Question
I have a T-1 complete SCI and have recently left rehab.. I have a question about fluids gathering in the tissues of my legs and feet during the day while I'm up..

I understand because my legs aren't moving blood flow is poor and fluids from what I drink gather in the tissues in my feet so that when I lay down (or elevate my legs) .. my kidneys start pumping the fluid into my bladder so I have to pee more..

The problem is that during the day while I'll be drinking this and that, I might not have to cath for hardly anything, even though I know realistically an able bodied would be pissing much more.  Well I've been dumping at night and that hadn't been a problem until I started pissing myself.. which yeh it happens.. right now I'm on 10 mg of Ditropan (not just because of the night dumping)

In rehab, I wore special socks (like everyone else with a SCI) that helped keep the swelling down.. 'course they look ridiculous so I took em off when I got home... Yes, I seem to be cathing for more at night and, for instance, tonight I'll be getting up every 2 and a half hours as to hopefully prevent any accidents and I shall monitor my CC levels..

I'd like to know, over time, will the swelling and the dumping of fluids decrease, should I start wearing the socks again, will the swelling still be there but the cathing issues by day improve?..
It's been 10 weeks since my accident and I am 17 years old, if this may factor anything.

Hope you can help, thanks a lot.

Answer
Hi Zach,
Thanks so much for your question.

Yes, you should wear the socks. The purpose for wearing them is to minimize the swelling in the legs because the circulation is not very good.

But, they also minimize the chance of forming blood clots because of the lack of movement.

I hope this helps.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie