Just diagnosed with CHF

[oxymoron]

I have just been diagnosed with heart failure. I have done research on the net, but would appreciate chatting with anyone with the same diagnosis. Thanks!

[siligut]

1. I work with people with CHF

I am in the med field and cardiac has been my life. Biggest deal is take your meds and watch like a hawk for extra water weight. Also decrease your salt intake as much as you can. Did you have damage to your heart muscle? I am asking because if you have sleep apnea you can get heart failure from just that. What is your ejection fraction? In many cases with medical management people with CHF can do very well. Sorry, it is upsetting to hear something is wrong with your heart.

[Ladyhawk]

2. Good info.

I am asking because if you have sleep apnea you can get heart failure from just that.

I don't have CHF (I hope), but I do have sleep apnea (and fibromyalgia and diabetes and a bunch of other crap. I use my CPAP, so I hope that's enough!

[siligut]

3. Using C-PAP will prevent ischemic heart failure.

It is the lack of adequate O2 that makes sleep apnea cause heart failure. Ladyhawk, I see so many people with the combo you describe, okay, "a bunch of other crap" is a bit inexact, ;-D. Fibro and diabetes with enough weight around the chin to cause sleep apnea, there is some correlation.

[Ladyhawk]

4. Do you see comorbidity of fibromyalgia, diabetes and sleep apnea?

I've run across some articles lately that tend to support the idea that these diseases may be related. The "bunch of other crap" to which I refer are psychiatric problems which are stigmatized, so sometimes I am reluctant to bring them up:

1. Treatment-resistant major depression
2. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
4. Also, a possible Seasonal Affective Disorder diagnosis

[siligut]

5. Yes, not at all uncommon.

I do, and because I see fibro more in women, I want to make a connection with something, we'll see. Sleep apnea goes with weight gain under the chin, diabetes type 2 goes with weight gain, being prone to being overweight, many factors, but I am concerned with one specific cause.

You can PM me, I am in & out, but I will respond as soon as I can; I do doubt depression and OCD are news with this proactive bunch. Depression happens so much easier with chronic disease, take all the stuff that can happen in ones life with major illness: financial stress, job worries, incapacitation, feeling like crap, magnified by the rest of ones life. Now add disbelief/denial of symptoms, accusations of malingering resulting from the immensely irritating fatigue and pain of fibro and stereotyping/judging because of the diabetes, not too many aren’t depressed.

OCD seems to be a trademark of fibro, always doing so much for others, never letting oneself relax/rest. The PTSD? Me too. Interesting stuff; don't you think?

[Ladyhawk]

6. Hell yeah, it's interesting.

It's also distressing. :( I've recently had another "end-of-my-rope" experiences, but I keep getting up, dusting myself off and giving it another go. I don't know how long I'll be able to do this, but it's the only thing I can do for now.

[flamingyouth]

7. I'm so sorry to hear this.

Keeping you in my thoughts, M. :hug: