Question on fluid draining with chf

[nymima01]

Good Evening All - My mother has end stage chf and we are seeing her doctor tomorrow for a possible hospitalization so she can have fluid drained from her body. She is very congested all over her body and her legs are weeping. I was wondering how they would drain her at the age of 93? She is on 40 mgs of lasix, metoprolol, Eliquis, levoxyl, and magnesium. I don’t think her kidneys are operating well either. I know, it doesn’t appear good. I just know she is getting worse with all the fluid in her. She is all right for now or I would take her to the ER tonight.

[Prada47]

Hi Mymima01

Sorry to hear your mother is at the end stage of HF one question is has your mother still retained her mental capacity or are you the decision maker with regards to her treatment. I can only suggest you follow the medical guidance in the final care plan for your mother, I am sure everyone will only have the best outcome for your mother in their minds.

with Best Wishes

[nymima01 in reply to Prada47]

My mother is still good mentally, although I feel she is having some hallucinations at times - maybe due to low oxygen in her brain. She does rely on me to make many decisions for her and her health. She is not fighting me on the possibility of being drained today, so she must not be feeling well. I will let you all know what happens. TY for you response.

[nymima01]

We saw the doctor this afternoon. He increased her lasix from 40 mgs to 80 mgs a day and gave her a med so she doesn’t lose potassium. Her blood work showed her BNP is at 1550! It should be less than 100. I knew it was high, but didn’t realize how high. But she should feel better when her fluids and congestion go down.

[Love100cats in reply to nymima01]

My mum was in this state 2 years ago. I called for paramedics and they took her into hospital. They did talk about draining fluid but she was 96 and they felt it was going to be painful for her and would need to be repeated daily. So they put her on meds for pain, made her comfortable in a private room so we had a week with her and she died with a lovely little smile on her face a week later. I know it's so hard to face this point but mum looked like a precious little China doll in the bed and I was so relieved that her last days with her family she had no intervention and was peaceful and happy. I hope this helps and does not upset you.xx

[nymima01 in reply to Love100cats]

I thank you for your honest reply. I need truth. I also need to know what others have gone through at this point, so I can help her make important decisions. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. It sounds as if they made her comfortable and I can see where this would be such a painful type of condition. My mother was suffering these past few days and I had to do something. I feel she will feel better when the increased lasix works. He also put her on Spiralactone. I had read about a way they reduce the fluids in the hospital and I didn’t think she should do that. But I am happy with this decision in that he increased the lasix for now. (Her kidney counts are not that great). But we will get with the cardiologist soon too and plan from there.

[Handel in reply to nymima01]

Our best wishes to you and your mum. I'm sorry we have no experience to draw on to help you xxx