A general health question. Does anyone suffer from water retention? I am a healthy male that participates in Ironman races and trains 15-20 hours a week. If I take a recovery day or even take 12 hours off from exercising my legs swell from water retention. I have been examined by my internist and cardiologist and am in excellent health. I am forced to ride a trainer every night for at least an hour to eliminate the swelling. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have a solution other than being domed to riding a trainer every night for the rest of my life? Would appreciate any help in this matter.
I don’t know if swelling necessarily equals water retention. Do you ever get your feet up? In heavy training cycles I try to do this. Get your feet above your heart here and there when you can throughout the day. At work I get on the couch at lunch for as long as I can get away with. I might on occasion have even been known to doze off.
Just something to investigate…DH has dealt with fluid retention in his legs for a long time (active - several IMs - and otherwise, seemingly healthy) and Dr had no real explanation for it. After a full wellness check/blood work this past year with a new Dr, they started him on phlebotomy treatments (weekly) as his iron levels were well above normal and they needed to get the iron levels back to where they should be. He was diagnosed with hemochromatosis (genetic) and so will continue to have his iron levels monitored and have blood taken when necessary. But of interest…he also noticed that the water retention problem seemed to disappear when the iron levels dropped back into the normal range. While Dr can’t say for sure that’s the reason, he also said it’s too much of a coincidence to say that it isn’t. It may have no connection to your situation, but worthy of mentioning.