Re: fluid retention question *update*

[Guest guest]

I went to the ER because my DR is on vacay until next

week. I should have just gone to the nurse

practitioner because thats all I got in the ER. They

did tests on my kidneys and heart enzymes and

everything came back pristine. I didn't have a sed

rate done but I am on prednisone so it might not have

shown anything anyway? I never swell..not like this.

Sometimes I get some swelling if i have been on my

feet for a long time but not to where my feet were

unrecognizable and I had to remove rings. My pulmonary

DR wanted me to go to a cardiac specialist and have a

test for pulmonary hypertension? The swelling did go

down overnight with my legs up (not surprising) but I

am in so much pain every time I move its ridiculous.

Also I know that if i put my legs down they would

swell right up. Its just so odd and I feel like

something is being missed but what? Thank you for your

help !!!

Lenore

[Guest guest]

Lenore,

Thank you for the update. I'm sorry you had to go through the hassle of the ER

on a holiday weekend, but I think you did the right thing. It also sounds like

your doctor has you on the right track, getting you to a cardiologist. Do you

know how long that will take? Maybe you can push to get into see both your

primary doctor and your cardio spec ASAP, once everyone is back from vacation?

You definitely need to talk to your primary as soon as possible.

You've been on Prednisone for awhile, right? The low potassium (hypokalemia)

and increased blood pressure (hypertension) can be a side effect of long term

use of this medication. I copied some information below. It can also cause

other problems like Cushing's Syndrome. (My little Schnauzer has Cushing's.

It's very common in dogs.)

These symptoms are " new " , they are not normal symptoms associated with your

known chronic illnesses. You were wise to get them checked out. If anything

additional happens, especially heart related, please go back to the hospital.

If you miss the New Year's Day parade, I'll tape it and send it to you.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/drugs/prednisone-105700.htm

Long-term steroid therapy is associated with fluid retention and hypertension.

Glucocorticoid agents have some mineralocorticoid activity with consequent

hemodynamic effects. Patients will often have steroid-induced adverse effects on

glucose tolerance and lipid profiles. In discontinuing steroid therapy in

patients on long-term steroid supplementation, it is important that the steroid

therapy be discontinued gradually. Abrupt withdrawal may result in adrenal

insufficiency with hypotension and hyperkalemia.

Oral and intravenous steroid therapy in patients with heart failure should be

administered cautiously with special attention given to signs and symptoms of

fluid retention.