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Water pills

wondering48
0 Recommendations

I have to take a 40mg. water pill (fuoresimide) every other day because part of my feet and ankles get so puffed up. I go to rehab today and the nurse said I gained 3 pounds, did I take a water pill yesterday.
I told her that I heard water pills are bad for your kidneys and I did not take one....in fact I only want to take it 2x a week. Then she started with, "well, you know you are going to have trouble breathing again and bla, bla, bla. I called the dr. when I got home and he told me to watch the foods with salt in it and, yes, it is fine if I take the water pill 2x a week. What bugs me is that these people at rehab think they know it all!
I told them also today that I am disgusted totally!!!!!

Explore topics in this discussion:

Dialysis Heart failure Lasix Memory Heart attack

16 replies

kardia

Did the doctor prescribe them with instructions on how to take them in the beginning, because that is who to listen to?

I know, it is rough deciding between which vital organ we want to give up possibly to save another like the heart. The main thing is that we absolutely cannot live without a heart...but then we value our kidneys....just stay close to the doctor if you trust him, or do research and challenge him...but best not to get upset at the peripheral people, there are so many approaches to treatments that it can get muttled. I just tune anyone out who is not at the core or research for my answers.

Take care...it is all part of the process. Don't make yourself ill being upset.

kardia

wondering48

Thank you kardia. I am going to listen to the dr.....
in fact I called him today and he said when I have
swelling to take one 40mg water pill....and watch the salty foods cause they like to add to water retention.

kardia

Terrific,

I always get nervous for my heartsisters when they adjust medications without being sure about them....

best...

joy2day

I agree with kardia on adjusting our meds.

wondering, I understand your fear too. Due to my overzealous interpretation on my discharge instructions (limit your fluids) and a very high dose of Lasix, I was discharged from the hospital (heart failure) and back 3 days later in renal failure. Once they started IV fluids, my kidneys kicked in to high gear (and I made the trips to the bathroom to prove it --- measuring and writing my "output" on the board for the nurses). But, my kidneys had been "insulted" (a medical term). At first, I had blood tests twice a week to measure my kidney function, and that gradually tapered down to weekly, twice a month, ...... until now it is only every 6 months.

I was very nervous about my kidneys at first, until I had a talk with my primary doctor. She laid out the range of values for me and showed me that I was not in imminent danger of dialysis even if my kidneys never healed more than they were at that point. It took 18 months before my creatinine numbers returned to normal levels.

You could also ask your doctor if there are any diuretics or water pills that would be easier on your kidneys. I know that after my renal failure, my cardiologist adjusted many of my meds for that reason.

martzj

Unless you are actually having adverse reactions to the water pills, there is no reason not to take them. Fluid retention of 3 pounds in one day is hard on the heart. You might feel a whole lot better with that fluid released. Sure hope so!!! : )

Joy2day,

I spent 5 days in CIC after acute MI, only ice chips the whole time plus IV line. Not even juice until day 5. I'm guessing Lasix was your culprit, especially if your kidneys were already stressed when you went in. Even no fluids for 24 hours wouldn't cause instant renal failure.

Jaynie

joy2day

Jaynie,
It was Lasix plus 2 other diuretics ... and a contrast dye CAT scan (hard for kidneys to process the dye) and about 8-16 oz water for 3 days after I went home.

Creatinine went from 1.0 at admission to 1.3 at discharge to 2.3 at readmission. And -- upon readmission thru the ER, the ER doc diagnosed me with a heart attack and took my water away ... under the assumption that I would be having a cardiac cath the next day. My cardiologist was quite upset the next morning, so I can only imagine how that conversation with the ER doc went. My cardiologist is quite direct.

After that episode and a BP med adjustment, my dr. learned that my body is pretty sensitive to meds, so we don't start with the full dosage for my weight.

Lynnedz56

I am on fluid restriction and sodium restriction because of kidney problems. And salt was the biggest problem. I never used a salt shaker, but didn't realize how much sodium is in all the foods we eat. I was on Lasix when I was released from the hospital and as time progressed and my fluid decreased, I was able to decrease the lasix but always with the doctor's permission. The doctors explained to me that it is a juggling act. I not only see a cardiologist, but also a kidney specialist to monitor the kidneys.

martzj

hey joy.
"Jaynie,
It was Lasix plus 2 other diuretics ... and a contrast dye CAT scan (hard for kidneys to process the dye) and about 8-16 oz water for 3 days after I went home."

My, weren't you having fun!!! wooohooo NOT!!! : )

Lasix PLUS 2.....Plus dye? Goodness...I'm always sick after contrast dye procured on top of h2O restrictions but kidneys never were subjected to the whopping assault yours were put under. Glad you survived that! whew Were they trying to mummify you??? : )

take care and go sip some fluids right this minute.....just because (smile).

Jaynie

joy2day

The physical and emotional recovery from the kidney failure was immense. I was extremely weak physically. Emotionally, I was reeling from the impact of the electrolyte imbalance on my memory, concentration, and emotional balance ... plus extreme fear because a situation that was supposed to "fix me" actually harmed me.

wondering48

Hello martzi...When I went to rehab today, I was 3 pounds less on the scale. Wow it is hard to believe that you can knock off 3 pounds of water overnight.
I am so very uncomfortable walking around with swollen ankles and legs that just releasing that
excess water even makes me breathe better.
I guess 40mg. is not that bad to take.
I asked the dr. what causes this and he said fluid
in the lungs. I am wondering if I should see a lung specialist???

wondering48

Hi joy,,,Yes, I will ask the dr. if there are any water pills out there that are not harmful to the kidneys...
thanks for the message...

wondering48

Hi Lynn....Yes, today they told me at rehab to even watch the tea and coffee. Anything with water in it...haha I said, "I'll be damned if I can't have my cup of coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon"
It is summertime and I like the ice coffee in the afternoon. Take the regular drinking water away from me lol...but not my coffee....okay, so figure a total of 2 litres a day I am allowed.....

Lynnedz56

Oh, and I haven't touched one drop of caffeine since August 8th either. Caffiene helps you retain fluid. And yeah, you have to count every drop of fluid. Even if you eat soup or jello or ice cream or anything else.

martzj

" martzi...When I went to rehab today, I was 3 pounds less on the scale. Wow it is hard to believe that you can knock off 3 pounds of water overnight"

3 pounds lighter!! yippeee!! I hope you feel better now.

Yes, you might consider seeing a cardiopulmanologist (heart-lung specialist) if this condition continues to creep up on you.

take care,
Jaynie

wondering48

Hi Lynne...I know about the "every drop of fluid thing" it's a bummer isn't it????

wondering48

You hit the nail on the head Martzi...I am definitely going to ask the cardiologist about going to one
of those lung specialists. If I supposedly have fuid in the lungs that is causing this problem, why not go to one......

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