_{Anyone on Lasix?
Lasix side effects}

Just wondering if anyone else is taking Lasix. I am allergic to Sulfate so I cannot take Diamox. Today was the first day I took it and I only had to go to the bathroom like 4 times. Dont know if that is normal for this med or not. Also was wondering if my feet falling asleep while I am walking is normal (thats kind of a real pain lol - it happened on my way out of class and I almost fell over them... really weird feeling) also feels like my arms and scalp is asleep sometimes. Lastly its causing my heart rate to be at about 120 resting.... was just wondering if this is par for the course with Lasix and if I need to learn to adjust my life around the side effects ... thanks everyone!




Jessica

Hello, godsrosebud!

I have never been on either Diamox or Lasix, as I have too many other issues atop the IIH. But I did look at several sites pertaining to Lasix, and this was one I found:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/lasix-side-effects.html

They all seem to say the same thing, regarding your symptoms. I think - if in doubt, your best bet would be to phone your pharmacist, or your doctor to find out if these symptoms are normal. I'd never really take internet sites to heart, but all of them seem to say the same thing, so you may just want to check in with a professional .

I do hope things get better, whether it's you adjusting to the medication, or finding something else that works for you.

<3 -hunterofangels/Crissy

I take Co-Amilofruse which is a combination of Amiloride and Furosemide, and that has me running to the toilet frequently through the day. I take this because I couldn't tolerate the Diamox anymore after 12 years, as the Diamox side effects were causing far roo many problems for me.

I agree with Crissy's advice and talk to your Pharmacist or Doctor who are the best people to talk to for information, and advice regarding the Lasix.

Here also are a list of side effects from MedicineNet, Inc. - Owned and Operated by WebMD

SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, or blurred vision may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.This medication may cause a serious loss of body water (dehydration) and salt/minerals. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: muscle cramps, weakness, unusual tiredness, confusion, severe dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, unusual dry mouth/thirst, nausea, vomiting, fast/irregular heartbeat, unusual decrease in the amount of urine.Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: numbness/tingling/pain/redness/swelling of the arms/legs, hearing changes (such as ringing in the ears, temporary or permanent decreased hearing/deafness), stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects.

Thank you!!

Dont you just love side effects! We take something to reduce pressure to lessen headaches and increase vision yet that "something" causes headaches and blurry vision! UGH! I have a call into my neurologist, we shall see what he says.

Thanks so much for your help!

My Neuro dr. called tonight - he said to eat more potassium, that Lasix's is a potassium draining med so I am going to start off with eating 3 bananas and some strawberries daily. If that doesn't help then he will put me on a potassium supplement and if that doesn't work then we will have to figure something else out. Here is to the potassium doing the trick


Jessica

Fingers crossed for you Jessica. Thought you might find this helpful POTASSIUM FOOD LIST

Heidi

Thank you so much Heidi!!!

hi

I think this must be one of the drug I have not actually taken !!!!!! so sorry can be much help xxxx but have a


one thing that I always have fun with though and make me have a little chuckle inside ( my hubbies thinks i am mad) - it has almost become like a little game when I get a new medication is to read all the side effects !!

It make you wonder if you would rather just be ill !!!!!!

Thanks gemhod!

I find it almost funny as well, looking at the side effects of all the meds and wondering which is worse lol! My mom too thinks I am mad -- so your not alone :lol3

Lasix was just prescribed to me last Friday. I started it Saturday. The potassium ls list Heidi posted is awesome. I'm going to see what I can do do build mine up because I feel so drained. I am taking this in addition to 2000mg of Diamox daily. I hope this help. Pain is still there but there have been a few tiny pain free moments. We shall see...

I am taking both Diamox (only 250 mg) and Furosemide (40 mg). My system has finally become used to them (almost 2 years) so I don't notice any side effects anymore. Hope you find out soon what's happening.

