NEW doctor (cardiologist)...2 NEW meds...and a lot of 'wait & see' *sigh*
I went to the Cardiologist yesterday. I have what is believed to be Herceptin induced Cardiomyopathy (which is relatively rare). The Cardiologist is putting me on an ACE inhibitor and beta blocker. These drugs are believed to help treat & possibly reverse Cardiomyopathy in other cases (in patients' who develop the condition NOT related to Herceptin). There is very little scientific research that suggests that it can be reversed successfully, how to treat it, etc.
I went to the Cardiologist yesterday. I have what is believed to be Herceptin induced Cardiomyopathy (which is relatively rare). The Cardiologist is putting me on an ACE inhibitor and beta blocker. These drugs are believed to help treat & possibly reverse Cardiomyopathy in other cases (in patients' who develop the condition NOT related to Herceptin). There is very little scientific research that suggests that it can be reversed successfully, how to treat it, etc.
Herceptin is one of the drugs
taken to treat my type of breast cancer. It is on hold because of these
developments.
Essentially my heart output is down 10% or more since last
echocardiogram done in May (before starting chemo & Herceptin).
The Herceptin induced Cardiomyopathy is considered fairly 'rare' (occurring in between 0.6 - 4 % of all Herceptin patients since the drug has
been used in treatments); having said that, the doctors are not certain, but rather
optimistic, that treating the Cardiomyopathy as they would in other
non-Herceptin patients & holding the Herceptin should correct it.
I see him again in 1 month, repeat echocardiogram in 2 months {he wants to give
meds a chance to 'help' before checking again}.
Prayers please.
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