Still swelling & Doctor's instructions....

[Mars]

I am still having problems with the swelling of my ankles and legs and now my hands. I called the doctor today and here is what he said:

I am to take 1 Bumex (water pill) along with my BP medicine (which has double the diuretic than before) for one week and report back.

I am to increase my potassium also because of the water pill.

I went on line to see what foods had high levels of potassium and found this/these statement(s):

"While potassium is critical to health there are three conditions under which potassium intake must be limited:

Hypertension - When potassium sparing diuretics are given potassium supplements or high levels of potassium in the diet must be avoided. AND

Kidney disease - When the kidney is damaged from hypertension or infection the kidney must be protected from excess minerals of all types including potassium.

Q - Can someone please explain what the statement after "hypertension" In RED means and should I be concerned?

The article goes on to say that "A diet high in potassium is recommended as the first choice treatement for hypertension. This is only true during the early stages before medication is necessary. In later stages potassium in the diet may be used under the close supervision of a knowledgeable, nutritionally oriented physician."

Getting kinda scared here - I have been taking medicine for BP for about 8 years, (I think). Anyway, I am NOT in the beginning stages and have been on medication for quite some time.

OK - Advice PLEASE?????

[tex]

Hi Mars,

I have to get back to work, but here is some info to look at:

Bumex is a loop diuretic, and it it can severely decrease the levels of water and minerals in your body, especially potassium, so you will need potassium supplements, while taking it. It is NOT a potassium-sparing diuretic.

By the way, aren't you intolerant of sulfa drugs? Consider the following precautions about taking Bumex

"Before taking bumetanide,

* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bumetanide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for high blood pressure, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver problems.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking bumetanide, call your doctor.
* if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking bumetanide."

The above quote is from this site:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... 84051.html

Here is some additonal information on diuretics, (and especially potassium sparing diuretics, since you asked about them).

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Comparison ... 17,00.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drug ... 02206.html

http://atkins.com/Archive/2002/5/8-739610.html

Surely your doctor has checked for proper kidney function, hasn't he/she? I'll be back later, if you have any more questions.

Love,
Wayne

[Mars]

Thanks Wayne,

I did not know there was a difference between sparing diuretics and non-sparing!

YES - I am allergic to sulfa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO - I have not had my blood/kidneys or liver function checked in a long time!

Here we go againnnnnnnnnn..........................

Thanks for the information. I will call the doctor in the morning and for one thing, make sure that SULFA is listed as AKA (Any/all known allergies) on my file! We've been through this repeatedly!!!! Crap!

[hazel]

Good grief! How one thing affects another and another and another in our bodies! Good luck, and be careful!

[starfire]

One does create a vicious cycle when one starts medicating, etc. although is is necessary at times.

That's why I have decided to try and get off all my prescription drugs by adapting the Paleo diet and probably using supplements later. I was told that first I had to let my digestive system recover from the years of taking Prilosec/Nexium. I sure hope I can get off the Rx meds because I think the supplements are going to cost as much as the Rx meds do now!!
I just hope it isn't more - LOL

Mars, I surely hope the doctor will be able to prescribe something that will be better than what he has told you to take right now.



Shirley