Mixed feelings about my half year assesment

[Yvonne]

Today I had my half year after assesment. Like I wrote earlier I was really nervous about this. The last three weeks a had a lot going on at home and I was really tired. I didn't sleep much due to a coughing virus and our jongest son was awake every night a few times. I also went to Holland by plane and had a full programme. Also my carvedilol was increased, after which I alwayssuffer for weeks. Yesterday we had a party because of the christening of Lukas, our youngest. So all and all I was feeling pretty bad as I went. I had to do the full assesment including echo, x-ray, exercise test, ecg, bloods. After given all I had in the exercise-test I saw no my own doctor, but his registrar. He told me my EF was decreased (37% now, was 40%) and the size of my heart was slightly enlarged. He wasn't freeking about this (I was), but just told me it can be caused by measure failures. The difference with 3 months ago was not that big, he said. I could only think: no improvement and it is still as bad as short after my treatment started. The only positive thing was my exercise test was a bit better, but still not very impressive. He suggested to increase my ramipril and see me again within half a year. Now we are at home and trying to put things in perspective. So we are thinking it reflects the way I felt (very, very tired) and we are regretting that I was not assessed in a period (before my carvedilol increase) when I felt really well. I could easily walk for 3,5 miles without symptoms. Do others of you have these experiences? I really need some positive input. Hope to hear from you.

[amyls]

My EF fell too around 18 months..it fell to 35-40. I freaked. I saw my cardiologist every 6 months, after 6 months I was around 40%. It stayed there until 3 yrs. Then it improved to 45%. Then at my last appt at 4 yrs it was around 45-50%. I am still on all my meds. But I attribute it getting better to losing some weight and cardiac rehab. I can't say for sure whether it was the rehab, but it did improve after that. Try not to worry too much, it can be hard...esp when you know it drops.(BELIEVE ME!!) Ask about the rehab..it may just do some good. Feel free to email me.
amy
amyskrobis@yahoo.com

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

I know how much that stinks, at my 3 month Post partum I had no improvement either, but... I am now up to 60%. I would also think that the difference between 37% and 40% has to be just the different readings between techs. My old cardio used to always round up and my new one always seems to go with the low number.

Continue to exercise and take your meds and I think you will see more improvement in 6 months when you go back, try not to get too upset about it. I know it stinks but alot of girls don't see improvement longer than they thought they would, and docs don't seem to know yet that we WILL see improvement over the year mark. I did and a good amount of us as well..

Cari :)

[Natasha]

Yvonne,
I'm sorry that you did not get better news. However, it is important to realize that the change in your EF is so small that it could easily just be the difference of human error. Though 40% sounds much better than 37%, it really is just a 3% difference. We have previously been told that echo readings can vary by as much as 5-10% simply because it is a test that is interpretted by humans. Don't let that change get you down! It sounds like you are holding steady.

Continue to do what you've been told to do. Take your meds, exercise regularly, and I'll bet that you will have much better news next time. I have experienced a slow steady increase, from 10% up to about 60%. 6 months is not much time. You will continue to have improvement!

[dawn]

My doc maintains that you can continue to see improvement for several years after diagnosis.

Sorry the news wasn't what you had hoped for. Perhaps being so busy just before your ECHO caused the slight difference in readings, or it was the tech. It's a fairly subjective reading.

Hang in there, and know that you will get better.

dawn

[JAMESFETT]

Yvonne, I would interpret your echo as basically stable, the difference between 37 and 40 is within the "Standard of Error" between tests done--even measures on the same day can show that degree of difference. It would be nice to see it higher, I wish you would be in the group who rebound quickly, but don't despair, you are still early in the course, and we do continue to see healing for years. Adjustments of medication can certainly help to boost that EF. So---time, persistence, prayers, hopes, and the next time I expect to see improvement.

James

[Yvonne]

Thanks for your reply!
Today, after I slept very well, I can put my appointment in a more positive light. I think my results were a good reflection of the way I was feeling and maybe it was even better! I felt really awful and my results were stable. So I realize this was (again) a moment for learning. I have to listen to my own body and not overdo things. My ratio does understand this, but it is often conflicting with my emotions. I know better, but my biggest fear is (still) a deterioration without a cause.