I have been on Lasix for 6 years and the idiot doctor never found the reason, just said, Oh, you must have CHF Well, I don't, but, I swell if I even look at salt. I don't add it, never liked it, but, everything has it and I swell like a water balloon. I just had a total hysterectomy and all of a sudden, I'm having side effects from the lasix that I never had before. I am going to stop taking it today and try to eat natural diuretics. What are the best foods that will help me?

I'm sorry you're having trouble lately

I know you said that everything has salt in it, but many processed foods are laden, while whole foods aren't. Sticking to vegetables and fruits, whole grains, meat/poultry/fish you may find that you aren't experiencing so many effects from sodium.

I also found this link with some diuretic foods to try.

For me green tea, watermelon are strong diuretics;-) Cook only yourself using fresh products, i am sure they contain very little of sault. Don't eat any "factory made" products, avoid mayo, ketchup and other souces they contain LOOOTS of salt

Ok... so your doctor put you on Lasix for several years with no reason?

Something doesn't add up here...

Do you have hypertension? Have you had cardiac testing done to ascertain whether you really do have CHF or not? Ever had your BNP checked? It's not necessarily a great idea to cold turkey off of Lasix, especially if you're on a higher dose rather than a lower one. Also, are you taking supplemental potassium? If you stop the Lasix, might need to stop the potassium too so you don't get hyperkalemic, as the furosemide causes your kidneys to let go of lots of potassium. Hyperkalemia can lead to all sorts of crappy things. You know... like cardiac dysrhythmias.

What side effects are you suddenly seeing? What is motivating you to stop the Lasix? Have you considered finding another MD to discuss this with? Poor communication is a great reason to look for a new physician.

I wouldn't necessarily jump to just a food based approach to diuresis without taking into consideration the whole picture here. Just my two cents...

wow, okay. What part doesn't make sense?
The idiot "doctor" that I saw was actually a PA and never should have a license to do anything, period. I only went to him a couple of times, and only because my MIL recommend him.
I have had 2 Echo Cardiograms and were completely clear with no signs of blockage and my heart is normal. One test was previous to this happening for chest pain and freaking out from the feeling I was having. And then again after this PA thought I was having a heart attack, even though my palps are listed on my medical history. I didn't go back to him after my Cardiologist, told me there was no change and why did that PA send me for another test. He decided that I had CHF because I was pitting so severely that the dent stayed in my legs for minutes, not seconds. At the time, I was too scared and young to question the person that should have known. I took the meds and it worked. I have since learned that he "diagnosed" several people with the same. It was later that my new MD questioned it, but, never looked into what was going on, just continued to give them to me.
I also have left this doctor, after 6 years because I don't like her methods.

I am seeing an OB/GYN for the hysterectomy and she is going to be testing me for several things and refer me to a new MD. I went to the ER after the surgery for complications and did blood work and CT scan. Seems that my liver enzymes were elevated and the CT showed a fatty liver, sooo, she is retesting after 8 weeks to make sure the numbers were not high from the surgery.
Since this post, though, I don't think it's the Lasix at all. I have been tapering off of Zoloft and seems to be the discontinuation symptoms, but, I'm taking Omega 3 and it's actually helping.


Anyway, thank you gingerjv and Munchy for your suggestions

That's great information in your post! It sounds like a complicated scenario for anyone on Lasix.


Texasgirl, good luck with your new doctor! Hopefully s/he will find out what's causing your water retention, and hopefully be able to wean you off the meds and onto a more natural solution. Good luck!

If you are allowed to with your condition and can control what you eat under its influence....beer.

Does wonders for me.

And green tea too.

Good job on the omega 3s. I eat a ton of fish (35-42 cans of fish a week, including the oilys like wild salmon, kippers, sardines, mackerel, anchovies, sturgeon, steelhead) and it has dramatically improved all aspects of my health, especially my heart health (no more BP or cholesterol meds).