Congestive Heart Failure???

[VirtualLarry]

My mom is screaming at me, trying to tell me that my weight fluctuating throughout the day of 3 lbs, and the fact that when I get up and walk somewhere, or get exercise, and I'm huffing and puffing (I weigh over 400lbs), is a danger sign of congestive heart failure.

True or false?

She's telling me that the notes that she took at the senior center, that if someone "gains" 3 lbs in a day, is a VERY SERIOUS DANGER SIGN.

I was under the impression that the weight of a normal, healthy, human being would fluctuate throughout the day, not just because of meals, bowel movements, and the like, but also due to the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon and time of day.

Is this not true?

I found this: Seems fluctuations of 1-5 lbs/day are NORMAL.

http://thefitnessfocus.com/health-nutrition/normal-body-weight-fluctuations-explained

My mom is a very low-information, low-IQ, person, but she's dangerous, because she appeals to authority figures, with the scenarios that she has concocted in her mind as "just so", and somehow, gets support, and gets what she wants, to the detriment of my life.

She goes on "feels", rather than "facts". (Very conservative-type thinking, where dogma is more important than factual science.)

I would just ignore her, but she makes appts. for me to be seen, and then if I don't: 1) find out about them, 2) get her to cancel them, 3) I'm on the hook for missed appt. fees, and generally pissing off their practice. No, she's NOT my guardian, nor to my knowledge does she have any legal authority to make appts. for me. She just calls them, and says, "I'm his Mom, I want to make an appt., for him."

 

[aigomorla]

Doing something like walking should not make u huff and puff.
Its not a good sign.

Weight fluctuation can be a factor of many things and usually the product of water in your body.

If your honestly worried, you should go see a doctor and get a EKG done.
Larry you should also go get a Hba1c check on your blood and your blood glucose.

Id be more worried about Diabetes @ your weight.
Diabetes is a horrible way to go.

 

[mike8675309]

Are you under doctors supervision? Ideally the exercise you do if geared towards losing weight (vs gaining muscle, or endurance) should not leave you huffing and puffing. If so you should reduce your intensity. Generally if you are going from sedentary and overweight to overweight and active you want to handle the transition slowly. Ideally your exercise would allow you to easily hold on a conversation wile you are doing it. If you feel you are doing the absolute minimum exercise and still huffing and puffing, see a doctor. Your heart may be struggling to keep up with the oxygen requirements for your body mass.

 

[deadlyapp]

Agree with Mike and Aigo. Weight fluctuation by itself is not really an issue - the rest is.

 

[Carson Dyle]

400, huh? Do you need to hit 500 before you do something?

Didn't you also recently say you were experiencing edema? That's a common symptom of congestive heart failure.

Deny it all you like, but you are a very sick man.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Didn't you also recently say you were experiencing edema? That's a common symptom of congestive heart failure.

Deny it all you like, but you are a very sick man.

Well, I contacted my primary care doctor when the edema started a few weeks ago, and also inquired about seeing a cardiologist, and the nurse called back and said the raise my feet above my heart, and that the doctor didn't see a need for a cardiac consult at this time.

 

[Greenman]

Well, I contacted my primary care doctor when the edema started a few weeks ago, and also inquired about seeing a cardiologist, and the nurse called back and said the raise my feet above my heart, and that the doctor didn't see a need for a cardiac consult at this time.

I know a witch doctor that hands out better advice than that.

 

[aigomorla]

Well, I contacted my primary care doctor when the edema started a few weeks ago, and also inquired about seeing a cardiologist, and the nurse called back and said the raise my feet above my heart, and that the doctor didn't see a need for a cardiac consult at this time.

im sorry larry which doctor did u visit when he said you didnt need to see a cardiologist?

If its your primary care you need to actually demand to see one, because most primary probably wont refer you to one until you actually had a heart attack.

But seriously, if your huffing and puffing doing light walks, or even going up one flight of stairs, you might have a problem.
If you as carson stated have had edema on top, that is a big warning sign of possible issues.

The thing about healthcare and medicine, is they need to catch it and start treatment before it gets worse.
If you let it sit and sit because your scared to see a doctor, when its too late, it seriously is too late.

Go back to your doctor, you want to do a heart test with tread mill / EKG from a cardiologist.
That will rule out any issues with the heart. If you pass that, your mom can rant all she wants, and you can ignore her.

Then at your primary request a Hemoglobin a1c test be done as well as a full lipid panel.
If those come out normal as well, then again, you wont have much to worry about health wise other then being overweight.

And you shouldn't get mad at your mom for nagging like that.
She wants you to be ALIVE because she obviously loves you.
Give her some proof that your OK, if you want her to stop nagging.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I know a witch doctor that hands out better advice than that.

Funny, that's what my Mom (whom really dislikes my doctor) calls him.

