Furosemide and Cramps: What Users Say

• Lee...
• August 30, 2015

For Edema "I have had edema before in primarily my left leg, however, it usually goes away on its own. After some yard work in the heat, I was quite swollen, especially in the left leg, and as the leg went down, a heaviness settled in my chest, and I could barely breathe. I was taken to the ER after I started fearing a heart condition and was found to have heart failure with a normal functioning heart. I was given furosemide by vein in the ER and was admitted. I was sent home after testing with a prescription for two 40mg tablets twice a day and feel much better. I still feel really tired after very little exertion and have had some cramps in my feet. Overall, I feel much better. I hope that after losing some weight, I will be back to normal very soon. This is a wakeup call."

• ski...
• August 22, 2009

Furosemide for Edema "I took the first dose on a Friday after work. That night I was awake all night with terrible leg cramps and an odd cramp in my midriff. I took the second dose earlier in the afternoon the next day. The cramp in my midriff returned. I called the hospital where my doctor practices and the nurse practitioner from her office called me back. She advised me not to take the Lasix anymore and to go to the ER if the cramping came back tonight. My ankle is nearly normal size, but I am not sure it was worth it."

• luv...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2013

For Edema "I was reading a skinny ankles post, and I go through the same thing. I'm no doctor, but my doctor told me that Lasix causes low potassium levels, which cause body cramps. I get them really bad. I have some potassium OTC pills, but my doctor advised me not to take them all the time, they can do more harm than good, so I just take them when I really need them. Try that with caution, it might help you. Seems like all medicines cause more problems."

• Joo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 17, 2017

For Edema "I've been diagnosed with pulmonary edema, and that not only affects my lungs, but I get severe swelling of my feet and legs. The doc prescribed 20 mg once per day. I can't take it that often. It works (within 45 minutes I'm running to the bathroom every 20 minutes for about 5 hours), the swelling goes down and I can breathe easier, but it gives me horrendous leg cramps, even up into my thighs. I drink water and Gatorade, as well as eat bananas, but it doesn't help. I call it the 'evil pill.' But if it gets rid of the fluid, I guess I'll keep taking it, even if it's not as often as I should."