Idiopathic oedema?

Hi there

I've had oedema associated with the pre-menstrual phase of my cycle for about 5 or 6 years. It's usually worse around my face, particularly eyes, and is pretty much absent for the rest of my cycle.

I've also been trying to get over another health problem and to generally develop a better way of living. This was going well, up until the last month, when I slipped back to my old lifestyle a bit. Just today I began a 3 day juice-fast to give me the motivation to get back on track. I was feeling incredibly positive again.

I noticed at the end of today that my ankles are pretty swollen. I am pre-menstrual, but the swelling is far more than I've ever noticed before.

I'd be really interested to hear people's opinions about this and my oedema in general. My heart is healthy, and my kidney function was normal when I had it tested last year. My thyroid was also normal. Has anyone else experienced this problem without any obvious medical cause.

Could it be directly related to the unhealthy lifestyle I had? And I am wondering if the bad ankle oedema I have now is related to my switching rapidly from a month of bad food and alcohol straight onto juice.

I'm a pretty bad hypochondriac and so right now am paranoid about renal failure!

Advice greatly appreciated

Jena

p.s. I have Gilbert's but I don't think that's relavent