edema

[sabina]

my medication: 150mg Ranitidine 2x daily
2.5mg Amlodipine 2xdaily
40 mg Lasix once daily
approx. 6mg Vioxx (Rofecoxib) 2xdaily
Help, pls. I am a 61 year old female. I am retaining more fluid (pitting edema), for ex. in my feet, around my ankles, especially also below my knee. And when I press down also on my lower arms, the indentation stays. My weight increased about 1 yr. ago from 54 kg to 60 kg within maybe a week (it was suddenly). I also noticed that my stomach stayed bloated (especially towards late afternoon). And since I have always been very slim with no stomach, I wonder if I could also have fluid there. At that time I was also on 50mg Metoprolol, but my cardiologist discontinued this and increased the Lasix to 80 mg daily. My HR especially in the mornings, goes up to 100-120 just standing or walking to the kitchen and I get tired very easily. I try not to do too much in the morning, because my heart races and then I am tired for the rest of the day. I do not always take 80mg Lasix (I try to stick to 40mg daily), but my fluid retention is not improving and my cardiologist just moved to Alberta.
Please, try to help me. I have not much confidence in the remaining doctors here (most of them are still of the opinion that women and heart disease don't go together) and I am used to being very active.
I have never been officially diagnosed with "heart failure", but I am wondering if in that case my medication should not be changed to something more appropriate to heart failure.
Thank you. Pls. help.

[ginny]

Dear Sabrina,
Vioxx is one of two Cox 2 Inhibitors that are used in place of NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen or Naproxen.   The other is "Celebrex".
In clinical trials, Vioxx had endema as a side effect more often than Celebrex.   Your MD could substitute Celebrex for Vioxx.   I would ask about this by phone because if you are not having any other problems, your doctor can call in this prescription to your pharmacy without requiring an office visit on your part.
Sincerely,
Ginny

[heartfull]

Dear Sabina,
  Vioxx is really a buffed up version of asprin and weaning off is a good idea but i didnt. It put me into CHF and i discontinued it right away. My PCP said another few days and i would have drowned. Check with your dr. about this. Good luck to you and God bless.
   I am a patient, not a doctor

[TSM]

My mom does not have any heart problems, but when she tried Vioxx
for her arthritis she gained 10lbs fast. She got off it and the extra weight disappeared. Just FYI.

[DENISE]

Dear Sabina,

While Vioxx might be the reason you are holding water, you should never stop any medication without first consulting your doctor.  Just a small word of advice.

[heartfull]

Deae Sabina,
I have heart failure and I know for a fact that Vioxx causes you to retain water. Stop that med. immediatly and contact your dr about prescribing something that better suits you. Try this. I bet it will work, Blessings

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

It's hard for be to say exactly what is going on here.  You need to get an echocardiogram to look at the heart function.  If the heart function is low your medications will need to be adjusted. If the heart function is normal then the doctor must look for other causes of the edema such as liver problems, etc.  If you can't find someone you trust in town I would recommend traveling to the nearest university hospital.  Best wishes.