Good news and bad news

[Special K]

I recently had my 1 1/2 post dx echo and my EF is at 65%!! My cardio said that I am completely healed and recovered. She started to reduce my meds--stop the diaretic and take 1/2 the Avapro, stay on Toprol XL. As soon as I did so, my bp increased to 149/106--so I have to take all my meds again. Just when I thought I was making strides in the right direction. I am still thankful that my EF is so much better. My cardio also said that having another baby is very risky, so I should start accepting the fact that it won't happen for me. :( I am still very thankful. It's just so bitter-sweet.

[deidre61]

I'm sorry coming off the meds didn't work for you maybe it was just to soon. And as far as having more children I know some on the site have checked into adoption. It just is really sad that this disease affects our lives that way especially for those of you who are young and have wished for more children. God bless!

[jmonte]

Your EF is wonderful! You must be so relieved. That is great progress!!!!
As far as another baby, I know , all these women know , exactly how you feel. Take your time. Just process all the information you get and even go for a second opinion if you need it to fully be able to make this decision and have peace with it. It is so hard at first. Talk to us when it gets really hard, we all completely understand. Hugs to you and your little 1 1/2 yr old!!

Julie

[JAMESFETT]

That's just great that your EF is at 65 percent! It is very gratifying to me to learn about recovery in PPCM--such a unique form of cardiomyopathy that is reversible. You are young, yet have a significant elevation of your BP when off or decreasing meds. I wonder if you could have some discoverable cause of hypertension? There are "secondary" forms, related to specific causes, such as aldosterone hormone excess or other adrenal gland hormonal excess. Were it not for the hypertension it is possible that you could be in the group of those PPCM mothers who have recovered and can tolerate a subsequent pregnancy. We are learning more about that group but need to learn much more.

James

[honeybear]

With my first child,(who is now 26 months) I had EF of 45% 2 months post partum bp around 150/110 with meds. I recovered fully. I had my second baby 4 months ago and EF 2 weeks ago was 60% and bp of 110/60 and no meds. I try to exercise every day on my treadmill and get my heartrate up to 150 for 20 mins. this is what my cardio told me to do. I exercised the whole pregnancy. I had my tubes tied and cannot have any more children. That nine months was the longest nine months of my life!!!!! I worried the whole time. I would like more children, but do not want to ever go through another pregnancy again, its just not cut out for my heart. And I accept that. I just have to think about being a mommy to what I have now. It was an accident with my 4 month old. I had three docs tell me not to go through with it. Now I just want to go to them and say how great MY GOD is!!!!!

[miracle baby]

I'm glad your ef improved.I wish you the best.

[miachic]

That's great news about your EF. Don't lose hope yet! I too go through the same emotions all the time about future pregnancy. I don't have BP problems though so I'm not concerned about that aspect of things.

The ladies on here give me hope and inspiration and so does my son. I know that one of my purposes in life is to be a mom and whether that's to my one biological child, to more than one biological child(ren) or to adopted or foster children, I know that my desire will somehow be fulfilled by always lifting my heart up to God. He made me and knows my inner workings and the person that I am and meant to be. I pray that you too will be able to experience the same peace knowing that He holds the future and He is in control.

I hope that you can find comfort in knowing that you are doing the best job that you possibly can being a mommy right now. You go and enjoy that little one as much as you can and give them extra hugs and kisses today!

[Lisa V]

That is awesome news and thanks for shring your success with us.

[mom2gageandkeely]

Good news, I know it's bittersweet though...

[Shannonkk]

Congrats and stay positive!

[KellyDL]

What a great EF!! Congradulations!!!

[Janelle]

What an awesome EF! A lot of people never recover to that high of an ef-you should feel so great about that! Don't worry about the meds--they will get them straightened out and hopefully you can wean off of them this time. Good luck!!:)