Retaining Fluid

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Permalink Reply by ginger neko on March 18, 2008 at 9:16pm

Jen, have you asked your doctor about splitting the dose so that you're taking part of it in the morning and a smaller dose in the afternoon? People who are steroid-dependent because of hormonal or auto-immune disease take prednisone in a way that mimics the body's natural diurnal production of cortisol (the body's natural prednisone). Two-thirds of the dose is taken very early in the morning -- and I mean early! -- when the body naturally produces a burst of cortisol, and the small remainder of the daily dose is taken in the afternoon, around 3 or 4 p.m., when the body naturally produces a smaller burst. With 15 mg per day, you would take 10 mg early in the morning, and the remaining 5 mg in the afternoon. I've been doing this for a year without any moon-face or bloating.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer on March 19, 2008 at 1:10pm

Ginger,

Thanks so much for responding. I haven't heard of this before. I just e-mailed my docs to see if they would let me do this. I'm hoping for a yes and that it helps. It makes a lot of sense though. It would be nice to see my cheek bones again! :)

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Permalink Reply by harold marks on June 12, 2008 at 8:45pm

If you are looking for a way to get rid of fluid on your body, I suggest you ask your doctor to put you on LASIX
I have C.O.P.D. & at times my feet will swell & stomache as well from retaining fluid. If at all possible you would be wise to get rid of the predisone as they will cause a lot of health problems if taken on a long term basis. Your doctor should know this, you can see the problems it is causing you now. Check your internet for that information.120mgs seems an extremely high dose. the most I have ever heard given a patient was 50mgs & for short periods..I hope you get your problem cleared up as excessive fluid can cause a lot of discomfort & there are a lot of people using lasix.I hope this will help you to make some progress in getting back to feeling human again. keep trying I'm sure you will make.. If I were you I would change doctors if I had to, to get some results.. BEST OF LUCK....

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Permalink Reply by Leslie on June 12, 2008 at 10:40pm

Good Evening,

I am new to this and this whole website. (smile).... I have never heard of people with C.O.P.D. having a problem with swelling. I too have recently been diagnosed with C.O.P.D. as well as a "Bladder Tumor" (well, actually it's Cancer, I am being operated on this Tuesday, the 17th). Anyway, i am on Hydroclorothiaziod for my Water Retention. I am taking A VERY low dose and in fact my Primary Care Physician is waiting for some recent blood-work to come back to see how my Kidney's are functioning to see if she can increase the dosage. I am in EXCRUTIATING PAIN & DISCOMFORT and my once "beautiful/small feet" look like elephant feet and worse yet, They are putting sooo much pressure on my bones that i am having a hard time walking at times. I am also extremly SWOLLEN IN MY STOMACH... I actually look bigger than i did when i was pregnant, and that was twice (smile).... Nobody, (NOT ANY DOCTORS) have also told me why my Stomach is sooooo swollen. They all just assume I am FAT... The thing is, I have NEVER BEEN THIS BIG IN MY LIFE...

If you have "ANY" input at all, i would greatly appreciate it... Thanks.

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Permalink Reply by harold marks on June 13, 2008 at 1:42pm

hi leslie.. it sounds as though the doctors are afraid that your kidneys may not be able to function enough to put you on a pill that starts your kidneys working and that is all the pill is prescribed for.The pill you are taking keeps your body from retaining salt. they are dealing with a person with cancer of the bladder so getting rid of the fluid too rapidly could lead to a lot more problems..I, for one know the pain & frustration that you have to deal with.Your operation is on my birthday so I will be saying an extra prayer for you.. keep a positive outlook and thats the way it will turn .. Good luck on Tuesday & we will all be waiting to hear from you as to how things turn go...

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Permalink Reply by Leslie on June 13, 2008 at 11:31pm

Good Evening Harold,

Thank you for all of your "insight".... Your input makes alot of sense now that i read what you wrote. I can tell that you can truly "empathize" and understand what i am going through. Actually, went to the beach with my daughter today (it was Gourgous Here) and i walked on the beach in the sand for the first time in awhile. Although my ankles & feet were quite swollen I DID IT and i felt pretty good afterwards.. NOW I AM SUFFERING, but it kind of was worth it.. Thank you for your extra Prayer & A Very Happy Birthday to you... May all your wishing for & more come true... Thank you for the "LUCK" for my upcoming surgery & I "Definately" will come back & Tell all of My Journey...
Leslie

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Permalink Reply by Leslie on September 13, 2008 at 1:48pm

Hi Harold,

I am sorry for the Major Delay (smile) on getting back to you... I forgot that I even posted a response on this discussion..,

I actually wanted to respond to you directly but I realized that the only way to do this is if we accepted eachother as one anothers friend... Do you wanna be my friend?? (wink)

Ok, the Bladder Surgery went GREAT.... I don't know if I ever posted an update to this.... Anyway, no Chemo Or Radiation Needed.. Follow Up Every 3 months, my next appt. and cystoscopy is Oct 6th..

