Furosemide

[Hellonwheels]

My doctor prescribed 40 mg/day, 4 days on, 3 days off for me for when I travel---my nickname is "swellin' Helen" every time I get on a plane. LOL. I did a trial run for 4 days, and am not supposed to take it for the next 3... does that mean I will just gain back the 12 pounds of water weight I lost (in 4 days!!!) in the next several days? Anyone have experience with this?

[humanbean]

This isn't a drug I'm familiar with, but I just read the British National Formulary (BNF) which is a doctor's bible when it comes to prescribing drugs in the NHS,

The dosage plan you have doesn't look anything like what is given in the BNF.

bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/furose...

It seems insane to give you something that works then take it away roughly 50% of the time. You could use the above link as ammunition for a different dosing pattern.

[Hellonwheels in reply to humanbean]

Yeah... that's kind of what I was thinking, once I started using it... I didn't think anything of it when she told me to use it that way, but after seeing how well it works, I don't want to stop taking it. I have had water retention issues with hypothyroidism for many years, and the only way I was able to have it addressed was to explain what travel does to me---I usually gain anywhere from 10-15 pounds in a single DAY when I have to be on a long flight. It always comes back off within a couple of weeks, but this year, I will have several lengthy travels, and cannot even IMAGINE what might happen...

[silverfox7]

I think it would be more effective taken every day. I would add up the amount you take over the 4 daysand devide that by 7 to get a daily dose and may be run that passed your doctor. I've taken that in the past but can't remember why now.

Having that problem flags up something is wrong or not not working correctly so the obvious thing is to start looking at your thyroid results. Have you any recent ones you can post? Don't forget the ranges as they change from lab to lab so without them we should just be guessing.

[Hellonwheels in reply to silverfox7]

TSH .05 (.4-4.2)

FT4 18.4 (10-22)

FT3 5.9 (3.1-6.8)

BP was 114/62 without furosemide. No sign of heart failure, DVT, or any other issue related to water retenion... The travel/water retention issue has gone on since I was 12 and started having a period. The CONSTANT water retention started about 15 years ago, when I knew there was a thyroid problem, but couldn't get a diagnosis---likely because I was skinny... I can't believe the 12 pounds that came off in 4 days---6 pounds in FIRST day, and not even traveling. I have actually wondered for a LONG time if the reason I am 30 pounds heavy is water. Been struggling in the worst way trying to lose it. There's no adrenal problem or vitamin problem, either. I don't have my numbers handy, but none of them were even borderline---they were all mid-upper parts of ranges. Thanks for response

[Hellonwheels in reply to Hellonwheels]

And I should add, I feel GREAT other than the water. I'm sure that's strange to hear around here, but I am serious---feel better than I have in 20 years, and I'm 44...

[silverfox7 in reply to Hellonwheels]

Thank you posting your thyroid meds and giving more info. I'm thoroughly stumped now! I was 'hoping' that something obvious and easily sorted wasfound. Logic makes me think there must be some sort of imbalance in your body but what is I've not idea. Puberty onset suggests hormonal but I'm surprised no one has tried to get to the bottom of it as it can't be very comfortable. Will put my thinking cap on!

[Hellonwheels in reply to silverfox7]

It WAS nice seeing my legs have some definition for a couple days, LOL. The most 'discomfort' I feel on a regular basis is that I can't lose weight, no matter how hard I try. I've been keto (almost purple on the pee-stick, even) for 3 months, and only lost 8 pounds in the first 3 weeks---nothing since. I feel better, though, so sticking with it. My numbers have always been PERFECT, so getting a doctor to do anything other than tell me to stop eating junk (never have eaten junk...) and back off the salt (only use the pink stuff, and more for electrolyte reasons than anything LOL). I think that they think I am looking for a quick-fix for weight loss. Truth is, right up until last several years, I was a stick, and didn't need to lose weight, so I don't truly understand why it was never investigated---my guess? I wasn't emphatic enough about the way it made me feel. I've learned to be almost pushy in last few years, because had I not, I'd still have no hypo diagnosis.

[loueldhen]

My mother in law has had it. Gets on well with it but has to keep dioralyte to hand as it can have a negative effect on her potassium levels. But I think that is more of a side effect with the elderly.

[raine-wager]

I think the doctor is right if it only affects you on flights. I take furosemide but I need it every day. Does it work for you?

[Hellonwheels in reply to raine-wager]

Apparently it doesn't just affect me on flights... I just lost 12 pounds in 4 days, no travel. I tried it on trial run to see if there were any ill-effects for me before I travel. LOL, never expected to lose 12 pounds, although I HAVE always known there was a water retention issue...