I am in the hospital due to my own stupidity.

[Michael Murphy]

I suffered from a fib after my heart attack 2 years ago, this has lead my nephrologist to lecture me about low blood pressure.  His lecture was that with my damaged heart low blood pressure during dialysis could cause a-fib.   Periodically my BP drops during Dialysys if that happens all fluid removal must stop.   The one precaution I have taken is I bought a Apple Watch 4 which has a ecg function that will alarm if it detects a a-fib rhythm.  Blood pressure drops and a start watching my watch to make sure I am not in a-fib.  Hope this helps.   The watch was 600 dollars but the peace of mind it gives me is well worth it.

[kristina]

Hello Michael,
I am so sorry for your added medical problem you have to deal with and many thanks for this helpful idea, it is so good to know of the existence of this Apple Watch 4 and I am sure the money is worth every penny of it.
Thanks again for letting us know about the Apple Watch 4 from Kristina.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Did any of you experience swollen feet, ankles and legs and/or A-Fib with your heart troubles? Do water pills like Lasix or Furosomide help?

I can't speak for myself but my father had swollen feet/ankles/legs and he has heart trouble. (He had major surgery almost 3 years ago.) He takes Lasix and so far, no issues with swelling again.

[Charlie B53]

Prior to Dialysis I had massive leg swelling and daily leakage often resulting in infections of my legs.  Because my kidney were still producing Dr's had me taking 120 MG Lacix daily along with Metalazone to further stimulate urine production.  PD quickly removed all that water in my legs and my residual function stayed well until I was forced to make the switch to Hemo because of a PD Infection. 

I suspect my dry weight on Hemo to have been a bit too low, enough so that the repeated 'shock' to my kidneys have knocked out most all of that residual function.  I hardly produce much at all even on Sundays prior to my Monday morning treatment.

We finally stopped all the water pills as they really were no longer doing anything.

I don't have any problems skipping the high phos and high potassium foods, with the exception of an occasional chocolate binge.

I occasionally have to stop by my Accountants office.  She keeps a bowl of treats on the counter  The temptation is too great.  Her receptionist buys Reisens Chocolate covered Fudges.  I stick 5 or six in my jacket.  I went to Wal Greens looking for them.  Didn't find them but found bags of Herseys in the same smallo black shapes.  I shouldn't have but did, buy two bags.   I should be glad that they are all gone.  But I'm not.  I did pass a number of them out to all the Nurses and Attendant Ladies at Wife's Nursing Home.  So that I would eat them ALL.  But I did have plenty.

I am going to have to find a Target store, see if that is where these Reisens are stocked and sold.   Herseys melt too quickly so I tend to have more of them in a day.  The Resiens are so heavy they last much much longer if I only suck on them and do not bite into them at all.

It take a certain amount of will-power.  But when it comes to Chocolate, I admit, I don't have much.

[Simon Dog]

suspect my dry weight on Hemo to have been a bit too low, enough so that the repeated 'shock' to my kidneys have knocked out most all of that residual function.  I hardly produce much at all even on Sundays prior to my Monday morning treatment.

My neph told me I could expect to lose all residual function about 6 months after starting HD.  He was right.

[Cupcake]

went to see my cardiologist last week and told her I sometimes feel heart racing. Her suggestion was to buy a new Apple Watch! they also have a fall alarm function so if you fall down and don't check in with the watch, it notifies someone-not sure who/what. I am thinking about it-hate to spend the $$

[PrimeTimer]

In regards to swelling and water pills, thank you very much for the responses, everyone.


Another question:  Anyone swell up after taking Prednisone? If so, do water pills (Furosemide or Lasix) help with that?

[Blake nighsonger]

Sorry to hear you are in the hospital. Get well soon    Enjoy the kind people. Take it easy   ty

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Another question:  Anyone swell up after taking Prednisone? If so, do water pills (Furosemide or Lasix) help with that?

By swell up, you mean fluid retention, right? Just checking because prednisone causes weight gain and bloating too.

I took a whopping dose of Lasix for renal issues but needed a short run of prednisone for a bowel problem. (This is before prednisone for transplant.)

Technically, the two can be used together. The issue is that prednisone prevents Lasix from functioning at full strength in regard to getting rid of fluid. I think it depends if the prednisone is a continuous dose or a short one? In my case, it was a short one, so I took my regular Lasix as normal after, and that got rid of fluid retention.

On the other hand, a study showed that the addition of prednisone, along with other diuretics, caused increased urination, and consequently reduced fluid retention, in heart patients.

It’s up for a doctor to figure out the correct dosing for the best outcome! But, it can be done.

[PrimeTimer]

Sorry to hear you are in the hospital. Get well soon    Enjoy the kind people. Take it easy   ty

I hope there's been no confusion. I'm not in the hospital. This thread was started back in November by Michael Murphy when HE was in the hospital. BTW, thank you Michael for answering my questions about swelling and water pills.

[PrimeTimer]

Thanks for responding, UT. I'm talking about 20mg Prednisone for 30 days for asthma (bronchial inflammation brought on by pollens). I've used Prednisone many many times before and of course, have experienced the bloating and moon face but never any ankle/feet/leg swelling. It started upon completing this last round. Quite uncomfortable and actually a little painful. Gets any worse I know I have to see the doctor. I am thinking I am paying the price for laying around doing nothing for too long while under the weather. The body is not meant to be bed ridden. I should know better but I was sooo sleepy! But I did have to wonder if the Prednisone was being more evil than usual. 20mg makes you want to scream.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Prednisone for asthma: totally know what you’re talking about. My mom has asthma and when it gets bad, like you, she gets prescribed a round of prednisone.

Like you, it is usually 20 to 25 mg. I avoid her then because she used to do laundry at 3 in the morning and everything set her off.

So, yes, the solution was Lasix, also, a short term dose. And yes, to walk around. If it gets unbearable, your doc or pulmonologist know what to do! If the swelling/bloat wasn’t too bad, the edema would gradually go away on its own, in most cases. But there are always the other times where it was more sluggish.

You have my sympathy over the pain from swelling. Prior to dialysis, my legs got so swollen, they felt like they would split and bedsheets bothered them.

Hope that you feel better, and breathe better, soon.

[kickingandscreaming]

My last round of prednisone and Asthma landed me in the ER with potassium toxicity and extreme Atial flutter.  I was at the end of a 7-day taper course of pred and my heart went nuts.  Turns out (because I'm diabetic) the prednisone spiked my blood sugar and that pulled potassium out of cells and rose the K level to 7.7!!!  I've never had a high potassium otherwise.  Prednisone is a POWERFUL drug!!!