Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Mine has. But my doctor thinks that it was the technicians doing the tests and not my heart that changed. I went from 38 to 32 to 41. The truth is probably somewhere around the average of those. (However, all of those were taken from Stress Test with radioactive dye and a scan thingie whose name escapes me today.) Bridget > Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their > ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do > you attribute the improvement? My husband had an > echocardiogram last week and from the technician's > reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since > his last test. He has an appointment this next week > with his cardiologist to discuss it. > > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in > the past and this one was different...in the others he > was lying on his back; in this one the technician had > him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have > possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any > comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Was it a cardiolite stress test? My hubbies went from 19 to 38, after his 2nd bypass and the Coreg. Re: Ejection Fraction Mine has. But my doctor thinks that it was the technicians doing the tests and not my heart that changed. I went from 38 to 32 to 41. The truth is probably somewhere around the average of those. (However, all of those were taken from Stress Test with radioactive dye and a scan thingie whose name escapes me today.)Bridget> Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their> ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do> you attribute the improvement? My husband had an> echocardiogram last week and from the technician's> reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since> his last test. He has an appointment this next week> with his cardiologist to discuss it.> > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in> the past and this one was different...in the others he> was lying on his back; in this one the technician had> him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have> possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any> comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hello, My Ef was 10% also. That was Feb 2003. It hasn't been checked since. I'm on 25mg coreg twice daily and the digoxin 0.25, these are wonder drugs. Like others i try to behave, not smoking and overeating, and exercising, but it's hard when you live alone, get bored, have a little energy once in a while to do things, but mostly it's a boring, no quality of life... like it was... type life. I'm hoping for a 2nd echo soon, and hope things do get better. Also It has been hard waiting for Social Security Disability for 3 yrs. I finally won at my hearing in Dec 2003. I'm hoping with a little more money i will be happier and will get out to do more. I had my ICD installed during a 2nd heart failure hospital visit in April 2003. No Zaps so far. I know i didn't answer your question exactly, i just needed to say all this.....Sorry Jerry >From: RJS <BobbyJ85@...> >Reply- > >Subject: Re: Ejection Fraction >Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2004 23:37:12 -0600 > > > > > > > > > > > >hi pat, when i was diagnosed with these problems in mar of 2001 I was told >that my ejection fraction was 10. > >the cardio i was seeing then said most people that float in the same boat i >do are dead within 2 years. im now working on my 3rd and sure hope i can >survive for a while. > >the cardio ;put me on a drug called coreg,,12 1/2 mg twice a day. last >month my ejection fraction was 45 .... i doubt it will get much better >than that unless i learn to behave. > >i have a very difficult time behaviing.... since my hips went bad enough to >need a wheel chair the cardio go meone due to my heart trouibles... guess >that shojld tell me something right there.. > >i keep trying to get my act together but being alone and 61 just doesnt cut >it anymore.... not complaining mind you, i made my bed and i have sleep in >it but ill still complain about. > >it seems the food is my crutch and a way not to be alone. it is always >there for me ready to satiate me and make me feel good about myself til the >next time i see myself in the mirror. > >and as many of us in the zapper group would say,,,,different strokes for >different folks > > bob in mississippi > >ps: i do some upper body exercises and that is about it. > > > > > > > > > >At 11:16 PM 1/16/2004, you wrote: >>Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their >>ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do >>you attribute the improvement? My husband had an >>echocardiogram last week and from the technician's >>reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since >>his last test. He has an appointment this next week >>with his cardiologist to discuss it. >> >>Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in >>the past and this one was different...in the others he >>was lying on his back; in this one the technician had >>him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have >>possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any >>comments on this? >> >>Thanks much. Pat P. