Hi Mary Alice,

I used to have trouble with swelling in my legs in the summertime, especially if it was very hot, and especially if I was up standing a lot, or sitting. If I was walking it wasn't as bad, or lying down was better yet. In the last two summers, it has become almost nonexistent, believe it or not, because I lost a ton of weight (about 100 pounds) and I think now that was the problem for me. I think the extra weight was putting pressure on blood vessels in my abdomen or something, and making it hard for fluids to get evened out somehow, especially with the heat.

Hot weather - and lots of standing - both of those can make people's legs swell. So if the weather has been especially hot in your area, that could be adding to the problem for you, Mary Alice.

Like you, we did a ton of tests. In my case, all the tests came out normal. I am wishing your tests would come out normal, in a way, because I don't want anything to be wrong with your heart, or for there to be a mass or something! And just because something doesn't show up on a test doesn't mean there isn't a problem. It's still a physical situation if your legs are swelling like that. You're not somehow making it up or having a psychosomatic problem. If you are on your feet constantly, my guess is that a 17-hour day is too long. It would be for a lot of people. It sure would be for me. It sounds to me like your body and your emotions are both trying to tell you that. I know you are in an extremely awkward position financially, but I think your body is trying to give you a message.....or maybe multiple messages :-)

Have you and your H considered going to consumer spending counseling or something, to learn to manage your finances differently? It sounds like you both may spend to deal with emotional issues. Getting that under control may help the picture. (I hope it is okay to say this - I used to do that as well and it helped me greatly to figure out that I was doing so, and learn to stop it)

Take care,
ErinBear