Trish, I don't remember how long it took for Gabapentin to work for me but I do remember that I had to increase it gradually until I got relief. I'm glad you are able to get relief with Tramadol. When I took Tramadol for my foot I took Tylenol arthritis with it but don't need it now that I found out it is gout and take meds for it. The laws in PA must be stricter for narcotic prescriptions.

My weight is up again to 167. I'm getting scared because that happened before I had to go back to the hospital. I will try to eat very lightly today to get it back down. I don't want to get congested again and end up back in the hospital. Plus I cannot afford it!! Water weight never bothered me before because it was not fat but it also didn't cause congestion. I hope its not congestion this time. I feel ok so far.

I looked up a BMI chart and if I get down to 163 I will be overweight instead of obese. I was down to 165 and only had 2 lbs to go until I got this 2 lb bump up. My valve has been bad for at least 8-10 years with no symptoms but now things have become more serious.

I think I am going to donate more of my diet books. I don't read them anymore and probably never will. The way I eat now is probably the way I will eat for life. I never ever followed any of those diets to the letter. I have a few on my Kindle but they don't take up any space. I wish I knew someone who wanted them. I don't want to take the time to advertise them and sell them.

I also wish I had somewhere to donate my clothes to the needy where they give them away, not sell them. There are places in Pittsburgh but not around here. I would give them to someone who is down on their luck. Any clothes that Goodwill does not sell are sent overseas.

____________________

I bundled up 3 bags of diet books, 25 total, to be donated. Thats not all of them, but what I could reach easily. All these years, none of these diets helped me lose weight and maintain my loss. I had to figure out and control my compulsive over eating. I am keeping my Original Atkins book, my original Fit or Fat book and Protein Power. I donated my original Protein Power book then had to rebuy it when I wanted it again. My eyes are worse now and its hard for me to read a hand held book. On Kindle I can increase the font. Some day I will find and donate more of them. There were so many that I forgot I even had.

_______________________
My dentist appointment went great. I was a nervous wreck,not having been to a dentist for so long. I had the 2 problems I knew about and nothing else. I'm so relieved. I need one tooth pulled and I have an appointment for a consultation with the dental surgeon tomorrow morning at 9 am. Hopefully the extraction will be done soon. The other tooth needs a crown and can be done before or after my heart procedure. I would like to get it done and over with ASAP unless they move up my procedure, so it will be up to them.

Carol Sue I pray your dental appointment went well. Sorry your weight was up.

I think the only diet books I will keep is my Adkins books. the Low Carb Diet for Dummies and the DASH Diet for Dummies. However, DASH Diet for Dummies will probably become my lifestyle woe.

I slept good and felt much better than I have in the past few days. I got a response from oncologist office that he had sent a e-script to my pharmacy for the Tramadol. It is ready for pick up. He o ffered to refer me to a Neurologist but I told him I would the Tramadol and exercise each day first. Since I felt much better today I'm not sure I will need to see a Neurologist. I will know by the time I have infusion next week.

BBL

I am ecstatic that I didn't have more problems with the dentist but I still have to get through this extraction. I haven't had an extraction since I was in my 20s.

It will be nice that you will get relief from your pain. When I had my foot pain my doctor referred me to a neurologist but I cancelled because the gout meds got rid of my pain. I get some pins and needles once in a while but its very minor. Without the pain you will be able to increase your exercise.

I have to get up early tomorrow and be at the oral surgeon at 9 am. That is 5 miles away.

Carol Sue I'm so glad your dental appointment went so well. Hopefully the extraction and crown will get done soon so the procedure will be done soon.

I ended up falling asleep after dinner again today. I think I'm sleeping to get the gabapantin out of my system. I was able to get my exercises done today. I pray your dental appointment goes well in the morning.

Goodnight.

The appointment itself was fine. $$$$$$ Yikes!! The consultation was $78. He looked at the tooth and said "Yes, we need to pull that.". When I go back to get the tooth pulled $318. This is more than I paid out of pocket for a week in the hospital. But it has to be done. I guess my insurance doesn't pay much for dental.

Carol Sue Sounds like your consultation went well. Are they going to be able to do everything done so you can get your procedure done sooner?

I am already getting relief from the swelling and neuropathy. DH read that increasing the Lisinopril to 10 mg will give better kidney flow so he thinks I probably won't have to take 2 Lasix a day everyday. He thinks I could alternate doses of one on one day two on another until I get the adema down. I'm only taking one Tramadol a day at bedtime and that is helping a lot.

