I’ve been prescribed furosemide because I was found to have a little fluid next to my heart. I haven’t taken it yet because I didn’t think I really needed it at the moment, no swollen ankles or tummy and I’m nervous of adding new meds. However my asthma nurse at review encouraged me to take it because since my infection my peak flow has dropped and my breathing feels a bit uncomfortable. The problem is, I’m not sure when to take it. I’ve noticed I get ‘doughnuts’ above my socks during the day and then have to get up several times a night to pee, so I’m dehydrated by the morning and need a giant coffee and water before I can function. So the morning doesn’t seem the best time?
I’d be grateful for any advice/experience re use, timing etc.
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Buffafly
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Yes, definitely morning, as it does make you pee for up to about 6 hours. However, if you need to be somewhere in the morning where you might not have easy access to a loo, then you can delay taking it, but don't delay after about 1 to 2 p.m.
I take mine as soon as I wake up. Drastic, well not that drastic, but most noticeable results within an hour then it’s kind of trickle effect throughout the day. You may find it helps with fluid around the lungs as well as the heart and certainly with the doughnut effect! If you feel unsure about it then try alternate days to begin with.
Good luck with it and hope you have a peaceful Christmas xx
I was prescribed it as advised by a cardiologist, because the fluid next to my heart was causing shortness of breath. I took mine around 8 in the morning and tbh was pleasantly surprised that it only made me pee a little more than usual - once or twice .If I had to do something / go out I took it later. The GP took me off it once the shortness of breath had eased and the higher dose of bisoprolol had kicked in. I was on it for 3 months. Coming off it was tapered, not a sudden stop. Thankfully I've had no reoccurrence of the breathlessness.
I did have swollen ankles but the GP said it was caused by the amlodipine I was on for high BP. Once that was stopped, my ankles went down.
Of course , we're all different and can only speak from our own experience.
Hi Buffafly, Probably better to I take first thing in the morning or like you’ve experienced you’ll be up through the night.. I find a couple of hours later is when it works. Maybe don’t make the mistakes I made, I lost 10lbs of fluid over the first week then I had slim legs again 🤣 It was then, I felt ok again so when I was going out I didn’t take it (didn’t want to need the loo but also thought if not puffy I didn’t need it). Wrong, I thought being breathless or wheezy was the asthma ( no it was fluid inside again building up). It’s not that you only take it for swelling, when you can see swelling it means there’s already a lot inside that has nowhere else to go but to show on the outside as swelling. So now, I take every day, 2-3 hours before I go out - hope this helps.
Hmmm, I remember struggling to lose weight to get rid of my fat tummy but when I stopped taking the medication I was on before my ablation I suddenly lost several kilos, which is when I realised the ‘fat’ had been fluid. I don’t have that problem now but I understand what you say so I might have a go. As my IBS usually plays up in the morning if it’s going to, I always refuse morning appointments with a firm ‘I’m not a morning person’ so nothing will change 😂
Yes, weight was one thing I was told to monitor - dose may have to be altered. I prefer a morning appointment- I then go home & take it then but just what’s best for you. Very occasionally I’ve missed a dose eg if travelling & can’t guarantee loo break when I need it.
I had a bloated stomach with fluid but I thought the tenderness & breathing issues were my hiatus hernia pushing up or asthma 😬 Hope you manage to sort things out x
No, UK winter but my flat is warm. I guess my socks are too tight but I have ‘shapely legs’. I keep my feet up when sitting and raise the foot of my bed at night. I take Diltiazem which does affect the leg circulation and no chance of much exercise as my arthritis has flared up. But thanks for ideas ☺️
VersusArthritis.org has some great exercise videos, including chair exercises for people who really can't get around. Even a little calf and ankle work can really aid circulation.
I have no advice as it’s out of range of my personal experience but just jumping in to say I hope you have a fab Christmas and you get some advice to help. I always enjoy reading your posts.
Morning for sure or you will be up all night peeing. Fluid overload affects the heart, makes breathing laboured and the heart under stress. I take mine at breakfast time, they really do make a difference so give them a try.
My experience with forosomide was not good, but then I do not have much luck with any class of diuretics ! I've tried to take it on a number of occasions, and one tablet puts me into AF for about 6 hours. I was also prescribed a potassium supplement to take with it as it is not a potassium sparing diuretic like Spiractalone! I have my routine appoint with my GP in Feb - let's see what she comes up with this time. I don't think my Cardio - dear sweet man that he is, is keen on feet, he thinks is damaged veins and the compression hose are dreadful to put on - but then he doesn't have a cupboartd full of shoes he can't wear !
I have a fab gadget for compression hose, like a sort of cage. I once had dreadful swelling in very bad weather so asked a ‘temporary’ GP for a diuretic because we were about to go on a sightseeing holiday and no walking shoes fitted. She was completely unhelpful, said diuretics were bad for you and to put my feet up 🙄 I found some old compression stockings and forced them on, the pain was terrible but that worked. I wonder if it didn’t damage my blood vessels though. I wear Hotter shoes, some of which are adjustable.
I haven't noticed any inconvenience from taking Furosemide myself, I take it with my breakfast and don't find I need any urgent or frequent toilet trips.
I’ve been on it for years and always take it at 8 am. It works about an hour later and for about 3 hrs so I don’t arrange appointments until after that. If you have to be out in a morning then hold off taking it until you get home.
It is essential to avoid swelling and breathlessness from fluid retention which can give you high blood pressure and is hard work for your weary heart.
There are many different diuretics so if one causes problems then ask to change. I’ve had hearing problems and tinnitus which is a relatively rare side effect from my diuretic but very disturbing so I’ve changed my prescription to try and reduce this. Everyone is different and we have to try the GP’s suggestions to see if it works well for us. If not then let him know so he can help.
I think many of us take these, it is a basic requirement for an ailing heart.
My dr. said 1 in morning and 1 at lunchtime, as if you take it late in the day it may make you need to pee at night. I was prescribed it after getting long covid, and putting on 5 stone of water... very important to take,
I took Furosemide for 6 years as I had water retention particularly around my liver and lower abdomen (curiously, never in my legs). I had doses first thing in the morning and then again at lunchtime. Occasionally I was out and had to take my second dose a bit later. Night time definitely did not work as I would need to get up several times during the night. I was switched to Spironolactone in January (once a day) and never have to rush to pee urgently any more, but it seems to do the job just as well.
Wife has just been put on them herself. Had swollen legs and breathlessness with wheezing first thing in morning. 4 days into taking them and things improving. She takes them first thing, and after 2-3 hours things are settled enough she feels confident enough to go out. Was told never after 2pm as will have you peeing more at night.
I take spironalactone, which is similar i think . I need to pee in the mornings but thinking about it it wears off by evening . I take with all my other meds in the morning!
Water tablets can alter electrolytes so keep a note of any odd feelings, including any odd “head” feelings.
I would take them for sure if told to. Many people get some degree of doughnut type ankles from sick tops, so don’t stress as these things magnify in the mind easily. Leave it to the experts and all will be well.
I take bumetanide, a loop diuretic, the same as furosemide. I find that it works within an hour and it is a mad dash to the lavatory about every three quarters of an hour for 6 hours. This prohibits me from going out in the morning. As most of the groups l go to are in the morning , this curtailed my social life. It also made my potassium too low and put me ino afib. I am now on spironolactone , a potassium sparing diuretic which isn't so brutal as the loop diuretics. I can go out while taking this. I take the bumetanide once a week when l am not going anywhere. Good luck in finding what suits you as we are all different.
definitely morning. As soon as you wake up then you’re able to do what you like after a couple of hours. I’ve been on them for years snd i notice when I stop for a while I get puffy ankles and feel breathless
Also after they get used to your system you will find going to find a toilet is not as urgent
I’ve been taking furosemide (40mg, sometimes 80mg) for fluid retention from heart failure. I take mine as soon as I get up, and then just accept the fact of no shopping or long car trips until noon! I get up to pee during the night anyway!
Morning seems a good time.However ensure the GP is monitoring your furosemide use. Especially after the swelling.
Long term unmonitored use can dry a patient out and lead to hyponatremia. So please ensure your GP is monitoring your use, the swelling and how long you are on it.
I take my Furosemide first thing in the morning and 30 minutes later I need the toilet frequently, for an hour or so. Job done! Then I can drink as much as I need!
I was told to take them before 4pm (or be up all night) so I take them first thing on days off but afternoon if I'm working as I would be in patient's loos every 5 minutes otherwise.I had fluid on my lungs after a cardioversion last month and had to take them daily for a while.
They don't like you to have a build up on your lungs as it could cause pneumonia.
I've been a bit wheezy today do took one when I got home.
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