URGENT: Cardiomyopathy and Heart Transplant

[bob]

I have a dear friend who was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy in November. She is 25, in excellent health otherwise, and was very active until this, running 5-10 miles every day. Her cardiologist wanted her on medications immediately but she delayed and did not begin treatment. Two weeks ago, after swimming she began to experience chest pains but did nothing about them for four days until she was in severe distress. She was taken to a cardiac care unit where they stabilized her did a cardiac catheterization. The cardiologist there told her she needed a bypass to give her enough time to obtain a transplant. He also told her that, based on her condition, she had less than a 50% chance of surviving the bypass.

She has still not decided what to do and seems most concerned about her quality of life and life expectancy after a transplant. I have read the few statistics available but need to know what the implications are for someone so young having a transplant. I am trying to show her than any chance is better than none. Any information you can provide would be greatfully appreciated.

Bob

[Bob for Lisa]

Thank you again Lisa. I share your hopes also, but the grieving has been going on for a couple of months, and I fear she will never get past it. I just try to be supportive and pray she decides to try to live. I wish I knew how long she has before it is too late to do anything. She said again the other day that she would take the risk of treatment if they would tell her she would be as she was...she says she just wants her life back, she wants to be able to have children, and all the other things that were ahead. It breaks my heart every day.

[brian]

I have been diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and am 54 years old. My ejection rate when I left hospital in late November 1999 ( Had been admitted ccu for heart failure) was 27.
I have just had another echo (march 2000) and don't see cardiologist until April 2000. My echo result was ecjection rate of 24. Any comments on longevity, further actions necessary would be appreciated

[Alyssa]

Dear Doctor,                                                              Hello! I am Alyssa from Dracut,MA.All the imformation in google is good,but I do not know where the printing button is.    I am ever so sorry that it isn' an impotant qestion,but it is important to me and my best friend hyun jung,because we chose to do the heart transplant for our school's Millennium Fair.Again, I apoligize that it is not important.But it will be nice of you if you helped me.                   Sincerly,                                                          Alyssa

[Rachel Higgins]

Hello, my name is Rachel and I'm doing a report about heart transplants for English at McLoughlin Middle school in Medford, OR.  My teacher, Mrs. Foley, requires that we interveiw at least one person about our subject.  I don't know any one who has performed a heart transplant or anyone who it has been performed on.  I would greatly appreciate it if you would answer the following questions before or on this coming Saturday because my report has a deadline that I have to meet.

How many prescription drugs is the average person on after having a heart transplant?  
What are the most common drugs?
What is the biggest cause/disease that requires a person to have a heart transplant?
If for some reason the new heart doesn't work, can they recieve another one?
Are hearts that people donate always used if they are in good condition?
Can  a heart that has been donated always find a new owner?
Is there a chat room where one could talk to a transplant recipient?
Does a new heart have to be exactly the same size as the old one?

Thank you so much for your time!

[Patty Boss]

What is the best hospital in or near North California for heart transplants?  My relative was just diagnosed with a need for a transplant. The diagnosis was given at UCLA, although the patient lives in Northern California. I am wondering if she should stay at UCLA, or go to another hospital closer to home.

[Bobbie]

My husband has congenital cardiomyopathy.  His 39 yr. old nephew is worse than he is.  My husband has five fingers,  no thumb...nephew has normal hands,  but the heart disease. some of his family are upset that my husband is doing better than the nephew,  since he is older. They think he should live longer because he is young.  The nature of the illness is that the younger the diagnosis,  the faster the patient deteriotes.  Also,  we eat right and take care of him.
He is under the care of Dr. William Zoghbi,  Baylor, Houston.