Fatmad When do you think you will have surgery? I hope you will be able to keep moving arounddo although you aren't move as much as you normally would because I think it is so good for us recovery. That is why I work at exercising even though there are days I may not be able to do as much as others. That is why I knew the gabapantin wasn't working for me. One day off it and I was able to exercise and today I was able to do more than I was able to do before I took the gabapantin.

Have a good day everyone.

Trish, they need to contact my cardiologist and get something from him in writing about stopping the Plavix prescription for a few days to have the extraction done. Then they will call me to schedule. This think maybe a week or so. Today a woman called me from the hospital to follow up on how I feel. She made it seem like they will move up the date if they get an opening. The woman from the doctors office made it sound like they will move it up if I get my dental clearance. So, I don't know. I don't care why they move it up. I just want this over with.

I have questions that I forgot to ask. Will I still have CHF after this? Will I still have to take the fluid pills and limit my sodium? These might be things no one will know until the time comes. I actually think my sodium intake is too low because every night I get foot/leg cramps. I can feel it starting and I have to get up and try to get rid of it before it gets too bad. If I take some salt before bed I don't get them. I can just imagine what they would say about me doing that.

I don't remember having any of the problems with Gabapentin that you had. I know we were taking it for different things and different situations. I took it successfully for months.

Mad,I was wondering if you are having trouble with stairs with your knee issues. I have to go one step at a time because of my right knee. I have trouble bending it and it doesn't hold my weight. I'm trying to strengthen the muscles above and below my knee to improve my stability.

I slept good for 3 nights in a row, 7+ hours. Blood sugar has been low overnight and also good heart rate. They must really be connected.

Unfortunately weight is now up to 168. Thats a 3 lb gain, but they warn about a 3 lb gain overnight, or 5 lbs in a week. My breathing is still good so far but my cough is increasing. I'm eating more than before but not more than 1200 calories. Mostly around 1000. I'm a little scared. I don't think I'm overdoing sodium. They allow me 2000 mg but on MFP I'm at or below 1000. I know MFP is only an estimate. I had terrible cramps in both feet/legs around 4 am.

My current size pants are getting loose. I'm not donating them yet. I will pack them away for possible gain. They are still like new condition. I will get out my smallest ones I have on hand which are size 10-12. I really can't see me going smaller than that. My tops are still XL as I like my tops loose and roomy because of my belly.

We went to the casino yesterday. I always take a bottle of water with electrolytes in it. Yesterday security made me throw it away. No drinks to be brought into the casino."Since when?," "6 months ago". I've been doing it every week. Its water!!! They sell bottled water for $2. Its not a lot but its the principal. If we go there again my bottle will be in my purse. They don't check purses, yet! It ruined my day.

I splurged and bought NY Strip steak for dinner today. They were expensive but cheaper than a restaurant. We don't have steak often. I don't know what I will make with it. DH will want potatoes.

Carol Sue I'm sorry about the weight gain. I pray you don't get sick again. It is so easy to get sodium in places you don't expect it especially when eating out. DASH says when you know you are eating a high sodium meal or food then be sure to eat fruit and veggies the rest of the day so you won't overdo the sodium.

That is crazy that you couldn't take your own water in the casino. I hope you can take it in your purse.

My sleep has been better the past few nights. I still experiencing some neuropathy pain but not as bad as it was when I was taking gabapatin and I only take one at bedtime. I'm only having to go to potty once or twice a night.

Have a good day.

Trish, DH bought some salami and I told him I couldn't eat it because of the sodium but when he was making a sandwich for lunch I grabbed a couple slices. When I entered it on MFP I was flabbergasted at how high it was. I'm still at 1200 mg and the hospital told me 2000 is my limit but I've been below 1000. I won't eat any more of it. When I eat out I choose grilled salmon, shrimp or chicken and request no seasoning. That's the best I can do. That's why I stay at 1000 or below, to allow for mistakes. I haven't been eating any fast food. DH buys it but the dog gets mine. I just don't like it anymore.

I can take a bigger purse to the casino and my water bottle will fit. But DH says we are not going to that casino any more. Ha Ha Ha Ha. I'm sure he means it when he says it. He would not deliberately lie to me. Ha Ha.

The steak was pretty good. I made mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts and baby carrots. I ate lots of vegetables and a little bit of potatoes. I am adjusting to no salt, however I use salted butter so I am getting a bit of salt. I tried unsalted butter once and we didn't like it.

Its getting time to decide to change or keep Medicare Advantage coverage. I might change our coverage this year, so I'm starting to look into it early. So many things to consider.

