Concerns About Edema, Nausea, and Weight Gain—Is Lasix the Solution?
My husband, who is 32 years old, stands at 5’11” and weighs 220 pounds, was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma. After completing his chemotherapy and immunotherapy by the end of January, he began to experience severe 4+ pitting edema, something he had not encountered during his entire treatment process. We are currently awaiting a PET scan, set for April 2, to determine if he has achieved no evidence of disease (NED). Despite the conclusion of his treatment, he continues to suffer from intense nausea and has been vomiting nearly every day. He reports persistent, painful twisting sensations in his abdomen since finishing therapy, along with heightened sensitivity to touch and widespread body pain. Since March 12, he has unexpectedly gained 14 pounds. During a follow-up with his oncologist on March 17, several tests were conducted, including a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), urinary protein, random urinary sodium, urinary osmolality, and an echocardiogram (ECHO). Although the results varied significantly, they were largely interpreted as normal given the nature of his treatment. Nevertheless, his oncologist is perplexed by the origin of the swelling. A couple of notable findings include: • A significant drop in his platelet count from 187,000 per microliter on March 3 to 100,000 per microliter on the 17th. He has been struggling with low platelet levels throughout his treatment. • The CMP indicated a total protein level of 3.5 g/dL, which prompted additional urine tests that fortunately returned within the upper limit of normal. On the following Monday, he was started on a regimen of Lasix at a dosage of 40 mg once daily for a duration of ten days, and we were advised to report any worsening of symptoms. Currently: • His urine output appears to have decreased compared to previous levels. • He experiences relentless thirst, drinking around 150 ounces of water daily. • Today, he has only urinated approximately 8 ounces, with the urine being dark orange, nearly red on both occasions. • Initially, the swelling in both legs was similar, but now the left leg has noticeably outswelled the right one. Could the Lasix be contributing to these changes, or are they unrelated? His routine has remained unchanged aside from the medication.
Answers (1)
3/19/2025, 11:20:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like your husband is going through a challenging time with his recovery from Burkitt lymphoma, and it's understandable to have concerns about his symptoms following chemotherapy and the introduction of Lasix. Here are some important points to consider regarding his current situation:
Key Points:
- Edema and Weight Gain: His significant edema and recent weight gain may be related to fluid retention.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Persistent nausea and vomiting need careful assessment, especially with his current medical history.
- Lasix Effects: Lasix (furosemide) is a diuretic used to reduce excess fluid but can also affect urine output.
Understanding His Symptoms:
- Edema: Swelling (edema) can occur after chemotherapy and may indicate issues related to fluid balance, which could be multifactorial given his condition and treatment.
- Nausea and Vomiting: These symptoms can be side effects of chemotherapy, but continued vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Lasix Usage: While Lasix is intended to help with fluid retention, it can potentially lead to dehydration, especially if urine output decreases. The dark orange/red urine could indicate concentrated urine due to insufficient fluid intake or possible blood in the urine (hematuria).
Recommended Next Steps:
- Monitor Symptoms: Track his urine output closely, including the color and volume. Note any persistent symptoms such as nausea or abdominal pain.
- Hydration: Ensure he continues to drink fluids, but be cautious of very high volumes if he is not urinating adequately. It’s best to maintain a balanced intake rather than excessive amounts, especially with the increased thirst.
- Report Changes: Since he started Lasix and his urine output has decreased, it's crucial to report these changes to his healthcare provider immediately, especially the amount and color of urine and any worsening symptoms like abdominal pain or swelling.
- Follow Instructions: Ensure adherence to your oncologist's recommendations regarding Lasix and any other medications.
- Urgent Evaluation: If symptoms worsen, such as severe abdominal pain, confusion, increased swelling, or any signs of dehydration, seek immediate medical attention.
It's important to maintain close communication with his healthcare team, particularly given his complex medical history. They will have the best insights into the interplay between his symptoms and medications. Stay strong; you are doing your best to support him through this recovery!
Related Questions
Experiencing Clear Fluid from Ear with No Discomfort: Should I Wait for My Appointment?
I am a healthy 57-year-old female, weighing 120 pounds and standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. My daily medications include 100 mg of Losartan for effectively managed high blood pressure, 200 mg of Lyrica taken twice daily for post-herpetic neuralgia, 100 mg of Synthroid following treatment for thyroid cancer, and a combination hormone replacement therapy patch. Additionally, I take Zyrtec and Flonase every day to combat allergies. Since October, I have been dealing with persistent tinnitus in my right ear, accompanied by some pressure and a muffled sensation. Recently, I've noticed that when I speak, it feels akin to the sensation I experience when my ears clear during a flight after chewing gum—my voice sounds amplified in my head. I've scheduled an appointment with a physician's assistant in an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) office for the end of March due to my worries about the tinnitus and any potential hearing impairment. Yesterday, I noticed that my ear emitted a clear fluid. Thankfully, there was no associated pain. The fluid was somewhat thicker than water, completely odorless—unlike the unpleasant discharge I recall from my daughter's ear infections—and there was no sign of blood. Could this indicate a perforated eardrum? I suspect this might be the case, but can this occur without an underlying infection? Should I seek attention sooner than my appointment in March? I would prefer to avoid urgent care during flu season; however, if this situation is serious, I am prepared to take precautions and visit.