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>Please visit the Zapper homepage at >><http://www.ZapLife.org>http://www.ZapLife.org >> >> >> >>---------- >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hi Pat... I'll answer you're last ? first... my echos have always been on my side, can't remember if part of it was while on my back or not, but last one was some time ago... now, for first ? ... my EF was 42% when I was first dx in '90 ... at that time I was told w/in 10 yrs I'd need a heart tx as EF would continue to decline... I LOVE PROVING THOSE DOCS WRONG... my EF went to 51% w/in less than 2 yrs and for no other reason than watching my diet and exercising moderately, walking 3 miles in 1 hr several times a week... as others have menioned, an ECHO in not accurate ... it is merely an interpretation of information by the cardio reviewing the test results... for example, my husband, dx w/heart failure 4 yrs ago today, was thought to have improved significantly on a ECHO given 1 yr after initial dx ... cardio said he'd gone from 35% to 65% ... then about 6 months later he had cause to have a Cardiolite Stress test (2 days) which found his EF had not improved at all! ... this is the more accurate ... or you could ask about a MUGA scan, also accurate... they say the number spread on a echo is 5% give or take, but as you can see, it was much more off in my husband's case and this was by a respected cardio so I just don't have a heck of a lot of faith in numbers provided by ECHOs Lastly, I've heard of a number of persons showing great improvement w/COREG, however, not everyone can tolerate it at full strength... you may wish to ask the cardio about it. Good luck to your husband, please keep us posted as to his condition. JES in NJ, USA God gave you your face, you must supply the expression > Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their > ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do > you attribute the improvement? My husband had an > echocardiogram last week and from the technician's > reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since > his last test. He has an appointment this next week > with his cardiologist to discuss it. > > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in > the past and this one was different...in the others he > was lying on his back; in this one the technician had > him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have > possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any > comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hi Pat, I have had a similar experience with EF. The echo gives only an educated guess and a lot is determined by the tech. Last summer my echo showed that my EF had dropped to 20 from 38. My EP suggested that I have a MUGA test done. He indicated that a MUGA is the " gold standard " for measuring the EF and is less dependent on the individuals doing the exam. The MUGA test showed that my EF was at 40 which was quite different from he 20 found by the echo. A question you might want to ask his cardio is, if the echo did show a drastic drop, would it be better to have a MUGA to verify the results of the echo. Good luck, Doug Ejection Fraction > Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their > ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do > you attribute the improvement? My husband had an > echocardiogram last week and from the technician's > reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since > his last test. He has an appointment this next week > with his cardiologist to discuss it. > > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in > the past and this one was different...in the others he > was lying on his back; in this one the technician had > him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have > possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any > comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Please visit the Zapper homepage at > http://www.ZapLife.org > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Hi, I have a question for you concering your hubby and heart failure. What caused his heart failure? And how old is he. My hubby had a heart attack at age 32, and at that time had a quintuple bypass. He was fine for about 18 years, however, he needed another bypass, this time it was a quad. and 3 weeks later went into VT, had the defib. implanted, went on Coreg and Altace, and seems to be doing pretty good now. But they did talk to us about heart transplants sometime. He had an EF of 19, (via cardiolite), and now I believe they said it was up to 38. He seems to be doing pretty good again, so I don't beleive the doctors, either, but was wondering if your hubby did have a heart attact too? Do they say why the heart failure? Thanks, just curious! audi Re: Ejection Fraction Hi Pat... I'll answer you're last ? first... my echos have always been on my side, can't