Hello jesus, i just wanted to add that the dr said it is not cardiomyopathy, the radiotherapy was on the right hand side of my chest, not over my heart. But i spoke to a dr last week who said to me that maybe the radiotherapy is causing breathlessness on the lungs side,not the heart? Oh im so confused, ive had enough of all this confusion, as at the end of the day my life is nothing like it was before i had cancer, which is exactly a year ago. I have no energy, strangely even though i am overweight, ive suddenly lost my appetite, and am losing weight, i have had a mammogram as another cancer did go through my mind, but thankfully i had the all clear : - ) I am weak, breathless and dont have the get up and go to do anything. I just dont understand what is going on x
Hello Everyone, well i went back in December 2011 and was told to stay on my two heart meds for life now?? The Dr said i had slight brightening of the heart sac so may have pericarditis? Since December, i got on fine, but again now the breathlessness keeps coming back, ive had my meds doubled again, and sometime my heart races, but mainly only on any exertion. For example, if i go upstairs, have a shower, rush about, my heart goes too fast i.e. 130, and i can't get my breath properly, i sometimes feel light headed as though i may faint, but i stop what im doing and sit down and sometimes have to lay my head down and it slowly goes away again.
My local dr has wrote to my heart dr asking her to see me again urgently as i am not due to see her for another year, but is this how i am going to live the rest of my life?
Also, i feel constant so very tired, i don't have a lot of energy, i can manage like this if i plan my days, i.e. go shopping, then come home and sleep, or visit a friend, go home and sleep, but i can't manage to go to work all day, so now i don't know what to do as i feel it is restricting my life. Am very confused now. x
Thank you for your reply. The Cardiologist knew i was about to start my radiotherapy, my Oncologist does not know about what has happened to my heart as i have finished my chemo. I am currently having 20 sessions of RT, but all the heart problems started before i had any RT.
The heart has calmed down again now, it just seemed to play up again for a day or two?
I just hope it stays calm and that its repaired itself when i go back in December.
Thanks for your replies.
In your previous post you did not mention radiotherapy.
Of course it also can damage your heart.
If during or after radiation, you have problems (not just for lying on the table), I guess that a decision needs to be made either to suspend it, or reduce the power and/or area radiated, or the angle at what it is given. Or close monitored your heart during and after it.
Was your cardiologist aware of if?
Are your Cancer and Radiologist doctors aware of your heart problems?
Be sure that everybody knows ALL your issues.
Jesus
Thank you both for your replies, they've been a great helpt to me.
The only thing that concerns me at the moment is that yesterday ( day 2 of my radiotherapy) when i laid down on the table for my treatment i noticed my heart almost went back to how it had been when it went bad a couple of weeks ago, this continued on and off yesterday and again today all the rapid palpatations came back. I timed them and there was so many of them and i felt a bit breathless and unwell. My heart rate was in the 90s. The heart Dr didnt say what to do if my symptoms came back, i think she guessed they wouldn't. What should i do if it starts all over again! It appears that my heart rate is not high ( 90s) but the palpitations when they come are too many to do anything but lay down, there are so many of them i can't do anything normal. Not sure what to do??
Let's go step by step.
1) No I do not think that you are in Heart Failure at this moment, your ejection fraction of 56% is in the normal range. And just fast heart rate it is not a symptom of HF.
2) As the cardiologist says you are more likely suffering the damage made by chemio to your heart.
3) Does the report says anything about the side of your heart? If it is really stretched this is what it is called a Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
4) Hypokinetic means that does not move as much as it should.
5) Dyskinetic septum means that the wall between ventricles (the septum) does not moves in synchrony.
6) MR means Mitral valve Regurgitation, the valve that connects your left auricule and ventricle does not close completely and some blood is going back. Many people suffer it without major problems.
7) BetaBlockers are for everybody that needs his heart to relax. Its main job is to reduce the heart rate. By the way, you might feel tired, this is normal with that medication.
Do not worry, stick to your medication, do not smoke, do not stress, sleep well and most probably in 3 months you will be better.
But do not forget to go back to your doctor in 3 months!!
Jesus
Hypokinetic diseases are conditions that occur from a sedentary lifestyle. Examples could include obesity and complications arising from sedentary behaviour. Hypokinetic conditions could include: Cardiovascular disease, Some forms of Cancer, Back Problems, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Mental health
Hypokinetic diseases are conditions that occur from a sedentary lifestyle. Examples could include obesity and complications arising from sedentary behaviour. Hypokinetic conditions could include: Cardiovascular disease, Some forms of Cancer, Back Problems, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Osteoporosis, Mental health
hypokinetic isa condition that occurs from a sendatary lifestyle examples above good luck.