echo

Angela · 04-10-2007, 02:37 PM

How often do you have your heart checked with an echo or muga when you are on herceptin? I had an echo at the beginning of Feb which showed my heart function of 60%. I was just wondering how often they should check my heart function.

tousled1 · 04-10-2007, 02:39 PM

Angela,

You should have either an echocardiogram or MUGA scan done every three months while on Herceptin. Both tests are good and I think it's just a personal preference on which one an oncologist prefers.

tricia keegan · 04-10-2007, 02:45 PM

I had a Mugga every three months,then my onc changed to echo's but still every three months and one at the end of treatment.

04-10-2007, 08:14 PM

As everyone above me has said, every three months. But if you have any unusual symptoms, don't hesitate to ask for more frequent echos. Echo's are non invasive.

nitewind · 04-11-2007, 09:06 AM

I'm sure not up on all the tests, so I have a question. I got the Muga test when I first started herceptin in December. I asked my onc last week when I will get my heart checked again and he said in three weeks he will do an ultra sound. My question is... Is an ultra sound the same as an echo or Muga test?

Thanks for your help
Susan

StillHere · 04-11-2007, 03:57 PM

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your heart. Echo is interchangable with US. Hope this helps. Karen

Mary Jo · 04-11-2007, 04:22 PM

Unlike everyone else, I had an "echo" before chemo began. After being on herceptin for 4 months I had my first MUGA. Everything was fine and my onc. did not do another one. I asked her about it and she said "typically toxicity shows up in first 4 months" so unless symptoms warranted she did not do another one. I went along with her (maybe I shouldn't have) and all went well. I finished up one year of herceptin, every 3 weeks Oct. 11, 2006. I exercised by powerwalking 4 miles per day and never had a problem. Thankfully! My oncologist (a breast cancer survivor herself) believes in very aggressive treatment and almost seems to have the philosphy that unless you're almost dead we'll go ahead as scheduled.

Good luck you you.

God is good - be encouraged.

Mary Jo

Alice · 04-11-2007, 06:49 PM

I had echo's throughout ,even when people I knew didn't understand why I didn't have a MUGUA. The echo's are not invasive and are just as reliable as the MUGUA ,if administered and read by reliable personel. I only have 1 kidney,and if it goes away there is no replacement. Any invasive procedure, such as the MUGUA, even one as simple as this, not counting the chemo and radiation, could mean dialasis and problably death. I have felt ,after a CT, more than once ,that my kidney has been taxed almost to the limits. The technician ,that I have delt with ,spoke to me regarding this and and asked me to remind him from then on, that I had 1 kidney, so he would give me only half the dye and make it easier on my kidney. I did not seek out his advice ,he as a knowledgeable and concientious technician , knew what was in my best interest and was not apprehensive to tell me.

I think sometimes we think that if it is not the "latest and greatest" it is no good???