Heart Failure Support Group

HI Booot

SOunds like he is in heart failure. One of the very fast symptoms of heart failure (aka CHF) is bloating of the stomach - esp. after meals.

The heart is weak and cannot process the food nearly as fast as we would like.

It sounds to me as if you may have too many foods in the house that are high in sodium, and/or that he is drinking too much liquid.

Now I certainly could be wrong - but the first symptom I get when I am careless is bloating stomach after meals.

So - okay what can he/you do???? 1. smaller meals - and do not just go an eat because it is mealtime - you and he need to wait til he is actually hungry again.

2. recheck everything in the house for sodium and get rid of the junk. Try to bring his sodium intake down to a rediculous low level - you will be amazed by the results.

3. Restrict his liquid intake to (3) 16 ounce glasses of liquid a day - period and i mean no more.

4. Get him to spend more time with his legs up on an ottoman or such. It will help his heart to function better - less height for the heart/pump to overcome. Major hel.

5. Less physical activity - esp. until this symptom stops.

6. contact his doctor and ask about increasing his lasix.

okay - that should eb a good start.

Hugs to the boot and the baron, Raoul

Thanks, Raoulby,
His md put him on five small meals a day when he was in hospital. He also said what you said; the food is not being processed quickly. He is not getting much sodium. I use no-salt Mrs. Dash. He is in bed the major portion of the day, is weak and doesn't s have much strength. When he is really in great pain, it starts in the center of his defibrilator and moves down to his stomach. He has an appointment with his cardio tomorrow. I will see what else I can find out.
Boot

Is he overweight? I had periodic pain and extending of the stomach. I have always had a problem with stomach acid and lived on Tums, my doctor prescribed two prilosec capsules a day, in the morning and evening and I haven't had any trouble since.

Some medications and supplements can cause constipation. I was taking Tylenol #3 for pain and this was a major side effect. Too much calcium I've been took can also cause this problem. He should be taking a stool softener and eating fiber everyday.

Hi, Donna,
He is taking Tylenol #3 too! You just told me in one post what it took forever to get from the dr. He is now on a stool softner and eating shredded wheat daily. It has made a world of difference. He is also eating five small meals a day. Thanks for your advice.
Boot

If he is having trouble digesting food then he might benefit from taking a probiotic.

Hi Boot, I'm glad I was able to help. I stopped taking the Tylenol #3 and my bowel movements resumed to normal. I was angry at my doctor and the pharmacists for not warning me about this side effect from taking this pain medication. I've been told by a nurse that this can also happen with other pain medication as well. Remember, fiber everyday, it really helps. If some nutrition drinks have fiber in them as well.

Did they scan him and make sure he didn't have an intestinal blockage? My mother had those symptoms (also throwing up) and that is what it was.

Just a thought.

Jenny

Hi, all,
Baron is in hospital with a blood clot. He is eating five small meals for his digestion problem along with liquid warfarin to break up the clot. I am still bowled over that his dr did not up his coumadin in that they said the low dosage probably caused the blockage. He should be coming home tomorrow or Wed. He is very weak, so if they decide to keep him I will not be surprised. I will post again tomorrow. Thanks for all of your help.
Boot

Best wishes!