remember if part of it was while on my back or not, but last one was some time ago... now, for first ? ... my EF was 42% when I was first dx in '90 ... at that time I was told w/in 10 yrs I'd need a heart tx as EF would continue to decline... I LOVE PROVING THOSE DOCS WRONG... my EF went to 51% w/in less than 2 yrs and for no other reason than watching my diet and exercising moderately, walking 3 miles in 1 hr several times a week... as others have menioned, an ECHO in not accurate ... it is merely an interpretation of information by the cardio reviewing the test results... for example, my husband, dx w/heart failure 4 yrs ago today, was thought to have improved significantly on a ECHO given 1 yr after initial dx ... cardio said he'd gone from 35% to 65% ... then about 6 months later he had cause to have a Cardiolite Stress test (2 days) which found his EF had not improved at all! ... this is the more accurate ... or you could ask about a MUGA scan, also accurate... they say the number spread on a echo is 5% give or take, but as you can see, it was much more off in my husband's case and this was by a respected cardio so I just don't have a heck of a lot of faith in numbers provided by ECHOsLastly, I've heard of a number of persons showing great improvement w/COREG, however, not everyone can tolerate it at full strength... you may wish to ask the cardio about it.Good luck to your husband, please keep us posted as to his condition.JES in NJ, USA :)God gave you your face, you must supply the expression > Has anyone on the list had an improvement of their> ejection fraction; if so, by how much and to what do> you attribute the improvement? My husband had an> echocardiogram last week and from the technician's> reaction, it seemed as though the EF had dropped since> his last test. He has an appointment this next week> with his cardiologist to discuss it.> > Another question: he's had several 'echoes' done in> the past and this one was different...in the others he> was lying on his back; in this one the technician had> him lying on his side. I don't see how she could have> possibly gotten a true 'reading' that way. Any> comments on this? > > Thanks much. Pat P.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 hi kelly, good to hear from you as well.....cold up there in vermont i bet (brrrr). cold here in ms to but only in the 40's with some heavy rain today. My tests have been done with electrical cardiograms i thinks....i beleive that is what the ultrasound test thing is. i also take the coreg....12.5 mgs a day. i cant tolerate the full dose..it turns me into a zombie with a heart rate of about 38 while at rest. and i cant attribute any of my behaviour to getting better. i do most everything i want to sans exercise as im in a wheel chair most of the time.. my diet sucks and im up to about 340. like youi jerry i sit around the house doiing nothing but stare at the tv. i have two vcrs and dvd hooked up to my tv in the living room and another vcr in the bedrooim.. there are many nights i tape on 3 of them and watch a fourth or a dvd. you understand how difficult it is to live alone and keep good thoughts and be happy and snappy all the time...my big day is a trip to walmart to borrow a scooter and ride around the store and get a chili dog and big diet coke with those 3 for a buck cookies.. but then i cant complain about the casino buffets and the blackjack table.... i went to new orleans with a friend a few weeks ago,,,,,heeeeeeeeee yaw....those people know how to party. no wonder it has a murder comparable the highest in the country. mardi gras next month,,,almost afraid to go but im sure the fear will lose to my curiosity. sorry folks,,,i know this post is both proper and socia but i enjoyed writing it. bob in mississippi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2004 Report Share Posted January 17, 2004 Thanks for answering! sounds like he is doing very good considering all that he has been thru in life as far as his health. Boy, when you got your health, you got it all! audi Re: Ejection Fraction Audi, at the age of 44 my husband was dx w/Large cell Defuse Lympoma, B cell type, 3rd stage... it was necessary to treat him agressively due to serious nature of the cancer... one of the chemo drugs he was given was Vincristine... shortly after onset of treatment he complained of pain/numbness in his fingers and feet but onco was reluctant to decreas the amount of Vincristine ... then some 10 yrs later he was being seen by a doctor for a completely different health problem and was told he had an arrhythmia... before we could get an appt. w/cardio he presented w/symptoms which mandated he go to ER where he was dx w/CHF on both sides of his heart, A-fib & cardiomyopathy... as he has no other causes it was concluded the CHF was brought on by the Vincristine... he recently turned 59, is just over 14 yrs out from cancer dx and 4 yrs today from CHF dx and doing fairly well, hasn't continued to deteriorate, is able to work about 6 hrs a day, 5 days a week in the construction field and although he complains he can't do anywhere near what he once did he does pretty well for the shape that he's in ... he also has enphazema from 30 yrs of smoking so it's a miracle he's hear at all when you think about it :)JES in NJ, USAthe most important things in life arent' things!!!