Are Persistent Joints Pain, Lethargy And Edema Sigs Of CHF?

Posted on Sat, 4 Jun 2016

Question: I am sure I have CGF. I prolonged looking up answers till I now have pitting adema around 3+. Aching joints happened before that around a month prior. I am a smoker(got to quit) and drink daily(stupid). I have a love of salt and know that has to go. I did experience lethargy a couple of years ago but it subsided so I thought no big deal even though I had to sit down after short excursions. I am going to go in asap (asap) however what can I expect and what answers should I be prepared to know for optimal DX and TX. Also, what can I expect on life expectancy. Will I see my 11yr old daughter graduate, married, grandchildren born, etc. I am active but no as much as I was 15yrs old. What can be started now while waiting to see a Dr.? Quit salt, drinking, smoking I know but what else? Really scared and kicking myself for not taking serious because I am a licensed veterinary technician and know in animals the symptoms and life expectancy.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, you should definitely quit smoking and Alcohol as soon as possible.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are undiagnosed till date, I should start from the basics.
First of all, irrespective of diagnosis, you should definitely quit smoking and Alcohol.
There is no other alternative to this.
We need to rule out heart, lung and kidney diseases for your symptoms.
And life expectancy depends on the diagnosis only.
So you need to get done few investigation.
For this I need to know few things about you.
So please let me know
1. Do you have breathlessness?
2. Do you have abdominal distention?
3. Do you have chest pain?
4. Is this edema on feet remains as it is through out the day? Or it decreases with lying down?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (3 hours later)

1) breathlessness on 1 - 10 a 6
2) YES most days I look like I'm pregnant!
3) chest pain 2 - 3 times a month
4) constant doesn't go away. My skin feels stretched to it's limit. Raised legs make more comfortable and like I said it started about 3 days ago. The joint pain began about a month ago.
thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have yellowish discoloration of eyes and urine?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
You might be having liver damage (cirrhosis).
So please let me know
1. Do you have yellowish discoloration of eyes?
2. Do you have yellowish urine?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (6 hours later)

Slight yellow in lower margin of eyes when looking straight up.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
What about urine color?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
You did answer about urine color.
What is the color of your urine?
Is it yellowish?
Have you ever undergone ultrasound examination of abdomen to rule out liver disease.
Have you ever undergone liver function test?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Sometimes yellow mostly in the morning when concentrated. Sometimes burnt orange tinge. I have never had a liver work up except basics prior to sx. That was 9 years ago. At that time all o.k.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done ultrasound examination of abdomen and liver function test.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of liver damage is more in your case.. But we need to confirm this by doing ultrasound examination of abdomen and liver function test.
Please let me know
1. What is your height and weight?
2. Do you have family history of obesity?
3. Do you take high protein diet?
4. Is there any recent change (increase or decrease) in your weight?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar