Stress Test?

[Jak_]

I have been ready to start treatment since early Dec. I have had all bloodwork, sonogram, and biopsy. The nurse forgot to make an apt last month for a stress test the Hepa ordered so now it will be another month before the Cardiologist can see me.
My question is: Does everyone have a stress test before starting treatment? I am 56 and in good health, weight, and somewhat athletic. Is a stress test necessary?
I am Genotype 2b; I only have to do six months SOC and was hoping to finish treatment before summer.
Jack

[donnieraye]

Having  just coming from my PCP, and recieving the results of my 24 hr heart montiter, I learned the in the 24 hr period my heart beat was off 52 times.  I told him that the Victrelis I will be starting has cardiac side effects.

I think I  want a Stress Test, that irregular heart beats scare me.  
Donnie

[eureka254]

Having doctors that are more than thorough is better than having one that isn't! :)  My husband had to undergo a stress test as well before starting treatment... because anemia is not an unusual side effect, especially if you are considering possibly using Victrelis, better to be safe than sorry as they say.  Hope your stress test goes well... it's a good reminder that the best thing going into treatment is to be in the best health that you can be! Best of luck. ~eureka

[Jak_]

Thanks to everyone for answering my post. I don't know what I would do without this list. It is very reassuring to post a question and get an answer from people who know what I'm talking about and there are oodles of information in the past post.

The Specialty Nurse said that everyone who receives treatment through their office gets a stress test. She said they needed documentation (for insurance I guess) and that the treatment is rough on the body and low platelet counts can be really hard on the heart.

Anyway, I guess it will be a good thing for me to do. They do seem to be very thorough. It just puts me into February before starting treatment because the ‘Heart Place’ can’t get me in earlier. If everything goes ‘perfectly’ it will be August before I finish treatment and I was hoping to have some time to recuperate before September.  But, if everything goes perfectly I guess I should feel lucky whenever I finish treatment.

Best regards to everyone,   Jack

[crigger]

They would not let me start treament till I had a stress test and an eye exam.

[liavera]

I did ultrasound, blood tests, endoscopy and biopsy ... the doctor did not request an electrocardiogram, or cardiac stress test ...
Lia

[willbb]

Just an EKG for me. Simply ...tx. sometimes can cause (significant anemia) ,which "can" be tough on  the ticker.. sounds like they are covering the bases....
Will

[curiouslady1]

I had a cardiac stress test before my trial.  Even though my trial is all oral drugs, the rescue treatment is SOC and they wanted to make sure I could withstand it.  My PCP had his doubts about ordering it through my home clinic because the EKG did not provide markers that it should be done and he was concerned the insurance might not pay for it.  However, the gastroenterologist screening people for the trials was concerned because I had told my PCP that I had chest pain while running for airplanes on holiday.  So even though the PCP said the EKG did not indicate it, he deferred to the gastroenterologist because he knew how badly I wanted into this trial and ordered it anyway.  The insurance DID pay for it, the stress test results were excellent and all is good.

One of the issues here is recency.  In light of more and more information on patients, doctors change their assessment procedures.  They may be more concerned about the condition of people's hearts and ability to withstand treatment than they were, say, a year ago or six months ago because of new research info which has since come in.   Another possibility is making a complaint that may constitute a risk factor, like I did or as Jules says was in her chart.  

[jules2551]

Yes my Hepa Dr just wanted it to be checked to just be sure I was ok.  Probably because of my history....heavy smoker and drinker

[fretboard]

Could be the insurance company requires it.  Personally I've never heard of it, but different states, doctors, insurance companies, doesn't surprise me.  

[orphanedhawk]

I'd think it's mental stress they are concerned about but you're talking cardio?
This may be the protocol where you are being treated.

Perhaps if you say you are willing to not hold them accountable for any stress related problems that may arise, they'll let you skip it.

I didn't have to undergo any tests other than labs. ( I'd already done a biopsy)

If it were me, I'd make a fuss.

[jules2551]

Hi Jak...I had a lexascan or a medically induced stress test.  It was the weirdest feeling test I have ever had.  It felt like a 100 lbs on your chest and caused the breathing to be labored for just a few seconds.  Thankfully every thing came back normal.

[Bill1954]

No, I treated twice; once with a large TP center and never had a stress test or any other cardio procedures.

--Bill

[nygirl7]

I just had an EKG too.

[can-do-man]

Seems doctors are different, mine just wanted an EKG. Hang in there.