Re: Heart Failure with ICD

[Guest guest]

I don't know what part the ICD would play in prevention of your heart

failure since it doesn't prevent you from being fluid overloaded

I have heart failure and I take massive amounts of Furosemide (Lasix) each

day. I take 160mg TWICE a day...that's 320mg total which is pretty much the

highest dosage anyone I know has ever heard off. I also take Inspra

(similar to Spironolactone) which is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Because

of all these diuretics I take Potassium Chloride twice a day as well.

It sounds to me that you no doubt were in failure. The doctor will most

likely check your BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) to see how well you have

diuresed but if you lost seven pounds in one day then it sounds like the

Furosemide did it's job.

Fluid overload like that is THE classic symptom of heart failure...getting

rid of the excess fluid with help to bring you out of failure, allow you to

breath much easier and make you feel much better in general.

Welcome back!!!!

All the best,

Adam

=============================

Adam

Tel: 305.891.2326

Fax: 305.891.6222

E-Fax: 866.792.6103

Cel: 305.970.8565

Email: adam@...

[Guest guest]

What you experienced certainly sounds like heart

failure. It is akin to drowning in your own fluids

because of inadequate heart pumping action. The ICD

can provide some help depending on the cause of the

heart failure. Generally, though, some form of

diuretic keeps the fluids from building up. My

cardiologist limited my liquid intake to 2 liters a

day--from all sources. He also prescribed a low salt

diet. I take lasix on an as needed basis. I got very

good at knowing when heart failure sets in and take

the lasix. Some medications, such as spironolactone,

are also diuretics.

--- maewestunderwood <maewestunderwood@...>

wrote:

> Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD

> should prevent episodes

> of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD

> on January 25 of

> this year. For the last week, I became increasingly

> breathless.

> Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He

> prescrived 120 mg. of

> furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg

> tomorrow. Monday, I go for

> some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost

> seven pounds since

> yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm

> not badly

> mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure.

> Can anyone

> enlighten me here?

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Be a better friend, newshound, and

know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[Guest guest]

My God, Adam, that is a huge dose of furosemide. You are right about the device, of course...it doesn't prevent fluid retention. This stuff is pretty scary...by stuff, I mean all of it...ICD, heart failure, etc. It's definitely not for sissies.Adam <adam@...> wrote: I don't know what part the ICD would play in prevention of your heartfailure since it doesn't prevent you from being fluid overloadedI have heart failure and I take massive amounts of Furosemide (Lasix) eachday. I take 160mg TWICE a

day...that's 320mg total which is pretty much thehighest dosage anyone I know has ever heard off. I also take Inspra(similar to Spironolactone) which is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Becauseof all these diuretics I take Potassium Chloride twice a day as well.It sounds to me that you no doubt were in failure. The doctor will mostlikely check your BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) to see how well you havediuresed but if you lost seven pounds in one day then it sounds like theFurosemide did it's job.Fluid overload like that is THE classic symptom of heart failure...gettingrid of the excess fluid with help to bring you out of failure, allow you tobreath much easier and make you feel much better in general.Welcome back!!!!All the best,Adam =============================Adam Tel: 305.891.2326Fax: 305.891.6222E-Fax: 866.792.6103Cel: 305.970.8565Email: adamadamrogers (DOT) netWhat if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about???.

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Thank you , for your input. I guess I just need a little head patting. There are so many people far sicker than I on this forum, I often hesitate to post. Hiranuma <mhiranuma2001@...> wrote: What you experienced certainly sounds like heartfailure. It is akin to drowning in your own fluidsbecause of inadequate heart pumping action. The ICDcan provide some help depending on the cause of theheart failure. Generally, though, some form ofdiuretic keeps the fluids from building up. Mycardiologist

limited my liquid intake to 2 liters aday--from all sources. He also prescribed a low saltdiet. I take lasix on an as needed basis. I got verygood at knowing when heart failure sets in and takethe lasix. Some medications, such as spironolactone,are also diuretics.--- maewestunderwood <maewestunderwood >wrote:> Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD> should prevent episodes > of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD> on January 25 of > this year. For the last week, I became increasingly> breathless. > Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He> prescrived 120 mg. of > furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg> tomorrow. Monday, I go for > some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost> seven pounds since > yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If

I'm> not badly > mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure.> Can anyone > enlighten me here?> > __________________________________________________________Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ What if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all

about???.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

If you have a biventricular pacer/ICD

combo (called cardiac resynchronization therapy) it can help with heart failure

symptoms because it helps the ventricles to beat at the same time. A plain ICD

will not do anything to prevent heart failure although some of them (like mine)

monitor fluid levels and if you are getting overloaded will notify your doctor

via carelink.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of maewestunderwood

Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008

5:39 PM

Subject: Heart Failure

with ICD

Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD should

prevent episodes

of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD on January 25 of

this year. For the last week, I became increasingly breathless.

Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He prescrived 120 mg. of

furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg tomorrow. Monday, I go for

some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost seven pounds since

yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm not badly

mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure. Can anyone

enlighten me here?