I tried Lasix last week, and at first it really helped. my doc gave me a potassium Rx to take with it.
Lasix was the only thing that seemed to clear my brain fog once I had it. but after a week the effect seemed to wear off, and then I "crashed" a week after starting it. which I think was unrelated, but due to problems with my BiPAP machine. but the point is that it didn't stop me from crashing. and it made the ringing in my ears increase significantly, so it doesn't seem worth taking.
Deb

Wow, Deb, it must be so difficult to be so highly sensitive to everything. I guess I am lucky that I can take most everything and have a high endurance when it comes to pain.
I find that I don't get that immediate fluid drain from the furosemide every time I take it. I think it depends on how much fluid I have taken in and if anything I had eaten that day had any salt in it. Sometimes I just keep trying something, to give it a chance to work.
Lasix (furosemide) is milder than Diamox yet so beneficial. Can you give it another try?

I've been on Diamox 500mg twice a day and had Lasix 40mg added to that. I must say that for a while I was starting to feel better as well but it isn't last as long as I had hoped. I've been on this dose since May. Then about two weeks ago the fullness and ringing in my ears started up again as did the pain in my head. The pain continued to get progressively worse each day. I had an appointment with my neurologist on July 6th and decided I would wait until that that appointment instead of going straight to the ED as the pain was bad but not as bad as when I was originally diagnosed back in March.

I went in for my appt. and was basically told that the only way to determine what was was going on was to have have an LP done. I have a history of recurrent viral meningitis and this also has to be diagnosed by LP so one way or another I was getting one. I explain that I was very uncomfortable and wanted to get the the LP done then to which the Dr. replied, we can no do it today. I said well then when we are done here I will go to the ED and explain my symptoms and surely they will get it done. He then said, hold on, let me see what I can do. He called the neuro floor and spoke with the PA there who said he remember me and my case and would be able to do it. I was escorted from the neuro clinic to the neuro ward where my LP was done and my opening pressure was found to be 430. I was kept on the ward for about 5 hours and then released.

My Diamox was increased to 1000mg twice and Lasix continued at 40mg. I feel weak and fatigued and just frustrated with feeling so awful. I have been unable to work for months and as of today was released from my place of employment. Applications for disability retirement and SS are both still pending. I feel like I am going crazy. :(

I am so sorry you are having such an awful time. I know how hard it is, especially when you are unable to work anymore doing a job you probably loved. The toll from the medication combined with the IIH is a lot on your body, so it's no wonder that you feel so tired and frustrated.

I think you should have a talk with your Neurologist about the effects of the medication, and how you have now lost your job because you are finding it difficult to function properly. By talking to him you will be able to ask him about all your options, and what treatment plan would be better for you, so that you can at least have a better quality of life.

You can't continue along this route as it is obvious to me that you are now at a very low point. Hopefully he/she will be able to work with you to try and make things better for you, so that you can function better.

Heidi

Relli, I am so glad that you were able to get through to your doc and get that lp done. 430 is for sure "high". They cannot argue about that one. I hope that when they check the CSF all will be "normal."
Diamox does have a nasty habit of requiring an increase often. Seems it doesn't take all that long before you need to increase it again. As long as you are getting relief with the Diamox and Lasix, they can hold off doing any surgery-type things and just control your symptoms with the meds. Sometimes our bodies settle down and will get used to that, and all is well. I so hope that happens to you.

Having to learn patience is a tough job. Wait and wait and wait. Let's hope that the disability will go through very soon to hold you over until SSD can go through (I was lucky mine only took less than 6 months to get approved, but that is the exception!). Just be sure to keep good notes: who you saw and when and what they said. The docs that can verify your case are for sure the ones you want on all of your SSD papers! As Heidi said, explain to your doc just how "serious" this has become. They really need to take you seriously and work on your behalf!!
Good luck, and

Relli and Deb..I also had problems tolerating the lasix. I was actually taking the Diamox-Lasix combo. Diamox side effects were bad, but once the Lasix was added they were horrible! Some days I crawled to the bathroom because I didn't have enough energy to stand..I was completely a mess!! Luckily, my doctor was a great advocate and pushed the surgeon into a shunt. I was back to full time employment w/i a couple years of surgery. I had other health issues, so it took me awhile. I just don't tolerate meds, so shunt was a better option. Even w/ revisions I've been able to maintain employment since surgery, so there is hope..whether it's meds, shunt, or a combo of both!

