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CHFand fibre intake
Hi!! It's been a year since I've posted but I watch the site activity regularly...it's a life line for me. My question: Does anyone have major stomach bloating when eating about 20 grams of fibre a day? I've noticed if I eat simple carbs (no oats,bran or wheat), I actually have an appetite and don't look and feel 5 mos pregnant. I seem to be okay with 1 or 2 fruits a day and 1 cup of vegies. Now I eat small frequent meals. Yesterday, I had about 2/3 cup of baked beans and voom...instant weight gain and bloating. I make all my own food and consume NO salt. Fluid is restricted as well.
Note to "gmachris": I'm so happy you have an ICD and you're feeling so much better - I think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread!!! My EF is still 25%, but it's greatly improved my quality of life.
Thanks!
Note to "gmachris": I'm so happy you have an ICD and you're feeling so much better - I think they are the greatest thing since sliced bread!!! My EF is still 25%, but it's greatly improved my quality of life.
Thanks!
Wow...that's quite the study!! First thing tomorrow morning I'll ask to have my doc to have my co-enzyme Q10 levels tested. Didn't realize that level could be tested. I had spoken to one of my "more modern thinking" doctors about Q10 but he didn't want to "muddy the waters" with the other meds I'm taking. But if I can show it's low as I'm sure it is??!!
Would this be the last study of this type since 2003? Thank you so much for sending me this link and for your history and supplements.
Would this be the last study of this type since 2003? Thank you so much for sending me this link and for your history and supplements.
First to say that the conversations that I have with my cardiologist she always says that all of them are useless .. and that all that I feel is just because the placebo effect.
So the way that I present them to her is ..."I know that you do not think that this will be of any use, but do you think that can make me any arm?"
At the end of 2008, I started with Co-Q10 to counter for the statins effects.
In February 2009 I was told I need the ICD, mainly to avoid SCD by ventricular fib. I rejected it and because there are suggestions that Omega-3 can help to avoid fibrillations I started taking it.
In September 2009, the A-flu panic was all over the world and I started to take Vitamin D to strength the immune system. Further readings shows heart benefits.
At that time I was very tired .... many days ... then I read about Taurine and D-Ribose and its role in myocardial metabolism. In August 2010, I started taking them and, in a week, the tiredness disappeared.
Then I discovered this article and in December 2010, I started taking a similar formula with the hope of increasing my EF.
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/26/21/2238.full.pdf+html
As you see all have been my personal decisions, hope no one follows without deep discussion with his cardiologist.
By the way, I still have a few more things to investigate.
Jesus
So the way that I present them to her is ..."I know that you do not think that this will be of any use, but do you think that can make me any arm?"
At the end of 2008, I started with Co-Q10 to counter for the statins effects.
In February 2009 I was told I need the ICD, mainly to avoid SCD by ventricular fib. I rejected it and because there are suggestions that Omega-3 can help to avoid fibrillations I started taking it.
In September 2009, the A-flu panic was all over the world and I started to take Vitamin D to strength the immune system. Further readings shows heart benefits.
At that time I was very tired .... many days ... then I read about Taurine and D-Ribose and its role in myocardial metabolism. In August 2010, I started taking them and, in a week, the tiredness disappeared.
Then I discovered this article and in December 2010, I started taking a similar formula with the hope of increasing my EF.
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/26/21/2238.full.pdf+html
As you see all have been my personal decisions, hope no one follows without deep discussion with his cardiologist.
By the way, I still have a few more things to investigate.
Jesus
That's amazing how good you feel Jesus without the ICD. I'm curious..do you mind telling me what complements you take?
I was speaking with the physiotherapist (from my Cardiac Rehab) today at the supermarket and I was talking to her about fibre, bloating and feeling more tired. She said all that extra fbre in my diet would cause those issues as the heart has to work harder to digest that kind of food - it nice getting that confirmed.
I was speaking with the physiotherapist (from my Cardiac Rehab) today at the supermarket and I was talking to her about fibre, bloating and feeling more tired. She said all that extra fbre in my diet would cause those issues as the heart has to work harder to digest that kind of food - it nice getting that confirmed.
Glald to hear all that good news - your EF must have gone up a great deal. I know a lady who had an EF of 25% and with the ICD it went up to 70% - maybe you'll be as lucky!! You definately have a brand new lease on life...good stuff...
About the ICD and my prognosis....
The doctors promise the ICD will make a difference, but so far they haven't measured my EF since the surgery, so I really can't say whether it's changed my numbers, or not. However, pre-surgery, I wasn't able to do much in the way of excercise, and now I'm able to walk and excercise almost normally since pre-CHF. I do all of my own shopping, and keep my own house clean, I cook for my husband and I, and when all of my chores are done(including daily dialysis), I grab my fishing pole and hike into places to spend the rest of the day fishing, which is a normal thing for me. I do tire out easier than before, but I'm older too, so I've decided to cut myself some slack, and allow it. :)
I hope this answers your question......
