Steroids causing fluid.

I have an issue, as many of you that do know me, I have to take steroids every day to stay stable. Well between my SVC Syndrome and adrenal gland failure. I have been swelling up again. I gained a good amount of weight in a couple of days.
The Dr continues to tell me to take my lasix. I just got it increased to every day. Which before I was just taking it when I felt like I needed it. I hate lasix. Any of you that take it, how do you handle taking it all the time?
Well over the weekend I gained 7lbs and experienced so much pain and discomfort and missed a lot of sleep because it was hard to get comfortable. My heart felt weird and if you ask my bf he would tell you it was weird because he could hear my heart beating.
My main question is: is this common when you start to retain fluid to hurt so bad and not be able to sleep and just not feel good? Then once the fluid comes off, you feel all right? Do I need to get in contact with my Dr and talk more about this?
I have one lb left to get off before I am back down to my normal weight but feel so so much better just tired all the time right now. Though I know moving helps me to keep going. Thanks for any feedback.

Blessings to all,
Tammy

4 Comments

Take Your Pills Now

by SMITTY - 2010-11-02 07:11:34


Hi Tammy,

As CABG said you got it right about the fluid. Excessive fluid makes the heart and lungs work harder and can make a person feel pretty miserable too.

I take Lasix every day. I started taking it about 10 years before I retired in '94, so I know how inconvenient it can be. But, I also know the misery of not taking it so for me it becomes the lesser of two evils.

Here is how I handle the inconvenience. When I have nothing planned that will take me away from home for a few hours, I take it as soon as I get up followed by a caffeine drink (coffee for me) and just expect to have to stay reasonably close to a BR for about 2 to 3 hours. If we are traveling I take it at night and since I don't like caffeine beverages late in the day, I will jump start it with an ounce or two of alcohol. For wine drinkers that means about 8 oz. since wine is usually between 12% and 16% alcohol. For beer drinkers it take about two bottles, but since you have to consume so much liquid with that alcohol I don't recommend beer. Of course since I don't like the taste of beer could have something to do with my recommendation. Bourbon and Scotch drinkers can get the job done with about 2 to 3 oz of either, since they are usually 80 to 100 proof.

When I say jump start the Lasix I do mean jump start it. When I take the Lasix and follow it with a little bourbon, I am through within 2 hrs. or less. If it is a situation where alcohol is a no, no, then I follow the Lasix with a caffeine beverage, such as diet Coke or Pepsi. They are both good but not as good as the alcohol.

What it all comes down to is I know the penalty I'll pay for excessive fluid retention so I try to plan on 2 to 3 hours each day to satisfy that part of living. Then when I miss a day, I hardly notice it, but miss two days in a row, and that ain't good.

So young lady, just remember that all you are trying to do is live as long and healthy as possible and trips to an ER are not in that program. So take your diuretic like a good little girl.

Good luck,

Smitty

Lasix! Tammy

by donb - 2010-11-02 11:11:27

Hi Tammy, I just read your posting on using Lasix. Fortunately I don't need it yet but my wife is a stent patient, should have bypass but as she is 61 they don't want to do a bypass unless she gets much worse. Well, Smitty has come through again with his proper use of lasix. I am well aware when Sharon takes her Lasix which is not real regular. I just read her your post and Smitty's also. Jump starting the process with alcohol sounds like a winner because I'm not a drinker but I find after just one can of beer I need to make a BR run. I usually don't enjoy it unless I've completely exhausted from working too hard and get dehydrated, then I just need 1 beer.

So, Sharon really perked up her ears about this kick start. Got to mention, she has 2 stents in her right coronary arterie and her left has 100% blockage. So, she limps in from work as cardiac nurse after 12 hours half dead. She can't wait till March 26 as she turns 62 and will retire. Ya, and after a lifetime of nursing, Hospitalization Insurance is gone the day you retire, plus, she can't even buy into the hospital group. Also no Medicare until age 66. With her heart condition she probably won't be able to buy coverage for that down the road bypass. Anyhow, her Cardiologist always tells her to add red wine in her diet and following Smitty's suggestion I'm sure it'll work. Tammy, take care of that body of yours, you have lots of years ahead of you even if it means having a few drinks.
donb

hi there :)

by pacergirl - 2010-11-02 11:11:39

I have been thinking about you and I am glad to see you posting.

Tammy you are right and so are the guys. I've had to be on steroid therapy before and it isn't fun. I had the most of your symptoms and it did take some meds and time for me to feel better. I swelled up like you wouldn't believe. It has been awhile since and I had to take it so I am ok now.

Hang in there and take your "diuretic like a good little girl" like Smitty said.

Blessings,
Pacergirl

Steroids

by zelda - 2010-11-20 11:11:51

Are you on steroids for low cortisol? I'm wondering if you had a cortisol swing from low to high. How are your adrenal hormone levels?

I have pituitary tumour and testing for adrenal adenoma. I had emergency pacemaker surgery in August and was told my arrythmia and low HR was hormone related.

Because my cortisol swings from high to low when I'm in a high my body rejects the pacemaker. I'm going to have my pc removed due to reoccuring infections.

Cardiologist said once I get my hormones regulated all my symptoms will greatly improve.

Are you going to have a BLA? Bilateral adrenalectomy?

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