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Doug Centers
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 17 February 2014
Location: United States
Posts: 5696
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| Posted: 21 March 2025 at 9:49am | IP Logged | 1
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My Mom is living with CHF also, you got this Brian.
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8771
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| Posted: 05 April 2025 at 11:17pm | IP Logged | 2
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Update: I was put on several different medications, including a water pill to flush the liquid from my lungs. Its worked greatly - I don't gas out or grasp for air nearly as quick, but I'm still not back to 100% just yet - but I'm still taking them. I was also put on a potassium supplement, Jardiance (supposed to help with diabetes and my heart), and a cholesterol medication.
I don't remember if I mentioned that I also have edema in both my legs, and hopefully the water pill will help with that. My left leg is worse than my right.
One major change I've made is I've given up soda. I may still drink one occasionally if I go to a restaurant, but I no longer stock any in my kitchen. I've switched to drinking mainly Propel and Gatorade Zero, and my daughter-in-law and stepson got me a Gatorade squeeze bottle that uses their pods, and two 4-count boxes of Glacial Freeze Zero. Sadly, it doesn't look like they make Lemon-Lime or Orange in the pods. But my wife also got me two different Dallas Cowboys water bottles. So I'll just put the regular Gatorade Zeros in those if I go out.
I go back to my primary doctor on Monday. He wanted to see if the fluid drained from my lungs before I go see a heart specialist.
Edited by Brian Floyd on 05 April 2025 at 11:18pm
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David Miller
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Posts: 3157
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| Posted: 06 April 2025 at 1:24am | IP Logged | 3
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Thanks for your update, Brian!
The intentionality you're showing your Gatorade transition sounds like it's turning into a fun new hobby, which is a good way to stick to it.
Have you reached a place where you can say you feel a little better?
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8771
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| Posted: 06 April 2025 at 2:12am | IP Logged | 4
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I don't feel like I'm going to choke to death on phlegm anymore, nor do I feel like I'm going to pass out after taking out garbage or bringing in just two 12 packs of soda from the car when carrying in groceries. But I still get exhausted easier than I did before I had all these issues.
By the way, Propel is made by Gatorade. Its essentially Gatorade as flavored water. I recommend the Lemon, Grape, Black Cherry and Watermelon flavors. I've also tried the Lemon-Blackberry, and it was okay but not something I would drink often.
My go-to drink when I wasn't drinking soda was lemon iced tea. I may pick up a canister and some artificial sweetener.
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David Miller
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Posts: 3157
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| Posted: 06 April 2025 at 2:25am | IP Logged | 5
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Brian Floyd wrote:
| I don't feel like I'm going to choke to death on phlegm anymore |
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VICTORY!
Seriously, there's going to come a moment very soon when all the treatment, medications and lifestyle changes cohere and you realize you feel better than you have in forever.
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Casey Sager
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 16 April 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 755
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| Posted: 06 April 2025 at 5:57pm | IP Logged | 6
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Is there a reason you're drinking Gatorade as opposed to water? I just skimmed so forgive me if I missed that it was recommended.
I ask because Gatorade has quite a bit of sodium in it.
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Wilson Mui
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 27 June 2004
Location: United States
Posts: 4581
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| Posted: 06 April 2025 at 6:50pm | IP Logged | 7
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My wife was at her doctor's office in January
and reported shortness of breath while
walking. He told her to go immediately to the
emergency room. It turns out she had pneumonia
and was there for five days. A month later she
got a letter from her insurance co that they
would not cover her hospital stay because
inpatient treatment was deemed unnecessary.
Her lung doctor had to write a appeal letter
for her before they reversed their decision.
If they didn't cover the full amount, we would
have been on the hook for $50,000 of the
$90,000 bill!
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8771
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| Posted: 07 April 2025 at 2:22am | IP Logged | 8
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Is there a reason you're drinking Gatorade as opposed to water? I just skimmed so forgive me if I missed that it was recommended.
I ask because Gatorade has quite a bit of sodium in it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I can't stomach more than one glass of plain water a day. Some people have suggested I try to drink it with some lemon or lime squeezed into it.
Not quite the $50,000 that Wilson mentioned, but I'd be screwed if I didn't have insurance via the Affordable Health Care Act. Haven't received the bill from my hospital visit yet, but the Jardiance my doctor prescribed would be almost $800 a bottle if I had to pay full price. I paid $12.
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Darren Taylor
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 22 April 2004
Location: Scotland
Posts: 6035
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| Posted: 07 April 2025 at 6:58am | IP Logged | 9
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Good luck with your journey Brian, it can be tough. All the best for a speedy and full recovery.
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8771
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| Posted: 07 April 2025 at 4:04pm | IP Logged | 10
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Upped my Jardiance dosage from 10mg to 25, and is trying to find out why the heart specialist's office hasn't called me about an appointment. I was supposed to be set up with an Echo already.
Lost close to 20 lbs since the last time I went, which means all the fluid in my lungs is gone. Can't believe it weighed THAT much! (I weigh 165.4 lbs.)
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Peter Hicks
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 30 April 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 2021
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| Posted: 08 April 2025 at 1:30am | IP Logged | 11
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“ My go-to drink when I wasn't drinking soda was lemon iced tea. I may pick up a canister and some artificial sweetener. ”************* We use Stevia to sweeten our ice tea. We don’t detect anything “off” about the flavour.
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Brian Floyd
Byrne Robotics Member
Joined: 07 July 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 8771
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| Posted: 08 April 2025 at 3:38am | IP Logged | 12
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I've had Stevia in the past, but thanks for the recommendation, Peter. :)
Definitely prefer it to Splenda, but I'll take either over Equal or Sweet N Low.
Edited by Brian Floyd on 08 April 2025 at 3:40am
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