Heart Failure Support Group

i did read the other post about fatigue and am confused about the role the meds play-i would hope that eventually they help with fatigue,not increase it. don't mean to be dense just want to feel better. THANKS!

hi noreen..i too am 48 and have had cardiomyopathy for one year now...i am on lisinopril, as well at lasix(when needed only) aldactone, and metotoprol, sorry for spelling..my heart has shown some improvement but it is still weak..and that is why i get tired often...as well as from the meds..my family knows i get tired and we have to deal with it..'it is what it is'..the alternative is unthinkable..my kids are still young..one teen and one college student..my doctor had hoped to adjust the meds down to relieve some of the fatigue..but has not been able to yet..so i walk the fine line between being tired and being here...i know which side i fall on...when i am tired..i MUST rest..whether its go to bed early or nap during the day..i have to do it..
not sure if this helps noreen...but your not alone in this fight...email me if you want...strength through knowledge ..we all have something to share...my email is Re0630@aol.com

1) The tiredness will get somewhat better. The period around most people getting diagnosed is a period of intense stress-- when this thing gets bad enough to be noticed. I've found it really helpful to remind myself that I've been through something that was basically, in terms of damage, kind of like having a prolonged heart attack that took place over a couple weeks. You've been through something major, it will take time and rest to heal.

2) The drugs aren't helping the tiredness, however, they're making it worse. They do help, and they're a good thing, and stick with 'em, but in my case, I looked and all three of the drugs my cardiologist has me taking have warnings about drowsiness, driving, etc. These pills make you a bit wonky. And if your course of treatment is anything like mine, they'll be upping 'em every few weeks. So once you get used to a drug level, they'll make it worse, and you'll get all wonky again. You just have to have faith in your cardiologist and faith that, at least some of the time, the drugs do work.

The drugs slow everything down. They make it easier for your heart to do the work. What usually happens to me is I can do my regular schedule for about half as long as I used to and then I need to rest. There is no getting around it. I was also 48 years old when I was diagnosed. I had a son in high school and a daughter in college at the time. Now, my daughter is married and graduating college. My son is in college. I am now 51. My heart function is very stable now. I was working full time teaching school and for the past 3 years, I have been teaching half days. It has really changed my life. I like to say that whatever I did before the heart failure, I can still do. But I can only do half as much or it takes me twice as long to get it done. It was really hard for me admit that I needed to work half time. Do what you can do, rest, and don't feel guilty....It really is a combination of medications, less stress, diet, and rest that is going to keep you around... Please know I am willing to help in any way possible.

sb57-i am encouraged by your progress and that you are stable after 3 years.i was a little dazed at my first cardiology appt. and didn't ask any questions(scared silent). i know diet is important, but i would like to know if there are certain foods that make a difference(good or bad). i don't go back for 2 more months and am a little frustrated with myself for not being my normal 20 questions(i will catch up next visit!)THANKS!

The big thing is to learn to be paranoid about sodium. If you're not cooking it from scratch, chances are some idiot has gone along and added a LOT of sodium to it.

By way of example, you know you should avoid French Fries, 'cause they taste salty. And a small fry at McDonald's has 160 mg of sodium. But did you know that a little dollar-menu cheeseburger at McDonalds has over 700 mg of sodium? That's over four times as much, and probably half the sodium I try to consume, personally, in a given day.

The big thing is to watch for sodium in places you wouldn't expect it. Even which brand of bottled water you pick up makes a big difference.

I agree... Sodium is the culprit. Going to fast food restaurants and out to eat in general is hard. A plain baked potato has virtually no sodium. Salad with vinegar and oil. These are good things when you are out to eat. At home you can fix just about anything with little or no sodium. Not canned foods or prepared foods. Check all labels. Fruit is good. Orange juice is good. There are so many low fat foods that a you would think are ok, but they are full of sodium. Good luck and keep me posted.
Shelly

i agree with the last two posts...sodium is such an important key in trying to fight this...my meds were just changed and im battling more fatigue now...its just harder to stand and cook these lower sodium meals...when i first had to eat differently i was SO amazed at the sodium levels in food ...breakfast cereal for instance...luckily i love oatmeal..bread...wow..i miss bread a lot..but my son once in a while will help me make a low sodium bread..lots of stuff that says low sodium actually isnt..or is really low on flavor..lol..im working with my husband this weekend on planning my herb garden so i can plant really soon...(im in NH..slow to melt snow..) love fresh herbs..going to have lots of plants so i can have dried herbs over the winter...replaces the sodium and adds the flavor..
on another note..this past week I hit the one year 'anniversary' of my HF diagnosis...to be honest i didnt think i was going to make it this far...what a gift life is...and im still going...hang in there...