Weight continues to go up. .8 today to 168.8. I wonder where this will end. I am still breathing good but I feel yuk today. Tired. I slept but I guess it wasn't good sleep.

I just put on a pair of size 12 pants and they are comfortable.

Carol Sue Are you getting enough potassium? I was going to start DASH diet but read it is high in potassium so can't start it yet because I didn't read that until after DH had got our pills ready for this coming wee and I had told him to double my potassium. The doctor had sent me home with a prescription of potassium. Maybe you need to see what you might need to do before it gets worse. Remember that people with CHF can't drink too much liquids and veggies count as fluid so are you drinking more fluid than you realize? I pray you will be able to figure it out.

Not much happening here today. DGS was supposed to bring his 2 sons and come over today, but he was called into work so he can't come so we are are hoping they can come over next weekend.

Fluid is starting to come off pretty good. I want to take 2 Lasix today and tomorrow and then take just 1 a day until after my infusion on Thursday. Then I will try alternating days of 1, 2, 1, 2 etc amd see how well that works. The main thing I want to do is work at being hydrated on the day I have to have infusion because I also have to take a specimen in and also have a lab draw before infusion. If I can be hydrated, I just might be able to get all that done and leave there within 2 hrs or less. What always takes so long is them trying to find a vein that will co-operate with them.

Hope everyonw has a nice day.

Trish, I don't know how to find out if I'm getting enough potassium. Its always good when I get it checked twice a year. I will get it checked again in December.

I'm not measuring my fluid but I usually stop drinking after dinner except to take my meds. I also keep a bottle of water at my bedside in case I wake up with a dry mouth.I don't really pee a lot when I take my fluid pill.

I'm glad your fluid is coming off.

____________________________

Monday

I didn't get on my digital scale this morning. I got on the balance beam scale and my weight went up again and I didn't want to see the real number. It would be at least 169. I don't know what to say. I'm still breathing well but I'm coughing. Maybe I shouldn't pack away my bigger pants.

We went for breakfast at Bob Evans and I had a cup of oatmeal. It is colder here now, jacket weather, so the oatmeal tasted good. It has pecans in it. Then we went to Walmart for test strips and a few other things. We stopped at the local grocery store for potatoes. DH doesnt like them from Walmart. I checked their meat department and they had some great sales so I got a beef roast and steaks and pork chops for 4 meals.

Im going to try drinking less water today. That seems odd, because I usually try to stay well hydrated.

______________

I made stuffed peppers for dinner. I made the filling and filled my pepper, then added salt and seasoning to the rest to fill DHs. They were good. So far today I have only had water with breakfast and to take my meds. I don't feel exceptionally thirsty.

_______

So I went all day with coffee in the morning, then only water when I took meds. It wasn't too bad. I just took my evening water pill so I'm having some bottled water now. In the past I never or rarely drank water, only coffee and diet Coke. When we were in Las Vegas we got used to drinking bottled water and started buying it. After that I started drinking more water and less diet Coke. Now I love water, especially really cold. I put it in the freezer. But now I have to cut down.

I got a call from the case manager from the hospital to check up on me. I don't know if that's a one time thing or if she will call again.

Carol Sue Your peppers sounds good. Sorry you are still gaining weight.

Not much going on my way. I'm still reading my DASH book. So far it is much like Low Carb for Dummies. Ie think it would be just as easy to do the LC for Dummies. Haven't done all my exercises yet today but I do have to work at getting it done before it gets any later.

Trish you are doing so well with your exercise. I try to think of ways my illness has improved my life. Try to see the good that came from the bad. For you, it got you back to exercising regularly. Very good!

The scale went down this morning but barely a pound. Thats ok. Down is down. I'm still breathing good. I woke up very hungry, so I cooked some scrambled eggs with frozen chopped kale. That's what I was craving. I also ate a small pear. We only have a few left from step sons tree.

Yesterday my throat hurt. It wasn't a normal sore throat but felt like an inflamed tonsil on the left side. I seem to get that when the weather changes in the fall, from the hot humidity to chilly and damp. I drank hot coffee with Tylenol and it felt better. This morning I feel just a twinge.

I think I want to cook pork chops today. Last time I did that DH cooked his too long then complained that they were hard and tough. He didn't trust me that they were cooked through. He likes them cooked with sauerkraut but that's too much sodium for me. I guess I could cook sauerkraut for him and just grill my pork. I wish he wasn't so picky. Yesterday when I was making stuffed peppers he came in and watched me cook. After we ate our dinner he cooked 2 hash brown patties for himself. He HAS to have potatoes!

I hope to have a productive day.

​​​​​​