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."
My friends, I am not sure if I should or not to post this.
You know that tiredness is one of the symptoms of HF.
In fact I call good days the ones that I am OK and bad days the ones that I am tired, very tired. When I put this issue to my cardiologist she insisted that I should be much better with an ICD, something for what I am not ready yet.
Searching and studying, I come across of a product called D-Ribose.
It is just a simple sugar that seems to play a role in all the human metabolism, and in particular in the heart.
In my last visit to my cardiologist I told her, "I know that you will not recommend it, but do you think it can be dangerous to take D-Ribose", she laconically answered : "No, I doubt that you get anything out of it but should not be dangerous".
The next problem was to find it ... in Spain it is sold as a very special medicament for people with problems in the metabolism of carbohydrates and is very, very expensive.
Finally I got it from USA at an affordable price, and to my surprise ... MAKES me a completely different person ... just 5 gr/day in my orange juice and all the tiredness has gone away... I can do all what I want in the morning and in the afternoon, I no longer get exhausted with my workout and no longer look for bed at 9PM.. in fact now I go to bed just to follow my wife imposed rule of at least 8 hours of rest in bed every night.
And this over the last 30 days without missing a single one.
The fact is that now I am taken more alternative remedies than formal medicines... the problem is where to stop because there is still a very long list to go on....
My doubts to post this were because this is something that I cannot recommend since it is working for me but there are not large clinical trials that can makes it indicated for general HF.
In the other hand I have to say that I feel a bit guilty of being so well.
Anyway, is there anyone else taking it??
Jesus
You know that tiredness is one of the symptoms of HF.
In fact I call good days the ones that I am OK and bad days the ones that I am tired, very tired. When I put this issue to my cardiologist she insisted that I should be much better with an ICD, something for what I am not ready yet.
Searching and studying, I come across of a product called D-Ribose.
It is just a simple sugar that seems to play a role in all the human metabolism, and in particular in the heart.
In my last visit to my cardiologist I told her, "I know that you will not recommend it, but do you think it can be dangerous to take D-Ribose", she laconically answered : "No, I doubt that you get anything out of it but should not be dangerous".
The next problem was to find it ... in Spain it is sold as a very special medicament for people with problems in the metabolism of carbohydrates and is very, very expensive.
Finally I got it from USA at an affordable price, and to my surprise ... MAKES me a completely different person ... just 5 gr/day in my orange juice and all the tiredness has gone away... I can do all what I want in the morning and in the afternoon, I no longer get exhausted with my workout and no longer look for bed at 9PM.. in fact now I go to bed just to follow my wife imposed rule of at least 8 hours of rest in bed every night.
And this over the last 30 days without missing a single one.
The fact is that now I am taken more alternative remedies than formal medicines... the problem is where to stop because there is still a very long list to go on....
My doubts to post this were because this is something that I cannot recommend since it is working for me but there are not large clinical trials that can makes it indicated for general HF.
In the other hand I have to say that I feel a bit guilty of being so well.
Anyway, is there anyone else taking it??
Jesus
Good for you. Glad the D-Ribose is helping with the CHF. Glad to read you took the right approach and consulted with your doctor before use to ensure there were no risks, as everyone should with any remedy including natural and over the counter products.
You set a great example. I don't see anything wrong with mentioning something is beneficial to you as long as it's done in a responsible manner.
Thank sounds very interesting to me.
I am always exhausted.
Might be something I should look into.
Hugs, Raoul
Hilda
My experience tells me that there are not 2 persons alike, also the circumstances of our hearts are different, so please do not try to follow my medication...follows what you and your cardiologist decide.
Nevertheless, to satisfy your curiosity, after a masive MI 3 years ago and a 23-25% of EF I take all the usual ones:
Diuretics: Torasemide
Statins: Atorvastatin
Antiagregant: Aspirine
BetaBloker: Carvedilol
Inhibitors of the full RAAS System:
Inhibitor of Renine: Aliskiren (in clinical trial, still is not approved for CHF use)
Inhibitor of Angiotensine: Enalapril
Inhibitor of Aldosterone: Eplerenone
Then I added (not prescribed but accepted by the cardiologist):
Vitamin D as modulator of the immune system
Omega 3 cause there are indications that prevents fibrillation
CoQ10 to counter for statins effects
Taurine cause small old (1986) studies indicates that can enhance functional class.
D-Ribose that seem to show good results in the CFS and in muscle strength.
And I have several others for my next visit to the cardiologist....
To make the picture complete I also proposed to my cardiologist the use of anticoagulants (to avoid stroke risks), Niacine(to increase HDL) and ARA (Candesartan) together with ECAIs (Enalapril) (To block better the Angiotensin II). In all those cases I bought in her logic that recommend not to use them..
Also I considered and discarded Pomegranate because potential interaction with CYP3A4 and then statins.
My cardiologist wanted me to move from Atorvastatin to the new Rosuvastatin, but I argue that I am familiar with Atorvastatin and also, since it is liposoluble, theoretically should have a better protective function on enthotelium.
All this is to illustrate that the KEY point is to keep a relationship as good as possible with your cardiologist and trust him ... to death!!!.
But also be as proactive as possible because you are the only really committed to your sickness.
My rule is never take any medicaments, or complements or herbs
even prescribed by Dr. without understanding the that I can the logic of potential benefits and risks.... my live is at stake!!
Jesus
Very very strict No Fat, No Salt diet.
Minimum 8 hours of horizontal rest a day.
Daily workout of 30-35 minutes in my heart rate training frequency.
By the way ... I do not think is a miracle ... I still have growing probabilities of dying of HF or its complications, but I have to say that helps to see life in a much more positive manner.
Jesus
What brand of D-Ribose are you using and where did you buy it?
Thank you
Jim