Diastolic Dysfunction Stage 1

[andydandy]

In January of this year I was sent to a Pulminoligist because my Advair stopped working making it difficult to breath.  Had to use Compuvent every 4 hours. During those few weeks before I could see the Dr, I developed an infection that took me to the ER because even the Compuvent did not work.  Truthfully I did not seem that sick...just could not breath which is obviously rather important. Breathing treatments helped.  The Pulminoligist's staff took a complete history .. the Dr felt from the history, I had Mycoplasma pneumoniae and possibly no Asthma & said the blood tests would tell the tale.  He gave me two shots and placed me on 3 antibiotics and prednisone and sent me home.  I was miserable...sicker than when I came in to see him!  Gradually over weeks I got a little better but terribly congested and weak and shaky...like I had never been before.  When I returned in 30 days, the blood tests said I had this Myco whatever plus a high IGE of 2200!  I was better than a few weeks before, but still too congested.  2 weeks later I developed another infection after going off of the steroids and this continued, back and forth until June.  On and off of steroids and different antibiotics...never so sick in my life.  Again I suddenly could not breath and I went to ER...my gas Oxygen level was 85...they kept me and I changed to a new Pulmanary group.  While in the hospital they ran a cat scan of the lungs and an echo the next day because my ankles were very swollen...that was a first and started about 10 days before this.  Cat scan was ok..showed a little diffusion and a lower portion collapsed but they didn't seem concerned.  They also placed me on Levaquin and Prednisone immediately after I was taken to a room.  Obviously I must have had an infection but other than not being able to breath and swollen ankles I did not feel that sick!  I had noticed that I wasn't going to the bathroom very much but when the prednisone started working, I was peeing like a race horse!  By the next day my ankles were just fine.  I asked if they had given me lasix but they had not.  
The echo showed stage 1 diastolic dysfunction with an EF of 60%.  They also placed me back on the Advair and took me off the Doxycycline and azithromyacin I had been on for months.  And sent me home.  All was well until I took final prednisone...a few days later my ankles began to swell again but everything else was fine.  I went in for a function test & when the Dr shared the results I showed him my ankles.  He said, let your family Dr take care of that.  Family Dr gave me three Lasix...which helped but then they were swelling again.  I called and she said to get the medium hose for support but no lasix.  I could not get in to see her for weeks but today is the day.  Her nurse said the Dr thinks it is venus insufficiency and not caused by my heart.  I read them my echo and now she has sent for it. I was under the impression that everyone at the hospital thought my swelling was because of the heart.  I am in general over weight and have been very sedentary these past 8 months due to all this.  But I began to lose my appetite in the spring and had lost about 12 to 15 lbs...the only GOOD side effect!  Since my swelling feet, ankles and lower legs, my weight is up about 8 to 10 lbs....with still not much appetite.  I am confused...is there a way to tell where this swelling is coming from?  Why would she think venus insufficiency?  Up until January I was working ... I mostly have taken a leave of absence since all of this started but must get back to work.  Just walking from a back parking lot to church has me terribly winded...because I am so out of shape.  
My function tests were not as bad as they expected (whatever that means, I have ordered a copy).  I am eligible for a pulmonary rehab.  Can I do this with my swelling?  My ankles and thin legs were all I had left at the age of 69!  Any hope of ever being able to see those ankle bones again?  And what do you think...heart or venus insufficiency?  Just what do I have?  And how do I keep from getting any worse?  Is this congestive heart failure?  My scales do not reflect my effort at wise eating...could that be fluid?  New pulminoligists think that old pulminoligist may have missed the boat by not treating Asthma all those months...and thinks that everyone might show mycoplasma in their blood test but that does not mean they have it.  I am so confused.  Could all those serious antibiotics and several rounds of prednisone caused all of this?  Are there answers?  I need some good advice.  
Thank you for listening,  Ann
PS:  Those support hose hurt to put on but do seem to help for the moment...but I can't wear them all the time and spend the rest of my life with my feet up...I must get back to work!

[maryperry]

Today I have been told I have venous problems in the legs after Pain, swelling etc for many years. I had a venous mapping done and the doctor will do a procedure in the office to fix this venous problem.
Ask for this venous mapping. The rpoblem is every doctor is a specialty doctor and no one sees the real problem which is your venous insufficiency. I had all the symptoms you have had. Can't wait until they fix the legs and I will be able to walk again. I also had an aortic valve replaced, expected to be healthy but the underlying problem was the venous insufficieny
Good luck, be aggressive, its your body

[Jack54]

Please do not give up on us here :). I also have DHF (diagnosed by myself due to my high left ventricle end diastolic filling pressure of 24 mmhg {LVEDP} ). > 20 mmhg is considered DHF. I am working on your reply that I hope will help you.

Hang in there,
Jack