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Hi. I'm new here. I found this site after searching for answers over the last week. My Mom has been diagnosed with CHF non- ischemic cardiomyopathy. I'm worried to death. She is home after being in hospital for about 3 days due to fluid. The Dr said she has moderate left systolic dysfunction. Her EF was 37. She's is on metoprolol 25 mg, 81 mg of aspirin, Lasix every other day and 25mg of spironolactone. She has not had any swelling or breathlessness. She sleeps most of the day and doesn't seem to be all there mentally. She talks and is able to walk around the house but seems to not really know what she's doing. Dr said she has to adjust to medication. I'm worried it's too much or the CHF is getting worse. I'm a Momma's boy so this is very emotional for me right now. I really don't want to lose her. Is it normal to sleep like this? She eats but not enough in my opinion. I talked to her cardiologist and he cut down on the spironolactone. Is all of this sleeping and mental slow down due to meds or is her heart getting worse. Dr seems positive but this is not the woman I remember her being. She is only 68! Would really appreciate someone to respond. I'm really worried. I haven't eaten in a week and I'm trying to be there for her as much as possible. I've been staying with her since she was released from hospital. She ate some yogurt, oatmeal and apple and drank some ensure today. I think she needs to eat more. Please give me some advice. Thank you all and hope you and your loved ones are able to recover.

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Hi Useful,
I was a cardiac RN. Give yourself a bit of time. You will research and you will adjust.

My concern firstly for you is that the symptoms of wandering, of forgetfulness--these are not CHF symptoms. If the doctor led you to believe they are I would re-discuss this matter with him. The symptoms of wandering and forgetfulness need further looking into so I am thinking perhaps back to the regular MD for a neuro-psych evaluation. I don't know how long she has experienced this or what else in terms of memory is going on? But something other here for you to explore.

Now back to the heart. CHF or Congestive Heart Failure means just that. Mom is older and her pump is weakening. In the case of left failure the fluid tends to accumulate in the lungs. In right failure in the abdomen and peripheral lower extremities. I have seen many patient with an ejection fraction of 37 go for a good long time. It is important to know that as needs for stronger and more frequent doses of lasix go on board a lot of crucial electrolyte like potassium can be washed away, and need replacement, so lab measurements for these is important. There will be frequency and urgency of urination with the meds in the a.m. hours.

What you want to watch for is distress with the breathing when your Mom is unable to rest flat or slightly raised without distress and shortness of breath. Sometimes problems can come on quickly and in the case there is distress and she cannot breathe you may need to call EMS for a trip to ER. She may need higher doses of diuretics or a different kind.

Take is a day at a time, a step at a time. It is a good thing that she seems not to have fluid in periphery nor mention of right AND left failure.

There is a lot of information online but don't overwhelm yourself at first. Think on it this way, we are all going to get something to deal with if we live long enough. Take care of yourself. Your anxiety will make her more worried. And follow up on whatever the mental changes are. It is end stage, late stage when shortness of breathe causes mental changes; I don't think that is the cause now.

And welcome for Forum.
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Usefulchildhoo Mar 2023
Thank you so much. I'm just all over the place right now. Really appreciate your response.
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A 93 year old dear LO has been recently in and out of the hospital with CHF.

I know nothing about this condition, but the way she presented was very different from your mom.

My loved one was turning blue, and her pulse ox was quite low. It necessitated a couple of trips to a he ER.

She has had mental confusion since then. But, again, her condition was very different than how your mom is presenting.

Lots of different things can cause fogginess and change of behavior. Best, as Alva said, to get your mom checked out back at her GP, just to be sure.

We’re here to listen. I know you’re scared.

Praying for you, tonight.
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Usefulchildhoo Mar 2023
Thank You so much.
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My father dealt with CHF for many years. It is most often a slow moving, insidious condition that progresses along robbing a person of their energy and stamina. Fluid becomes an issue, with increasing diuretics to control, then hospital visits for IV diuretics to get off more fluid faster than than the pills can. Shortness of breathe happens as the CHF progresses. This is a common condition, as many have hearts that simply wear out over time. It’s generally not a fast way to die. CHF is not associated with not being clear mentally, that’s definitely something you should have evaluated separately. I’m sorry you’re facing this with your mom. It became what felt like a merry go round of doctor appointments with dad, with lots of bandaids but few answers. I wish you both peace
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Usefulchildhoo Mar 2023
Thank You!
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Please take care of yourself so that you don’t end up the the hospital yourself! It’s normal to be worried, but since Momma needs you more than ever, take time to breathe and calm down. You will be more helpful to her if you’re not in panic mode.

Good luck!
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Usefulchildhoo Mar 2023
Thanksl You. I'm trying my best to keep it together.
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My almost 70yo dh has CHF, both sides. Diagnosed two years ago. He takes Lasix (40 mg) daily. Spironolactone, 12.5mg daily (25 was too much). NO aspirin (on Eliquis). Metoprolol Succinate, 12.5 mg daily (again, 25 was too much). Along with 7 others scripts for other issues. Would the cardiologist consider a monitor for a day or two to see how the meds are affecting her heart rhythm? (My husband refuses the monitor even though I've explained to him that it may mean a reduction in meds. He has dementia as well, so there really is no "explaining" anything to him.)