Think I should switch docs? Part of the problem is, I'm Disabled, and I have crap insurance. Medicare and Medicaid. This doc sees older patients, so he takes Medicare (and I've been seeing him for ten years, and I generally trust him).

The really dirty secret about MassHealth, from the first state in the Nation to have a statewide insurance mandate, is that pretty-much no doctors take that insurance.

Well, maybe I shouldn't say that exactly. My mental health clinic visits are paid for via MassHealth, as I understand it, but I haven't found a Primary Care doctor that takes it. A friend of mine is only on MassHealth, and he's been looking for a Primary Care doctor for several years now, and hasn't found one.

 

[Greenman]

Funny, that's what my Mom (whom really dislikes my doctor) calls him.

Think I should switch docs? Part of the problem is, I'm Disabled, and I have crap insurance. Medicare and Medicaid. This doc sees older patients, so he takes Medicare (and I've been seeing him for ten years, and I generally trust him).

The really dirty secret about MassHealth, from the first state in the Nation to have a statewide insurance mandate, is that pretty-much no doctors take that insurance.

Well, maybe I shouldn't say that exactly. My mental health clinic visits are paid for via MassHealth, as I understand it, but I haven't found a Primary Care doctor that takes it. A friend of mine is only on MassHealth, and he's been looking for a Primary Care doctor for several years now, and hasn't found one.

Well that just plain blows. You may have to get in front of your doc and make him understand you have a problem that needs to be looked at. I don't know how you do that though.

 

[IEC]

Edema can be caused by many different things (are you sure it's edema?). Being morbidly obese is, as the name implies, a pretty serious risk factor for early mortality.

If you have Medicare they typically cover an annual wellness visit. So at least once a year you should have general lab work and such done that would give an indication if anything was amiss. Examples being CBC, lipid panel, etc.

The fact that your physician doesn't seem to be worried about your heart probably means he didn't see any reason to be concerned. Do you get a copy of any lab results and do you keep a record of what your doctor told you at your visits (like an after visit summary)?

 

[Red Squirrel]

400lbs is very dangerous territory. Not sure what is a reasonable time line but set yourself some monthly goals to lose a good chunk of it. It won't be instant but you'll feel better as you progress. Even if your heart is ok now, you are pushing it very hard. Do you drink lot of soft drinks or otherwise sugary drinks? That is probably the easiest place to start as you'll see results almost right away. Drink more water, and try to find a healthier drink to replace the sugary drinks with to quench the cravings.

 

[WelshBloke]

Firstly: TIL that you guys drop the o from oedema.

Secondly: CHD symptoms include rapid weight change, shortness of breath, chest pains, palpitations, tiredness, oedema... I'm fairly sure that you've mentioned all those at times. Do you have a persistent wet cough or need to clear your throat a lot?

You seem to have at the least a worry about having a serious condition, it's worth getting checked out just to put yours, and your mums, minds at rest.

 

[mike8675309]

Well, I contacted my primary care doctor when the edema started a few weeks ago, and also inquired about seeing a cardiologist, and the nurse called back and said the raise my feet above my heart, and that the doctor didn't see a need for a cardiac consult at this time.

It sounds like you wish to be more aggressive regarding your weight and fitness. If that is so, you need to be even more aggressive with doctors. Doctors are are not used to people taking their own health into their arms. They are used to giving out drugs. Ask the nurse to have the doctor call you. Let the doctor know what you intend to do and then let them know you need help doing it. Tell them you know that you have to take it slow but you need them to take you serious, as serious as a heart attack.

 

[preCRT]

Funny, that's what my Mom (whom really dislikes my doctor) calls him.

Think I should switch docs? Part of the problem is, I'm Disabled, and I have crap insurance. Medicare and Medicaid. This doc sees older patients, so he takes Medicare (and I've been seeing him for ten years, and I generally trust him).

The really dirty secret about MassHealth, from the first state in the Nation to have a statewide insurance mandate, is that pretty-much no doctors take that insurance.

Well, maybe I shouldn't say that exactly. My mental health clinic visits are paid for via MassHealth, as I understand it, but I haven't found a Primary Care doctor that takes it. A friend of mine is only on MassHealth, and he's been looking for a Primary Care doctor for several years now, and hasn't found one.

Switch to Atrius/Harvard Vanguard.

 

[pauldun170]

Your doctors recommendation makes more sense now
https://forums.anandtech.com/thread...p-exercise-they-said-it-didnt-matter.2532973/

Are you seeing a nutritionist? Are you on any meal plan at the moment?
What current actions are you taking to shed lbs?

When was your last stress test?

 

[Thebobo]

Gastric Sleeve Surgery
https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/restrictive-operations-stomach-stapling-or-gastric-banding

 

[IEC]

Gastric Sleeve Surgery
https://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/restrictive-operations-stomach-stapling-or-gastric-banding

Patients are required to demonstrate willingness and ability to lose weight and keep weight off for months prior to any drastic step like surgery. They can literally eat their way through surgical changes and end up worse than prior to the surgery, so the bad habits that got them there in the first place are what must be corrected before any surgical "assist" is considered.

