Lasix question?

[Mileena46]

My doctor called me in Lasiks for swelling in my legs and feet. They are 40mg. After taking one....that evening all my swelling was gone,,, but I developed a tickle in my throat and now a cough. I also feel generally bad. My heart rate which usually stays around 86 has gone up to close to 100 even at rest. My heart at 95-100 and my very LOUD valve is driving me crazy!

Since I have no swelling, I really don't want to take my Lasiks pill this morning. Have any of you had an experience close to this on Lasiks?

Mileena

 

[Ross]

I take 80 mg a day. No, cannot say that I have. Are you taking any blood pressure medication?

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing, or nausea. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience diarrhea, muscle pain or cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, restlessness, dry mouth, unusual thirst, unusual tiredness or weakness, or rapid or irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

[tobagotwo]

Ross's documentation above would indicate you should contact your doctor ASAP (for rapid heartbeat). I would certainly agree. I would hold off on taking the pill until you can contact someone.

It may just turn out to be a temporary potassium or other mineral imbalance.

best wishes,

 

[Mileena46]

I am also taking a potassium supplement along with the lasiks..and BP 25mg of listapril (not sure about the spelling). I really really hate to call my doctor. I see him on the 16th...I think I will not take the meds today and see what happens...I am not holding fluid at all.

Mileena

 

[Ross]

If your taking Lisinopril, that is one that will cause a cough, but still, report the rapid heart beat to the Doctor.

Lisinopril side effects include:

Possible side effects
SIDE EFFECTS, that may occur while taking this medicine include headache, drowsiness, dizziness or lightheadedness, tiredness, weakness, and cough. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience fast or irregular heartbeat; prolonged nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; a change in the amount of your urine; unusual joint pain; or unusual muscle pain, cramps, or weakness. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience swelling of hands, legs, face, lips, eyes, throat, tongue, or trunk; difficulty swallowing or breathing; severe dizziness; lightheadedness; fainting; hoarseness; chest pain; unusual stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes; darkening of your urine; sore throat; or fever. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

[Mileena46]

Thanks for the help you guys! If things get worse, I will call the doctor! Ross, I have been on that BP meds since Surgery in July. The reason I am blaming the Lasiks is because I felt GOOD until I took the first dose. Anyway, I am not taking it today. I will let you all know if my symptoms improve.


Mileena

 

[briansmom]

That seems to be a fairly high initial dose. It is possible that you are now dehydrated. Have you taken your BP? I would try to hydrate a little and if that doesn't help then I think you should call the doc. You do not need to take more if you feel like you got the water weight off. Are you checking your weight? How much did you lose?

 

[Mileena46]

Thanks Deanne for answering my post when I know you have so much going on with your son right now. (I have been reading and praying for all of you as well). I wanted to answer and tell you that I have lost 3 pounds in 24 or 30 hours and 2 doses of the lasiks. I can't help but think this is whats wrong with me...I am continueing to monitor my heart rate....the highest has been 101 bpm. My instructions from my surgeon says I only need to worry at 120 or above. I just am not use to it being this high and the constant pounding of the valve doesn't help. I am in good rhythm though! I guess I need to be thankful for that. I have a nice steady fast beat!

Mileena


Oh, yes its possible about the dehydrated....I am thristy but not overly so. I also have a dull headache.

You know I don't know what I would do without you all! I guess I would just freak out when something happened if I couldn't get answers here!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I suspect you may be dehydrated.

You need to keep track of your weight daily (in your Birthday Suit or undies).

Also check your legs by pressing a finger or thumb on your shin and observing the dimple. The deeper it is and longer it takes to return to normal, the more fluid you are retaining.

Given your reactions / results, You would probably be better off taking 20 mg/day. Do you have a pill splitter?
Lasix (NOT Lasiks) also comes in 20 mg doses. The Generic form is called Furosemeide.

It would be a good idea to call your Doctor (or speak with his nurse) ASAP (Monday?), and tell them what is going on. If you have more problems, call your Doctor's number and ask to have the On-Call Doc call you back.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Mileena46]

Thanks Al. I will speak to the nurse on Monday, but like I said I see the doctor on Wed anyway. It has been 29 hours since my last dose and my heart rate is down to 92. I am feeling somewhat better, I think within a few more hours I should be back to my normal 86-88 bpm.

I will keep a closer eye on my weight gain and check my ankles often. If I start to hold fluid again I will take half a dose, but right now I don't care if I ever take anymore of that stuff! I think it did quite a number on me. I am sensitive to meds anyway!

Mileena

 

[Mileena46]

OK now running a fever of 102.2. Broke down and called the doctor who told me to take tylenol and see if the fever will go down, last time we checked it was down to 101.0.... so it is going down. He said he didn't think the lasix had anything to do with how I am feeling, but I should keep a watch on the temp and if we can't keep it down to go to the ER!

