I'm still looking for someone to shed light on my fluid retention problem. I "suffer" from that for the past almost 40 years, am on fluid retention tablets ever since. At the moment I'm on 1-1/2 furosemide and 1 spironolactone 100 mg a day. I take them at night as to not feel blown up in the mornings. I had a molar pregnancy and gestational diabetes in the 70th and have a suspicion that it is hormonal related. No one seems to know an answer (it's a trick nature plays on you, acc to a specialist) and I've tried just about everything under the sun over those years, especially natural products as I prefer those, but so far no solution to the problem. The addition of the spirolon a year ago has helped quite a bit. Any kind of heat ( sun, heating, spicy foods, hot shower)seems to aggrevate the situation. I don't drink alcohol, don't smoke, eat healthy, drink mainly water. Any advise welcome. Thank you kindly.

I have a friend who has had this for years and even though she In her 80th year was having hot flushes well into her 70's. She has resolutely refused fluid retention pills and just coped with seesaw weight. She is a true convert to alternatives but says they have helped. Makes me feel guilty for accepting my furoside tablet, but then mine is a different problem. I hope some relief is coming your way Dutchy. Mine is keeping me alive.

I've read that hypothyroidism is one cause, so you may be right about the hormone theory. Have you had a full thyroid panel done (not just TSH).

Joybel and Ten Bob, thanks for your reply. I asked my doctor about a possible thyroid problem, but acc to her it was checked in August and ok. I've been taking brown seaweed capsules for the past 2 weeks, just to see if that makes a difference.
The more I read about it, the more confusing it becomes. So many different theories, advises and medications possible.
I am overweight as well (83 kg's at 1.68m), and whatever I try...........no luck here either.(Mainly fluid swelling) I'm seeing the doctor again in 3 month, will ask her for that test Ten Bob. Thank you both again. Laurina.

I can tell you how my wife lost weight.
She changed the kind of foods she ate.
Rather than worry about calorie restriction and exercise (which is the orthodox view and doesn't work long term for most people), she cut out all grain based foods and sugar i.e. lowered carbohydrates.

Worked very well, plus no more bloating!