Weight loss.....

[Fismith69]

When I was first diagnosed with HF 3 weeks ago I was but on water tablets and I lost 8lb ! Fabulous..... every cloud am all that! But I’ve put 6 back on, I eat pretty healthy, a takeaway occasionally on a weekend, no fried food at all.... so where am I going wrong? Worried that it could be fluid retention , any advice? Thank you x

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Fismith,

Are you doing any exercise at all? What about your water intake now, do you have to watch how much you consume? If not try drinking at least two litres a day, not only is it good for you it will quell what most people take as hunger when its actually thirst

You could also have a look at the side effects of some of your meds, beta blocker may cause this too

regards

Mark

[Fismith69 in reply to skid112]

Thanks Mark, limited to 1.5 litres a day as per cardiologist instruction, not doing much in the way of exercise at the moment as not sure what my limits are, I’m off work at the moment still . My jobs quite active so maybe it’ll work itself back off once I get back to work, I can walk approx 5 miles in one day. I’m not over weight my any means just worried I was retaining fluid ?

Thanks

Fi 😊

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to Fismith69]

Ah ok, I was taking similar fluid pills a few years ago (didn't realise at the time was a sign of heart problems!!), will initially take the weight down as the fluid is taken from your body but once stopped tends to come back. In your case you are still net -2lbs a positive result I would say!

[Fismith69]

I’m seeing my Dr next week so hopefully I can get some answers then! Have had all my scans yet so it may change later 😊

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star]

Hi Fi. I'm on water tablets for heart failure and find my weight fluctuates a lot. It's really a case of getting to know what is "normal" for you so you can follow up anything out of the ordinary as it could well be a sign of fluid retention. Maybe this is normal for you, but if you are unsure, I vote get it checked out by someone. Do you have a HF nurse you could phone in the meantime? Since you are so recently diagnosed, seems like it might be a good idea to run it past someone before your doctor's appointment. Always better to be safe than sorry. If you notice increased breathlessness or swelling, definitely get on to your doctor straight away. Good luck!

[Fismith69 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

I haven’t really got anyone apart from my Dr , would it be worth giving them a ring, my chest feels a little different but I’m not breathless 🤷‍♀️

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Fismith69]

I would call them. It's probably nothing to worry about, but it's definitely better to hear that from someone in the know. Let us know how you get on.

[laura_dropstitch Heart Star in reply to Fismith69]

Should add, when I was first diagnosed I worried a lot about being a pest because I just wasn't used to seeing doctors very often and I didn't want to bother them unnecessarily. Then my GP got in touch to say she was worried she hadn't seen more of me! It's totally acceptable, if not desirable, to be seeing/speaking to your doctor a lot at the moment. Over time, things should settle down, you'll have your meds sorted and you'll understand your symptoms and what they mean. Until then, make your doctor your best friend and run everything by them is my advice, pretty sure they prefer it that way, no matter how busy they are.

[Fismith69 in reply to laura_dropstitch]

Thanks Laura, I know what you mean about feeling like a pest, before this I rarely went to the Drs , I’ll ring them in the morning and see if nothing else I can have a telephone appointment! Thanks for your advice xx

[Fismith69]

Thanks Jo, it’s a massive learning curve that’s for sure! X

[Fismith69]

Since they’ve started me on my meds, I feel great! Much more energy! Feel like the old me again! And I know I’ll have good days and bad days, especially mentally, but at the moment I feel really positive! Just hopefully I’ll feel the same once I get all my scan results back! My local health centre has quite a few Drs and you always , under normal circumstances, see the same one, but the last few times I’ve seen the same one and he’s even rang me twice to see how I was getting on after he changed one of my meds, so all in all I feel pretty good!

Fi 😊