Swelling after 4 months of CABG

[anand_naveen]

My mother who is 65 yrs old was diagnosed for a triple vessel artery blockage diseases and went through CABG.The doctors told that her(s) was a very high risk surgery since her EF was only 21% at the time of CABG.By god's grace she survived the CABG however she was in the ICU for 10 days.*(whereas a normal patient stays only for 3-4 days)
It has been almost 4.5 months isnce her CABG was done.Her recovery has been very slow and to make the things worse,she has a lot of swelling in her legs which is now progessing to thighs

The surgeon started some diuretic to ease her swelling.It did improved a little bit in one of the legs however for the other leg it has worsened and it has even reached her thighs.She is so much frustrated with this as she is not able to sleep in the night due to the pain in swelling

She has been doing all that what has been prescribed to her-elevate her legs,wear stockings(she has been doing that all day even during summer) etc but no relief.

Our surgeon says it's normal.We are really confused as if we should consult an alternative surgeon if our surgeon is not able to understand

Please help with your experiences

thnx

Naveen

[gmachris518]

The truth of the matter is, my heart never has gone back to "normal", but the heart cath didn't turn up anything, except a EF of 15-20%, so there was nothing they could do for me.  

The Coreg was supposed to help my heart beat stronger, but so far it hasn't happend.  

As far as the swelling goes, it took about 2 weeks to lose 40+ pounds of fluid, and now I take 120mg of lasix every single day of my life and it seems to keep the swelling at bay.

I've been ill for about 3 1/2 years, and my EF is 15-20%.  The cardiologist tells me I'm on my way out, but him and about 5 other doctors have said the same thing, and here I am, and they can't figure out why.

Personally, I think it's my attitude.  I'm living everyday for ME, doing what makes ME happy......and I don't plan to just lay down and give up.  Death is going to have to chase me down and drag me kicking and screaming all the way.

The timeline for taking care of the swelling is an ongoing thing.  Your mother will probably have to take medication for the rest of her life, and follow a low sodium, low fat diet, in order to keep the swelling managable.  I hope this information helps.

[anand_naveen]

Thnx and I am glad that you are doing fine!

How long it has been since you underwent the cardiac surgery?You are very right that taking the medicines at right time is the key to avoid any such situations.

In fact an update from last time is that my mother has shed close to 10kgs of weight with an overdose of lasix/large amount of reduced intake of fluids(daily limit 750ml) and when we went to doctor he told us that it was the weight of the fluids in th body which were causing the swelling.

From your timelines,I just wanted to understand how much time does it take for heart to start pumping normally after surgery and you can overcome the swelling problems etc..

Thnx for your message

[gmachris518]

I can only tell you what I have experienced with the swelling that comes from cardiac problems.  

I went on a 30 day trip last October and wasn't able to take my meds on a continuous basis....mainly the lasix.  When I got home the swelling in my lower extremenities was to the point of moving from my legs to my stomach, and back again, but never leaving my body.  One day I decided to take a nap, while sitting up in my recliner.  I awoke from the nap completely unable to breathe and had to be rushed to the ER where they gave me a breathing treatment to clear my lungs.  Afterwards the doc told me that I was presenting with 100% whiteout, which means my lungs were completely full of fluid......I was well on my way to drowning in my own body fluids.  

I was one of the lucky ones because the breathing treatment worked for me.  I know of several people in the same situation who weren't so lucky and they died...drowing in their own fluid.  So, my point is, it's nothing to mess around with, it can kill.

[anand_naveen]

Thnx for your response..
We did went to the cardiologist(since after 4 months cardiac  surgeon refers the case to a cardiologist) and he has increased the dose of the di-uretic.Yes she is taking lascilactone only.
Moreover he has also reduced the intake of fluids specifically for a week to check if this improves the condition some way.The fuid intake is now only 750ml per day in all forms..

Let's hope her situation improves.

Can you explain the situation regarding her lungs??I really didn't get it very clearly..

[gmachris518]

Any time you distrust a doctor I think it's a good idea to get a second opinion.

What diuretic is you mother taking?  Maybe changing it would do the job.  I take 120 mg of lasix a day, and it seems to do the job, most of the time.  

I have felt her frustration, and besides being frustrating, it scares the person experiencing the syptoms.  

If left unchecked your mother's lungs could fill to capacity and she would drown, so it's nothing to "just wonder" about.  

I hope this helps.....keep us posted.