Getting Back To Normal

[mebeingmoi]

Afternoon, released from the hospital just after 2 months about 3 weeks, ago, in other experience (after being diagnosed with heart failure, I'm 48) does it take to start getting back to normal, as currently gaining weight, even though not eating really (which I know is fluid) and also very slow and unsteady on feet and my oedema (lower legs) no so much the size but getting very heavy.

Thanks in advance

[RufusScamp]

Are you on water tablets? Furosemide, for example? You should contact your GP about your legs in case you need a change of meds.

[Becksagogo]

Baby steps. Dont rush your recovery as it won't help in the long run!Were you allocated a Heart ❤ Failure Nurse at the hospital. The nurse or your GP will advise re water retention. Please don't delay as excess fluid will not be good for your recovery.

[uzininemm]

I would say firstly there is no going back to normal, with HF we all have to make changes, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

You don't say how much fluids a day are you taking in (this includes yogurts/soups etc), Are you keeping to 1.5 litres?

Becksagoago is right re baby steps and speaking to your heart failure nurse.

Have you been on the pumping marvellous website, (very good site specifically for heart failure issues).

They have recently issued a living well with heart failure report 2022, give it a read as I think it is very interesting and I personally can relate to some of the stories on there, (however do remember every one of us is different).

Finally I wish you well for the future.

[Anon2023]

Hi. Like you, I spent 2 months in hospital over Xmas. It was awful and I was confined to a bed a lot of the time as I was on constant iv antibiotics and meds for endocarditis and needed emergency open heart surgery. I think that deconditioning in hospital is a real issue and when I returned home i could hardly climb the stairs or walk about my home. It took about 8 weeks for my legs to get any real strength back and to get any level of energy. There’s a lot of research about deconditioning and the impact of lengthy hospital stays on fitness. On a positive note I’m now walking on average 3 miles a day and feel much better. After my discharge from hospital I felt wretched but things have slowly improved. You will start to feel better but it’s early days. I’m 50 so a similar age to you. Good luck with your recovery, you will get there.