Why I am still on Furosemide ?

[Chelsea55]

I am currently on my sixth week following a heart attack , I was told in hospital during a two day stay that my lungs were damp after the heart attack therefore I was put on Fursosemide . I was told by my G.P I was to stay on all drugs I left hospital with indefinitely including Furosemide . I am losing weight because of this drug and and needing to wee every 20 minutes for six hours a day . I was told by my Cardio nurse if it was a problem I was to get up earlier and take it then ( thanks)Really don’t why I am still on it , there is no plan to see my G.P and don’t see my Cardiologist until the end of August. Had anyone been on this drug indefinitely thanks

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

People are put on Furosemide for a number of reasons. The main ones are high blood pressure, heart failure and oedema.I think you need to ask your GP exactly why you are on this medication, although from your post you say that your need to pee all the time and that you are losing weight which suggests you have oedema (excess fluid).

Here's the NHS article on this medication:-

nhs.uk/medicines/furosemide/

[ahk59]

Hi there I have been on this drug for 8 yrs now,like nurse said I take it as early as I can,You just kind of get used to it.I find after about 2 hrs I can go out an about without needing to run to loo

[080311]

I have been on Furosemide for the last 4 years, had Aortic valve replaced and bypass have mine so my heart doesn’t need to work so hard to get rid of the fluid. Take mine as soon as I can find the first couple of hours need to be close to the bathroom, but after that it’s ok. If I have a early appointment tend to take it when I get home.

[lettingoffsteam]

My Mum was on this drug for about twenty five years and died of a non- heart related cause. Her symptoms were swollen ankles with a family history of a mother who died of heart failure at 63. Now back then no one offered her any scans as they didn't exist but the drug quietly worked in the background until she died at 83. I know that frequent loo trips are a pain but it's early days yet and I'm sure they will review you.

[MDR1]

Fireside is a diuretic and helps you lose excess fluid in your body, which would otherwise build up around your lungs and heart and cause swelling of ankles etc. The weight loss is probably just due to loss of fluid. 6 weeks after a HA is still very recent and I'm sure they will review your meds after 6 months. But if you are worried phone your cardiologist.

[MDR1 in reply to MDR1]

Sorry for the autocorrect! Furosemide!

[Nadeje]

Hi, as the rest of the comments here....same with me. After AVR last July I have been prescribed Furosemide...still taking it.I have it first thing in the morning, with my other drugs I need to have on empty stomach, 2 glasses of water helps that lot to go down...then a mug of tea...and then for next 2 hrs approx or less several trips to loo! After that normal peeing at normal pace throughout the day...

It's only early days for you but see a GP re; weight loss

I wish I could loose few kilos!😊

[Hidden]

Hi, I am on furosemide 80 mg,following heart attack and stents. The warning signs of heart failure can be excess fluid in your body as you heart struggles to pump blood around your body. I have been on furosemide for 10 months and the only problem is peeing a lot in the 1st couple of hours after taking it. If I am going out early morning shopping I take it when I get home. I usually take 40mg in the morning and 40mg at lunchtime. Kidney failure is a risk of taking it long term so I have regular blood tests, not a problem as I was already having bloods done for type 2 diabetes (now in remission - Mediterranean diet highly recommended!)

So far kidney function is normal.

I have not yet seen my cardiologist but have spoken to him on the phone and am presently awaiting an appointment for a 2nd echo cardiogram, and a review of my meds.

So as long as you have regular blood tests it is OK.

Good luck.

[Dave678]

I was put on Furosemide 3 months ago after 2nd HA ( didn’t have it after 1st). Certainly makes you pee more but got used to it now so have tablet anytime up to about 2-3pm depending on what I’m doing that day. Need to pee also seems to be lessening the more that time goes on but will keep monitoring that!

[KentFox]

Just to confirm other replies. I have been on Furosimide (20mg) since my heart attack 18 months ago. I had to double my dose after I was retaining fluid with a crackly sound in my lungs when I breathed at night and increased breathlessness. Now back down to 20 mg and my GP told me to take 40 mg if I find I am retaining fluid again. As with others I take it first thing and plan to be close to a toilet for a couple of hours after that.

[Chelsea55]

Thanks Ken fox for taking the time to teply

[Qualipop]

I've been on it, low dose for almost 20 years. Have regular kidney checks. Mine is because of swelling in ankles as I am barely mobile. II find I need he loo for about 4 hours on a morning but that's all. No weight loss. YOu need to ask the GP just why you are on it. As someone else said the weight loss sounds like fluid loss. If the GP is no help, phone the consultant's secretary.

[Qualipop in reply to Qualipop]

I find that differentbrands affect me in different ways. The chemist just delivered a cheap brand I'd never had before and just one tablet made me feel terribly ill and on the loo every 10 minutes. GP had to ask them to prescribe my usual brand