Am I In trouble 32 With Cardiomyopathy

[rarecoolitems]

I am 32 years old and I have cardiomyopathy, I told I was born with it. Both my mother and father had heart disease and my mother got a heart transplant which lasted 5 years before she passed. She was 60 when she died. My father died when he was 44 after a by pass operation. I get treated at Columbia Presbyterian in New York City

Some nights I have a hard time sleeping on my back because I cant breath and sometimes I feel like I water in my throat.
My doctor wants to put a defibrillator in my but I do not feel comfortable doing that right now.

I am also on coreg and zestril and a water pill

My question is am I in trouble?

I don’t know if my doctors are telling e everything is the reason I ask.

The doctors there said this would be good for me.

It was recommended to me to start juicing vegetables and fruits everyday and take Udo's flax seed oil.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle which results to difficulty in pumping blood. Cardiomyopathy can be treated. The type of treatment you'll receive depends on which type of cardiomyopathy you have and how serious it is. There are three main types of cardiomyopathy: dilated, hypertrophic and restrictive.

The overall goals of treatment for cardiomyopathy are: to manage your signs and symptoms, prevent your condition from worsening, and reduce your risk of complications. Treatment varies by which of the major types of cardiomyopathy you have. This includes medications, surgically implanted devices or, in severe cases, a heart transplant.

Take care and keep us posted.

[Encephalomalcia]

If your doctors are recommending a defibrillator then you should have one.  Your doctor know best.  Follow what they say and what they recommend.  Cardiomyopathy should not be taking lightly.  It is very serious heart condition.  If you are having trouble breathing while lying down, this is serious.  Coreg is the best medication for heart problems. Make sure that you weigh yourself everyday and if you start gaining a couple of pounds a day, make sure that you get in to see a doctor right away.  Also, if you start losing weight, the doctor needs to know this right away.  My mom had a medtronic pacemaker for 12 years before she needed a new one.  Should could not live without a pacemaker/defibrillator and her heart medication.  There have been 12 people in our family with heart disease.  Only one was recommended for a pacemaker/defibrillator so far.  I know doctors here in Minnesota do not suggest a pacemaker/debrillator unless it is really needed.  

Sounds to me like your doctor are giving excellent advice.  Take care and let us know how you are doing.  

Deb


  

[rarecoolitems]

Thank you, I believe I have dilated cardiomyopathy and my heart enlarged a little, I just dont knwo what to do.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common form of cardiomyopathy. The heart becomes weakened and enlarged, and cannot pump blood efficiently. This affects the lungs, liver, and other body systems. This could be due to any of the following: nutritional deficiencies, valvular heart disease, anemia, stress, viral infections, alcoholism or coronary artery disease.

You may need to stay in the hospital until your acute symptoms start to go away. Treatment is usually focused on relief of symptoms. Medications such as Digitalis, vasodilators, ACE-inhibitors, diuretics, and nutritional supplements may be prescribed to reduce symptoms. Were your able to know the underlying cause?  This should be treated. An implantable defibrillator, as suggested by your doctor is a must to correct any severe arrhythmias.

Low-salt diet and fluid restriction are recommended. Smoking and drinking alcohol may worsen the symptoms. Regular follow-up appointments with your doctor is important.

Take care and keep us posted.

[rarecoolitems]

Thank you so much

[ddavey]

my 23 yr old daughter was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy three years ago...
when she was diagnosed her ef was 32% and now with her current meds of coreg, enalapril, inspra and digoxin her ef is up to 42% and she is no longer in heart failure.  
the most important thing we did was change her doctor...  i began to take her the univ of mich drs and they have been the ones who have made it possible for this improvement.   if you trust your drs then listen to what they advise