Swollen Feet -- Help

IBCRUZIN' · #1 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 07:07 PM

For some reason, I blow up like a balloon after a few days on the ship.

There was a time that I thought it was real weight gain that would disappear within days of leaving the ship.

The last time was my Destiny cruise and my feet, ankles, finger were so bloated I couldn't wear most of my sandals. I was concerned getting off the ship until I ran into two ladies who had on little thongs sandals b/c they too were too bloated to wear anything else. Even still, once home it took almost a week for this condition to correct itself. I was all set to go to the doctor, sure I had some illness that caused total body inflammation.

Does anyone know what I can do that will stop, slow, or minimum my expansion?

Thanks. Any home remedy will be appreciated.

MaryLou · #2 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 07:59 PM

I have heard of this happening when people fly, but I don't know why it happens. Maybe you should consult your doctor before your next cruise.

carolina wildman · #3 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 08:37 PM

IB,
This happened to me also. I finally figured out what it was in my case. I wasn't drinking enough fluids and my body was retaining too much water. I normally drink 3/4 to a gallon of water a day and while on my cruise i wasn't drinking a third of that daily. Not saying that's what is causing your problems, but i drank a lot of fluids on my last cruise and no problems. Marylou is right, best bet is to ask your doc.

tweetybird · #4 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 10:41 PM

IBCRUZIN

Maybe it is also the food that you are eating. Does it contain a lot of salt in it, which could make your feet swell. You know, we eat a lot of foods on the cruise that we normally wouldn't eat at home. I don't know, it is just a thought.

Tweetybird

Luanne Russo · #5 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 11:39 PM

Carolina beat me to it. The answer is plenty of water. When you are sitting, elevate your legs.

Lou 123 · #6 (**permalink**) May 5th, 2007, 11:40 PM

I also noticed my fingers would swell up. I am guessing its the foods but I work in a hospital and will check Monday with some Docs.......... and get back to you!

IBCRUZIN' · #7 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 08:16 AM

Thanks for the responses.

If I were to guess, I had to guess it is my cruise-diet that causes this.

I will try the "plenty of water" antedote on my Liberty cruise. I am so active on my cruises that I don't really gain weight even though I tend to eat when not hungry on the ship.

Scott C · #8 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 08:38 AM

Lets see? 24 hour pizza and icecream

gottacruise@juno.com · #9 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM

Sorry to say, but alcohol also causes dehydration which causes the ankles to swel.

Lou 123 · #10 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 08:55 PM

I didn't drink any alcohol and still noticed the swelling...

tweetybird · #11 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 10:26 PM

Lou 123,

Can't wait to hear your answer after you ask the doctors or whoever you are going to ask about the swelling on a cruise ship.

IBCRUZIN' · #12 (**permalink**) May 6th, 2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gottacruise@juno.com

Sorry to say, but alcohol also causes dehydration which causes the ankles to swel.

O.K. then that is what causes my swellen-ness. It is the FOO-FOO!!

Oh well. There are worse things in the world than swollen toes!!!

Brittany · #13 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2007, 12:29 AM

When I drink alcohol, I always order a glass of water from the server with my drink. This keeps me hydrated, and I drink less alcohol.

tweetybird · #14 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2007, 01:44 PM

IBCRUZIN,

Can you tell me what a Foo Foo drink is? What is in it, sounds good and can't wait to try one.

IBCRUZIN' · #15 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweetybird

IBCRUZIN,

Can you tell me what a Foo Foo drink is? What is in it, sounds good and can't wait to try one.

A foo-foo drink are those fruity, sometimes slushy bar concoctions that the ships make up. They look and taste like fruit punch or icey slushies but pack a pretty good punch b/c they are almost always made up of several different types of liquor which is generally free poured.

A few examples would be:

Fun ship special
Bahama Mama
BBC
Hurricane
Pina Colada
Margarita
Miami Vice
Mudslide
Kiss on the Lips
Zombie
L.I. Iced Teas

and so on and so forth. Foo-Foo is just a nickname for them. They are so sweet and harmless looking with a "purty little 'brella in them with fruit slices and "they are just so pretty and tempting looking"

Anything that tastes better than what it truly is.

tweetybird · #16 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2007, 04:35 PM

Oh, ok so that is what Foo Foo drinks are. I had a few Foo Foo drinks in my time especially the Bahama Mama's , they are good.

