Ejection Fraction

marybeth · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:15 am Post subject: Ejection Fraction

Hi - I am a year out from my last chemo, . My baseline EF before chemo was a bit on the low end of normal 56%. During chemo it went down, the lowest to 49% after 6 rounds of Herception. I had to stop Herceptin due to that 49%). Anyway once stopped the EF went up to 52% which isn't too bad, but just this Friday (I still have the MUGA scans every 4 months) it's down to 45%. NOT good at all. The Dr. is 'concerned, but not overly yet" (doesn't THAT make me feel good) so he increased my heart medicine. I was FREAKED out beyond belief thinking "cured of cancer and the now cure could kill me". I am now comitted to walking every day, did a few miles both yesterday and today so far, and watching what I eat. I am hoping that excercise, will strengthen the heart muscle to increase the EF or at worst, keep it where it is. Is it possible to reverse, or at least improve, the damage done by chemo? And, can I still expect to live a long life with a low EF? I feel pretty good considering it all! Pls let me know your thoughts. Thanks for your help. MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 820 Location: UK

Hi Marybeth, I have no direct knowledge of Herceptin and its effects, but I understood that the EF rises again if Herceptin is stopped. On other forums, people have mentioned taking CoQ10 to help. If you haven't looked into this, might be worth having a search for information.

marybeth · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Ejection Fraction

Thank you for that info. Guess that's my concern - I stopped Herceptin a year ago and the EF still went down. I'm on Coreg but will definitely do a search on CoQ10. Thanks for the info! MB
_________________
Dx 12/28/04 at age 51
DCIS and ductal carcinoma invasive
6mm tumor
lumpectomy 1/5/05 unsuccessful margins
left mastectomy 1/14/05
1 +/5 lymph nodes
Chemo started 3/15 AC, then Taxol
Herceptin 6 rounds/stopped b/c of low EF
Armimidex
right prophylactic mastectomy 2/17/06
Implants 1/07, final w/tatto 9/07

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