I am sooo upset! I don't WANT to go back to the hospital! I have been there all summer! I have no other signs of the flu....no stuffy nose or anything...just a dull headache I have had all day. The hospital is at lease 45 minutes from me, so my husband and I are sitting on ready. I packed my bag again...but I am so SAD!

Mileena

 

[Eva]

Mileena,

I hope you are feeling better by now. I agree with all said above and like to add/confirm that dehydration causes heart to beat faster as well as it causes a headache. You might need 20mg of Lasix instead of 40...try to drink fluids. Many people stop drinking while on dieuretics. If your headache gets severe, your fever goes higher, and have an acute dry cough with chest heaviness, go to ER...it might be swine flu...not to scare you but to be cautious. The symptoms of the swine flu:

Extreme sudden fatigue with body aches all over with acute dry cough, high fever accompanied with chills, chest heaviness, and continuous severe headache.

Keep us posted.

 

[Mileena46]

Actually feeling much better Eva! My fever is down to 98.6! YAY! My heart rate is back to 84! YAY! I am just hoping I can sleep tonight! Swine Flu! Yes, I was worried about that too...and it is rampant in Alabama. We had one child die last week in our little small town. It seems lots of people have it...most are surviving it...but I don't want to chance it with my surgery so recent! Again, thank all of you for helping me get through the day!

Mileena

 

[Lynlw]

OK now running a fever of 102.2. Broke down and called the doctor who told me to take tylenol and see if the fever will go down, last time we checked it was down to 101.0.... so it is going down. He said he didn't think the lasix had anything to do with how I am feeling, but I should keep a watch on the temp and if we can't keep it down to go to the ER!

I am sooo upset! I don't WANT to go back to the hospital! I have been there all summer! I have no other signs of the flu....no stuffy nose or anything...just a dull headache I have had all day. The hospital is at lease 45 minutes from me, so my husband and I are sitting on ready. I packed my bag again...but I am so SAD!

Mileena

How long ago was your surgery? Does your incision look good? Are you having any problems taking deep breaths? Also did your fever just start? They can increase your heart rate too

 

[Mileena46]

My surgery was July 16, almost 2 months ago. I haven't even been released by my surgeon yet. Thx for responding Lyn. My temps would spike during the night about every 4 hours...took tylenol and it comes back down. Yes, the temps started going up suddenly and no my breathing is fine. I am coughing, but it isn't a dry cough. I am either freezing or so hot I sweat! I am concerned about the swine flu....but can only ride this thing out now. My scar seems fine, but all the coughing has made it a bit sore.

Mileena

 

[Lynlw]

I would call your doctor. the fever, chills, sweating could be an infection, it's probably not, but best to get it checked out this close to surgery

 

[Mileena46]

I did call him yesterday to find out if I needed to go to the ER! I really don't know if having the flu or the swine flu right now is worse on those of us having had surgery or not. I feel ok today and my fever is normal with the tylenol about every 6 hours. I am sweating badly so maybe I am sweating it out.

Mileena

 

[Lynlw]

Do you feel like you have the flu,runny nose ect or think it might be something else?

 

[Eva]

Mileena,

I looked up the following from Webmd.com. Hope it helps:

Quote:

.... it's important to call your doctor if you also have any of the following severe symptoms:

Persistent fever: This can be a sign of another bacterial infection that should be treated.
Painful swallowing: Although a sore throat from a cold or flu can cause mild discomfort, severe pain could mean strep throat, which requires treatment by a doctor.
Persistent coughing: When a cough doesn't go away after two or three weeks, it could be bronchitis, which may need an antibiotic. Postnasal drip or sinusitis can also result in a persistent cough. In addition, asthma is another cause of persistent coughing. Asthma medications such as steroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and bronchodilators are necessary to treat asthma.
Persistent congestion and headaches: When colds and allergies cause congestion and blockage of sinus passages, they can lead to sinus infection. If you have pain around the eyes and face with thick nasal discharge after a week, you may have a bacterial infection and need an antibiotic.
In some cases, you may need to get emergency medical attention right away. In adults, signs of a crisis include:

Severe chest pain
Severe headache
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Confusion
Persistent vomiting

unquote

You may read the whole article: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/cold-guide/flu-cold-symptoms?page=3

Keep us posted.

 

[Mileena46]

Thanks for all the concern. I don't know if it's the flu, I really don't think I am sick enough for it to be...the only thing I have is a fever. It keeps spiking back up every so often. Today, I went from 8 am until 4:30 without medication and my temp stayed down. Then, I started feeling really cold and it was back up to 99.8. I don't have a runny nose...but I do have a cough. I guess I will just have to keep taking the tylenol, and hopefully this will work itself out.

Mileena