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Suggest Diet And Lifestyle Changes For Cardiomyopathy

Posted on Thu, 7 May 2015

Question: My friend was diagnosed with non-specific cardiomyopathy about 7 months ago and is currently taking 2 different fluid pills and a low dose of blood pressure medicine. Over the past few weeks he has rapidly declined both physically and emotionally. He has seen a cardiologist and a family doctor, who upped his dosage of diuretics. The Dr. also told him he has heart failure. My friend feels nauseated and is constipated. He gets little to no sleep each night so the Dr gave him sleeping pills which made him act crazy. He has no energy and feels pressure on his chest. He can't get comfortable. I know this is something he has to live with but I want to make sure we do everything possible for him to have a good quality of life. Before this he was an avid golfer, handy man, and always on the go. Now he basically just sits at home and it has caused horrible depression. Any help with be very appreciated. Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need full reports of cardiac tests he did...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I am sorry for the situation your friend is going through.

1. First, it would be helpful to have the reports of cardiac tests he did, so I can analyze his medical condition thoroughly.

2. From what you are describing, I can say that diet and lifestyle changes would be helpful in improving his condition:
- limit salt intake
- eat healthy
- try to make some light physical activities like walking or jogging and breathing fresh air. This will help in the treatment of heart failure and depresion.

3. I agree with the added dosage of diuretics his doctor prescribed as it will improve his actual condition.

4. With regards to sleeping pills, can you please provide the name? There are some interaction of certain sleeping pills with other medications and would precipitate depression.

For the moment, I'd advise to take chamomile or valeriana tea/supplements.

Looking forward to have the requested information in.
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (21 minutes later)

Thank you. I will try to get you those tests. The sleep medicine is Ambien.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

I'm waiting for the test data to be uploaded.

Meanwhile i suggest to stop taking Ambien because some of symptoms your friend is experiencing are to be attributed to Ambien side effects. The most common side effects of Ambien are:
- Sleep disorders
- Depression
- Tachycardia
In stead i suggest to use chamomile tea.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (22 hours later)

His Dr. wants to limit him to 2 liters of fluid a day. How much tea would he need to drink and is there a specific brand or type that works best?

Also, his nausea continues to be an issue. I wonder if it is a side effect of the diuretics? A friend asked if the Dr. had prescribed Potassium Chloride and he did not.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can take chamomile tea twice daily...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It is ok to limit to 2 liters of fluid a day. He can take chamomile tea, a cup twice daily.

Nausea might be a side effect of medications he is using as they might irritate the gastric mucosa. However, if I was his caring doctor would advise to run abdominal ultrasound to rule out gallbladder issues.

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (5 days later)

I will hopefully have his records in a few days but I did get a list of his meds:

Lisinopril 5 mg once daily
Spironolactone 25mg once daily
Metoprolol Succinate XL 50mg 1/2 once daily
Furosemide 20mg once daily
He takes all 4 of those in the morning with milk. His nausea is still very bad and I'm wondering if it's because he's taking all 4 at once?

He's also still taking Zolpidem 10mg 1/2 once daily at bedtime, says it's the only thing that helps him sleep. The Dr. also gave him anti-nausea medicine to take as needed but it doesn't really help.

Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

My opinion is that he is taking four pills at once.

My advice is to take Furosemide and Spironalactone in the morning before eating something. Metoprolol and Lisinopril he should take at lunch after eating. He should continue with Zolpidem at bed time and antinausea medicine on a regularly bases.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar