I have pulmonary edema any advice?

[Deb42]

I have been diagnosed with pulmonary edema with coronary artery disease. Could any of this have been caused by taking celebrex and other n'saids over the years. they say I have valve deficiencies in three valves along with M.V.P. any advice help for this condition

[Sunny602]

I am so glad that you are finally seeing a doctor who is taking this seriously. Wow, that is terrible how the others brushed you off. All of this must be so overwhelming to you...it must have scared you when the doc said to use O2. That seems to freak people out, I know it did me when my doc said that I needed O2 24/7 when I was just working a few weeks prior to that (this was 5 years ago, the start of my nightmare). It sunk in just how serious things were.
I sure hope that your new doc gets you back to feeling better. There are alot of meds and treatments out there that can improve the quality of life tremendously. I also feel for you as far as trying to work to feel functional in this world. It was very difficult for me to accept not being able to work in the capacity that I used to...I will keep you in my thoughts..Sunny

[Deb42]

Sunny602

No my doctors didn't really say anything didn't seem concerned,  it wasn't until I just recently changed Dr's.; that some of this stuff came up. He's concerned and can't believe nothing was being done. Not even given a diagnosis until I saw him last week.

I use what they call an "auto" it checks your pressures every two minutes and adjusts to your needs. I can't lie flat without losing my breath and my heart  racing. So I sleep on a wedge with lots of pillows which isn't comfortable. But it helps. I'm waiting for my new doctor to decide what course he wants to pursue and go from there. He may put me on 02 at night to see if it helps. I can't stay asleep I keep waking up needing air. It's so frustrating especially since I'm trying to work at least a few hours a week to keep me feeling useful.

[Sunny602]

Boy you sure have alot going on with you...Do you use CPAP for your sleep apnea? With someone like you, it probably would help to sleep with your head elevated. My heart patients could not tolerate lying flat for long. 3 valves..good grief! That is very significant in that it can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF)...did the docs ever mention this to you? Sunny

[Deb42]

Thanks Sunny602

My echo does show that three valves are not working properly. I also have MVP but I've had this all my life. I also have sleep apnea on top of it all. I'm so tired and every time I lie down I become short of breath and my heart races.

[Sunny602]

I am not a doctor but have seen this alot with my patients, especially those with valvular disorders (I was a nurse in ICU). You have probably had several echocardiograms, does it show decrease heart function (measured by EF or ejection fraction)? If it does, then perhaps that is why you have issues with pulmonary edema. What happens is that the blood from your system backs up because the heart is decompensated, it essentially cannot keep up with the volume. Where does it back up? Into the lungs and into tissues (which is why docs always look at the feet for puffiness) Pulmonary edema is often determined by a chest xray, the doctor looks for signs of fluid build up in the lungs as well as vascular changes. I am not sure if your edema was cause by the use of Celebrex and NSAIDS...I do know that they do increase the likelyhood of fluid retention which would increase the risk of heart failure in those with kidney problems or high blood pressure. Hope this helps...Sunny