how much lasix is too much?

I made the stupid mistake of having something salty the other day, and the demon salt seems to affect me more and more everyday. i have CHF and by evening i could hardly breathe.
of course i started into panic mode and took more than double my usual dose, normally 80 in the morning and 80 in the evening.
eventually after 5 nocturnal visits to the urinal, i started to breathe a bit easier. i'm just curious if taking too much can be dangerous. it seems to be the only thing that clears me up. i also take more potassium when i need extra lasix. lord knows what my kidneys are saying.
i also recall when hospitalized and i could hardly breathe, i was given lasix IV, it worked but again i question the consequenses.
any advice would be appreciated.

PS if i do call my heart failure specialist his response is always the same...double the lasix for a few days.

verger

3 Comments

mmmm

by nrracing - 2008-10-29 01:10:18

Well I have been on lasix 80 in the morning and 80 at night, for a while, but I was also giving something to help with my potassium. I have since dropped back to 60 twice a day and will drop back to using it only a few times a week. I am going to my heart doc on November 4th and I will talk to them about it and get more info for all.

A lot of lasix

by nodonjuan - 2008-10-30 01:10:33

So you don't worry too much, I used to take 160 MG. 3X daily. At UCLA they gave me 250 MG by IV every hour. You do need to take potassium and maybe Aldactone with your Lasix. That keeps potassium in your body, not like Lasix which makes you pee it out.

Lasix...

by Syrano - 2008-10-30 06:10:27

From what I have learned from 2-1/2 years of CHF, is that you must become one with your Lasix. I have taken as much as 120mg twice a day and still have had to enjoy IV lasix care of my local ER. I am currently NOT on any "K" medications to help with potassium loss, but my system has acclimated to the lasix. I am also on two other diuretics as well to boost the functionality of the lasix.
Now I am constantly monitored by a Heart Failure Clinic here in Eastern NC. A group of folks that are not only very good at thier jobs, but generally do care about the patients they help. This includes blood work to check kidney functions and BMP numbers, administering IV lasix as needed, and phone support when I`m decompensated. Perhaps I am just lucky to have this program here.
To try and answer your question, I know there are others on much higher doses of the medication. I know that even I have had to double my meds when my breathing gets so bad. I even keep urinals in strategic locations throughout my home and I use them regularly. My suggestion is if you have concerns, advise your cardiologist or Primary MD, and if they are not the communicative types, try one of the nurses. I`ve recieved more information about my CHF from a nurse than any physcian. Also, be thankful that your Lasix regiment works. Mine, of late, has not been nearly as effective and has made it necessary for multiple trips to the ER.
TO all those that are reading these replies in regards to CHF, I did not wish to be so negative about the condition. However, those of you who are "chiffers", know just how bad this can get. It is most definitely a life changing event.

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