Continued Weight loss

[Putterguy]

Hi all, hope you are all well as you can all be,

I was diagnosed with heart failure back in December 2020, which I have an issue with my left ventricular with an EF of 15-20%.

I am on Bisopropal 5mg twice per day, Entresto 49/51mg twice per day, Digoxin 125 mcg 1 per day, Apixaban 5mg per day, Bumetanide 2 mg once per day and Spironolactone 12.5mg per day.

I have lost just under 5 kg of weight since January and continue to loose most days.

My appetite has reduced and I’m walking most days but I am concerned that I am continuing to loose weight.

Does anyone else out there have similar weight loses and is this normal.

I have spoken to the consultant and he says see how it goes for another couple of weeks. I have an appointment with my GP. However it is always good to hear from the forum to see if this is normal.

Thanks in advance.

[10gingercats]

I had swollen legs(body weight normal) inDec. 2020. it lead to fluid around the heart and in lungs. Took Spironolactone 12.5g plus 20mg Furosimide for 4 days and lost all of the fluid OVERNIGHT.I had taken the Furosimide before for months but leg water remained but adding the Spiron. activated the water loss., or so it seems. I lost more than a stone. Now I have put on a few pounds with the continuing loss of heart and lung plus leg fluid. I now take it as a preventative plus Bisoprolol .

[Putterguy in reply to 10gingercats]

Hi 10 gingercats thanks for your reply, it may be the spiro that is causing it. I was fairly stable with my weight come to think of it until I started the Spiro. Perhaps you could have found the culprit.Thought I’d attach photo of my cat Rosie

Rules the house.

[10gingercats in reply to Putterguy]

She is very beautiful and reminds me of my ginger boy Toby. Thanks for sending. Glad to know you may think it was the Spiron. that may have triggered your problem. It is a relief to even have an idea of what the cause may be when things go pear shaped. Mine was without a doubt the Spiron.

[Putterguy in reply to 10gingercats]

Thanks again for the reply.

[RufusScamp]

If you have lost weight that quickly, it could be excess fluid, but certainly worth discussing with your GP. Do you know if your EF has improved?

[Putterguy in reply to RufusScamp]

Hi Rufusscamp, thank you for your reply. The consultant will not see if there has been any improvement in my EF as he tells me it is too soon. However as he says do you feel any better than you did? He says EF is only part of the measures for any improvement. It is also how you feel and if you feel the improvement. He won’t see me again in his clinic for 4-6 months so guess I’ll have to wait, next consultation is a phone call. When I was admitted to hospital I could only walk 200 yards at the most, now I walk 3-5 miles per day and play golf a couple of times per week, so I guess he’s right in one sense that I can do more than on the day I was rushed in. Hopefully I am on the right track, I pressed him last week on the subject of improvement, as he rang me to see how I was, ( not a consultation) as I had just increased my Entresto. That’s when he said too soon. I still get breathless from time to time but only for very short periods.

Thanks for your reply.

[RufusScamp in reply to Putterguy]

Sounds as if you are doing well. All the best for the future.

[cakesandbakes]

I had a heart attack in july last year. Since then I have lost 10 kgs in wgt.unintentional. Before the heart attack I was fit for a 64 year old but also have sarcoidosis for which I lived with quiet happily. I have had many blood tests ct scan and a gastroscopy and so far no answer. I am on bisoprolol 1.25 candesartan 4 mgs rouvastatin 5mg clopidogral and asprin. I feel dizzy lightheaded most of the time always worse in morning. I have seen gp many times but in 8 months I have never seen a consultant face to face. Endocrinologist on phone gastrologist on phone cardiologist 6 months ago on phone. I say seen on phone because that's the point they can't see you. They just say I'm suffering from anxiety. Who wouldn't be however I don't agree.admittedly I was anxious after heart attack but I managed a gastroscopy without sedation which wouldn't be the case if I was anxious. Iv pretty much given up .No rehab either. I have requested a face to face with cardiologist but been refused. However I could see one if I paid private. Good luck in your quest to find answers.

[Hidden in reply to cakesandbakes]

Same situation with cardiologist. Can have face to face discussion for £200 privately; telephone only on the NHS. Not good.

[Putterguy in reply to cakesandbakes]

Thanks for your response very helpful. Just a thought on your anxiety, I too like most of us suffered and still occasionally suffer with anxiety. Had two trips to A&E with it. My heart nurse gave me a site to look at called Headspace, it’s a site about mindfulness and meditation. Can I say it has worked wonders with me for my anxiety, I practice at least 3 times per day plus before I go to bed. Since I have been practising I have not had a bad nights sleep. You do have to put some time to it but I thoroughly recommend it.

[cakesandbakes in reply to Putterguy]

Thank you. I did try CBT in the beginning but again online and alot of questionaires each week to fill in and email back.Afaid it wasn't for me.Apparently 15% of people who have had a heart attack experience post traumatic stress disorder. Will look at your suggestion. Thankyou.

[Putterguy in reply to cakesandbakes]

Hi again cakesandbakes, no forms to fill in on headspace just a bit of your time each day. Give it a go nothing to loose apart from £1 per week if you want to continue with it. There’s quite a bit of free stuff on it to start you off. You do get a free period if it’s not for you. As I said it’s done me the world of good.

[cakesandbakes in reply to Putterguy]

Thank you I will do so .

[MountainGoat52]

Just a thought.... and that's all it is as I have no experience of any of the medications that you are on. Relating it to my own experience, in that when I had a HA and stents my metabolism was so improved that I lost 6kg in a week and my weight has stayed down ever since. Hopefully the fact that you are now able to exercise more (well done on that) is the cause of your weight loss. 😀

[Putterguy in reply to MountainGoat52]

Hi GWP thanks for response, it is probably just part of the journey, but it’s good to hear from everyone and all help you feel less anxious about it.

[GracieOS]

Hiya, I went through a period of unexplained weight loss during my heart failure journey. Probably went on for about 6 months, but things have stabilised now. It could be just a transitional thing as you become more active and or you get used to the drugs. Take care x

[Putterguy in reply to GracieOS]

Hi Gracie thanks for response, as you say probably just part of this journey. Thanks for your response. All have been helpful.

[pjw17]

Hello Putterguy,I had HA and one stent last May, resulting in HF, EF 44%last Dec. I have lost about 11kgs hopefully due to changed diet. I can do most things, but do have bad days when fatigue and nausea kick in. I'm actually doing less exercise than before HA.

It sounds like your on the right track with the improvement in your fitness. Has your diet changed drastically for your weight loss??

[Putterguy]

Hi Pjw, thanks for the reply, my wife tells me that I’m not eating as much and I’m walking most days so could be both contributing to the weight loss. I’m having blood tests this pm and doctor on Friday just t o make sure there’s nothing hiding anywhere. I hope you start to Improve soon. Thanks again for the reply.

[Hoocher]

I'm not on spiro and have lost 16kilos since my HA in Oct 2019. I changed my diet to more veggie and less meat. I also walk everyday at least 5km and up to 15km on some days. I was healthy before my HA and ran 40+ miles per week. I feel healthier now than I have done for ages

[Putterguy]

Hi Hoocher, 16Kg sounds really good. I think changing your diet and all the walking you do has had a massive effect on you. Reading the replies I got it looks like weight loss is part of the journey we go on after a heart event. Sounds to me you are doing really well. Thanks for the reply greatly appreciated.