Lesson To Be Learned

So my wallet and I are learning just how important getting out of the truck and at least walking is.

I had to go to the ER today.

For the past 3-4 days I have been noticing my feet were getting swollen, like a lot (feet are like baloons at least 2-3x the size my feet normally are) I was on a load from PA to ogden Utah, companies terminal is in Salt Lake so I decided that after I delivered the load I'd go to my terminal, rent a car and go to Urgent care to have it checked out.

Well the DR at urgent care couldn't run all the tests necessary to give a proper diagnosis and he was concerned it could be a clot or some heart issue so he had me go to the ER. he was so worried he didn't even want me to drive myself (my mother is a full time passenger on truck with me so she drove me)

Hospital did standard vitals a couple times, ran an EKG, took blood (after 4 tries to get a vein) and tested it and did an ultrasound. the tests all came back good so the diagnosis given was that (this is lamens terms) my feet are retaining fluid due to the lack of exercise i'm getting and long hours spent in the truck, particularly the drivers seat, driving. DR wants me to take at least a week off from driving, keep my feet elevated as much as possible and do a lot more walking so help get the fluid to drain from feet. I also need to do a follow up with a regular dr, which the er is helping me with setting up an appt with one.

so yeah.... get off your butts and out of the truck more guys.... your health, especially the heath of your feet depend on it. that is the lesson to be learned. good news is i'm not going to die, yet, but the bad news is a week of not working... that's gonna really hurt the bank, i mean we're talking at least 1400 gross in income.

This is one of the reasons I am looking at switching to flatbed division next year. did my first year of trucking as dry van , then jan of this year I switched to a company that does only reefer. with a better company than 1st one but still don't get out enough and reefer has much tighter delivery schedules so i can't la-de-da and get the exercise needed to be as healthy as i should be without losing time on other things like food prep time (I cook outa truck mostly), time for showers and most important sleep. I try for at least 8 hours sleep at min. I am no stranger to hard work and I think flatbed would help get me back in shape and get me outa truck a lot more.

When you don't get out to stretch enough it can sure make them swell. It will also happen if your seat isn't adjusted properly.

What I was told by an instructor at my CDL school a long time ago, is that women in particular, tend to have the driver's seat up way too high. He told us we all needed to ride low. The seat needs to be low enough that the back of your legs/knees is not resting/pressing on the seat because by having the seat too high, it will cut off the circulation in your legs causing your legs and feet to swell. That was very wise advice indeed. On weeks I run really hard I make sure I get out and stretch at least every 5 hours or so. I generally deliberately park in the farthest row at a truck stop as well. If I don't do these things, my ankles will swell a little. I can certainly see how poor seat adjustment and lack of walking around and stretching can cause a lot of problems.

I'm really glad it wasn't something as serious as a blood clot (that's a very real risk of driving long periods of time) and it's something easily fixed. Get well soon.

Susan wrote to Phox:

I'm really glad it wasn't something as serious as a blood clot (that's a very real risk of driving long periods of time) and it's something easily fixed. Get well soon.

Ditto here. Just another thought, salt causes fluid retention. Amazing all the foods that contain high amounts of sodium.

I am fortunate my job forces me to walk throughout the day.

Also after every day of driving while laying down. Raise your legs up above your heart. They recommend this for airline passengers as well. It helps the fluid and blood drain out of them and the swelling to go down.

I'll do it from anywhere from 30 min to an hour. Or at night while sleeping have them elevated.

That sucks man! As others have already said, I'm glad it wasn't anything more serious. Susan's advice on seat placement is excellent. I used to sit pretty high but have found I am more comfortable and have less issues with my feet and joints when I sit low. I've also found my feet feel way better when I take off my shoes and just drive in my socks--this also allows me to clench my feet sometimes to help keep the blood flowing.

Recover quickly!