Understanding the Increased Pain in My Foot While Reclining
At 30 years old, I am nearing the five-week mark since undergoing surgery on my metatarsals. I've encountered a troubling issue: I can’t seem to find comfort when lying down, whether it’s with my foot raised or lying flat. My pain level escalates to a severe 10 out of 10, unless my foot is making contact with the floor or I dangle my leg off the side of the bed so that my toes touch the ground. Is this situation typical for someone in my circumstances? Are there any suggestions that might assist me in getting a better night's sleep?
Assessing My Health Concerns: How Anxious Should I Be?
I’m a 32-year-old woman, weighing 124 pounds and standing at 5 feet 6 inches tall. For over a year, I have been experiencing bright red rectal bleeding. Initially, I attributed this issue to hemorrhoids that developed during my pregnancy two years ago. The bleeding occurs with most of my bowel movements, sometimes happens without one, and on a few occasions, has been enough to stain the toilet bowl significantly. The color of the blood is typically darker than what I observe during a hemorrhoid flare-up. There is a notable family history of bowel cancer on both sides; one family member was diagnosed at age 45, and another at 60. In the past six months, I have encountered several episodes of severe abdominal pain—3 to 4 instances—intense enough to consider a trip to the emergency room. However, the pain usually subsides within about an hour. It’s unusual for me to experience such acute pain, given my high tolerance for discomfort; for example, I once played rugby shortly after dislocating and fracturing my finger. Recently, I mustered the courage to consult with my doctor, who recommended a FIT test, which returned a positive result (30.1). Additionally, I underwent a complete blood test, and aside from having low ferritin levels (7 µg/L), all other results were normal. I have since been referred for a colonoscopy on a two-week waiting list to rule out any possible bowel cancer. Given these circumstances, how concerned should I be? Thank you for your input.
Persistent Pain in Right Shoulder and Arm After Lifting
Hello, everyone! I’m a 23-year-old male and have been engaged in weightlifting for several years now. Recently, I’ve been struggling with ongoing discomfort in my right shoulder and arm, which I haven’t been able to accurately identify. The pain manifests during particular movements, especially with lateral raises or when my arm is raised to shoulder level while rotating my wrist. Certain pressing and pulling activities can also provoke this discomfort. Rather than feeling sharp, it’s a deep, nagging sensation that sometimes seems localized in the front area of the shoulder or at the biceps tendon, and at other times it feels more like it’s situated between the shoulder and upper arm. Fortunately, there’s no numbness or tingling involved. This issue began while I was working out. I decided to take a break for around two months, but when I returned, the pain persisted. After consulting a physician, I was diagnosed with bicipital tendinitis. Since then, I’ve reduced my upper-body workouts, completely steering clear of shoulder exercises and heavy lifting, and have begun a gentle rehabilitation regimen focusing on external rotations, pendulum movements, and scapular exercises. Despite adhering to this routine for about a week, I haven’t experienced any noticeable improvement. Is it typical for this type of tendon injury to require an extended period for recovery? At what point should I consider diagnostic imaging, such as an ultrasound or MRI? Additionally, are there frequent rehabilitation errors that might impede the healing process? I appreciate your insights in advance!
Understanding EEG Results for My 22-Month-Old Son: Insights Needed
Could someone help clarify this for me? My son, who is just 22 months old, hasn’t started walking yet, becomes tired easily, and has been experiencing behavioral outbursts. He had a febrile seizure in February 2025, followed by another unexplained seizure in April 2025, which led us to consult a neurologist. Since he was 3 months old, he has been receiving therapy from a physical therapist for torticollis. At birth, he spent five days in the NICU due to issues with meconium aspiration. A recent MRI showed normal results, and he also had a follow-up EEG after one conducted in July 2025. The results from this recent EEG were abnormal for a pediatric patient in awake, drowsy, and sleeping states. Notably, there were brief episodes of left frontotemporal delta slowing, which occurred mainly when he was awake and drowsy. There were no signs of epileptiform activity detected. In contrast, the EEG performed back on July 3, 2025, was deemed normal for both awake and drowsy states, again with no evidence of epileptiform irregularities, although it did not capture any sleep data. This examination was prompted by the child's existing history of febrile seizures. Importantly, he is not currently on any anti-seizure medications. The EEG procedure used standard electrode placements per the 10-20 system, conducted a single-lead EKG, and included continuous video monitoring. During the analysis, the background activity was symmetric, indicating some anterior-posterior (AP) organization, with a dominant rhythm of 50-80 microvolts at 7 Hz. His drowsy state was marked by a reduced amount of eye blink activity, less breathing motion interference, and a generalized slowing in theta/delta frequencies. Stage II sleep exhibited spindles and vertex waves patterns. Additionally, there were intermittent bursts of 250-300 microvolts in the left frontotemporal region with semi-rhythmic activity of 2-4 Hz, mostly observed during wakefulness and drowsiness. No definitive epileptiform discharge was noted. Photic stimulation during the test did not elicit a strong response, and hyperventilation was not conducted during this session.