Suggest Treatment For COPD And Heart Failure

Posted on Sat, 18 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 18 Apr 2015 Answered on

Fri, 8 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : my husband has 4th stage COPD and is failing rapidly last 2 weeks. He has gained without excessive eating 20lb but seems as though it is fluid what should be done getting very concerned. He is diabetic and on oxygen 24/7

HE IS ON MORPHINE AND ALSO ANOTHER MEDICATION FOR AXIETY BC OF HIS FEAR FROM NOT BREATHING. HE IS VERY BLOATED AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. HE IS INSULIN DEPENDENT AS WELL.
THEY WANTED TO GIVE HIM A TREACH AND HE IS REFUSING.
IS HE NEAR THE END

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get done 2d echo.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
By your history and description, your husband is having mostly heart failure.
Fluid retention and bloating, weight gain suggest heart failure.
He might improve with diuretics.
But you need to get done 2d echo first.
Diuretics increase urine output and so excess fluid from the body will be removed.
This can give him symptomatic relief, but no survival benefit.
Heart failure in end stage oxygen dependent COPD patient is not a good sign.
Life expectancy is less than 1 year.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband.
Thanks.

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