Question about diuretics and fluid retention

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M

Mary

I'm on 20 mg of Lasix for fluid retention due to pericardial constriction. I realize that's a small dose, but it has been pretty effective at relieving symptoms I have in conjunction with the constriction.
I didn't take my dose on Tuesday due to traveling. I was in a car for 8 hours, and when I got home, I could tell I had swelling. On Wednesday morning, I took my regular dose and dropped 3 pounds of fluid.
For some reason (I can't remember now why I did it) I didn't get my dose on Friday or Saturday. Saturday night I had trouble breathing when lying on my back (unusual for me) so I made sure to take the Lasix yesterday morning. Last night I was still having trouble breathing, and I started the dry, nonproductive cough that I had previous to the start of using a diuretic.
I weighed this morning, and I'm up 5 pounds altogether and 2 pounds more than even on Wednesday.
Is it possible that I'm not going to get rid of the fluid unless I up my dose? The cardiologist said to come in if I picked up more than 2-3 pounds, but I've got an appointment with him on November 8, so I hate to go in now.
I intend to really watch my salt intake and see if I drop the fluid in the next day or so.

Is the "wait and see" approach a good one? Do I need to up the Lasix for a day and see what happens? I'm open to suggestions and would appreciate advice.
And yes, I know it was foolish to skip the doses. :eek: :eek:
 
Mary its very easy to forget dose's, when I was working..oh my Id forget my coumadin :eek: once my inr was less than 1..lovenox shots dont feel good... :eek: .
Ive had so much retention, that I thought I might help, laying flat being unable to breathe is not good, I would consider calling to see if you can see doc earlier, change appt date.
If not .. minimise salt is good, and since you dont take much lasix(me..160-200mg daily),I would only increase dose by1/2..and weigh each day..if no improvement slowly add by 1/2..dont forget as you take more to increase your potassium as well.
But also call your doc.ok?
Hoping you 'spring back' quickly,love the pup
 
I would take more temporarily and see if you don't lose a lot of weight. If it hasn't budged by morning, get thee to the Doctor before your in real trouble.
 
Mary....I get the same thing....

Mary....I get the same thing....

and my doc prescribed enough lasix and potassium suppliment to take it twice daily should I need it....and I do end up having to every so often as I feel the same way you do, when I lay flat, I cannot breath (I sleep in a hospital bed for this and other reasons), and usually it's about this time that the dry cough comes in to haunt me as well...please take care of yourself and go see the doc, as we all want our Mary feeling better really soon...Sending you tons of hugs (((((((HUGS)))))) from Harrybaby :D :D :D :D
 
Wait and see is NEVER a good option. You have picked up a substantial amount of fluid and are symptomatic. Call your cardio. and get instructions. We have found that if Joe picks up 5 or more pounds of fluid, it becomes exponentially more difficult to get rid of. 2-3 pounds is his absolute limit, and sometimes IV Lasix is the only thing that works when the fluid just isn't coming off.

Zaroxolyn can shed fluid rapidly in stubborn cases, and even extra Lasix, but I would call the card. and find out what they think.

You may need kidney labs to check things out during the process.

Of course, my mantra, extremely low sodium helps all the time.
 
Yaps said:
Please let us know if you are ok..love Yaps
Click to expand...

Cardiologist called; he said to take another dose of Lasix. If that doesn't reduce the fluid, I should call back in the morning.
I wish I would have taken it sooner; I think we're taking our granddaughter to the movies, and you know I'll be running back and forth the entire time! :p :p :D :D
 
Mary,

Glad you talked to your doctor. I used to take Lasix 20mg every other day, then 20mg/day and now it was just upped to 40mg/day because I was having swelling and SOB. If I miss even one dose, I get winded just walking through the house.

I don't know why my dosage has been climbing to do the same thing but even 40mg/day is not a lot of Lasix.
 
Lasix

Lasix

Confused..Daddy's stomach swelled up something large during his stay in hospital and he was on Lasix IV..We were never told what caused it?? but ..when he went into Nursing home..his stomach went down..but, noticed his ankles were swollen...Just too much to do before we left..should I call and ask about lasix ..by pill?..and if his feet are still swollen?..I'm sure his nursing staff should have noticed......Will call and ask tomorrow....He is doing fine.. Even wheeled himself down for church services..going to PT everyday.. the Nursing staff does NOT want us to put a phone in his room..They want him to get independent from us.. :) Tomorrow is his birthday..sent balloons ect....Bonnie
 
Bonnie,
Was he put on Lasix because of stomach and feet swelling or for something else? Did his stomach swell before or after he got the Lasix? I would just try to determine whether the Lasix helped or hurt & why he was on it. Feel swelling could indicate water retention and he might need to go back on the Lasix but I think there could be other reasons for the foot swelling.
Wish him Happy Birthday.
 
