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What can I do?
50 yr. old male with type 2 insulin resistant diabetes (currently taking 66 units of HUMULIN RU500 daily) diagnosed with CHF today. Severe swelling in legs, knees, ankles and feet. Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing when lying down, chronic fatigue. Extremely overweight (448lbs. was 445lbs yesterday). Is currently on 4mg of Bumex daily and 2.5 mg of metalozone (another water pill) every other day). Took him to the ER on Friday, they admitted him and gave IV diuretics and antibiotics. Released him today. Had triple by-pass in 05. Had 2 strokes within the past year. Last visit to cardiologist was an EF factor of 30-35%. Takes meds for high blood pressure and high chlorestrol. (sp?) What can I do to help this man?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi,
How are you and your friend? Diabetes, hypertension and cholesterolemia are risk factors for heart failure. To help your friend, you should encourage him to control his blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol by continuing his medications and living a healthy lifestyle. A low salt, low fat diet, regular exercise and weight reduction program are recommended. As mentioned by the other member's comments, diuretics and putting his feet up may help reduce his lower extremity swelling. If his diuretics are not helping, inform his doctor about this for a shift in medication and dosage. Take care and do keep us posted.
How are you and your friend? Diabetes, hypertension and cholesterolemia are risk factors for heart failure. To help your friend, you should encourage him to control his blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol by continuing his medications and living a healthy lifestyle. A low salt, low fat diet, regular exercise and weight reduction program are recommended. As mentioned by the other member's comments, diuretics and putting his feet up may help reduce his lower extremity swelling. If his diuretics are not helping, inform his doctor about this for a shift in medication and dosage. Take care and do keep us posted.
The fastest way to lose the water weight is in-hospital intravenous diurectics.
However, if that isn't possible, then NO salt, and diet, along with keeping his feet up as much as possible.
The trouble breathing concerns me, in that it might be the lungs filling with fluid, and in that case he needs to be in the hospital, under constant medical supervision. A simple chest Xray can show whether there is fluid in the lungs, or not.
A few months ago I started swelling again. One day I took a nap and when I awoke my lungs were so full I could not take a breath, and I had to be taken by ambulance to the nearest ER, where they gave me an albuterol breathing treatment. I was one of the lucky ones, and it cleared the fluid in my lungs. However, several people a year die from the same problem, so it's nothing to mess with. Besides, it's terribly uncomfortable, and no one should have to live that way.
Just a heads up. I take lasix 120 mg. a day and it seems to do the job to keep the swelling at bay. I can even sleep in a laying down position now days, something I couldn't do for about 3 years without losing the ability to breathe.
I also take Coreg, 25mg 2x day, but it hasn't done anything for me, such as improve my EF. It does keep me from having a heart attack, though, which happens everytime I don't take it....such as when I'm going in for surgery and they tell me to skip my meds, etc.
I hope the best for you and your friend.
However, if that isn't possible, then NO salt, and diet, along with keeping his feet up as much as possible.
The trouble breathing concerns me, in that it might be the lungs filling with fluid, and in that case he needs to be in the hospital, under constant medical supervision. A simple chest Xray can show whether there is fluid in the lungs, or not.
A few months ago I started swelling again. One day I took a nap and when I awoke my lungs were so full I could not take a breath, and I had to be taken by ambulance to the nearest ER, where they gave me an albuterol breathing treatment. I was one of the lucky ones, and it cleared the fluid in my lungs. However, several people a year die from the same problem, so it's nothing to mess with. Besides, it's terribly uncomfortable, and no one should have to live that way.
Just a heads up. I take lasix 120 mg. a day and it seems to do the job to keep the swelling at bay. I can even sleep in a laying down position now days, something I couldn't do for about 3 years without losing the ability to breathe.
I also take Coreg, 25mg 2x day, but it hasn't done anything for me, such as improve my EF. It does keep me from having a heart attack, though, which happens everytime I don't take it....such as when I'm going in for surgery and they tell me to skip my meds, etc.
I hope the best for you and your friend.
He does take 12.5 mg of Coreg twice a day. Diuretics do not seem to be helping too much. What is the best and fastest way to lose the water?
Well, first of all weight loss would be a great help to all of the issues he has as well as a low salt diet. There is also a drug called carvedilol (Coreg) that actually restructures the heart, it doesnt work for everyone but in my case a many others our hearts have returned to normal after having taken the meds for awhile. So have him talk to the Dr.s about that and see what they say. He should also be eligable for cardio rehab, which would be a good place to start for the exercise he needs. You can also look into some vitamins that seem to help us all quite a bit, they are CO Q 10, Vitamin D and C but check drug interactions first. I hope this helps.
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