Pacemaker, You also should avoid olives, pickles, pickled foods, ie pickled beets, pickled eggs. They are high in sodium and also increase your thirst. Sauerkraut is also a no-no.
Pacemaker my first question is are you being competently managed by a good cardiac team. Your disease is not easily managed by your friendly PCP. What kind of diuretics have been prescribed for you? The things Becky takes seem to keep her controlled most of the time. She also has the added problem of kidney failure but seems to be coping well. maybe a review of your medications might be in order. Are you taking anything to control the arrhythmia or do you rely on the pacemaker. Salt is allways a big problem with heart failure so do you feel well enough to make most things from scratch at home? Have you tried eating raw veg such as carrots or celery with maybe a tiny bit of low salt cheese spread. Soup is also a big villain but very easy to make from scratch. I don't use salt substitutes as they have their own problems but many herbs and spices greatly improve the taste. You already know about avoiding caffeine so add in the wine and commercial juices. You can make perfectly good orange juice at home from fresh oranges. Are you diabetic by any chance and if not have you been properly checked for that. Rationing out you fluid intake may help. Pour a small glass each time and just sip don't gulp. Time yourself,like is 3 o'clock now I can have another 4 ounces at 5 and so on. Save a little for overnight. Rinse your moth outand don't swallow if you are very dry and keep your lips well lubricated. In everyone's life there comes a time when enough is enough and we take our chances with what will happen if we break the rules. It is your body your decisions. My FIL one morning frying himself a good English breakfast of bacon, sausage , eggs tomato and fried bread said "I have lived to be 88 years old so now I am going to eat what I fancy" He lived to be 92 but by then he said he had lived two years too long.
Pacemaker, although this wouldn't completely alleviate the thirst, you could try what's used for dysphagia patients: the little "stims", foam type squares on a lollipop like stick. Moisten your lips with them. Or put a wet washcloth on your lips to moisten them. Sometimes dry lips can contribute to a perception of dry mouth; it's happened to me.
I would think you have been told about the sodium. But it is in everything. Eat as fresh as you can. Fast food, canned soups, as said canned vegetables, etc. are full of sodium. No ham or luncheon meats. Chinese food is the worst. Even cheese has a lot of salt. You can get salt free bread. I know, doesn't leave much to eat, huh. Frozen vegetables. Baked potato with unsalted butter. Baked chicken, turkey.
I would call the doctor about the weight gain. My Mom had to call when my Dad gained a pound.
My husband has CHF as well, and the doctor told him no more than a liter of water a day. If he gains 5 pounds in one day, I’m on the phone with the doctor. Are you on diuretics? Hubby is and his urine output is like Niagara Falls.
Keep a careful watch on your diet. Too much sodium can cause thirst. If you look at the sodium content of canned vegetables, you’d be amazed.
I’ve been on liquid restriction for several years because of advanced kidney disease and CHF. I use sugar free lollipops when I’m thirsty. I find measuring my water allotment the first thing in the morning helps me keep me on pace and not drink too much at any one time. I don’t drink caffeinated beverages because they make me more thirsty. My big treat is a can of caffeine free diet soda once a week.
We cross-posted - I see you've already tried the old ice cube trick, then. And no luck?
I should go back to your CHF nurses and ask for a rethink about how to control your symptoms without your having to be made miserable by it. Perhaps there are other things that might help that you haven't tried yet.
I believe that in some patients with congestive heart failure, when it isn't possible to control oedema adequately with diuretics their cardiologists instruct them to restrict fluid intake.
Pacemaker, it is up to you to decide what to do BUT you need to make sure you understand all the risks involved. I don't think your doctor or CHF team would have advised you to drink so little if it wasn't important for your safety.
But ask them. It isn't acceptable for you to be made uncomfortable by thirst. Do you think something like sucking on ice cubes might help?
What kind of diuretics have been prescribed for you?
The things Becky takes seem to keep her controlled most of the time. She also has the added problem of kidney failure but seems to be coping well. maybe a review of your medications might be in order. Are you taking anything to control the arrhythmia or do you rely on the pacemaker.
Salt is allways a big problem with heart failure so do you feel well enough to make most things from scratch at home? Have you tried eating raw veg such as carrots or celery with maybe a tiny bit of low salt cheese spread.
Soup is also a big villain but very easy to make from scratch. I don't use salt substitutes as they have their own problems but many herbs and spices greatly improve the taste.
You already know about avoiding caffeine so add in the wine and commercial juices.
You can make perfectly good orange juice at home from fresh oranges.
Are you diabetic by any chance and if not have you been properly checked for that.
Rationing out you fluid intake may help. Pour a small glass each time and just sip don't gulp. Time yourself,like is 3 o'clock now I can have another 4 ounces at 5 and so on. Save a little for overnight. Rinse your moth outand don't swallow if you are very dry and keep your lips well lubricated.
In everyone's life there comes a time when enough is enough and we take our chances with what will happen if we break the rules. It is your body your decisions.
My FIL one morning frying himself a good English breakfast of bacon, sausage , eggs tomato and fried bread said "I have lived to be 88 years old so now I am going to eat what I fancy" He lived to be 92 but by then he said he had lived two years too long.
I would call the doctor about the weight gain. My Mom had to call when my Dad gained a pound.
I’m on Lasix 80 mg and spironolactone 50mg. I don’t like taking them but if I don’t the consequences are not pleasant.
Keep a careful watch on your diet. Too much sodium can cause thirst. If you look at the sodium content of canned vegetables, you’d be amazed.
What do you do in warm weather, can you adjust your daily allowance? Any guidelines on that?
I should go back to your CHF nurses and ask for a rethink about how to control your symptoms without your having to be made miserable by it. Perhaps there are other things that might help that you haven't tried yet.
Pacemaker, it is up to you to decide what to do BUT you need to make sure you understand all the risks involved. I don't think your doctor or CHF team would have advised you to drink so little if it wasn't important for your safety.
But ask them. It isn't acceptable for you to be made uncomfortable by thirst. Do you think something like sucking on ice cubes might help?