Water Retention - attempts to get off medication

April 21, 2002

I talked to my Mom today and she is trying to wean herself off her diuretics (diazide - sp?). She has been taking them for years (more than 10). She says when she tries to stop them her whole body fills up with fluids - lungs, legs, face etc. It is very uncomfortable for her. She has never been able to stay off them since she started.

Some history - she had a car accident when she was 25 and her leg was broken badly, when they set it one leg was 1.5 inches shorter than the other. She was like that for another 15 years before she finally had it re-broken and set properly. Consequently she has severe arthritis in her spine, knees, back, hips etc. The chiropractor won't even work on her back since she has so many bone spurs! She had to have a knee replacement since she was walking so funny she completely wore out the cartridge on her knee. The Surgeon said it was one of the hardest surgeries he had ever done (she had waited too long - Mom has a bit of a martyr complex!). Anyway, she has also been diagnosed with fibre myalsia (sp), and is always in pain. She also has very bad arthritis in her hands - several of her knuckles are fused now so she cannot make a fist.

She has not exercised in any manor since her car accident (too much pain and now too much arthritis). She is over weight as well (maybe 25 lbs). Her BP is a little high and her cholesterol is marginal.

She doesn't sleep well (consequences of fibre myalsia - supposedly or perhaps the constant pain that she is in). She is on anti-inflammatory for the arthritic pain. She has also been on hormone replacement since she was in her late forties. She is now 65 and still on them - will get hot flashes etc if she tries to go off. She has had a hysterectomy because of excessive bleeding (in her late 30s early 40s - don't know if she still has the ovaries).

NOW my question! People had talked about a kidney cleanse for water retention. Before I suggest anything like that - with all her other problems, is her water retention from something else? Would you recommend addressing other areas before worrying about the water retention. She does try to drink adequate amounts of water. Also she drinks probably 3 cups of coffee get her going in the AM. Has since I can remember.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Janene

P.S. I was the one who posted about my girlfriend with brain cancer - doesn't look like she is going to make it. But I am loving her lots and lots (and so is her family) so she is loved and happy in her last days.