Bumetanide

[Thepainterswife]

Can anyone tell me if Bumetanide is taken on a permanent basis ? When my husband was discharged from hospital two months ago it was prescribed on the discharge sheet with a note -GP to monitor . Hubby’s legs were terribly swollen when he was admitted but are now almost back to normal and he is really struggling with the affects of this medication. Basically he is up and down all day going to the bathroom ( which is a real struggle 🙁 but tbh is the only exercise he gets ) He is now getting quite depressed saying he might as well spend the rest of his life standing outside the bathroom door The Gp is continuing to prescribe it , I have asked the receptionist to check with the Gp but had no comeback now I’m wondering if I should make a telephone appointment to discuss it but I have previously seen people on here complaining about diuretics - is just another thing that has to be endured ? TIA

[CDPO16]

I think that it's your doctor who needs to decide this Val. Depending on how long it is since you spoke with the receptionist, another call to chase it up may be in order.

I was prescribed a diuretic last month and now take it as needed if my feet swell but on days when they are ok I give it a miss. This is done in agreement with my GP.

[skischool]

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/bumeta... reading this info on the drug and if your husbands legs are returned to near normal after the swelling perhaps reducing the quantity before you get access to the Gp will do no harm and relieve some of the side effects?

Of course should his legs begin to swell up again you can always return to the full dose but if they don't then the Gp may even stop the presciption once he can examine your husband

Just a thought?

Best wishes Ski's and Scruff's

[Bevvy]

I think you should arrange an appointment with gp to discuss. I think any change to medications especially when taken for longer than a couple of weeks should be discussed with medical professionals. It may be gp agrees with ideas here and certainly raise them with gp but best to be on safe side by discussing first.

[Thepainterswife]

Thanks for all the advice 😊 I will make an appointment to speak to GP tomorrow and hopefully he/ she will advice as they have done Carole . Having read the link skischool I’m inclined to think Geoff , at 74 may be better on a reduced dose

[Grayjay]

Does he take it more than once a day? I take a large dose in the morning and it makes me go quite a bit up until lunchtime then slows down. If he takes them at night that could be the problem.

[Thepainterswife in reply to Grayjay]

He’s been told to take 1mg at 9am and another at 1.pm but he doesn’t get up until about 10.30 so takes the second one around 3 and finds it doesn’t seem to wear off until around 9/10 at night

[Grayjay]

I take mine at 8 .00 AM so that's the difference. Best speak to your GP.

[Mmoll]

I have been taking Bumetanide for over three years. The water tablet I was on just wasn’t working. The only option was this one, I take 4mg in morning and 4mg in late afternoon. I can pee for England 🙃. Best advice is if it’s necessary prepare for days away from your throne😜 by taking the first dose VERY early, take next dose as late as possible, cross your legs, and most of all...........hope🤣 I’m not being trite but have to adapt around itAll the best, and always check with your GP with any issues or questions regarding treatment and medication. Not a machine or robot, you’re a real person with real issues who deserves honest interaction with the medicine men

[Thepainterswife in reply to Mmoll]

Wow 8mg , I will tell Geoff he should think himself lucky on 2 😬 he never goes out so he’s never too far from the throne but his breathing is so bad at the moment the constant trips get him down .I think he would cope better if he knew what it’s actually treating , obviously the swelling but what’s causing it ? Kidneys? Heart? He’s been waiting for a referral to the community heart failure team since October but heard nothing 🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m going to make an appointment with Gp today so hopefully will get some answers 🤞

[Mmoll in reply to Thepainterswife]

I can only say that in my case I have heart failure due to surgery over 15 yrs ago. I was on furosemide for many years and it worked, but due to worsening COPD, making heart work even harder, + developing another niggle, my heart failure is now progressed to uncompensated heart failure, and two years ago was told “sorry” “nothing more to be done”My GP was fantastic, looked into all angles and it was decided try bumetanide, nowt to lose really. I was so fortunate that it did and does do the job. I started with heart failure, the lungs made the heart failure worse, knock on effect. BUT that doesn’t mean that everybody follows a pattern. Thank god we are all UNIQUE and wot works or affects one don’t mean that it affects all the same way

I so think you are right to contact your GP, he will be the one to explain the whys and wherefore

I wish you answers, hope and a more rewarding and positive outlook for yourself and Geoff 🙃🤔

[Millyboo710]

The reason your husband’s legs are nearly back to normal is because of the Bumetanide. It is clearly working! I take 1mg in the morning at about 9.30am and 1mg at about 2pm. When my dose was reduced to 1mg a day, the swelling returned. Your husband needs to talk to his GP or consultant.

[Tykelady]

I was prescribed Bumetanide under the same circumstances after having Furosomide in hospital to reduce swelling related to early heart failure. The respiratory nurse told me to keep taking it as prescribed but to have six monthly blood tests instead of yearly. I take one in the morning and one mid afternoon (which I sometimes forget) but my friend takes two in the morning and has the same problem as your husband. He would probably hate it but my friend has a commode downstairs now,

[Thepainterswife]

I’m sure you’re right he would hate a commode , I think he would rather put up with the multiple trips to the bathroom I’m going to speak to the Gp and we ll abide by their decision- hopefully they may reduce the dose or allow him to take it only if the legs start to swell again 🤞

[Younie in reply to Thepainterswife]

From reading your post i would be pushing to get to see the heart failure team as that will be a great benifit, arrange a gp appointment for him as they should be keeping an eye on his bloods due to the way the medication works and the natural balance of the body. Also something worth looking into, just when he is feeling exhausted from all the walking would be a urosheath ( a lot better than a commode, but still maintains a lot of idependance and is not invasive).

[Thepainterswife]

Yes we really need to get the heart team involved , it’s been over two months since he was referred from the hospital, I mentioned it to a nurse who came from the Gp to check on Geoff three weeks ago , she said she would chase it up but heard nothing yet Someone came to take blood today , we had no idea he was coming but apparently he was from the Gp too 🤷🏻‍♀️ I really need a good chat with a Gp

[Grayjay]

Having mentioned using a commode for weeing. Would just a bottle by the bed be useful as used by men in hospital? It would save a lot of effort going to the bathroom a lot.

[Hidden in reply to Grayjay]

Great idea 👍

[Thepainterswife in reply to Grayjay]

Yes he does use a bottle during the night , and to be honest isn’t too bad during the night Taking the meds at 9am and 1.00pm is the problem it means he’s constantly backwards and forwards to the bathroom all through the day which is quite a lengthy trip. The good news is that I’ve spoken to the doctor who said he must carry on taking them but can cut down to one on days when he struggles as long as we carefully monitor the leg swelling 😊