Here we go again

[angall]

Well, here I sit typing from St. Mary's hospital. My problems began Sunday with a weight gain of 9 lbs. Monday I called the heart transplant service asking what I should do. I was told to increase my Lasix. Monday night I started to get a sore throat. I called the heart transplant service again. They suggested that I see my local dr. Well, he wouldn't be in his office until Friday.

I did have appts. and tests scheduled for Thursday, so off we went to Rochester, MN. I had blood tests done first, then an appointment with one of the cardiologist from the heart transplant team. He took one look at me and said he wanted me admitted to St. Mary's hospital after visiting with the kidney specialist.

I am in congestive heart failure and have a virus/bronchitis. They have been giving me xtra Lasix, but the must be careful because of my kidneys. As of today, I have taken off almost 5 lbs.

I'm hoping to go home soon.

It seems as though hospital visits are never ending this year for me.

[Largehearted]

Esther.

I do hope life will smooth out for you soon. Thanks for keeping us posted and be assured of our support.

Peace,

Leon

[Sarah]

Hang in there. THe Mayo will take good care of you.

S

[Burton Borrok]

Dear Ester,
I have been in congestive heart failure for over two years now, while taking 160 mg of Lasix a day. My kidneys are at the bottom of the functioning range, and I am expected to go on dialysis whenever – but I have been successful in postponing it for a year now.

My nephrologist put me on a second diuretic (Metolazone) for when my water retention got too bad, but more then two mg of that stuff would put me in the hospital with my kidneys shutting down and my potassium at about zero. (The muscle cramps that followed were no fun at all.) The smallest pill is 5 mg, so can you picture me trying to cut this teeny pill three ways?)

I was in trouble again and my cardiologist suggested using the old standard Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, which works differently then Lasix, but would probably not be the same problem as the Metolazone. In January I dropped 11 pounds of fluid, then eased up about two pounds and am holding steady. I still have the CHF with that old annoying cough, but I’ve been able to function through my wife falling and breaking her nose and both hands, then my son having surprise open heart surgery.

I think when all this is over I’m going to have a nervous breakdown – I worked for it, I earned it, and nobody is going to deprive me of it. By the way, my blood oxygen is over the ninety percent range, and my insurance requires it below 88% to pay for oxygen, but I asked my cardiologist and he wrote a prescription for me to get it out-of-pocket. A four hour bottle @ 2 liters/hour only cost $15 here, and it sure helps a lot with the SOB. If you have the same problem you might be interested in trying this also. (I only use it to recover from gasping for breath.)

Good luck, and let us know what happens.
Burt

[NoCrash]

Ester,

Sorry to hear about the continuing and annoying issues. At least you're at an awesome place where you'll be taken care of properly!

Burton! Good to see you back! I know for a fact that metolazone comes in 2.5 mg size (the size I use on occassion) and maybe smaller. This stuff sure does pack a kick!

Another diuretic for consideration is epleronone (generic)/Inspra (brand name) which preserves potassium levels. It is usually added on top of your regular Lasix dosage and counterbalances the potassium elimination problem of the lasix. I was able to stop taking daily Pot. Chlor. when my daily Inspra dose got up to 50mg/day even though I'm on the max allowable daily Lasix dose. Now, I only take potassium when I take the occassional metolazone.

Regards,
Rob Thomas

[NoCrash]

ahhh... that's eplerenone, not epleronone... not the either is pronouncable!

[Pam Alexson]

Esther,

So sorry to hear of your ongoing struggles . We are here to listen and offer support. Sending you lots of positive thoughts and hoping you will soon feel better.

Pam

[shirleymahoney]

Esther

Hang in there lady, I know how you feel, I just took off 7 pounds in last couple of days and it took 360mg of diuretics to do it and one day i was instructed to take an extra 40 mg of the lasix, I also have chronic bronchitis in my left lung that acts up a few times a year, I hope you feel better real soon and you are able to return home, you take care of yourself ok


Shirley

[Ronnie]

Esther-
so sorry the sad saga goes on. You are on the upside, tho & soon you will stabalize. The fluid retention is an ongoing problem for many of us-it's just so easy to put on that 10 pounds of fluid & so tough to get rid of! So far, I'm lucky that the metha... as a booster works, especially when I get a shot of Lasix @ the Cardio
You will get this under control-you're in a Great place & they can fix this!

[Midge Rollins]

Esther, sorry you are back in. I was away from board for a day or 2. As you know you are in the right place. I hope they get it this under control so you can go home. Keep us posted.

[dreamcatchinglady]

Hi Esther sorry to hear that things are tough. Hang in there and keep positive. We all are rooting for you. If you ever need to talk we are all here for you.

[angall]

Here I am, back at home. I'm beginning to think that I am a visitor here,

I was discharged having some weight gain that wouldn't come off even with an IV Lasix drip. I also have a horrible cough. I was told I have bronchitis so it may take awhile before all traces are gone.

I must go back to visit with the heart transplant doctors in 2 weeks. Here's hoping I can stay out of the hospital till that time,

Thank you all for your support.

[Pam Alexson]

Esther,

Hoping you feel better and get all that extra fluid off and stay out of the hospital.. Rooting for you.

Pam

[shirleymahoney]

Esther

Glad to see you are home and feeling a little better, watch the fluids and i know it is hard if you are like me you like your water, but even I have to watch my intake, I woke up this morning swollen again, I ate mainly vegies andd only had 2 - 20 oz. bottles of water all day, it is just somedays my body doesn't want to let go of it, I really hope you can relax a bit and hey quitting cigarettes could be throwing your body out of whack for a bit, it made me gain, well now i need to get off the computer for a while I'm having neck pain today and it is really starting to bother me, it is like a crick in my neck but the same side they find pressure built up in my glands, so please take it easy and if you need to talk I'm always here

Shirley