__________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

im not sure what type you have but the new models by medtrnicmontir the fluid level in your lungs every so minny beats it send a single out that bunces off the fluid in the lungs and returns to the device and depending n your settign it's will change how it paces you accordingly ! alsoo if this happens to be high more offen the not the new nes will send out a "WARNING READING " TO YOUR DOCTOR VAI CARELINK ! this tells your doctor the fluid amount it's seeing how offten it's reactions and the outcome ! a icd/pacemake it there to prevent the heart filure ot to treat however like everything easle it's not always successful at treating it alone icd are ment to maintain your haerts cability of dealinfg with fluid build up and also treat arrthimias but it depend very much on what the causes are what wrogn with your heart and how your icd is set! and n your not navie iin the lesst bet as it is t

help treat but is not ment as a treatment by it'sself soemtimes like everyone easle the icd hold out a wire and ask for the doctors help in treating the problem !! hop this helps! stacie,24 shockign life for shocking people missing my sean collie on outings ! Baker <laurarn@...> wrote: If you have a biventricular pacer/ICD combo (called

cardiac resynchronization therapy) it can help with heart failure symptoms because it helps the ventricles to beat at the same time. A plain ICD will not do anything to prevent heart failure although some of them (like mine) monitor fluid levels and if you are getting overloaded will notify your doctor via carelink. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of maewestunderwoodSent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 5:39 PM Subject: Heart Failure with ICD Am I just very naive or is

it true that the ICD should prevent episodes of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD on January 25 of this year. For the last week, I became increasingly breathless. Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He prescrived 120 mg. of furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg tomorrow. Monday, I go for some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost seven pounds since yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm not badly mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure. Can anyone enlighten me here? __________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Hi - does your doc worry about all of that Lasix weakening your kidney.??? DarleneAdam <adam@...> wrote: I don't know what part the ICD would play in prevention of your heartfailure since it doesn't prevent you from being fluid overloadedI have heart failure and I take massive amounts of Furosemide (Lasix) eachday. I take 160mg TWICE a day...that's 320mg total which is pretty much thehighest dosage anyone I know has ever heard off. I also take Inspra(similar to Spironolactone) which is a

potassium-sparing diuretic. Becauseof all these diuretics I take Potassium Chloride twice a day as well.It sounds to me that you no doubt were in failure. The doctor will mostlikely check your BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) to see how well you havediuresed but if you lost seven pounds in one day then it sounds like theFurosemide did it's job.Fluid overload like that is THE classic symptom of heart failure...gettingrid of the excess fluid with help to bring you out of failure, allow you tobreath much easier and make you feel much better in general.Welcome back!!!!All the best,Adam =============================Adam Tel: 305.891.2326Fax: 305.891.6222E-Fax: 866.792.6103Cel: 305.970.8565Email: adamadamrogers (DOT) net

[Guest guest]

We watch my kidney function very closely and check the Creatinine and BUN

regularly. I sometimes gets very painful cramps in my hands, feet, calves,

back, etc. so I monitor my potassium level as well and take supplements as

needed.

Another great diuretic is Zaroxyln. I take that periodically when the Lasix

alone isn't enough.

AR

=============================

Adam

Tel: 305.891.2326

Fax: 305.891.6222

E-Fax: 866.792.6103

Cel: 305.970.8565

Email: adam@...

[Guest guest]

: I do have a biventricular pacemaker. I guess that's why I thought I would;t have heart failure as much. Baker <laurarn@...> wrote: If you have a biventricular pacer/ICD combo (called cardiac resynchronization therapy) it can help with heart failure symptoms because it helps the ventricles to beat at the same time. A plain ICD will not do

anything to prevent heart failure although some of them (like mine) monitor fluid levels and if you are getting overloaded will notify your doctor via carelink. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of maewestunderwoodSent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 5:39 PM Subject: Heart Failure with ICD Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD should prevent episodes of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD on January 25 of this year.

For the last week, I became increasingly breathless. Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He prescrived 120 mg. of furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg tomorrow. Monday, I go for some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost seven pounds since yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm not badly mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure. Can anyone enlighten me here? __________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com What if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all

about???.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

hi stacie: My device is a Boston Scientific, and, although I have a monitor in the home which automaticaly checks the device every day, I don't know whether or not it checks any fluid in the lungs.LIghtingpaw <lightingpaw@...> wrote: im not sure what type you have but the new models by medtrnicmontir the fluid level in your lungs every so minny beats it send a single out that bunces off the fluid in the lungs and returns to the device and depending n your settign it's

will change how it paces you accordingly ! alsoo if this happens to be high more offen the not the new nes will send out a "WARNING READING " TO YOUR DOCTOR VAI CARELINK ! this tells your doctor the fluid amount it's seeing how offten it's reactions and the outcome ! a icd/pacemake it there to prevent the heart filure ot to treat however like everything easle it's not always successful at treating it alone icd are ment to maintain your haerts cability of dealinfg with fluid build up and also treat arrthimias but it depend very much on what the causes are what wrogn with your heart and how your icd is set! and n your not navie iin the lesst bet as it is t help treat but is not ment as a treatment by it'sself soemtimes like everyone easle the icd hold out a wire and ask for the doctors help in treating the problem !! hop this helps! stacie,24 shockign life for shocking people

