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Do You Have Dilated Cadiomyopathy?
If Dilated Cardiomyopathy is caught early and proper meds and medical evaluations are used, is it possible to live a normal or close to normal lifespan?
Also, I would be interested in hearing from patients who have had Dilated Cardiomyopathy for more than five years. Thanks!
Also, I would be interested in hearing from patients who have had Dilated Cardiomyopathy for more than five years. Thanks!
A related discussion, Dilated Cardiomyopathy was started.
A related discussion, Don't Know How To Feel was started.
Dear Bodini
I am 61yo and female.
Was diagnosed with DCM ten years ago. I take everything from ACE's to Carvediol to Warfarin to Statins. Had a few hickups and a cardioversion and had to take antiahrrytmia drugs too. My last EF was 29% but I was as low as 15%. Just came back from an overseas trip of three months to Europe, during which I backpacked. My exercise consists mainly of walking (10-15 km a day no problem).but prefferably not much uphill. I also cycle, but again I push uphill and take breaks. Generally I feel better with lasix, which takes the fluid round my belly off. I also reduced my carvediol to half the dosis, since that does not lower my bloodpressure too much and whenever it drops i take a walk instead of laying down. This way, I do not run the risk to come into AF, which happened to me previously too often, as I had a sitting down desk position. Now, i can say, I had no hospital admission in two years and apart from breathlessness with running, bending or uphill I am okay. To be with a 15 year younger guy since 20 years might also help, hm....Lot of talking and laughter takes the black dog away and the apathy, which was initially created by doctor's articles with those dreaded 'five years 50% will die' diagnosis. Nonsense. My entire family (growing up in five different countries) has some sorts of heart disease, but I am the only one with DCM. Before my diagnosis I was fit and strong and of normal weight. It all came over night, but I was diagnosed as idiopathic. Thus, I cannot avoid a cause. I still have drinks here and there and feel surprisingly better when I do. Anyway, I came to terms that I wont reach my nineties but can't see myself biting the grass tomorrow either. Chin up, Bodini, - see, I am a sarkast and the first to make jokes about the mobile phone I want into my coffin, but generally a positive thinker. All the best to you
I am 61yo and female.
Was diagnosed with DCM ten years ago. I take everything from ACE's to Carvediol to Warfarin to Statins. Had a few hickups and a cardioversion and had to take antiahrrytmia drugs too. My last EF was 29% but I was as low as 15%. Just came back from an overseas trip of three months to Europe, during which I backpacked. My exercise consists mainly of walking (10-15 km a day no problem).but prefferably not much uphill. I also cycle, but again I push uphill and take breaks. Generally I feel better with lasix, which takes the fluid round my belly off. I also reduced my carvediol to half the dosis, since that does not lower my bloodpressure too much and whenever it drops i take a walk instead of laying down. This way, I do not run the risk to come into AF, which happened to me previously too often, as I had a sitting down desk position. Now, i can say, I had no hospital admission in two years and apart from breathlessness with running, bending or uphill I am okay. To be with a 15 year younger guy since 20 years might also help, hm....Lot of talking and laughter takes the black dog away and the apathy, which was initially created by doctor's articles with those dreaded 'five years 50% will die' diagnosis. Nonsense. My entire family (growing up in five different countries) has some sorts of heart disease, but I am the only one with DCM. Before my diagnosis I was fit and strong and of normal weight. It all came over night, but I was diagnosed as idiopathic. Thus, I cannot avoid a cause. I still have drinks here and there and feel surprisingly better when I do. Anyway, I came to terms that I wont reach my nineties but can't see myself biting the grass tomorrow either. Chin up, Bodini, - see, I am a sarkast and the first to make jokes about the mobile phone I want into my coffin, but generally a positive thinker. All the best to you
Jeff, Send me an e-mail at ***@****
I would like to talk with you. Thanks!
I would like to talk with you. Thanks!
Hi Delana, if you see this, please e-mail ***@**** I would love to hear more about your case and I can share some of mine. Thanks, John
Delana, if you happen to read this...please e-mail me at ***@**** Thanks, John
Bodoni,
Thanks for the question. The answer really depends on when the condition is discovered and what the underlying cause is. In some cases, ventricular function can be reversed if the underlying cause is remedied. In other cases, improvement can be seen with good medical therapy.
it is important to be followed over time and prognosis depends on amount of underlying damage and the cause of the dysfunction.
good luck
Thanks for the question. The answer really depends on when the condition is discovered and what the underlying cause is. In some cases, ventricular function can be reversed if the underlying cause is remedied. In other cases, improvement can be seen with good medical therapy.
it is important to be followed over time and prognosis depends on amount of underlying damage and the cause of the dysfunction.
good luck
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