With PKD an alteration of the renin - angiotensin - aldosterone system can cause us to retain sodium. It is possible for this to result in noticeable leg, ankle and thigh swelling. Anything one can do to eliminate salt might prove helpful. Working with our doctors, the following list are a few things we have tried that were successful in relieving edema:

• EXERCISE

• FOOD

• WHEN THE SWELLING GOT REALLY BAD

• JUICES & VEGETABLES & DIURETICS

  -- select a PAGE about PKD Symptoms -- SWELLING ITCHING PROTEINURIA HYPERTENSION

FOOD
low sodium diet	For a week (a short duration) I ate only brown rice, sweet potato, chicken broth, beef broth, squash, vegetables,and fruits. I prepared everything myself so I knew there was no added salt. I eliminated all other foods (for only one week). I avoided milk, dairy, breads, tortillas, rolls, cakes, prepared foods, meat, eggs, wheat, corn, soy. These are common allergic foods. This is a variation on the allergy elimination diet. It is called the Duke Rice diet for lowering blood pressure. I eliminated all sugars, honey, fructose, etc. After a week all swelling disappeared without the use of any diuretics.
albumin	Chicken broth, beef broth, and cabbage juice were foods I consumed to assure that I would get adequate amounts of daily essential amino acids. When my liver was a bit wonky, it was not manufacturing sufficient albumin. Albumin is a protein that is necessary to keep the (blood) fluid contained within the walls of the blood vessels so it does not seep into the tissues causing edema. I would now take essential amino acids from Gambro or Calwood pharmaceuticals as these will raise the serum albumin to normal limits. I remember following my liver resection I was unable to eat most animal proteins except for clear broths, like distilled beef tea.

WHEN THE SWELLING GOT REALLY BAD . . .
Rocking	While sitting, I would alternate by pushing off on the tips of my toes, resting on the balls of my feet, rocking back and forth, and raising up on my heels. This stretches the Achilles tendon and squeezes the calf muscle forcing the blood back to the heart. I have a footrest that helps me to do this when sitting at my computer.;
Walking	I would get up and walk every hour for a few moments, if possible I would use the stairs.
Leg Elevation	I was told to elevate my legs above the level of the heart. Initially I would drape my body across the couch with my head and shoulders resting on the floor and my feet stretched high around the back of the couch.
Zero Gravity Chair	This is a massage chair which tips you backwards so your feet are elevated comfortably above the level of your heart. It provides heat and a gentle massage. Available through warehouse stores as a patio chair for about $39 or through the Relax the Back Store. While traveling I find a relax the back store and try out this chair for an hour or more.
Baths	My naturopath physician explained if I could soak in a jacuzzi or bath tub at a temperature near to body temperature, this would keep the fluid within the vessels.

JUICES & VEGETABLES & DIURETICS I drank vegetable and fruit juices with a diuretic effect.
Parsley	Parsley (carrot beet) juice. Available at airports from Jamba Juice.
Nettle	Nettle juice. Available as a non-alcoholic organic extract. High in potassium and has diuretic properties while lowering uric acid (elevated in PKD).
Grapefruit Juice	Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice eliminates leg swelling while traveling. CAUTION  grapefruit interferes with many medications. I try to avoid bottled juices due to a slight yeast effect upon my cystic liver [it makes it grow and expand]. Instead I drink mineral water with a lemon slice or hot water with lemon.
Diuretics	There are certain diuretics that cause the creatinine to rise due to the dehydration effect. This is a temporary decline and hopefully this will correct itself once you come off diuretics. I had asked my doctors if they could not push up the dose of the diuretics to help get rid of the fluid? They told me no. My creatinine climbing was an indication that I was at the maximum dose of the diuretic.