Fluid Retention

[Shexi]

In brief I am a 52yr.old female who for 12 years suffered with CHF,last year  I had 2 heart failures and a heart attack and was in the hospital for 3 monthe before they could finally operate, ended up with a artificial mitral valve and 1 by-pass. When I woke up from my surgery I was 40 lbs. over weight with fluid retention I am still a year later having these problems, I take 80mg. of Lasix and 2.5 mg of Zaroxolyn in the am, in the pm I take 40 mg of Lasix and 50mg of Spironolactone. I do not understand why after my surgery I am having more problems than I did before the surgery with fluid retention. Just wondering why with heart disease do people have problems with there kidneys, could you explain.

[FLBrat]

did you adjust your diet accordingly?  Lo to no sodium etc?

[Shexi]

Thanks for your input into my situation . Yes I did adjust my diet accordingly but I think I am really going to have to be alot more strict with what I am eating. It certainly seems like a long road to recovery it has been over a year now as each month passes I do feel stronger the only real problem now is the fluid so my specialist yesterday and he just says it is a balancing act to get the meds to work the way they are supposed to. I need  to be more patient and realize that I am just lucky to still be here. Have a good day.. Thanks for letting me grumble......

[FLBrat]

It is very understandable to grumble. The doctors told me the first few months or more would be a real roller coaster ride, it was.  I am glad that you did adjust the diet, maybe you are catching some of the hidden sodium.  It is pretty good at hiding out and getting into your foods.  Good luck finding it.  

[ajrenalli]

OK....what do you consider low sodium?  are you eating regular butter?  real bread?  cheese?  check the labels............a good rule to follow if you are not compensating is no more than 400mg/meal, including drinks, and 200 for a snack................let us know.

[Shexi]

In answer to your questions, I was told by the nutrionist to limit my sodium intake to a total of 2400 mg per day but that seems so high to  me I need to go back and talk to her and set up a different diet she alson told me to limit my protein to 40 gr. per day need less to say I do not follow her advice as it seems like to much. I do not use butter at all if I do use anything it is always becel I do not eat bread but I do eat alot of cheese. I know it is just a matter of finding the right balance and I appreciate any input you have Thank-you very much. I will keep you posted.  Shexi

[often]

cheese is loaded with sodium....I really think you would benefit by counting your sodium...read the labels...there is sodium in EVERYthing.  All processed foods are generally loaded with it....as aj stated above....400 mg per meal and 200 for the snack...and only one snack between meals...

[vienna13]

Shexi. You said you go back to her to talk to her?  You need to start the 1600mg today or less as often said and others....

Do you know that almost all food has sodium naturally? Also butter is better, you can get unsalted butter. Do you know how to calculate? Take your case in your hands. Does she calculate for you or she just tells you all general? Never late to start doing it right .
I am sorry you didn’t know that sooner.


Food (1 oz unless stated) Sodium (mg)
Cheese, blue                 395mg
Cheese, cheddar                 176mg
Cheese, feta                 316mg
Cheese, mozzarella, part skim 150mg
Cheese, mozzarella, whole milk 106mg
Cheese, muenster                 178mg
Cheese, neufchatel                 113mg
Cheese, American                 337mg


http://www.annecollins.com/sodium-foods.htm

Just one of the many good pages you can google and learn about sodium, you don't need a nutrionist like her.
Also I think bread is very important with moderation. Hope you change your way of eating and you soon will feel the different.

[ajrenalli]

becel comes in 0 sodium, but if you are eating cheese, you could be exceeding the limit.  also, look at the serving size when counting the sodium.  It is good that you have a nutritionist.

[vienna13]

"Partially hydrogenated margarines and shortening are even worse for you than the highly refined vegetable oils from which they are made because of chemical changes that occur during the hydrogenation process. Man made trans fats are toxins to the body, but unfortunately your digestive system does not recognize them as such. Instead of eliminating them, your body incorporates the trans fats into the cell membranes as though they where naturally occurring fats called cis fats. Your cell actually become partially hydrogenated. This interferes with cellular metabolism because it changes the normal chemical reactions which take place in the cell."

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/09/29/the_good_the_bad_and_margarine.htm

also  from that page.

DO YOU KNOW ... The difference between margarine and butter?

- Both have the same amount of calories.

- Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams compared to 5 grams.

- Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.

- Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods. Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few only because they are added!

- Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavors of other foods.

- Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.

Now for Margarine...

- Very high in Trans Fatty Acids...

- Triple risk of Coronary Heart Disease...

- Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) ...

- Lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol) ....

- Increases the risk of cancers by up to five fold...

- Lowers quality of breast milk...

- Decreases immune response...

- Decreases insulin response.

- And here is the most disturbing fact....

- Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...

[Shexi]

Thank-you again for your advice and web sites to check out, sorry have not been on here sooner suffering with a flu bug this last week. I certainly will check those sites out and appreciate your help....  Thanks   Shexi

[chrisimj]

I to retain water and am taking lasix but I found that if I do not eat wheat of any kind that the lasix works much better...no more swelling in my arms, hands and ankles..Give it a try for a couple of days...what have you got to lose...just some water!