The doctors promise the ICD will make a difference, but so far they haven't measured my EF since the surgery, so I really can't say whether it's changed my numbers, or not. However, pre-surgery, I wasn't able to do much in the way of excercise, and now I'm able to walk and excercise almost normally since pre-CHF. I do all of my own shopping, and keep my own house clean, I cook for my husband and I, and when all of my chores are done(including daily dialysis), I grab my fishing pole and hike into places to spend the rest of the day fishing, which is a normal thing for me. I do tire out easier than before, but I'm older too, so I've decided to cut myself some slack, and allow it. :)
I hope this answers your question......
Yes,
It is from the HA, but when it did not improved in 2 years post HA, I was offered a ICD that I have refused so far... for the last 1 and half year they have not tested it, because they think it cannot improve without the ICD.
So far I have not a single symptom... I think it is thanks to the many complements I take, my cardiologist disagree and thinks it is only a placebo effect ... but I feel great.
Jesus
It is from the HA, but when it did not improved in 2 years post HA, I was offered a ICD that I have refused so far... for the last 1 and half year they have not tested it, because they think it cannot improve without the ICD.
So far I have not a single symptom... I think it is thanks to the many complements I take, my cardiologist disagree and thinks it is only a placebo effect ... but I feel great.
Jesus
Interesting stuff. I see you have an EF of 23% - I assume yours is from the damage of your heart attack and will improve in time??
Yes, Simeticone it is safe, I take it for the gases produced by statins.
Cumin, I also take it, in large amounts, because I like it!!
And Kombu, has the downsize of all the algae, its sodium level, however since you only need an small piece in the whole pot, to make them more digestible (you do not eat it), I use it.
Jesus
Cumin, I also take it, in large amounts, because I like it!!
And Kombu, has the downsize of all the algae, its sodium level, however since you only need an small piece in the whole pot, to make them more digestible (you do not eat it), I use it.
Jesus
On a different not, do you expect your CHF to improve enough with the ICD to change your earlier prognosis?
Unfortunately, mine is familial and my challenge is maintaining for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, mine is familial and my challenge is maintaining for as long as possible.
Our health system isn't perfect, in any sense of the word, but we do seem to have more freedom than most other countries, when it comes to picking and chosing what we have done, and when.
Besides the ICD, and heart issues, I have dialysis 6 days a week, at home, with my husband as my certified technician, so cholesterol isn't one of the things I have to worry about, as dialysis keeps it below acceptable limits.
I guess the tradeoff with having freedom in healthcare is, that nothing comes free, after you've paid huge amounts to have the insurance coverage. You still have all kinds of small out of pocket things that you have to pay for, such as the Merlin costs me for cell phone charges each month, because it's wireless. I also have prescription copay, and healthcare copay. There is always something extra going out of my pockets, but I guess it's better than having questionable health coverage.
I have freedom in my life to do things I love, like fishing, hunting, and just spending time out of doors, but the freedom isn't free. I've found myself wishing that our Country would go to socialized medicine, then I realize that I'm nearing the age where coverage would be minimal, and I would most likely be pre-paying for funeral costs, instead of paying insurance premiums and copays, and looking at the end of my life, instead of living the "almost" full life that I do have. I suppose there is no such thing as the perfect situation anymore.
The US came close to allowing socialized medicine, until the people realized that there was a clause in the several hundred page medical plan that would have put people over 59 years of age on a automatic end of life counseling list. Also, the powers that be, would not be required to use the same medical plan as the people. So we put a halt to the plan, but it doesn't mean that it won't happen in the future.
Anyway, back to the original subject. I think you will find that onions, garlic, grains of all kinds, cheese and legumes, will all cause intestinal discomfort, the older you get. So, like I said....I think it's a coming of age thing, and nothing is going to change that.
I hope the best for you........
Besides the ICD, and heart issues, I have dialysis 6 days a week, at home, with my husband as my certified technician, so cholesterol isn't one of the things I have to worry about, as dialysis keeps it below acceptable limits.
I guess the tradeoff with having freedom in healthcare is, that nothing comes free, after you've paid huge amounts to have the insurance coverage. You still have all kinds of small out of pocket things that you have to pay for, such as the Merlin costs me for cell phone charges each month, because it's wireless. I also have prescription copay, and healthcare copay. There is always something extra going out of my pockets, but I guess it's better than having questionable health coverage.
