My mom has congestive heart failure and it's pretty bad help!?!
Question: Is there anything that anyone has done to help lessen it or completely get rid of it at all?
She's overweight, but cant do much about it excercize wise since she can hardly walk or breathe due to the swelling in her legs and shortness of breath. she is on a low sodium diet and takes all of her meds but it doesnt seem to be lightening up much. She was in the hospital for 3 days a week ago and thats when they diagnosed her.
Her doctors aren't much help so please don't say to go to the doctor because we have been, to many different ones and they are all useless which is why I'm asking here.
I really want to help fix her because I'm only 16 and I'm not ready to lose my mom yet so please help!!
Answers: Is there anything that anyone has done to help lessen it or completely get rid of it at all?
She's overweight, but cant do much about it excercize wise since she can hardly walk or breathe due to the swelling in her legs and shortness of breath. she is on a low sodium diet and takes all of her meds but it doesnt seem to be lightening up much. She was in the hospital for 3 days a week ago and thats when they diagnosed her.
Her doctors aren't much help so please don't say to go to the doctor because we have been, to many different ones and they are all useless which is why I'm asking here.
I really want to help fix her because I'm only 16 and I'm not ready to lose my mom yet so please help!!
My grandmother just had the same thing, although it was on the lighter side.
I understand what you mean by the exercise. It was and is very hard for her. The diet part was also very hard for her and the medications. Based on my experience I can give you some advice and hope that it will help.
1. Make sure she really is taking her medication. If she really is then they might need to change it and you should pester her to go to the doctor. Her medication should make her have to pee quite often after she takes it, thats how you know it is working. People don't like to take it for this reason and thus will lie and say they are. If she isn't peeing a lot after she takes the meds. or if they just don't seem to be working and you know she is taking them everyday at the same time then she needs to see the doctor. She might not want to because its hard to face the doctor when you have this kind of problem but just pester her until she does.
2. The diet has to be strict. And i mean strict. So many things have salt in them that we don't normally think about. And it is VERY hard for someone to change their diet. Go with your mom when she goes shopping, read labels, get rid of the junk in the house. Allow her one low salt treat but bug her about everything else. Keep your junk hidden and out of her way, don't eat salty foods in front of her. Offer to fix dinners and prepare her a lunch before you go to school in the morning or the night before. This will help her because you are concerned about her and will make only healthy foods. Also she can get her doctor to recommend a nutritionist, even if she is on medicare or state aid if a doctor recommends a specialist then it will be covered.
3. Exercise is necessary. Even if it is so small. Get her to walk to the end of the driveway everyday. Or make up little excuses to get her to go somewhere with you, even walking around the grocery store or shopping mall. Encourage her and don't pester her if she needs to sit in the middle of even the shortest walk, at least shes trying.
4. Write little love notes to your mom. Put them on the fridge, on the front door, by the tv, etc.. Change them every once in awhile. Leave the ones she really likes up. Use inspirational quotes or just words for her that come from your heart. This works for my mother who is overweight, has MS, and is bipolar. You could also write your mom a note really explaining how worried you are and how you feel.
5. Remember that routine, encouragement, and lots of help from you can make the difference. Social support from friends and family can help. Keeping her busy with her hands like introducing crafts etc.. can help. Keeping stress out of her life can help.
It is wonderful for you to care so much for your mom. I hope everything works out for you!
I'm really sorry to hear about your mom. My mother has also been diagnosed with congestive heart failure. This past year she's been in and out of the hospital, through many different doctors and has had various surgeries.
The symptoms you listed sound exactly like my mom. After this 3rd attempt at an ablation (burning off an artery going to the heart, that causes the heart to beat too fast) she can finally breathe and walk at the same time. She doesn't get so worn out like before. She also had a pacemaker put in to prevent her heart from going too slow.
Just tell her to be persistent and not let the doctors shrug this off. I don't know where you're located, but my moms last doctor has helped her come so far. Good luck
I feel your pain. I recently lost my grandfather because of this. I pray that your mom gets better.
I found this info ...hope it helps.
Treatment
The treatment of CHF focuses on treating the symptoms and signs of CHF and preventing the progression of disease. If there is a reversible cause of the heart failure (e.g. infection, alcohol ingestion, anemia, thyrotoxicosis, arrhythmia, or hypertension), that should be addressed as well. Reversible cause treatments can include exercise, eating healthy foods, reduction in salty foods, and abstinence from smoking and drinking alcohol.
Non-pharmacological measures
Patients with CHF are educated to undertake various non-pharmacological measures to improve symptoms and prognosis. Such measures include:
Moderate physical activity, when symptoms are mild or moderate; or bed rest when symptoms are severe.
Weight reduction