Weight gain & pressure in legs

[Pouchielou1972]

Hello there,

I was wondering if anyone has experienced any of the symptoms I'm currently experiencing. I have heart failure and have always kept fit and healthy with diet and exercise including weight training. When I was first admittef to hospital, I was at my ususl weight of 69 kilos. I was then put on the main HF cocktail of meds and dropped to 61 kilos within 2 weeks. I had a lot of fluid, which git quickly fixed with Furosemide. But now I've found my weight has quickly soared up to 78 kilos and isn't fluid as I've beem checked multiple times by cardiologists and HF nurses. I just don't know why this has happened. I also now have a constant tight feeling under my chest as if I have a bra on that is too tight and a tught pressure in my legs. The NHS cardiologist said he wouldn't investigate further because he's not concerned, but my private cardiologist was willimg to listen and said it's possibly a blood flow ossue and suggested perhaps a non invasive CT scan would help, but doesn't know if they'll be able to do this because I have an ICD.

I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced these symptoms at all? My body just doesn't feel like my own attention moment and the weight gain is really getting me down. I don't know if it's down to the meds?

[DWizza]

Hi, that is an incredible quick weight gain ! Can you confirm the time period again? I would also be concerned about that type of gain. I recently had quadruple bypass surgery and gained about 8kg from fluids during procedure. I was swollen and I could wobble the “water tyre” around my midriff, so pleased that I had medication to help rid that fluid and got back to normal. Where is your extra weight being stored ? I dint understand why your medical team aren’t explaining what’s going on. Any changes in your activity levels against your nutrition intake ? That’s an obvious one but would t expect a dramatic change . I’m not clued up on female physiology, are you mid cycle , hormonal ? Sounds really frustrating , I do hope you get some answers . I’d be getting back onto my medical team for help and answers . Could you check in with any rehab team for support ?

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to DWizza]

Hi DWizza . Thanks so much for responding. Wow, that's a lot of gained and lost after your surgery.

It just doesn't make sense. My normal weight always fluctuates between 68-70 kilos. When I was first diagnosed in Oct, I had a lot of fluid around my abdomen and lower body, which was quickly treated with diuretics. My weight went down to 61 kilos within 2 weeks, which isn’t a normal weight for me to be honest, but this was body not just losing fluid, but reacting initially to the heart meds. From early Dec 2022, I then finally started to put on healthy weight, but I then went past my normal weight to where I am now very quickly. The cardiologist and HF nurses have examined me several times, but say it's definitely not fluid. They think it's probably hormonal, being pre menopausal, but I find it difficult to believe it would be such an increase of 9kg...especially with these other symptoms of the tight band under my chest and the tightness in my legs.

[Jackabee]

Hi Lovely, was very fit and active before it was discovered that I had Heart Failure a year or so ago. I was always able to maintain steady, healthy weight. However, six months ago I put on half a stone, bust size went up, clothes too tight which is not good when I am only 5’ tall. Have told doctor, consultant, nurse but no one seems interested. I don’t think it is water retention and have put it down to exercising less…classes stopped over Summer and dog is older so less capable of walking far. I have tried Noom, WW and the NHS app and do not seem to be even using my calorie allowance let alone going over it so I am at a loss. Speak to your doctors and nurses but I fear that it may be a side effect of the meds.

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Jackabee]

Hey Jackabee . I'm sorry to hear you've been going through the same frustrations as myself. I think this is also the case with me...the meds that is the cause. The HF nurse claims that the meds don't have this effect, but I'm not convinced as everyone who knows me knows that I'm a gym bunny, so always keep fit and healthy. I know at the end of the day that the meds are the most important thing to keep my heart healthy, but so is being a healthy weight for my heart to function and now I have weight around my middle which I know isn't good for my heart. I just hope that something changes soon 🤗

[Jackabee]

This is my concern…the weight gain can’t be good for my heart health. I walk the dog every day, do a weekly Pilates, yoga, ballet class and swim. I used to run 10ks regularly and am thinking of Couch to 5k to start me off again, I gave up static trapeze and tap dancing. So I have never been a slouch. I am 70 and maybe I should just accept it but when your clothes suddenly don’t fit and you need to keep healthy for your heart it is upsetting, isn’t it? Sending hugs.

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Jackabee]

Oh wow, you really do keep fit!! All roads seem to point to the meds then. It really does get you down when your clothes don't fit. We've had such beautiful weather and I would normally be in my vast variety of summer clothes and shorts, but none of them fit, so I've had to cover up in baggy clothes 😞As the medical teams stress how important it is to maintain a healthy weight for our heart, I really hope we can both find a solution.

[Jackabee]

well, I am here for a chat if it ever gets you down. I feel your pain…I have cried about my gain. I have taken up sewing lessons and have been making my own dresses this Summer to make up for the clothes that I have had to get rid of.

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Jackabee]

Thank you so much 😘. I'm also here for a chat if ever you need it. That's such a good idea making your own clothing. I wish I had the knack, but I'm not very creative.

[Keder]

Hello Pouchielou1972. I'm a large 73 year old male so this advice may not be relevant.

I too suffer from sudden weight gain. Since my second HA which resulted in an EF of 15%, I decided to try very hard to lose the excess fat I'd been carrying for years. This has been successful and I weigh myself daily to check it.

Providing that eating habits haven't changed, what would be the reason for sudden weight gain? It must be water. Do you cough a lot? I was spluttering all the time for weeks after the attack. Not so bad now.

I have a stock of Furosemide which was prescribed originally but since advised that I only need take it when necessary. These are 40 mg tablets which I split into 2x20mg and take 20 mg daily for as long as the excess weight remains. I'm taking the usual cocktail of meds which includes diuretics but Furosemide seems to be the most effective.

With me excess water sits in my lungs, ankles and feet. I'm not very active as it is all too much trouble now.

Hope that helps.

Keder

[Pouchielou1972 in reply to Keder]

Hi Keder . I also had a very low EF to begin with like you as mine was 10% and I also carried the fluid in the same place, but it all went following initial treatment with a Furosemide drip, then the 40mg tablets. It must be the fluid which is causing this sudden huge weight gain even though the HF nurses say it isn't the case, they feel it's hormonal. I have lots of Furosemide at home to take as and when needed like yourself. I did try taking some before for a week, but it didn't seem to make a difference, but I will try again and also work harder on my diet, as I'm not as strict with it and exercise as I usually am. Thank you so much for the advice.