When Mom was released from the hospital, was she referred to a CHF clinic? My husband was referred twice and refused each time. The clinic would be such a benefit. The patient visits every other week, numbers (BP, O2, weight etc.) are checked, quick physical, diet is reviewed, lasix can be administered there via IV if needed, labs can be ordered. The goal is to keep the patient out of the hospital by doing everything to prevent the CHF from progressing too quickly. I'd suggest getting mom involved with the clinic. (I'm not happy that dh refused.)

I guess you know to watch mom's weight for the "2-3lbs in a day or 5lbs in a week" indicator for extra Lasix. (Again, my dh refuses to do the extra Lasix, so his weight it back to where it was before he went into the hospital two years ago.) So important to keep that fluid off the body, especially the torso.

As for sleeping, that might be normal. Could be the meds, could be her heart just needs the rest. You can always ask her doctor. Make sure you are listed on all her records as a person that her medical information can be shared with.
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97yroldmom Mar 2023
Graygrammie
My mom was referred to a heart transplant center that managed her CHF the last year or two. It was great. I had medical support 24/7 and they were always able to walk me through whatever was needed. They worked with her home health to keep her blood work going. I think she only had to have IV fluid removal twice the entire time she was ill. She was extremely compliant. We only went in once a year and everything else was over the phone. It was too hard taking my mom in. But your DH is much younger.
DH had two family members eligible for heart transplant. Brothers with heart disease on both sides of their family. One signed up. The other wouldn’t. He said he didn’t want to live what life he had left tethered to the clinic. Sadly they both passed in their 60s.
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You are getting good heart advice, so now it is time to focus on you. You need to talk about your anxiety with your PCP as soon as possible to get proper professional help. Mom has a long term chronic condition. While you wait for your medical help, look up mindfulness breathing techniques and practice it first thing in the morning. You tube has several audio sessions. Find one that lasts around 10 minutes.
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I’m with you. Something seems off. Did your mom not go to rehab? Call her primary on Monday and see if they will order home health and PT. She needs to get up and get moving.
See if she will go for a ride this weekend or watch a movie with you. That sometimes lifts the spirits. She will quickly lose muscle staying in the bed. Look for a healthy high protein shake.
Fairlife has a chocolate one that has 30 grams.
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I am with Alva on the potassium thing.

My Dad went into a depression in his early 50s. His PCP was taking care of his heart desease and Lasix was given. My Dad went to the hospital and a Cardiologist was called in. It was found my Dads potassium levels were very low. They were brought up and the depression was gone.

My Dad had been taking Lasix for years. Every summer he had this rash on his arms even his PCP had no idea what it was. The Cardiologist told Dad it was from the Sun. When taking Lasix you should stay away from the Sun. If you need to go out in it, cover up.

Here is a good article.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/congestive-heart-failure-life-expectancy-prognosis-5089374
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Does your mom sleep on her back or snore? Lack of oxygen can also cause brain fog. Keep us updated on her. [Hugs]
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I want to give all of you an update on my Mom. I first want to thank you for taking time to reply to a random person on a forum and giving me advice and hope. You have no idea how your words gave me assurance. Some comments had mentioned that some of her behaviors were not related to CHF and I did more follow up. Taking her to another hospital gave us the answers we needed. Mom's heart issue was a result of cancer. She was diagnosed with Myeloma and it had metastasized to her brain. Mom passed away last Friday. It was hard and still is. I feel that I should have done more when I noticed her behavior had changed and kicking myself that I did not get her to a cancer specialist in time. The last week was very hard watching her decline. She fought hard but the cancer had spread to too many organs and was shutting them down. I am crying now writing this but I do know that Mom is no longer suffering. This forum is a light in a very dark world. Please continue to support all those out there that are suffering from all kinds of illness. I want to say Thanks again to all of you who prayed and kept me and my mother in their thoughts. It is greatly appreciated. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Love you all.
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MeDolly Mar 2023
Oh my so very sorry to hear this. You did the best you knew how to do, that is all we can do, as we do not have the power to make God's decisions, when the ultimate ruler calls we have no choice, we come.

Sending hugs your way.
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Oh no I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was lucky to have such a caring son and advocate. God bless
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So very sorry for your loss. I don't think, with spread to the brain, that there was more time that could have been bought for your mom without there being a great cost to her. Her late diagnosis may have been a blessing in disguise. She was very very lucky to have you and I thank you so much for letting us know.
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Oh, Useful, I am so very sorry for your loss!
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So very sorry for your loss.
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I am so sorry to hear of your moms passing. It is often difficult to know just what the issue is and we aren’t doctors. You were very proactive to take mom to another hospital and sadly the cancer was too advanced. My mom had CHF for several years. In the end if she could have taken to her bed and gone to sleep and not woke up she would have taken that path gladly. She was sorry she had gotten a pacemaker because she was struggling so much to just exist. (of course the pacemaker wasn’t keeping her alive…she was just ready to go).
I know you would have cared for her regardless but she is at peace and so should you be. You gave her the best care you could. You were there when she needed you. Take care and come to the forum for support or search for a grief support group. Your experience can help others.
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