Ok, PARDON THE CRS, (can't remember shit) but is it common to retain fluids when you have COPD??? Again My stomach is & has been extremly swollen for many, many months... I still take Hydrochlorathiazide every other day now... I guess it helps some what as my feet/ankles tend to be smaller than they were months ago. The checking of my kidneys showed no Problems...

My new issue is the things on my back that I needed to see an Oncologist about this week. I won't go into it here.. I posted a Discussion called PseudoLymphoma which explains that.

Anyway, hope your feeling good..

Leslie

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Permalink Reply by Faith on June 15, 2008 at 1:56pm

VITAMIN B 6 IS VERY GOOD FOR FLUID RETENTION...ALSO, WALKING AND THEN PUTTING YOUR LEGS UP ON THE WALL AGAINST YOUR BED...ABOUT ON a 45 degree angle...I put a pillow under my heels so the wall doesn't hurt my heels. Then, I rub my legs towards my heart. This should help immediately.

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Permalink Reply by Mary50 on June 15, 2008 at 2:44pm

I have CFH which means fluids and I are not good friends. I can only have 61/2 cups of fluid a day. I cut back on salt and space out my juices. Mine is so bad I have to use a diurectic. Toresemide. I hate it when my feet are swollen hard to find comfy shoes and walk as all. So ask doc about diurectic maybe. If it doesn't bother your other health problem a good juice that cleanses out the retention. I use a lot of cucumber. But again if it is that bad see you doc. I go on pred when my asthma is bad. I hate it. But it keeps me alive. When you can't breath nothing else matters. Go slow, follow the doc, and be careful. It is a powerful drug. Watch your salt intake. Sodium also, that is the hidden salt.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie on June 13, 2008 at 9:35am

Dear Jen,

I Am SOOOOOOO SORRY for posting my issue on your site... I am new to all of this and was not sure where I was posting "MY STUFF"... Anyway. I Do Apologize.

I can relate to you in at least the "WATER RETENTION" issue, it SUCKS|>>>> I continualy says there is an "ALIEN" in me and to get it OUTT!!!!!!!!!!

I have found that Reflexology can help, IF YOU CAN STAND THE Discomfort & SOMETIME PAIN as it is happening... The relief afterwards is sometimes worth it... Also, ACUPUNCTURE worked quite well with me for various issues.

Anyway, Good Luck & I am Sending OUt Prayers for you.....

PS Don't You feel Like A Water Balloon and you wish someone would have a Pin? LOL
Leslie

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Permalink Reply by marie on June 13, 2008 at 8:08pm

I was on a 60 mg dose for several months to stop the effects of GVH disease on my liver function. I quickly put on about 35 lbs and now look like one of those people that put on the inflatible sumo wrestler costumes. I feel like a fat bloated caterpillar. I tapered down to 15 mg. last week and then they dropped me down to 10 mg this week. It's taken several months to get to this dosage and I still haven't seen a significant return to my regular appearance. I have all of the classic symptoms minus the back hump. I NEVER felt nervous about being bald. I was sick and I was fine with people knowing it. Now people just think I've "let myself go" since my stem cell transplant. It's frustrating to wear even large clothing because my waist is sooo much bigger than the rest of my body and I can't wear necklaces because of all the swelling in my cheeks and neck. You are definately not alone.
I'm trying to keep my fluid levels high and watch what I eat very closely. I already take over 20 Rx pills everyday just to maintain my health so I'm not going to take another one. I'm just hoping things will hit equilibrium in the next month or so. That's what the docs keep telling me will happen. Best of luch on your readjustment!

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Permalink Reply by Jen Palmer on June 14, 2008 at 7:28am

Jen-
Crap. I start chemo soon and have to take a steriod with it. Now you have me nervous. I have been doing some serious retail therapy. I figure if I am going bald, at least I can have a decent wardrobe. They suggested weight gain to me when I met with my oncologist. I was like dear God I hope all my new Cancer Clothes fit! I don't have any answers, but I bet this goes away eventually. Hang in there!

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