missing my sean collie on outings ! Baker <laurarnrochester (DOT) rr.com> wrote: If you have a biventricular pacer/ICD combo (called cardiac resynchronization therapy) it can help with heart failure symptoms because it helps the ventricles to beat at the same time. A plain ICD will not do anything to prevent heart failure although some of them (like mine) monitor fluid levels and if you are getting overloaded will notify your doctor via carelink. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of maewestunderwoodSent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 5:39 PMTo:

Subject: Heart Failure with ICD Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD should prevent episodes of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD on January 25 of this year. For the last week, I became increasingly breathless. Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He prescrived 120 mg. of furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg tomorrow. Monday, I go for some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost seven pounds since yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm not badly mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure. Can anyone enlighten

me here? __________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.http://www.eset.com What if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all

about???.

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Darlene: It's only for a short time...three days.Darlene El Tohamy <darljl2002@...> wrote: Hi - does your doc worry about all of that Lasix weakening your kidney.??? DarleneAdam <adamadamrogers (DOT) net> wrote: I don't know what part the ICD would play in prevention of your heartfailure since it doesn't prevent you from being fluid overloadedI have heart

failure and I take massive amounts of Furosemide (Lasix) eachday. I take 160mg TWICE a day...that's 320mg total which is pretty much thehighest dosage anyone I know has ever heard off. I also take Inspra(similar to Spironolactone) which is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Becauseof all these diuretics I take Potassium Chloride twice a day as well.It sounds to me that you no doubt were in failure. The doctor will mostlikely check your BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) to see how well you havediuresed but if you lost seven pounds in one day then it sounds like theFurosemide did it's job.Fluid overload like that is THE classic symptom of heart failure...gettingrid of the excess fluid with help to bring you out of failure, allow you tobreath much easier and make you feel much better in general.Welcome back!!!!All the best,Adam =============================Adam Tel:

305.891.2326Fax: 305.891.6222E-Fax: 866.792.6103Cel: 305.970.8565Email: adamadamrogers (DOT) net What if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about???.

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

You should talk to your doctor about that.

It might need adjustment.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Underwood

Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 12:29

PM

Subject: RE: Heart

Failure with ICD

:

I do have a biventricular pacemaker. I guess that's why I thought

I would;t have heart failure as much.

Baker

<laurarnrochester (DOT) rr.com> wrote:

If you have a biventricular pacer/ICD

combo (called cardiac resynchronization therapy) it can help with heart failure

symptoms because it helps the ventricles to beat at the same time. A plain ICD

will not do anything to prevent heart failure although some of them (like mine)

monitor fluid levels and if you are getting overloaded will notify your doctor

via carelink.

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of maewestunderwood

Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008

5:39 PM

Subject: Heart Failure

with ICD

Am I just very naive or is it true that the ICD should prevent episodes

of acute heart failure? I just got a whole new ICD on January 25 of

this year. For the last week, I became increasingly breathless.

Finally yesterday, I called my doctor. He prescrived 120 mg. of

furosemide yesterday, 80 mg today and 80 mg tomorrow. Monday, I go for

some blood tests and a chest x=ray. I have lost seven pounds since

yesterday afternoon and am breathing easier. If I'm not badly

mistaken, this has been an episode of heart failure. Can anyone

enlighten me here?

__________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

What if the

Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about???.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try

it now.

__________ NOD32 2913 (20080301) Information __________

This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system.

http://www.eset.com

[Guest guest]

Adam, I'm having blood tests tomorrow.Adam <adam@...> wrote: We watch my kidney function very closely and check the Creatinine and BUNregularly. I sometimes gets very painful cramps in my hands, feet, calves,back, etc. so I monitor my potassium level as well and take supplements asneeded.Another great diuretic is Zaroxyln. I take that periodically when the Lasixalone isn't enough.AR=============================Adam Tel: 305.891.2326Fax: 305.891.6222E-Fax:

866.792.6103Cel: 305.970.8565Email: adamadamrogers (DOT) netWhat if the Hokey Pokey is really what it's all about???.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Just out of curiosity you should ask your doctor what the BNP is when you

get your results back. BNP takes a few extra days because it's a frozen

sample.

If it's over, say 1300 or so then you've been in, or approaching, heart

failure. If it gets below that...back down around 600 or so then you're in

good shape. Of course, one test alone won't tell the whole story but I know

that when I feel I'm in failure I can always tell that my BNP is elevated.

I've been as high as 5000 once!!! Normally, I'm safe as long as it doesn't

go above 1100 or so.

Good luck,

Adam

=============================

Adam

Tel: 305.891.2326

Fax: 305.891.6222

E-Fax: 866.792.6103

Cel: 305.970.8565

Email: adam@...