Heart Failure

Godd morning Teri I have cardiomyopathy and CHF. I am surprised you don't take Coreg it seems to be the 'gold standard' for CHF. Maybe because you are well compensated with the meds you are on. Re the article read some of the article but stopped when it mentioned the five year mark! That info is very very out of date.

Jay

Teri, that is a good site isn't it? Keep well!

---

i have chf as well you know but i don't take the meds you do ef was 35 last weeklowest ever been wander what that means teri oh teri i have missed you tex so sorry for your lost praying for you

Thanks BC!!

My EF has ranged from 40-45 in the past few months, BC...I am so sorry to hear your's has gone down to 35%.  Though you know, that many survive at even lower, much lower ranges.  With the EF it's just a number...go by how you are feeling!! 

They've now added a nitro patch again along with Norvasc (only 2.5 mg.) to help open my arteries up with more blood flow.  So wll just hope my B/P doesn't drop too low.

Please be well and I hope everything goes well on Monday!!  What are they going to do??

Love, Teri   Big Hugs From Texas!

Hi Teri,

You have many of the same problems that I do. I also don't take a beta blocker because of low bp and heart rate. I have Cardiomyopathy and CHF because of only having 40% of my heart still working. Most of what is working is in that back right side. The entire front of my heart is dead and my ef hovers around 20, but I feel pretty good most of the time. I have an ICD because of some developing arrythmia problems and a high risk of SCD. I also have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that is growing pretty quick and will have to be taken care of soon. Having been thru MI's 5 bypasses kind of prepares you for what comes after I think.

Most of the problems I have are progressive, but up to now, I continue to feel good. Sure I get dizzy all the time and am always tired, but I have been able to continue to work full time and do some of the things that I have always enjoyed. In the end you can only play the cards your dealt.

Like me, you have been dealt some pretty lousy cards but your still in the game. Hope you are well today and don't worry about tomorrow.

Steve

---

Hi terry, you, too, Steve and the others. I am new here. My 15yr heart history was briefed in my info thread under "toot-toot" which was posted today

Obviously, I feel for your situation, and since mine has recently become similar the feeling is even more intimate. But I am jealous, you two seem to 'feel great' and other nice to be living anecdotes. I am losing that rapidly and would love any feedback.

I have felt miserable since beginning of year, perhaps due in part to other maladies and meds that have been visiting me, perhaps that I also have what I suspect to be hypoglycemia (nearly collapse on sidewalk a week ago, recovered ater a quick bite at a nearby vietnamese hole in the wall) and have since drastically changed my eating habits to eating something no more than every two hours. I see an endocrinologist next week.

But my immediate concern is last months 3x discharge of the AICD (pacemaker, plus I guess it can be called) and immediate hospitalization to begin Amiodarone treatments. I recently had to stop Amiodarone therapy due to unbelievable side effects that effected every hour of my conscious day. I lasted about 4 weeks, 1st at 800mg/day, 2nd week at 600mg, then down to 200mg maintenance.

It was so bad I preferred the risk of none to a lousy future of feeling so bad I had become a zombie. I hate tv during any daylight hour and never watch it. So, there it is in a nutshell.

toots

Forgot to add. I had two CHF events in 2003 which led to the ICD but none since the that miracle device was installed, so I am not sure how well compensated I am. No eschemia, no problem breathing (even flat on back) and can still take a slow stroll for a few blocks.

toots again

Hi Toots!

I'm really glad that you are feeling so good now-breathing while laying flat is a good thing! :) So you can now say you are having a "nice to be living antedote"... Sometimes it's the level you are at and yes, the med.'s play a big part. I always have this feeling if I stop what I'm doing, then what?? So I sometimes have to push...but I do understand those down days-most definitely.

Keep venting, posting, asking questions and we'll all try and pitch in whenever, wherever we can!

Hugs, Teri :)

---

"Because he is he and I am I."......E. V. Lucas