Unexplained Swelling in early 50s post menopausal woman

I'm sorry you're going through this and that interaction with the medical field has left you feeling that way. I've been there too. It's very, very wrong.

I am not a medical professional, but I suggest pushing your provider for the rheumatology referral. 

I would keep pushing to be seen by rheumatology, especially if you are concerned about an autoimmune diagnosis.  It's unfortunate that we have to advocate so persistently for ourselves, but knowing that an autoimmune diagnosis has been ruled out will be helpful for you mentally as you progress to a diagnosis.  I would also switch for different provider in general, if you feel you are being labeled as a female malingerer, that feeling alone would make me hesitant to continue this relationship with your current provider for this issue and future health concerns.  Recognition, explanation, and validation go a long way in medicine.

I get swollen limbs when I eat too much salt. I’d recommend cutting out all salt and see how you feel. That includes not eating out because chefs usually add lots of salt to their dishes. I only use herbs now when cooking. 

I think you are right in persisting in trying to find out why this is going on. Lymphedema causes similar symptoms -- mine is post-surgical, but other assaults to the lymph system can cause it. Compression is helpful because tcontaining the swelling keeps the skin from stretching which allows for increased swelling. In terms of compression garments, if at all possible it is best to get fitted by a pt, and to use the prescription garments. At this point, I order Juzo online, but in the beginning I got them through Kaiser (my insurance at the time.) Another thing that helps me is water exercise -- there's a bit more pressure in the water which helps the body handle fluid build-up. Best wishes for getting a diagnosis.

I'm sorry you're experiencing this. It sounds really hard and confusing.

I have some overlapping symptoms with what you describe. I'm about to turn 60 and have had unusual on/off pins and needles sensation for years. In the last year, swelling in my hands and ankles with occasional rashes started which seem also somewhat related to the pins and needles. Unfortunately, there's no discernible pattern. I've been to several doctors. All tests come back clear. I'm concerned because 4 of my 5 siblings have auto-immune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis being one of them). My dermatologist thinks it's all immune system related.

Here's what I'm doing to calm my immune system that seems to help with symptom relief (in addition to the usual eat, exercise, sleep hygiene):

Acupuncture (a session a week for four weeks was covered by my insurance and resulted in extended symptom suppression, a mini-reset of my system)

Meditation in the form of somatic yoga or qigong daily (Doesn't have to be long, 15-30 minutes is good for me. Glo.com has knowledgeable practitioners and is reasonably priced)

When it's really acting up, a maximum dose of Benadryl followed by several days of Zyrtek until I'm symptom free for a couple of days.

Good luck to you. I hope you find relief soon.

Feeling labeled is a terrible thing — it often means second guessing what you know to be true about your body. 
Based on my limited anatomical awareness, I believe that a systemic condition wouldn’t spare your right leg. So my question is, why ISN’T your Rt leg swollen? 
Swollen limbs are often related to blocked veins or the collecting system (lymphatics, which drain to your lymph nodes and then into your veins). It would be odd — I would think — to have obstruction in the drainage of 3 separate limbs. 

I think a vascular surgeon would be your best bet — maybe your primary doc could call a colleague for a phone consult?

Best of luck to you!

I have a friend who had a similar issue and after many years was diagnosed with lymphedema. Stanford has a clinic for this and she waited like a year to be seen there, but found it helpful.

So sorry you are dealing with this. I am also in my early 50s, post-menopausal, and have had a few "mystery" health issues over the past few years that my medical doctors have not been able to help with.

I assume they checked your rheumatoid factor in the bloodwork? Given your high LDL, I wonder if they also checked your Lp(a)? Though I don't think that would have anything to do with swelling....

If I were in your shoes, I would pursue two avenues -- (1) I would keep pushing my GP for answers/referrals until someone could provide an explanation. (2) I would try lymphatic massage to see if that might be helpful. I personally have periodic swelling due to a connective tissue disorder and have found lymphatic work to be really helfpul in alleviating my symptoms.

ok, so this just happened to me, also, for a second time.  it seems both my hands have carpal tunnel and for the leg, it appears the problem is that when i sit for long times and lean on my left (when I'm working) and i get cold, the muscle i sit on tightens and i develop a trigger point, right near my sit bone. 

maybe talk to someone who does trigger point therapy and see if that is doing it in your case? there are very sore points where i sit--if that area gets tight, the blood to your leg is restricted enough to make it unhappy.  but I don't know how much your swelling is. mine was noticeable by me but not by others.

i really hope it is something simple like this--good luck!