I have freedom in my life to do things I love, like fishing, hunting, and just spending time out of doors, but the freedom isn't free. I've found myself wishing that our Country would go to socialized medicine, then I realize that I'm nearing the age where coverage would be minimal, and I would most likely be pre-paying for funeral costs, instead of paying insurance premiums and copays, and looking at the end of my life, instead of living the "almost" full life that I do have. I suppose there is no such thing as the perfect situation anymore.
The US came close to allowing socialized medicine, until the people realized that there was a clause in the several hundred page medical plan that would have put people over 59 years of age on a automatic end of life counseling list. Also, the powers that be, would not be required to use the same medical plan as the people. So we put a halt to the plan, but it doesn't mean that it won't happen in the future.
Anyway, back to the original subject. I think you will find that onions, garlic, grains of all kinds, cheese and legumes, will all cause intestinal discomfort, the older you get. So, like I said....I think it's a coming of age thing, and nothing is going to change that.
I hope the best for you........
Hello jrbon - thank you for responding.
I have never heard of Japanese dry algea and simeticone, but have heard of cumin, but I will check them out at our local health food store. So are the algea and simeticone safe to take with CHF meds? Do you take them or have taken them? In the book "Success with Heart Failure" (presently reading) it mentions to eat foods that are more easily digestible so the heart doesn't have to work as hard.
I have never heard of Japanese dry algea and simeticone, but have heard of cumin, but I will check them out at our local health food store. So are the algea and simeticone safe to take with CHF meds? Do you take them or have taken them? In the book "Success with Heart Failure" (presently reading) it mentions to eat foods that are more easily digestible so the heart doesn't have to work as hard.
Thanks for responding. I think I have it figured out now. For the last three days, I've eliminated the fibre from my diet and so far no bloating - so I think that was my problem. I guess I can't handle fibre anymore. Since last November, I've been slowly increasing my intake hoping to lower my LDH cholesterol. So much for that! I think I'll slowly introduce some fibre back in, but nothing substantial and see what happens.
For Canadian ICD users, you have a 6 month check-up where the past history is reviewed, so if anything is awry it's definitely caught after the fact. Last April during my check-up, they noticed one of the 3 leads was not working properly and hadn't been for 3 months. That's what our heath care systems is like...oh well, better than nothing... You’re fortunate your device is continuously monitored. I never give a second thought to my ICD going off - my only concern is month-to-month survival.
I haven't seen my internist for a year due to some big screw up in his office, but I hope to have an appt next month. Oh, it feels good to vent!!
For Canadian ICD users, you have a 6 month check-up where the past history is reviewed, so if anything is awry it's definitely caught after the fact. Last April during my check-up, they noticed one of the 3 leads was not working properly and hadn't been for 3 months. That's what our heath care systems is like...oh well, better than nothing... You’re fortunate your device is continuously monitored. I never give a second thought to my ICD going off - my only concern is month-to-month survival.
I haven't seen my internist for a year due to some big screw up in his office, but I hope to have an appt next month. Oh, it feels good to vent!!
If you want less gas problems with beans, pees and so on ... cook them with some Kombu (Japanese dry algae) that you discard after cooking. You also can add them cumin (an spice), will make them more digestible.
As a last resource you can take, after the meal, any OTC pill with at least 120mg of simeticone.
Jesus
As a last resource you can take, after the meal, any OTC pill with at least 120mg of simeticone.
Jesus
I think the problems with bloating are a "coming of age" thing. I've listened to my inlaws and parents complain about bloating and gas from just about everything they consume, and now that I've passed the 50 mark, I too have the problems of which they complain, and so does my husband. Perhaps our insides age just as much as our outsides, or perhaps our excercise level has naturally decreased as we've aged, but eating like I did when I was in my 20 & 30's is completely out of the question anymore.
As far as the ICD goes, I'm glad I had it installed, but I still wait, with dread, for the day that I'll actually need it for what it's designed for. However, there is a certain amount of peace that goes with knowing that it will give me a fighting chance if my heart decides to stop. It also took me a while to get used to the idea of the Merlin sitting on my nightstand, reporting what my heart is up to, to my doctor, 90 miles away, every single night. :) I'm a private sort of person for the most part, and especially when I'm in my bed at night.
Anyway, I think anytime you eat something that your body isn't used to, it's going to cost you some bloating and discomfort...but sometimes, I think it's worth it, don't you????
As far as the ICD goes, I'm glad I had it installed, but I still wait, with dread, for the day that I'll actually need it for what it's designed for. However, there is a certain amount of peace that goes with knowing that it will give me a fighting chance if my heart decides to stop. It also took me a while to get used to the idea of the Merlin sitting on my nightstand, reporting what my heart is up to, to my doctor, 90 miles away, every single night. :) I'm a private sort of person for the most part, and especially when I'm in my bed at night.
Anyway, I think anytime you eat something that your body isn't used to, it's going to cost you some bloating and discomfort...but sometimes, I think it's worth it, don't you????
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