You should be fine now.

You should be fine now.

Hi Mary, sorry to hear you're having problems, but I'm happy you've already talked to your doctor about it. Hope things start to get better soon. Keep us posted!
Débora
 
I don't know what the problem is. I dropped three pounds, but I'm SOB except when sitting down. I have the sniffles, and I'm sore from swimming yesterday, but I can't think of any real reason for the shortness of breath. :confused:
 
Joe has found that also from time to time. I've discussed it at length with his doctors and we have all come to the conclusion that he has actually lost body fat and replaced the weight with fluid, so it looks like he should be OK, but in fact is still packing a lot of water. He does lose body weight easily.

They have all agreed that this is an area that is extremely difficult to figure out.

I'd say that if you are still symptomatic, you might still have fluid, even though your scale shows a loss.

If it continues, go in to one of your doctors and let them have a listen to your lungs.
 
This really is irritating. I am up 6 pounds-AGAIN-and the diuretic just isn't getting rid of it. I have watched my salt intake like a hawk, but I can't tell much difference.

I'm not too short of breath, but it does feel like I have continual chest pressure. In addition I've had at least one episode of feeling like I might faint almost everyday. I realize I'm on a very small dose of Lasix, but I've only lived with the pericardial constriction five months. I'm afraid if I can't keep the fluid off better than this, I will have some significant problems before another surgery can resolve it.

I see the cardiologist next week and I'm sure he'll up the diuretic, but surely there's another answer?
 
You need to call your cardiologist NOW and not wait a week. You're on such a low dose, and you're not very far out from your surgery - I'm sure they'll want to increase it. I'm on 40 mgs and that's not much; with the proviso that I can take up to another 40 mgs if necessary (VERY rarely).

Don't mess around with this; talk to the doc or his PA today.
 
Georgia,
They said to take another dose. I will, but I can't figure why I'm having such a time with it.
I think it may be related to my shoulder problems, but I know that sounds crazy. My arm is noticeably swollen from my frozen shoulder, and I started having difficulties with water retention at the same time I started physical therapy for it.
I seem to be going round in circles with my recovery.:(
 
Mary said:
Georgia,
They said to take another dose. I will, but I can't figure why I'm having such a time with it.
I think it may be related to my shoulder problems, but I know that sounds crazy. My arm is noticeably swollen from my frozen shoulder, and I started having difficulties with water retention at the same time I started physical therapy for it.
I seem to be going round in circles with my recovery.:(
Click to expand...


Mary, were you put on any anti-inflammatory medication for your frozen shoulder? Many medications cause me to retain fluids and I too have to up my diuretic to keep up with it. I also notice that the more active I am the more fluid I retain.
 
Hi kiddo!

Hi kiddo!

Hello Mary. Obviously I have no experience with any of this, but since I'm so sorry you are in some distress I just wanted to chime in and give you my support. Checking with the doctor is always a good thing. If this is a condition which you need to get used to, then how are you going to learn unless you ask the right amount of questions?

Going back to the long drive. Did you take a break during the 8 hours, or just sit there in an unusual, unmoving way? Maybe you need to remember that in the future. I know that I have felt dizzy after plane rides (4 hours) and my doctors said I wasn't moving around enough to keep my blood pressure (suppressed by bp meds) happy. Once I started getting up and walking a few times, those problems went away. I just wonder if it's all in the mix, so to speak. Your body trying to understand why your blood wasn't moving, over compensating or undercompensating or what not.

Anyway. Please be well!!

Thinking of you.

Marguerite
 
Also remember your potassium, especially if you aren't on any supplement and are increasing your dose. At least eat a banana or have some OJ with the Lasix, and have the docs check your potassium levels. Your weight is fluctuating way too much to just wait and see. Call that doc back and let him know how significant your ups and downs are, and how far apart they are. Maybe write your weight on the calendar each day and take that in with you as well when you go (also note how much lasix you take each time on the same calendar). That may help him get a better idea of your response to the meds. Good luck. Keep doing the deep breathing and exercise as tolerated to help also. Keep us updated, please!!!!!
 
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