Kidney problems due to meds.

[Love100cats]

I saw heart failure nurse yesterday and she discharged me because I'm controlling my heart problems well with heart meds one of which is furusemide 140mgs per day split into two doses but she mentioned a change in kidney function she was a bit worried about asked me to do another blood test sooner rather than later. I'm sure someone out there has dealt with this issue because I worry about what happens if I can't take furusemide and the fluid starts to build up again? Any commments please.

[Prada47]

Hello

Can't answer your question, but I do know Spirolectone is an alternative to Furosemide, and that there are other medications that help to stop fluid retention. Sorry can't help any further but sure others will be along soon !

regards

[Love100cats in reply to Prada47]

Thanks for your reply. I am already on spirolatone as well as losartan. All have a diuretics role so I'm well medicated for fluid retention. But it's taken 9 months to get on top of the problem( for which I'm grateful) but I'm just looking ahead as the maximum dose for furusemide is 160 and I'm already on 140. But grateful for responses. Everyone helps by giving bits of the puzzle!

[mikeydt]

with water tablets as they are known it can muck about with the chemistry of the kidneys causing problems such as low potassium and sodium levels, i ended up with this when i was taking them but now am having further problems since stopping them, done by the hospital.

if there is a problem then they can deal with it fairly easy but the course can be rather long, i got stuck in hospital for 6 days as they can't raise the levels up too fast.

if i were you ask as to what is wrong with your bloods that is the only way of knowing what is going on.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Having been Type I diabetic for over half-a-century they tend to monitor my kidneys regularly. Other medications can have an effect. Calcium channel blockers caused odema that was treated with diuretics - a vicious circle. I now take lisinopril - ACE inhibitors tend to protect the kidneys and not cause fluid retention.

It is always worth having a medication review. Your pharmacist is a good starting point as they tend to have better knowledge of side effects and interactions being at the coal face so to speak

[Love100cats in reply to MichaelJH]

Thank you for the information. It is quite complex isn't it?

[Smitty1956 in reply to Love100cats]

Hi, Love100cats,

Like MichaelJH, I also take Lisinopril. My doctor has stated that it helps to protect the kidneys. For several years, I also took HCTZ (a diuretic) combined with the Lisinopril on a daily basis. In April 2023, my doctor began to be concerned about my developing kidney failure.

We finally decided on splitting the two medications from one pill into two separate pills. I continued to take 40 mg of Lisinopril daily in one pill, but I began taking 25 mg of HCTZ in one pill every other day. I have continued this process from April 2023 through to now.

Today, I had a Metabolic Blood Panel completed, and the results seemed to indicate that my kidney functioning had improved to be at a normal level. I have not heard from my GP about this yet, but I suspect that she may agree. Fortunately, I have not been having the swelling during this time that I have had at some points in the past. So, that seems like a win-win.

However, I saw my cardiologist in November, and he suggested that most heart patients should probably have a daily diuretic. I did explain about why my doctor and I had changed to my taking HCTZ every other day instead of daily (trying to improve my kidney functioning), but he seemed unmoved. He did press on my ankles and he indicated that I did not appear to be swollen.

I have not spoken with my doctor yet about any of this, but I am going to make an appointment as soon as possible.

Sometimes, it can almost feel overwhelming to try to sort out the right combination of drugs and amounts. Obviously, I don’t want to have fluid retention and swelling, but I also do not want decreased kidney functioning/disease.

I hope that you can get your concerns with fluid retention and kidney functioning worked out. As you stated, it is very complex.

Best wishes! ❤️

[shopman]

Having been on 240mg Furosemide per day I had regular checks for both Liver & Kidney Function - usually every 4 weeks. Fortunately been able to drop down to 80mg per day now but still have regular checks - every 3 months to be on the safe side.

[Love100cats]

Thank you. I'm not sure why I was told 160 Max dose. I'm hoping I will be able to reduce it but with my age I feel it will go the other way and now I'm discharged from h.f. nurse care, I've never seen a cardiologist, so it's down to my g.p. and me. I do research a lot and I'm not easily panicked so I will carefully tread my path through the complex issues. I'm booking a blood test today for liver, kidney function so I'm dealing with it.

[shopman]

I was told I could go up to 500mg if necessary - was absolutely full of fluid and could hardly breathe. Cardiologist says I no longer need them but legs & stomach still swell. Have to plan where all the loos are if I need to go out or sometimes only have them every other day.

[Love100cats]

Thank you. What is interesting to me is how many are managing their own dose according to their needs. That is reassuring! When I was seeing the Arrhythmia specialist a cardiologist popped his head round the door and said " if you feel you have extra fluid at night don't go to bed with it. Take extra 40 and get rid of the fluid." So I have done that but I've got a blood test tomorrow (Saturday!) To check kidney function which was a bit awol last time.

[shopman in reply to Love100cats]

I have lived with cardio problems for over 20 years now. We live in a very rural area and my GP told me that he had learned more about Heart issues through me and often would ask what I thought including medication reviews as refused large Atenolol dose because it slowed me down too much.

Having suffered with breathlessness and what was fluid retention at the time, being then diagnosed with HF made it very easy for me to get an appointment at any time I needed. Not the first time to get a visit at 9pm to make sure everything was OK. What will happen now the GP has retired - will have to wait & see.

[Love100cats]

I'm impressed! We too live in rural area. My husband had h.a. 30 years ago and it's amazing he is still here. I was diagnosed last June. A great shock! But I believe in being informed especially when things are not on your doorstep. I've had an appointment for rehabilitation but it's about 20 miles away for a 5 minute assessed walk! So I'll walk 5 minutes along the sea front then email the h.f. nurses with my assessment!