My dad is 87 and has CHF, dementia and Neurapthy. He was just in the hospital to have fluid drain off of his body. Prior to this, he had an extremely bad cough and was coughing up stuff (normally white looking phlem). We got him home yesterday and already his legs are starting to swell back up with fluid. He refuses to take lasix or any other water pill. Right now, his coughing is better but I know it will get worse again. What things do I need to pay attention to when his legs get extremly swollen again and the coughing gets bad again?
For now, Kdar, start by educating yourself a bit on google or another search engine. Type in "Congestive Heart Failure" and look at symptoms and actions.
Basically CHF is easy to think of as a weakening heart, a failing pump if that makes it easier. If the heart is weakest on the right side them the extremities and the abdomen may swell with fluid. If the heart is weakest on the left side it is more DANGEROUS in that the fluid will accumulate in the lung, and the patient can die quickly. Literally drown with the fluid filling the lung, a cough, inability to lay down flat and still breathe. Flash pulmonary edema can kill in minutes. This is an EMERGENCY situation. Your father has both left and right heart failure if he is unable to breathe and his extremities are swelling. He could die of this. There is no time to spare when the breathing becomes labored. Call 911 at once.
It needs to be made clear to your father that failure to take the diuretics to get rid of this excess fluid will almost certainly lead to his death. The medications will not CURE his weak pump. There is nothing that will do that but a heart transplant. It is time for your Dad to decide if he wants no treatment, hospice, and to pass at home, or if he wants treatment in order to manage his weak heart pump for some more time.
I wish you so much luck. I am certain this is very frightening. Please, when next in hospital, and you will be, ask for all the education you can get on CHF. They will have reading material for you. And do use the internet. I hope you will update us. I am so sorry for all you are going through, and wish your Dad well.
What his doctors have prescribed and it has been successful in keeping the water out of his tissue.
Weight every morning in the buff, if he has gained 3 pounds overnight he gets 20mg lasix. Usually 2 days in a row takes the water off.
He uses a machine called Body Rubs Foot Massager 4 times everyday for 10 to 20 minutes. This helps with the circulation and helps with his neuropathy pain.
He has had improvements in his health and has not had any hospitalizations from excess water since we implemented this routine.
He hates the water pills, he says all he does is spend the day in the bathroom. Which is true. His doctors said that taking them at night cause no sleep and that is worse for his overall wellbeing and not to do it. That has made it easier to get his compliance.
Best of luck, this is a scary disease and heartbreaking to watch. If he absolutely refuses then please get hospice involved, he will go down hill and need the help.
Great big warm hug! Such a tough situation.
Since I had NO LEGAL control of making her take the meds - well, her end was nearer then she wanted I'm sure. Hospice was the course. With Hospice, at least the oxygen tanks will be supplied, along with comfort meds. 87 is not young.
You need to find a way to the Hospice route. And that may be another ER visit to get there. Also, once (CHF ) the heart is operating at less then 30% . . .that's it. There's no improvement from my understanding.
Find a way to get Hospice soon.