Heart Failure Support Group
Heart failure is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. It is often undiagnosed due to a lack of a universally agreed definition and difficulties in diagnosis, particularly when the condition is considered "mild."
Hi all,
New on here. Was hospitalized a month ago, for 4 days, and in ICU for 2 days. Dr @ hospital diagnosed CHF, and COPD.
Home on oxygen 24/7, along with a bi pap machine. Sleep apnea testing mid March. 1st visit this coming week, to the Cardiologist.
I have Visiting Nurse come every week, and she measures my feet, legs and ankles for edema. In the last 2 weeks, she said i gained 2 centimeters, and i've been extremely tired, so she called my Dr. (I have an appt. on March 5th)> Doc said wait until i see her for appt, but if swelling gets worse or i feel worse to call.
I woke up early this morning, and swelling in left leg and foot are worse. I sleep on the left side, so thinking maybe not elevating it made it worse? I also was sitting up doing some things in my bedroom, & was sitting up doing some paperwork. I'm thinking maybe i should just lie down a bit more to rest and elevate my legs. Anyone else have any ideas? I'm worried, and alone, and don't really have anyone to talk to.
Boo
I
New on here. Was hospitalized a month ago, for 4 days, and in ICU for 2 days. Dr @ hospital diagnosed CHF, and COPD.
Home on oxygen 24/7, along with a bi pap machine. Sleep apnea testing mid March. 1st visit this coming week, to the Cardiologist.
I have Visiting Nurse come every week, and she measures my feet, legs and ankles for edema. In the last 2 weeks, she said i gained 2 centimeters, and i've been extremely tired, so she called my Dr. (I have an appt. on March 5th)> Doc said wait until i see her for appt, but if swelling gets worse or i feel worse to call.
I woke up early this morning, and swelling in left leg and foot are worse. I sleep on the left side, so thinking maybe not elevating it made it worse? I also was sitting up doing some things in my bedroom, & was sitting up doing some paperwork. I'm thinking maybe i should just lie down a bit more to rest and elevate my legs. Anyone else have any ideas? I'm worried, and alone, and don't really have anyone to talk to.
Boo
I
Well, for watching my food all say, and putting my feet up, i got up the next day and i lost 3 pounds and swelling was down! Still a bit more, but it's alot better.
I really hate that i have to watch all of this crap, every day of my life. IT totally sucks!!
Ok, going to try to get some rest, as i didn't fall asleep, and i'm up at 3:30am!
Boo
I can appreciate your frustration, you join a support group then have to answer your own questions. Really not the optimal support . I drop by periodically but rarely have much to say.
Sounds like you aren't fully up to speed on CHF management yet. Forgive me if I'm being redundant with some information. As a long time CHF patient I've gotten pretty good at keeping the wolves at bay.
1. Each morning (after urinating) you should weigh yourself. Any gain of 3 pounds over 1 day or 5 pounds over 1 week is fluid retention (edema) not weight gain. Your Dr should instruct you on how best to manage this problem. This is the #1 indicator of CHF getting out of control. Do not take it upon yourself to make changes, especially in meds until you've talked to a Cardiologist as there can be severe consequences.
2. Increased shortness of breath.
3. Swelling of feet, ankles, legs or stomach
4. Feeling more exhausted or tired for no known reason
5. Dry hacking cough
6. Increased dizzyiness
7. Sitting up to sleep
These are all signs thsat your CHF is worsening and need to be brought under control to prevent hospitalization. Once you get used to the changes you need to make,m they become automatic and not so bothersome. I've dealt with stage IV for the past 6 years so I can appreciate your concern but I assure you, it's not the end of the world.
So hugs, hang in there, and things will improve once you've seen the cardiologist. It's too bad you have to wait so long.
yes, I'm already on Furosemide, 60mg twice a day, and spiron 50 mg twice a day. On Albuterol ,and Symbicort.
Cardiologist appointment is this Thursday. Just an evaluation. My BP readings have been excellant, and sometimes on the low side. My bp used to be 145/90 etc...Now they are 106/68 and pretty close to those numbers each day.
I am watching my diet, low sodium, and low fat. Amazing how much sodium is in foods, and I am watching what i eat.
Will post after dr's, to let you all know how that went.
Boo
To much fluid on the body can make you feel much worse then you already do. I take lasix to help with fluid however it is important at night to elevate the feet if the edema is flaring up. I found lemon w/my water also helps...look into foods that are natural diuretics as well.
Lasix was the first thing that helped to bring him back more solidly into the realm of the living when he was first diagnosed with CHF. He was in the University hospital cardiac unit for a week on fluid restriction and enough Lasix in his IV to have him lose 40 lbs of fluid in that week.
He is still taking some Lasix and several other drugs, including Carvedilol which has been a great help as well.
I hope the doctors can take good care of you, too.
Once i'm stabilized with the CHF and COPD a bit, i am planning on having Gastric Bypass surgery.
That's something in about 6 months or more to follow up on. I was having the 1st consultation at the physicians office building, and that's when i asked the Dr to ck my o2, and it was low enough to have them admit me, hence the hospital stay.
Cardiologist said he would suggest i follow up on the bariatric surgery once i'm stable with everything else i have on my plate right now.
Boo
cheers Leanne