Imagine going through your day carrying heavy buckets of salt water.
That's what it can be like for your body if you stop taking your diuretic.
Without the diuretic, your body has to work harder because it's carrying extra water and salt… And that can make your blood pressure go up.
You may feel bad when your heart has to work hard pumping blood.
It can make it harder to breathe.
Your ankles and legs can swell.
A lot of people stop taking their diuretic… even when they know that it is helping.
Taking diuretics can be annoying, and remembering to take them isn't easy.
So let's talk about the number one effect that happens when you take a diuretic.
Yes, that's right--needing to go to the bathroom, a lot.
Yes, it's annoying, but it's also a sign that the medicine is working.
Talk to your care team to help you plan a schedule for taking your medicines on your time.
Also, almost everyone can forget to take their pills.
You can use a pillbox, calendar, or alarm clock to help remind you.
Or you can come up with something unique that works just for you.
But for some people, the reason for stopping their medicine is just that they've forgotten why they're taking it.
Even if they feel bad… and their symptoms return.
So it's up to you to take your medicine.
Try this one thing: Write down your main reason for stopping, and then tell your care team about it.
Together you can figure out a way to help you take control, feel better, and be more comfortable by taking your diuretic.
