Are Diuretics The Best Medicine To Treat Water Retention?
Diuretics are the best medicines to treat water retention caused by heart, liver or kidney problems. They are not very effective for water retention caused by other types of water retention, including
- chronic venous insufficiency
- premenstrual water retention
- idiopathic edema
By causing dehydration they can actually make these problems worse. Dehydration is dangerous and your body will learn to hold on to water in order to avoid it.
Before buying diuretics (even natural herbal diuretics) get your doctor to check your heart, kidneys and liver. If these are ok then you should not treat your water retention with diuretics, or you will almost certainly make it worse.
Addiction to diuretics
Some people become addicted to diuretics, and swell up with water retention immediately they stop taking them. This swelling is caused by the addiction, it does not mean that the drugs are necessary. In fact the opposite is true.
Here is a message from one of my readers
Dear Linda
I have been physically addicted to diurectics for 18 years. I have been taking a combination of lasix and moduretic for this time, and lasix on its own prior to that. I cannot get off the drugs as when I don’t take them I swell up and up and up, more every day. Nothing helps, not herbal supplements, nothing. Avoiding salt only helps to stop the rapid rise in water retention, but the swelling and weight gain is simply unbearable.
I would give anything to be back to normal, but I cant see how this could ever be possible. I am desperate for help. Many years ago I used to abuse these drugs, sometimes taking up to 5 or more in one go. For a while now – probably three years or more, I take no more than one lasix per day and half a moduretic. I am not abusing them anymore as such, just totally dependent upon them not to swell up. I am desperate, this has ruined my life, is there any hope for me?
What to do if you are addicted to diuretics
Get a copy of the Waterfall Diet book or E-guide (see panel opposite). Read the book carefully to develop a proper understanding of your condition. Get started on the meal plan as soon as you can.
To avoid swelling up too much, don’t try to come off the diuretics ‘cold turkey’. You should reduce them very gradually. The easiest way to do this is to ask your doctor for low-dose pills and gradually reduce the number of pills you take per week. If taking pills you can also try cutting them up or powdering them to divide the dose, or empty out capsules to do the same.
If you have a serious addiction it will probably take a good six months before you are finally free of your diuretics. In the meantime the Waterfall Diet will be working hard to treat the original causes of your water retention.
Good luck and do keep in touch by leaving comments for us all.
Linda
Related posts:
- Can diuretics cause worse water retention?
- How Do Diuretics Cause Water Retention?
- Natural Diuretics
- Water Retention Treatments
- Water Retention And Water Pills
Comments
Comment from Marg
Time July 4, 2011 at 11:05 pm
I have had several heart surgeries (valve) and each time the drs. up my diuretics I am now taking 120mg in the morning and 80 in the afternoon. I have swollen legs and look like 6 mo. preg. The docs. have taken 5 litres of fluid but in 2 days its back.
Comment from Monica
Time July 26, 2011 at 4:40 am
I like to share something that I have experience in my life about water retention . I was having shortness of breath in my lungs, swelling in my face, tummy, legs so bad I couldnt even walk a few metres to the bus stop a take a bus to work.i have to rest various times to do cooking for my children. I get very very tired easily.Yes, I go for gym five times a week.I am an instructor for rythmic aerobics, yoga, floor exercises, doing ball exercises, stretching and toning exercises for three times a week. Despite of doing all the vigorious exercises I still did not lose weight. So during the month of july , I become very sick and got admitted in hospital due to shortness of breath. I prayed to GOd to give me healing and a speedy recovery.During my stay at the hospital, the doctor inserted a tube into the urinal place and drain out bags and bags of water due to water retenion. Don’t forget to do slow morning walks along the parks daily in the morming and evening for blood circulation.I am working as a teacher and a Branch Manager . I am 57yrs old with two children ages between 35 & 30yrs and with a grand daughter. I am also a widow. don’t worry be happy all the time no matter what happens. LIfe is short so make it sweet forever.
Comment from poppy
Time February 3, 2012 at 10:34 am
can taking furosemide make vaginal dryness worse
Comment from Alex
Time April 11, 2011 at 6:06 am
After being on 60mg of frusemide for nearly 8 years, for vertigo, I realized what it was doing to my body. I felt dreadful all the time, and my potassium was really low. I have taken myself off this tablets and seen a doctor, I have also ordered a copy of your book as I can see each day I am adding weight which I am sure is fluid. I watch what i eat, so realize that a pound a day is ridiculous. My doctor is semi helpful but tells me often it is impossible to get off these tablets. i tell him I am doing it!!!!!