Fluid retention

[Gtigirl]

Good evening all. My partner had been diagnosed with HF and medications working well. He has just started suffering fluid retention in his legs and ankles. He is not eating a lot, weighing every day, and weight going down steadily. When should you panic about fluid retention? With the hot weather we are having at the moment, could just be that but obviously I am concerned as it is a symptom of HF. He has an appointment With his heart nurse next week. Should he be seeking advice before this? I am quite worried because he does not tell me everything as it happens, and he said he’s had this a couple of days now. Any advice?

[FeetheBookworm]

Is he taking a fluid retention tablet? When I was first diagnosed I was prescribed 2 for first few months to get rid of all the fluid.

Ring 111 if you can’t get hold of your GP surgery.

[Grayjay]

It probably is due to the hot weather

I take water tablets daily anyway but when I get bad swelling like I have at the moment, I take an extra tab at lunchtime.

Keep cool, drink plenty and feet up as high as he can get them. Good that he's seeing the Heart nurse soon.

[Sunnie2day]

I don't have HF but my other multiple mild(ish) heart conditions make me very sensitive to heat and humidity - I've not needed my GTN for weeks but have used it three times the past day or so and I'm retaining fluid as well - 'fat fingers', puffy knees and ankles. I know it's the heat and humidity but it always worries me a bit.

When does he see the cardiac nurse? If it's not first thing Monday morning he probably should telephone and ask for advice as a matter of 'minor urgency'. (Men are SO 'funny' about admitting something might be going a bit wobbly!)

Meanwhile, floor or table fans on high aimed straight at him will help a little to cool and 'dry' the air around him. Also helpful is wetting a flannel in very cold water, wringing it out and putting it at the wrists, back of the neck, or forehead (or all three points at the same time - when I do this, I can actually watch the fluid puffiness lessen, it's a bit weird but SUCH a relief!).

Please update us as to how he gets on.

[Dmactds]

On a spot of my legs near the ankle, I developed what they referred to as 'weeping wounds'; they amounted to open spots that produced clear fluid. Eventually I began taking Furosemide (20m) 2 a day six hours apart. After several weeks all of the edema (water retention) had lessened greatly. My edema was because of HF (Heart Failure) and is a common side effect; I'm still on furosemide 20 m. only once a day.

They had me on one other medicine for a bit but one of its side effects was making my tits hurt so after putting up with that for a month I told them I had to stop and so I did and the pain eventually went away, no harm done.

Hope this helps.

[Grayjay]

The water tablets are supposed to make you ,"Wee" the excess fluid away.

[NotAllWhoWonder]

I also have pitting oedema - feet and ankles swell up so much sometimes I can't get shoes on. Even worse is when I'm wearing shoes, it feels like my feet are going to burst. Doesn't always happen to both feet at the same time, though.

For the record, I had 4 MIs almost 2 years ago, and take aspirin every day for life. The swelling happened for a few years before, but made a lot of sense once I'd had the MIs (as it's a sign of HF). Just wondering, though, now that I'm "fixed" shouldn't the swelling be going away? It can't be circulation at this point, as my blood is probably as thin as water.

Strange thing is for a few weeks/months after I had my stent put it in there was no swelling at all. But about 6 months after it started again. Yes, I have a desk job, but I walk through the office often enough, and got outside regularly, so it's not caused by a lack of movement. I also drink an average amount of water so it's not water retention because of dehydration. Any ideas?

[Frenchi]

I would advise your partner contacts his GP for a telephone consultation. Fluid retention can make you feel poorly and it’s best he speaks with his GP. Diuretics are given to reduce fluid retention. Water pills come in different strengths & he may only need a low dosage. Hot weather does not help and careful with salt.

[Gtigirl]

Thank you all. Have been keeping an eye on the swelling. I think perhaps the heat has been the main problem. Swelling has gone down but he will check with his nurse.