Diet: Lose a lot of the simple carbs and sugars (e.g. chips, soda, desserts). Work with dietician (or Internet... with some caution) to come up with inexpensive, healthy meal plan that will be under a certain calorie threshold to lose weight over time. This part will take getting used to and is difficult for many, but this is where you must start.

Losing a ton of weight might seem insurmountable, but I do know patients who have done it. They end up feeling better both physically AND mentally. Excess body fat can cause or exacerbate hormonal issues and leads to dysregulation of a lot of other biochemical pathways.

 

[Dmadman79au]

hey mate is your disability a physical or mental health one or have you been blessed with both? whatever your issues you need to make a change, you are unwell and no amount of asking forum members advice is going to make you better unless you make changes, the most difficult and simplest change is what you put in your mouth. no sugar or hfcs nothing from a packet, no pasta bread etc, nothing you cant pronounce the name of the ingredients of and nothing that you cant instantly visualise from where it was alive to where it landed on your plate ie fresh vegetables picked washed cooked and sadly eaten vs canned vegetables picked lots of stuff happened at a factory then it sat on a shelf for ages and then opened with trepidation and disdain washed cooked and sadly eaten. also try to only drink water, black tea, black coffee, and plain sparkling water, but mostly just water.

and listen to your mum and see a doctor, because you are unwell.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Weight gain concerns are really about water retention. If you're drinking Xoz of water and passing Xoz of urine daily, than you're good.

If you're drinking say, 80oz of water daily and only passing 32oz, you'd gain 3lbs of water weight. When in heart congestive heart failure, your whole system slows down. Typically, your organs aren't getting enough blood flow due to a lowered ejection fraction and the heart just isn't pumping enough blood.

No matter what your heart situation is, it's good advice to try to walk 20-30 minutes a day and limit your salt intake as much as possible. If you want to cut weight, it's easier than you think to do when you log what you eat. Try the MyFitnessPal App. Before you balk at it, it really works. It helped me realize all the things I was doing wrong.....unfortunately, it's why I'm not following a plan now. It took a lot of the work out of losing weight so I know how to do it now. Just tough finding the willpower to stay strict when bad food tastes so good.

 

[Ventanni]

Weight varies by a very minor amount throughout the day. This is fairly normal based on what's going through your gut, and what your drinking and losing.

But 400lbs man, you're in very serious danger of congestive heart failure. And if you don't experience congestive heart failure, you're almost guaranteed a risk of stroke, dementia, etc. Think the arteries of your heart are the only ones that get clogged? The arteries in your brain get clogged too.

Time to do something. You are loved, and you are worth it.

 

[Chaotic42]

Larry, take it from me, get your health in line. You may not have heart failure now, but you need to focus on your health. I had a heart attack in my 20s and almost died in ICU from the flu last month. I don't know how old you are, but I ate very poorly and didn't exercise in my 20s and now that I'm in my 30s, it's all coming home to roost. You weigh 400 pounds and can't walk without getting exhausted. Your post sounds like you're still in denial - deep down I think you know you're in bad shape. We know you're in bad shape and none of us has ever seen or met you. You are very much at a risk of either just keeling over dead or damaging your body in such a way that you're slicing years or decades off of your life. You need to find a primary doctor who wants to help you. I've had primaries who just handed me a dietary pamphlet from the internet and called it a consult. It's your health, find a doctor to be your partner.

I'm going to project a little here, but I'm guessing you need to find something worth focusing on in your life. Find something joyful so that you're not using food as your drug. I'm a workaholic and I was filling the void with bad food and laziness. Yes, eating well and exercising sucks, but that's the ever-increasing tax you have to pay to keep living. Find something to live for so you don't mind paying the tax.

 

[lxskllr]

Firstly: TIL that you guys drop the o from oedema.

Secondly: CHD symptoms include rapid weight change, shortness of breath, chest pains, palpitations, tiredness, oedema... I'm fairly sure that you've mentioned all those at times. Do you have a persistent wet cough or need to clear your throat a lot?

You seem to have at the least a worry about having a serious condition, it's worth getting checked out just to put yours, and your mums, minds at rest.

Sounds a bit like the alcoholic I work with. He's fat, and smokes a lot. Gets winded on the greuling 20' walk to the truck. It's known he has high blood pressure, but what caught my attention is mucus head syndrome. He's had something going on for awhile now. Too long to be bacterial/viral. Sounds disgusting.

Wonder if his heart's giving out? He doesn't do anything about anything. He had a scare at the doctor's last year. Of course that didn't affect his alcohol consumption at all, but he did pickup an ecig for a bit. Since he lacks even the most basic self control, and ecigs aren't exactly like the crappy menthols he smokes, he gave that up.