My Gams

About a year ago, my legs and feet from the knee down began to swell and wouldn't go down overnight.  I was instantly concerned because I know that heart failure causes that, so I went to my doctor.  She ordered blood work and an echocardiogram to see what my heart was doing.  To my relief, the result of the latter was that the heart seemed to be still pumping effectively...so heart failure was not the problem.  So...what is??

Yesterday, I had a "virtual" dr. appointment with my cardiologist via cell phone.  This was a routine appointment, a once-a-year thing post-heart-attack that happened in 2009.  I had to check my blood pressure and declare my weight.  Thereafter, the only thing I complained about was the swollen condition of my legs/feet.  My right leg is considerably worse than my left.  The right leg is not only swollen and tight, it is also red.  I can't reach my feet to cut my own toenails, but the COVID-19 restrictions have made it impossible to get them cut.  No attention to my feet = major dead skin that needs to come off.  Before Dr. Gill could even ask, I confessed my sins.  Told him I knew that I was doing everything wrong.
*Not being diligent about reducing sodium intake.
*Not wearing compression socks.  (Can't get them on!)
*Not enough physical exercise.  (Degeneration of the spine.)
*Not elevating my legs.  (Don't have a recliner or a bed that will facilitate that.)
His only response was to be impressed that I knew what the issues were...

So now, I will be adding another pill to my daily intake:  Lasix.  It's a diuretic.  We'll see how well that works.  I have never been a pill-taker, but I've never been old before!  Dr. Gill was concerned about my feet...made me show them to him via phone.  I was embarrassed because my toenails desperately need to be cut, and my skin is overwhelmingly dry and in need to exfoliation!

Wish me luck, please.  I'm not sure where else to turn that my budget can afford!