39 yo f, possible CHF, scared
I also have a Level 2 autistic third grader.
I went to urgent care last Monday because I had sudden bilateral leg swelling that I initially noticed in my calves. My legs are pretty thin and not particularly muscular. All of a sudden my calves were rather wide and shins were hurting. The swelling spread to my ankles and feet then thighs. I began to have pain in my hamstrings and glutes followed by lower abdominal cramping.
Last week, I went to urgent care because I’m aware enough that this could be a sign of heart-related issues. The NP told me the edema wasn’t bad enough for him to be extremely concerned but to see a cardiologist for possible CHF but he said I’m too young.
Looking back, the 1.5 weeks leading up to it I was abnormally nauseous and vomiting prior to my cycle (negative pregnancy test). The week of, I traveled to see some family (~7 hr road trip) and upon returning stepped on the scale and noticed I had gained 17 lbs.
Two days (Sunday) after returning I woke up with some cold (initially assumed it was allergies) and had taken allergy meds, advil, and chloroseptic spray. I wasn’t feeling better so that night I made some echinacea tea with emergen-c and sleepy time tea which helped me sleep but that’s about it. Monday I still felt a bit rough but was maintaining until that evening with the leg swelling.
I’ve had trouble breathing the entire time but assumed allergies and they something triggered my asthma. My inhaler helps (after about 10 pumps. 😅)
I finally got up the nerve to get a cardio appointment for this Wednesday.
Don’t ask me about fatigue, I’ve been tired for the past 10 years. I just keep going. My activity tolerance over the years has been hit or miss but I’ve tried to be more physically active the past 1+ years.
If you made it this far, thanks 🙏
I guess I’m just looking for other people with (or observations of others with) similar experiences and how it turned out. I’ve also read that life expectancy is ~5 - 10 years which I’m really sad about right now because of my son.
If this is all the case I’m hoping that I can qualify for some type of disability or something to be able to spend as much time with him as possible before the inevitable and/or possibly extend my life expectancy.
I’m also wondering if this is reversible. A low sodium diet isn’t something I’ve heard a lot about until reading recently. Growing up I just thought not adding salt was good enough.