrow.

How soon should I go in for the complete workup? My hunch is the symptoms will subside once I stop and with that being said...how soon should I go in? Im on cardizem, beta blockers and benicar for BP. Dont think it is the heart.

(I know it is not excessive standing)

Thanks for the bonus Images available only to Customers.

Regards
Dr. Gupta

You have this problem before you were taking LORTAB...***No, I had this problem "after" taking lortab. I have been on lortab for a couple months. Last year, same thing happened. It went away when I stopped taking lortab or tapered down.

LORTAB is not a common cause of this problem..**I understand.

I feel that there may be another inciting factor here.. the calcium channel blocker that you are taking (Cardizem)..is a more likely culprit.. do discuss the same with your doctor***I have been on cardizem for one year...I haven't noticed the swelling except when I was taking lortab along with it???

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for asking for a physician instead of a cosmetologist. I need to change my profile. I put down cosmetologist because one of the first questions that I answered here was pertaining to the scalp and disorders thereof.

I am a licensed cosmetologist for many years; in addition to being a licensed esthetologist. I completed these trainings right out of high school many years ago so that I could work part time while obtaining my PhD. in Clinical Psychology.

I finished this and worked for years in the field only to find discomfort in believeing that too many doctors (psychiatrists) overmedicate their patients. I don't want my clients to be medicated to the point of low function, I want to provide medications as a means of supporting their best attributes to make them stronger. Oh Well......

I am almost finished with my MD in general medicine. I love knowledge for this is an empowering tool that everyone can benefit from. Though you didn't accept my answer, I appreciate you bringing me to awareness of my profile. I'll fix that.

I'm also glad that Dr. G. was able to help you. That's what is most important. If I can ever help you with anything in the furure please don't hesitate to give me a request.

Have a great summer and maintain your health. It's your life!

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Terri L. Romaker

Oh, you did have a great response and hope you don't have any hard feelings. I didn't doubt what you said, I just wanted it reconfirmed as I saw you were a cosmetologist. Your answer rocked and the doctor re-iterated it. By ALL MEANS take that off of your profile! You worked hard at your degree and let it shine! Next time my dear!

Thank you so kindly for writing to me to clear this up.

Wendy

You are so welcome. One of the things that I enjoy about being on Just Answer is getting to talk with people I've never met before. When they are satisfied it gives me a great feeling. I'm a woman...big mouth...love to chat...talk to some of my customers through PM. So, if you ever want to chat, you know where to reach me.

Hats off to you girl!

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Terri L. Romaker

Theresa,

I put you in my favorite places. Please elaborate on what your expertise is and I will FOR sure be asking you questions...You kiddin, a PHD? I will have tons of questions and we can chat too!

A list will help tremendously and could refer you out,!