Recently out of hospital with extra medication for heart failure. Now starting to focus on change of lifestyle including healthy eating fluid restrictions and exercise
Feel it’s important not to wrap yourself in cotton wool and enjoy life within heart failure limitations
Just setting out on the path
good for you, Fluid restrictions??? Make sure you are hydrated!
Yes fluid reduced to 1.5 to 2 litres a day. Apparently reduces blood volume and helps heart
How are you finding it? It was a struggle, dry mouth all day on the 1.5l for me 
Yes very dry mouth and running to the loo a lot weight coming off though so must be getting rid of fluid. Heart rate still a bit fast though
Excellent.. one tip, creamy ice cream doesnt count as fluid, neither does milk (sounds mad eh) helps with the dry mouth. I found it easier every day, stick at it 
Thanks.
Yep. I had the dreaded fluid restriction - 1.5ltr/day - and it was a nuisance having to measure everything, but it worked a treat for me and the swellings went away quite quickly…
May I ask how long it took to reduce the tummy swellings please
About three months. The legs went down quite quickly as did the peri fluid, but the stomach one, a bit longer.
Omg that’s a long time. Hope I can keep it up
You get used to it. Can’t deny it’s a pain, but seeing your bony ankles again makes it all worthwhile.
Give it your best shot.
Guess it depends why you might be on fuild restrictions. I was restricted in hospital to help raise sodium & potassium levels (i.e. not dilute their concentration). But yes, keep hydrated - maybe a Goldilocks approach (not too much, not too little, just right)?
Yeah, you can get loads of fluid retention with heart failure, fresh out of hospital i had to be put back on furosemide to get the fluid from my lungs, tummy and legs/ankles. The specialist let me increase from 1.5l to 2l over the first 2 months, now i can handle a bit more and manage it with furosemide if and when i need too... I was told this is common in severe heart failure.
This is interesting to me because when I was told I needed to drink 1.5 litres a day, that meant a two-fold increase. I have never drank a lot and must admit it's a struggle to reach the 1.5 quota most days. I always feel like I am forcing it down. I am always struggling with fluid retention too. It's currently worse than usual and my natural impulse is to drink less because I suppose my logic is telling me that will help. Not sure if that is true or not, though. Cardiologist has recently doubled my Bumetanide dose, but that doesn't seem to have made a huge difference, yet. As others have said, you need to stick it out a while to remove excess fluid...
hi Norfolk Mardler, another one here ( Dereham). I feel the same as you although sometimes it isn’t easy. I went into hospital three years ago with vertigo and came out with the HF diagnosis. My body won’t always co operate with my plans ( had to cancel a ballet class today cos I can’t get going) but pace yourself and much is possible) I volunteered at Gressenhall museum on Wednesday in the hot sun and it wiped me out for a couple of days. Onwards and upwards!
Early days for me and just trying to adjust to 1.5 litres of fluid a day. Do you have this restriction. Am in New. Buckenham
Yes, same as you but after measuring liquid intake over a day, I just use smaller cups. I don’t feel restricted
It may be that you are now on all of the 4 pillars medication - see Pumping Marvellous website for cardiac heart failure. My husband left hospital only on 2 of them and the cardiac heart nurse has introduced others. Some he has found took 3 - 6 weeks to get used to and some caused him to feel exhausted, light-headed and very sleepy. The older you are the longer it can take to settle to the medication and it can be tempting to stop them thinking these are permanent side effects. Having said this there will be some that don't suit you and do need to be swapped for something else. The tailoring of the medication for you and the dose for you is highly individual.
In Devon there is a course called Heart2Heart over 5 sessions where you meet other people who have recent diagnosis of heart failure and can take along a friend or family member. The cardiac nurse and other professionals come and talk and encourage the group to ask questions etc. These were extremely helpful in getting information clear in our heads and getting lots of ideas. It was also great to meet other people. Finally he has been referred to the gym for cardiac rehabilitation, yet to happen, which we imagine will help him extend his limitations to the maximum.
Welcome to the path don't forget to pause and enjoy the views from time to time
There is a "Heat Warning" (25C !) for next week so make sure you stay hydrated. As a guide if you use 200ml glasses you can still have up to 10 drinks a day out of your 2 lt! Just pace them out As some one else has said, don't forget to stop and enjoy the view. Good luck!
I find it hard to work out how much fluid l am taking, because you have to remember that there is fluid in your food as well.
The initial diagnosis is quite daunting but the more you learn the more you take on board that you can have a relatively normal life as long as you look after yourself. Make sure you know symptoms you shd look out for...shortness of breath, fluid retention...swelling of legs etc so that you know to act on them fairly swiftly. Remember with your fluids that though restricting yourself, you are also getting rid of bodily fluid during the day so don't get dehydrated. Keep an eye on your BP and cholesterol, adapt your diet but of course have treats....most importantly....carry on and enjoy life as much as you can without getting paranoid about things. All the best and take care xx
Hello, I was diagnosed July last year, 1.5 fluid restriction is necessary so to reduce pressure on the heart pump especially the left ventricle. Especially for those of us with dilated cardiomyopathy. As our damaged left ventricle is severely weakened and cannot pump with as much forse as a normal ventricle. It is hard to get used to. I eat more fruit now that seams to help quench my thirst. It is all about lifestyle changes too. I lost three stones so far am back at work and driving. Living a great life. Though to do get very tired, but learning my limits. You have got this and will do well. It all about learning what is right for you and it fits into your lifestyle. Please stay in touch. X
Thanks for advice will certainly keep in touch
It’s been extremely hot and humid here and haven’t quite felt myself. Just wondered whether the 1.5 limit is causing dehydration. Any views and comments appreciated
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