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Re: Don't understand echo reading
I've been on various Her2 targeted agents for 5 years. During this time, my LVEF has fluctuated up or down a little bit, usually somewhere in the 60's. Once I had a 78, once it was in the 50's.
I was worried when I got the low reading (until the next test when it bounced back up). Years later when it jumped from 68 to 78, I didn't get all excited because I "knew" it was a bogus reading.
In my opinion, the test is not a precision thing. It is somewhat dependent upon the skill of the technician and how "difficult" the study is (mine is difficult because I have a left implant). You want to be within a normal range, but my experience has been to not get too worried about minor fluctuations either direction. I would be concerned about a downward trend, but one test isn't a trend.
I have found it helps to take CoQ10, and I do take it as well as try to do all the normal things to have a healthy heart.
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Chris in Scotts Valley
June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?"
9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++
10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response!
04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED
04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial
06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin
01/08 Progression in liver
02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial
08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1
02/09 Continue NED
02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED
12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver
07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:(
12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:(
03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial
5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!!
8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!)
9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3
11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc
11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go.
2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go.
3/13 TACE procedure
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