Asthma and diuretics

[flowergirl2day]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this board. I am 48 years old and was diagnosed with asthma just today. I have other health issues, including a severe hypertension. One of the rx blood pressure meds I am on is a potassium-sparing diuretic.

After months of being on five BP meds, INCLUDING a very high dose of a beta blocker, I developed edema about 3 weeks ago. We are just coming out of a heatwave. Today my calves, feet and ankles are hugely swollen. I don't think they can possibly get much bigger! In the three weeks since the edema started, it has never been this bad.

I keep thinking that perhaps the diuretics are to blame.
Is it safe for an asthmatic to be on this medication?
Is there anything I should start doing differently or avoid?

As you can imagine, I suffered and suffered on the beta blockers, barely able to walk a short distance to my car, short of breath when talking, eating, brushing my teeth, bending down to pull a weed..I was constantly gasping for breath and oxygen starved. I am so happy there's a known cause for my breathing difficulties, as strange as it may seem! (I suspected HF) I am off the beta blockers now so my SOB is not as severe. It will take about 10 days before the results of my pulmonary function tests & a report reach my doctor (who is on holidays) and I get my meds.

I know absolutely nothing about this condition. I find the information & personal experiences of fellow sufferers on these boards invaluable.
Your responses and tips would be much appreciated. I look forward to meeting new friends on this board.

Flowergirl

[Titchou]

I am a little confused. First, you say you were diagnosed with asthma but that you have to wait for your doctor to return from vacation to get the results of your pulmonary function test. So how do you know you have asthma? And second, you say you've been on a diuretic med but you think it is responsible for your swelling. Diuretics are to help combat edema.

At any rate, the BP meds should not have an adverse effect on your asthma. I take Diovan HCT and have asthma (am on a daily preventer and have a rescue inhaler). No problems here.

[flowergirl2day]

Hi,

Originally Posted by Titchou

I am a little confused. First, you say you were diagnosed with asthma but that you have to wait for your doctor to return from vacation to get the results of your pulmonary function test. So how do you know you have asthma? And second, you say you've been on a diuretic med but you think it is responsible for your swelling. Diuretics are to help combat edema.

At any rate, the BP meds should not have an adverse effect on your asthma. I take Diovan HCT and have asthma (am on a daily preventer and have a rescue inhaler). No problems here.

I should have made myself clear. I was quite upset about the edema.
My tests were ordered by another doctor, covering for my regular GP. This lady doctor had read my medical records on her own time and then surprised me with an action plan. This plan included the pulmonary function tests, a new visit to my BP specialist (coming up), a visit with a nutritionist and a complete blood workup. My breathlessness was an old complaint of mine and she picked up on it rightaway. It helps to get another doctor's perspective. My GP does nothing for me and likes to wait things out, hoping they'll go away. It took five months before he finally referred me to a neurologist for my tingling/numb arm. (It did not go away as he had hoped). Time to change doctors, I think. Likewise, he did NOTHING about my breathlessness problem for months, though I brought it to his attention during every one of my weekly visits. I'd come into his office so out of breath...and he'd say I should learn better breathing techniques!

The lady who performed the pulmonary function tests was the one who told me about my asthma as she concluded her tests. I was relieved to learn I was not in a heart failure. She also said it takes about ten days for everything to be sent to my doctor. Her report will include which meds to put me on and in what dosages. By then my GP should be back from holidays. She suggested I go to ER if I run into any problems before then.

How can I go back to my doctor with ANY degree of confidence? I know I can do much better and get a doctor who will care and do the things for me that need to be done. I just don't know how to find one.

I guess I'll not worry about my BP meds effecting or interacting with my asthma. The one that's well known for that is the beta blocker and I am not on it any more. The diuretics I am on are for a blood pressure control. There are many rx drugs that can cause edema in people so I thought maybe they somehow did. I guess it's one of the others I am on.

PS. Both Diovan and Micardis (another ARB) caused me bad allergic reactions, including transient paralysis of limbs. I can't take them.


Flowergirl

[Titchou]

Ok, that makes more sense now. Anyway, I'm not sure how you go about it in Canada since you have an NHS system but you should be seeing a pulmonologist for your asthma. I would NOT see your regular GP for it! Doesn't sound like he has a clue what's going on.

[flowergirl2day]

Good. I just came from the hospital where I had bloodwork & another ECG done. I am on my way to the walk-in clinic for my edema, because it really scares me and is painful. I'll ask whichever doctor sees me about what I should do now. I know I need a referral to a pulmonologist but would like to get one before my doctor gets back. What if he decides to......WAIT.......

thanks for your help
Flowergirl