Hang in there ladies!

Julie

oh Julie, I am going to try everything else possible before I get a shunt. I even think I'd be willing to have a tracheostomy (for the OSA) before I have a foreign body in my brain. I hear all the horror stories from you guys about revisions and infections and in and out of the hospital 7 times a year etc. I'm a pediatrician also and I remember taking care of some kids every few months when they came thru the hospital ward with their shunt infection. it was a nightmare to sort out each time. vomiting, fever, etc. I know sometimes it works great, but with my chemical sensitivities I bet my body would reject the foreign body within a few months. I have an autistic son and I can't afford to be so incapacitated; doesn't seem worth it. plus my pressures have not been so high and my eyes are OK so I don't think anyone would do that on me anyway.

Wylee, I am reserving the Lasix to use on days when I have bad fog and I need a boost. it seemed to work right away acutely, without requiring long term treatment. meaning the effect did not build up, in fact it decayed. I am beginning to think more and more that for many of us it is not a problem of CSF drainage so much, but simply of brain edema. so I think that's why Lasix worked, while Diamox did not so much. and why I feel completely normal when I take Prednisone. with Lasix, once you have acheived the gradient effect on the tissue water, I am not sure that it continues, you may have to take more and more to get the same effect. I won't do that when I am having tinnitus with a lower dose; it's a sign of ototoxicity.

has anyone seen this dramatic effect with Prednisone? I am taking it now once a month so I can make sure I am OK to drive my kids to their orthodontist 5 hrs away from home. so I get a break from the fog and disability for that time, which is a relief. the rest of the time I am OK many days as long as no problems with CPAP. I am working on a cocktail of supplements that I am researching that have been shown to reduce brain edema. I will trial it on myself and my son and report back the effects!
Deb

Deb, I'm glad you're finding things that help..a shunt should always be a last resort & I'm sure you've seen your fair share of bad experiences as a pediatrician. I'd just like to note for those who need to have a shunt most people on these sites are people who are still struggling & looking for answers..the people who have good experiences don't usually have a reason to reach out, so the info may be skewed.

As far as reaction to Prednisone, I'm afrad I had the opposite affect..it gave me an instant headache, blurry vision, etc so I had to stop taking it. I'm glad it's been helpful for you though..relief from any side effects or symptoms is a good thing!

your reaction to prednisone is bizarre to me, I can't explain it. although I have seen that prednisone is considered a trigger of IIH. perhaps it has to do with what the underlying cause of the IIH is, which of course we don't know. but I am sure it is different for many of us. like, if my primary problem is cerebral edema, you would think prednisone would help. if that's not your primary problem, then maybe prednisone would make whatever that is worse.

you have a very good point about skewed information regarding the shunts.
I'm sure it does work well for many people.
but for me, my body rejected my IUD, so I really hesitate to have an implant in my brain.......

Hello Everyone,

I haven't posted for a while but I am hanging in there. I am still on the Lasix/Diamox combo and yes, it is exhausting but I seem to be tolerating it better than I was before. I still don't have a whole lot of energy but I am not in severe pain every day either. The pain seems to come and go. I am scheduled to see the neurologist next week and the ophthalmologist the following week. I hope that things stay under control for a longer stretch this time. I dread spinal taps.

Stay well everyone.

Relli

glad to hear you are hanging in there Relli. do you get worse around your period? I always do.
Deb

Hi Relli,
Thanks so much for the update. That's great news that you are feeling so much better with just the meds. I hope it continues that way Hope you get good reports from both docs.

Thanks for the update..I'm glad things are getting better. Hopefully you'll just continue to improve! Take care, & good luck with the docs!!