EF's

[LeahM]

Hey all,

I have had 3 MUGA's and 1 2D U/S and the readings have been 75, 65, 65 and 60. I know I should expect y EF to go down, and it has. And I know I am not in a "danger zone" but I do have a question my infusion nurse didn't know the answer to and i don't see onc again till May.

I want to know if when all the Herceptin is done (6 more) will my EF go back up or is all this permanent??

Also is the 2D as accurate as the MUGA? The 2D is what I had last time (a week ago) and the tech had trouble with it due to my expanders...there was a lot of "deep breath...hold...breath" going on during the test. Thought I was gonna hyperventilate.

Thanks
Leah

[NanaJoni]

I did Herceptin for 11 months - had some lung problems related to radiation and my onc decided not to press my luck. When I stopped Herceptin my last echocardigram showed an EF of 50%. That was a little over a year ago and I had another echo last month with an EF of 60%. So mine did go back up and considering my age (64) I'm pretty happy with that.

[SoCalGal]

My scores have improved with treatment - so - that says that the coq10 along with supplements, and regular exercise have a lot to do with the heart health. I also know that your "score" will improve once off herceptin, if you are worried. Many woman have to take a herceptin break, wait for their muga to improve-ah and then resume treatment.

[tricia keegan]

Its usually temporary when the EF goes down !

[PinkGirl]

I went down to the mid 50's and at my 3 month check-up after
finishing Herceptin, it was 71.

[sassy]

I was down to 50 after 18 months on, then I went back up to 67 after 1 year off.

[vballmom]

Have they suggested putting you on any meds to protect your heart through this process? I often think we should all be under the watchful eye of a cardiologist throughout. Mine went 60, 54, 53 and they put me on an ACE inhibitor and gave me a Herceptin break. My last one was 63%. I am also taking CoQ10.