I never heard those drinks called Foo Foo drinks. I even looked it up on the internet and everything else came up but the drink, know I know why. Thanks for writing me back and letting me know. Can you imagine I go up to the bar and order a Foo Foo drink. The guy or girl will look at me and say yeah, I think you had enough Foo Foo drinks.

Tweetybird

IBCRUZIN' · #17 (**permalink**) May 7th, 2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweetybird

Oh, ok so that is what Foo Foo drinks are. I had a few Foo Foo drinks in my time especially the Bahama Mama's , they are good.

I never heard those drinks called Foo Foo drinks. I even looked it up on the internet and everything else came up but the drink, know I know why. Thanks for writing me back and letting me know. Can you imagine I go up to the bar and order a Foo Foo drink. The guy or girl will look at me and say yeah, I think you had enough Foo Foo drinks.

Tweetybird

No, they are trained not to. He would probably say, "Do you mean a fun ship special?"

tweetybird · #18 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 07:13 PM

Lou 123,

Did you ever get a chance to ask any doctors the question:
Why Do Your Feet Swell on a Cruise?

Lou 123 · #19 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 09:58 PM

No I forgot but I will call one at home right now.

Lou 123 · #20 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 10:05 PM

It is mainly from the increased sodium intake and also a little due to the warmer temps and higher humidity. To some it up we older people go into a little heart failure with the increased salts and the old hearts can't keep up............
It happened to me too and I am 48...
No worry though, we don't eat like that all of the time.

mteague · #21 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 10:07 PM

Well, I'm impressed....Lou123 has home phone numbers for Doc's......Lou123, what is your number?

Melody

Lou 123 · #22 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 10:11 PM

I work with the docs daily. The last 2 cruises some of them tagged along......... It is handy having them along . The cruise in Sept 2005 one of the people we were with stepped on a sea urchant and the doc had medications to give him... Not sure if we wanted to go to a hospital in Jamiaca!

tweetybird · #23 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 10:25 PM

Lou 123,
Thanks for the information, glad to have someone like you on the boards.

Lou 123 · #24 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2007, 10:28 PM

You are most welcome!

IBCRUZIN' · #25 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou 123

It is mainly from the increased sodium intake and also a little due to the warmer temps and higher humidity. To some it up we older people go into a little heart failure with the increased salts and the old hearts can't keep up............
It happened to me too and I am 48...
No worry though, we don't eat like that all of the time.

Is that a doctor's answer? Is there anyway to minimize this effect? Will exercise on the ship help? Extra water? Prop your feet up?

Lou 123 · #26 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2007, 02:38 PM

It was the physicians response. He suggested staying away from all of the salty foods.... RIGHT! It is a cruise... I will suffer with swollon fingers for a week...

IBCRUZIN' · #27 (**permalink**) May 9th, 2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou 123

It was the physicians response. He suggested staying away from all of the salty foods.... RIGHT! It is a cruise... I will suffer with swollon fingers for a week...

Or heaven forbid, stay away from alcohol -- SACRELEGE!!!!! :evil:

:evil:

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cana57 · #28 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2007, 05:49 PM

Beware of soda, watch your shellfish, drink twice as much water as what you normally may. If you get sunburn, this could even cause you to swell, take an aspirin or two (the real thing - Bayer). If you have a tendency to swell or retain water, you may even want to speak with your doctor in advance to see if he'll prescribe a prescription strength water pill. Move, move, move. The more you move, the better your circulation. Don't just sit or lay around all day. Use the gyms on board. Don't eat snacks such as potato chips, etc. Forget the escargot!!

janettekay · #29 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2007, 07:09 PM

wow-just got back from 8 day caribbean cruise-(see post re:Miracle)-and my fingers.,feet and ankles are a totally swollen (and have been since day 4 of cruise)- Yes- happens usually when I fly-but first time on cruise...
Did drink lots and lots of water (along with "other" liquids)-and feel it was the food,alcohol, and heat/humidity.
Got back today-and hoping it is better by tomorrow.......
janette

IBCRUZIN' · #30 (**permalink**) May 11th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janettekay

wow-just got back from 8 day caribbean cruise-(see post re:Miracle)-and my fingers.,feet and ankles are a totally swollen (and have been since day 4 of cruise)- Yes- happens usually when I fly-but first time on cruise...
Did drink lots and lots of water (along with "other" liquids)-and feel it was the food,alcohol, and heat/humidity.
Got back today-and hoping it is better by tomorrow.......
janette

On my last cruise it took almost a week for the swelling to go down.