CHF, COPD patient

Hi, my dad has a variety of health issues, but the main ones being treated right now are his COPD and CHF. He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy about 7 years ago. His EF is about 25% right now. He has an ICD in due to atrial fibrillation. His ICD was replaced in March because one of the leads was off. Soon after replacing the ICD, he went into atrial fibrillation again. He is now in regular rhythm but recently has developed a lot of nasal drainage. He also complains of SOB, moreso than usual. He is unable to exercise or even walk any distances for that matter. Could the advancement of CHF be causing all of these symptoms? The doctor put him on Nasonex which doesn't seem to be helping. He feels terrible and does have some edema in his legs and feet. He doesn't suffer headaches, but has a stuffy nose and says that it just feels like someone is sitting on his chest. (no angina though) Any suggestions?

[Encephalomalcia]

Sounds like his CHF is advancing and becoming worse.  Swelling in legs and ankles means right side heart failure.  Coughing and fluid in lungs and abdomen is left side heart failure.  From the pressure that he is feeling in his lungs sounds like the pressure is building up in his lungs and heart.  Pressure also can build up in the kidneys.  What has his doctor said?  What kind of medications is he taking?  If the pressure is building up, he will need a stronger strength blood pressure medication and he needs a water pill for the fluid.  The main thing is to keep the fluid off.  Sometimes fluids builds up in the lungs and the lungs can be drained with a needle or sometimes the doctor will say that is will not hurt to leave the fluid there.  If he is complaining of severe pressure in his chest and shortness of breath, he should not be left alone for any length of time.  What happens is sometimes the person will go to lay down to take a nap and then when they try to get up cannot get any air.  It is very scary for the person.  When the left ventricle starts shutting down, this will happen.  Also, any wind or breeze will create severe shortness of breath.  Make sure that his doctor is aware of what he is experiencing now with the fluid on his legs and lungs.  If he gets worse, take him to the Emergency Room where they can use IV Lasix to get the water off.  The IV Lasix is better at getting the water off than the Lasix in pill form.  My mom had CHF with a pacemaker for 12 years and the last 2 years was very hard.  It was hard for her to sleep at night, because she could not breath. It was hard getting out of bed in the morning.  She kept the water pills by her bedside with a glass of water.  She kept a brown paper bag for hyperventilating problems.  Toward the end, she was miserable just sitting in a chair.  She suffered with severe coronary artery disease, valve disease, and CHF since she was 58 and lived to be 70.  She went into cardiac shock after surgery. People with CHF can also go into cardiac shock toward the end of life.  This is where the heart does not pump as it should and the kidneys shut down.  Ace inhibitors are the best for CHF patients at increasing life span.  Make sure that he is be monitored as he should.  If he is losing weight and has a hard time eating food and limits himself to only fruit, then the CHF has extremely advanced and he should seek medical attention immediately.  Take care.