> Hi, I have a question for you concering your hubby and heart failure. What caused his heart failure? And how old is he.Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 20, 2004 Report Share Posted January 20, 2004 Tommy: Thank you for the cardiac info. Congratulations on your EF improving...lookin' lots better! When went to the doctor yesterday he was put on Coreg. Unfortunately they couldn't tell me the results of the EF test as the paper had been misplaced. Will know the next time we go in. You guys on Coreg didn't share the complications of taking it. First they had us watch a video about Coreg, featuring several people who were in REALLY bad shape before Coreg.... is definitely not in that category. Then they gave us the bad news....that in some cases it takes a few months to adjust to the medication and in that time he will most likely experience a lot of dizziness and loss of balance due to lowered blood pressure...also fluid buildup. (Hmmmmm.....his biggest problems are ALREADY very low blood pressure and chronic fluid buildup). And, as I knew it would be, this is an expensive drug. And here we are with no prescription coverage. Hey, Congress, let's speed up that GREAT Medicare improvement! Oh well, now with the tighter budget, it will be easier to pass up buying beef at the store..thus protecting us from the dreaded Mad Cow disease. Ha. Thanks for all the info from everyone. We really appreciate it. PatP ****************************************** --- " Ford,Tommy " <tommy.ford@...> wrote: > My EF went from 18% to 24% with Toprol XL 100 > mg/day. > It then increased from 24% -30% with the addition of > the ICD pacing 85-90% > of the time. > Following an angioplasty and stent for 95% blockage > in the left descending > artery this past Friday, the EF was at 35%. > I continue to take Toprol at 100 mg daily. > Tommy > in Texas > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Hey Pat! My hubby takes the Coreg now since May, and has adjusted well to it and I even can see an improvement. He started out with the lowest dose, and they gradually took him up to the 25 mg. twice a day. The only thing I notice, but the doctors say "no way", is they he jumps at night, which he never did before. Not his defib either...and he does get tired early in the evening as complared to before. Also, the health insurance thing..Yeah. America...get with it once...well, it is expensive too, and for the first few months our doctors kept us supplied in samples..we are self employed. and had no disability of any sort when he was off for 3 months for his 2nd heart surgery and the defib. implant, which they did the second time he ended up back in Critical care for a week. And we have 4 kids at home, so the doctors really helped us out, but anyway, I found a place I order online, it is called Generic Chemist, and we checked with our doctor to be sure the generic for Coreg was ok, he approved, and we got 5 months supply for under $100.00! Also got his Altace. What I would have had to pay $550.00 for I got for under $100.00. Hope this helps. My hubby is not for pills, but these seem to be working, and the doctors said...THEY WORK! AUDI RE: Ejection Fraction Tommy: Thank you for the cardiac info. Congratulationson your EF improving...lookin' lots better! When went to the doctor yesterday he was puton Coreg. Unfortunately they couldn't tell me theresults of the EF test as the paper had beenmisplaced. Will know the next time we go in. You guys on Coreg didn't share the complicationsof taking it. First they had us watch a video aboutCoreg, featuring several people who were in REALLY badshape before Coreg.... is definitely not in thatcategory. Then they gave us the bad news....that in some casesit takes a few months to adjust to the medication andin that time he will most likely experience a lot ofdizziness and loss of balance due to lowered bloodpressure...also fluid buildup. (Hmmmmm.....his biggestproblems are ALREADY very low blood pressure andchronic fluid buildup). And, as I knew it would be, this is an expensivedrug. And here we are with no prescription coverage. Hey, Congress, let's speed up that GREAT Medicareimprovement! Oh well, now with the tighter budget, itwill be easier to pass up buying beef at thestore..thus protecting us from the dreaded Mad Cowdisease. Ha. Thanks for all the info from everyone. We reallyappreciate it. PatP ****************************************** --- "Ford,Tommy" <tommy.ford@...> wrote:> My EF went from 18% to 24% with Toprol XL 100> mg/day. > It then increased from 24% -30% with the addition of> the ICD pacing 85-90%> of the time. > Following an angioplasty and stent for 95% blockage> in the left descending> artery this past Friday, the EF was at 35%. > I continue to take Toprol at 100 mg daily.