I have severe edema from congestive heart failure. someone please help advise.?

I have tried torsemide &HCTZ and they produced no urination or fluid reduction. My edema is so severe that me thighs and legs are rigid and cannot flex so I can climb stairs or bend my leg to put on my pants. My abdomen is distorted like a pressurized balloon.I have 50% ejection fraction, I take ACE-inhibitors for BP> I am in excruciating pain from the swelling in my tissues. Recently I was told about a new therapy done in hospitals or clinics called ULTRAFILTRATION. THEY INSERT 2 CATHETERS, AND filter out excess water from the blood, they can remove up to 5 litrs a day. MDs who use it say it is fast, reliable and wroks in bad cases when diuretics fail. Does anyone know where in NYCity they offer this procedure? It is not mainstream yet. I asked several local Drs who gave me blank stares and scowled when I asked their help. I won't enter hospital simply to get IV drugs for a few weeks, same drugs I now tried . I am uninsured, alone, terrified, and ask your help. I'm sinking !!

KERBEAR - yes of course, LASIX was first drug I tried, then torsemide, a congener said to be more powerfull. But remember that in severe CHF, kidneys can't receive proper blood supply from damaged heart pump, anyway !
so effectiveness of all diuretics is reduced.

Have you tried Lasix, or a potassium spearing diuretic yet?


I have looked up on the the catheter system you have mentioned. The government will allow you to get free dialysis treatments in New York. All you have to do is contact the nearest dialysis center near your home, ask them what are the steps you need to take in order to receive free treatment. Tell them exactly what you have said here. I am praying for you, and I know this will all work out for you. Trust in God and pray.

try ordering Prescription for Nutritional Health sometimes changes in eating habits can help alleviate some symptoms of any disease. alot of people don't realise that food can have a huge affect on our bodies

Sounds like your kidneys are not working properly for the diuretics to work. Keep your legs elevated as much as possible, but keep moving them or they will get stiffer. I haven't heard of ultra-filtration, but it sounds new and expensive. I really wish that you would go to the hospital anyway, it wounds like you have many more problems then can be dealt with on an outpatient basis. I'm sorry for your insurance issue, that makes things very difficult. I wish you the best of luck.