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Have Been Dx With Congestive Heart Failure. On Furosemide. Have Severe COPD. Side Effect?

Posted on Wed, 11 Sep 2013

Question: have been dx with congestive heart failure and have been on Tooxin, 0.0625 mg daily since August 7. Sae my doctor today and he has raised my apo-furosemide 20 mg daily to 60 mg daily. Have severe COPD oxygen, COUNT IS NORMALLY 90 TO 94 SHOULD I PROCEED WITH PRESCRIPTION OR SHOULD I GO TO A HOSITAL FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT as an In-patient??

Answered by Dr. David Okia (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can proceed with medication

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Furosemide is diuretic, it helps you to remove excess fluid from your body through for example frequent urination.

Once the excess fluids are removed from your body, the blood volume decreases and it will be easy for your heart to pump blood and you will feel much better.

The doctor must have increased the dose to 60 mg based on fact that 20 mg was not enough to reduce excess fluid in your body tissues, 60 mg will help you feel better.

I would advice you to have minimal physical activity, very very low salt content ,if possible no salt in your food. Avoid anything that stress you.

See you cardiologist at least once every month, so that other parameters like blood pressure,random blood sugar, ECG can be done.

Hope I answered your question, will be happy to help you if you have other questions. quick recovery

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. David Okia (3 hours later)

I do not have a cardiologist. Should I get my doctor to refer me to one? also I have had a dangerously low potassium level.It was connected to the prescribing of a blood pressure pill years ago. I had a terrible psychotic to the drug and remember that my potassium level sank to 1.3. I am scared to have anything like that happen to me again. I am aware that your potassium level can go down with the use of diuretics. Shoulld I be on a potassium supplement?

Answered by Dr. David Okia (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your doctor should refer you to cardiologist

Detailed Answer:
Good morning
I would encourage your doctor to refer you to cardiologist for detailed investigations like ECG, ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY,LIVER AND RENAL FUNCTION TESTS.
For potassium, there are potassium sparring diuretics like spironolactone that can be used in combination with furosemide but dose will be determined after physical and laboratory examination.
Do not worry, you will improve after medication and tests above.
Hope I answered your question, will be happy to help you if you have more questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E