> Tommy> in Texas> > Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Regarding the " jumping " at night... is he snoring??? and if so, could he possibly have sleep apnea??? and if so have him checked as this can cause A-fib which can lead to CHF... look it to it if he's a snorer... the jumping may be him " jump starting " his breathing! JES > Hey Pat! My hubby takes the Coreg now since May, and has adjusted well to it and I even can see an improvement. He started out with the lowest dose, and they gradually took him up to the 25 mg. twice a day. The only thing I notice, but the doctors say " no way " , is they he jumps at night, which he never did before. Not his defib either...and he does get tired early in the evening as complared to before. > .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 Hi Pat; Just wanted to say - I have had no complications with the Coreg that I have been on for over years at maximum dose. It did take a few days - a week to get use though. As for the price - I don't look at the bill... I do pay the bill then get reimbursed, but a few dollars a day to keep me well and feeling good with the results that I get I don't think about it. Hope this helps, guin RE: Ejection Fraction Tommy: Thank you for the cardiac info. Congratulationson your EF improving...lookin' lots better! When went to the doctor yesterday he was puton Coreg. Unfortunately they couldn't tell me theresults of the EF test as the paper had beenmisplaced. Will know the next time we go in. You guys on Coreg didn't share the complicationsof taking it. First they had us watch a video aboutCoreg, featuring several people who were in REALLY badshape before Coreg.... is definitely not in thatcategory. Then they gave us the bad news....that in some casesit takes a few months to adjust to the medication andin that time he will most likely experience a lot ofdizziness and loss of balance due to lowered bloodpressure...also fluid buildup. (Hmmmmm.....his biggestproblems are ALREADY very low blood pressure andchronic fluid buildup). And, as I knew it would be, this is an expensivedrug. And here we are with no prescription coverage. Hey, Congress, let's speed up that GREAT Medicareimprovement! Oh well, now with the tighter budget, itwill be easier to pass up buying beef at thestore..thus protecting us from the dreaded Mad Cowdisease. Ha. Thanks for all the info from everyone. We reallyappreciate it. PatP ****************************************** --- "Ford,Tommy" <tommy.ford@...> wrote:> My EF went from 18% to 24% with Toprol XL 100> mg/day. > It then increased from 24% -30% with the addition of> the ICD pacing 85-90%> of the time. > Following an angioplasty and stent for 95% blockage> in the left descending> artery this past Friday, the EF was at 35%. > I continue to take Toprol at 100 mg daily.> Tommy> in Texas> > Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2004 Report Share Posted January 21, 2004 No, no snoring at all. I was conviced he was getting little shocks, but each visit proved nothing. They do think it is something in the subconcious from maybe the testing when first implanted?...It has gotton less frequent though. Re: Ejection Fraction Regarding the "jumping" at night... is he snoring??? and if so, could he possibly have sleep apnea??? and if so have him checked as this can cause A-fib which can lead to CHF... look it to it if he's a snorer... the jumping may be him "jump starting" his breathing!JES > Hey Pat! My hubby takes the Coreg now since May, and has adjusted well to it and I even can see an improvement. He started out with the lowest dose, and they gradually took him up to the 25 mg. twice a day. The only thing I notice, but the doctors say "no way", is they he jumps at night, which he never did before. Not his defib either...and he does get tired early in the evening as complared to before. > ..Please visit the Zapper homepage athttp://www.ZapLife.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2011 Report Share Posted July 8, 2011  Hi Stacey.... Wow - the new monitors are amazing! I hope that is the kind I get when I need a replacement. They may be even more advanced by the time mine is worn out. Sydney Re: Injection Fraction the newer icd montior enjection fraction as well as fluid in the lungs the best test is a echo btu the newer icds can tell this to thim actaly they can even alert your doctor if your EF or if the level of fluid in your lung or around your heart changes ! cool huh ? i think theres another new thing they can watch for too with the icd but i forget what it is ! so it is possible they can tell a base line from your icd but for a better reading a echo is best ! Hi all not much going on here lately hope everyone is doing well. I have a question if anyone can help,, i went for my 3 month checkup on my ICD, the tech, after putting that little donut thing on my ICD said my EF was doing better,, my question is is this the way they determine how your EF is doing,, i thought there was a different way of checking the EF. Stay Safe All ,, in Az Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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