CHF

[mel201005]

My father is 56. He has CHF. I am trying to learn more about this disease, his symptoms, and what they mean. He has a pacemaker/defib. and has been on oxygen since January. About a month ago he began having severe trouble breathing even while being on the oxygen. He was in and out of the hospital a few times. Just last weekend his legs, feet, and stomach were swollen due to the retention of fluid. He went to the hospital and was told that the trouble breathing was a combination of anxiety and CHF. It has been a few days since he has been released and his legs, feet, and stomach are swollen again. He is also sick to his stomach. He is still gasping for air at times and has no energy. He has been on Lasix 40mg for some time, but the fluid is beginning to back up. He feels full even though he has not eaten and he is not going to the restroom very much. I have not gotten very much information from the doctor. I do not understand what is actually happening and what does this mean. Will he continue to always retain fluid and be swollen? Does the gasping for air mean there is fluid around the heart not allowing him to breathe? Is there any other medicines he can take? Any information to help me understand what is actually going on with him would be greatly appreciated.

[gonziiii]

the other posters have written enof. wish u luck

[eperdu]

I totally agree with the previous posters - he needs a good doctor who will be proactive with his medication!  My husband has CHF also and is on 80 mg Lasix per day, and is authorized to take more if he needs it.  And it sounds like your father is in much worse shape than my husband - sounds like a lot more could be done for him as far as medication goes.

In addition to Lasix (or another diuretic that would work better), I would inquire about getting him on a beta blocker and an ACE inhibitor - pretty standard protocol for CHF.

Good luck!

[gmachris518]

The problems with breathing are due to fluid building up in the lungs.  Neil is right, he needs more lasix.....I take 120 mg/day, along with Coreg, and diltiaziem.

He might also benefit from a breathing treatment, administered at the hospital.  It's a simple treatment and the benefits are great.  

To determine whether his lungs are full, or not, a simple chest xray is all that is needed.  Then from there, the breathing treatment which takes about 20 minutes to complete.  Usually the treatment is followed with a stay at the hospital for observataion for the night.

Congestive heart failure is difficult, at best, and without the help of proper medication it can kill, so help your father find a good doctor, even if you have to travel to do so.  

I've had the profound swelling, and the inability to breathe, and the "full" feeling even though I haven't eaten.  No matter what I did on my own I couldn't get rid of the excess fluid, but with the proper meds, I now do a good job of controlling the symptoms.  However, I had to come close to death before I figured it out.

You NEED to get your father to a doctor who will take proaction to help him.

[neil_a]

I really feel that he has been on a too low dosage of Lasix.  I'm on 80 mg's in the morning and should I see the need - I'm allowed to take another 40 mg's late afternoon.

If he can't get his Doctor to increase his Lasix - Get another Doctor.

Tell us what other medications is he on?

And do you know his Ejection Fraction?


Neil