Mugascan results

Hi! My Mugascan score went down 20% from when it was measured 3 months ago before I started Herceptin. It now is 55% which I have been told is perfectly normal, but 3 months ago it was 68%. I believe that this shows a decrease of 20% which may not be acceptable. I am 43 years old and have had 5 Herceptin treatments (once every 3 weeks) and am curious if anyone else had a similar situation. I am taking Herceptin alone and finished TAC chemotherapy in January. Before my TAC chemo, my mugascan measured 71%.

Jamie,

The ejection fraction does jump around between your treatments (due to meds, etc), but I don't think they really care about the difference each time, just as long as your EF remains above 50%. A few oncs see that 45% is acceptable.

Does anyone else have their onc pay attention to the difference between scans, even if both times are found to be above 50%?

My MUGA Scan was 61% before 4Ac+ 4 Taxol every 2 weks dose dense.
It wnet down to 54% after AC+T.
I then went for 33 rads. And then started Herceptin. After 3 months of Herceptin it went down to 45%. The onc immeidtaley stopped Herceptin and I have been on a break for 4 weeks. Now my Muga is on the 15th and I am hoping and praying that it comes back to be abobe 50%.
At 45% they refused to give me Herceptin.
Meanwhile I have seen a cardiologist who did an ECHO and said everything was ok in the heart and the EF is 50% according to ECHO.
But I think the onc is more interested to see MUGA results.

Did your hemoglobin also fall?

Hi
My MUGA before herceptin was 52%, I was on the once every 3 weeks schedule. I had another scan after 3 treatments and it dropped to 36%. So I had to stop and saw a cardiologist and I am now on heart meds.Coreg. and linsinopril, low doses and I will have another MUGA in a few weeks. When I saw the cardiologist he did an echo and it showed no heart damage. I also finished chemo last year, and was just on herceptin and tomaxifen. I am hoping I will start back on herceptin soon.
My Oncologist won't let me take it until my MUGA is above 50%.
I am not sure what they would have done if it had dropped alot but was still above 50%. you might want to ask about consulting with a cardiologist.
I am going to ask if it would help if I take a lower dose every week instead of a larger dose every 3 weeks.
keep me posted.
God Bless
Bonnie T

My MUGA was 56 before chemo, 52 after 4 rounds of AC, at that point I started taking CoQ10. My MUGA after 12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin and Co Q 10 was 58!
Not sure if it was the all praying or the CoQ10 but my heart function was better than prior to treatments. Go figure.

Lori, how much Co Q-10 were you taking during the time of Herceptin and Taxol?

Are you still taking it?

Barbara2

I have been taking 200mg COQ10 for last 8 months still my LVEF fell, so I do not know if COQ10 does any wonders, though I still take it.

Thanks for all of the advice!!! I spoke to my oncologist and I will be getting an EKG to confirm that my Ejection fraction is no lower than 55%, but my doctor will continue me on Herceptin with a followup mugascan in 3 months. My hemoglobin and all other tests are good. I feel fine so will continue and will be more consistent with my COQ10 and getting more exercise.

Barbara,

I only take 50mg once a day, also a multivitamin and calcuim supplement.

Lori

If Co-Q 10 is not giving you the kind of heart protection you need, try plain simple magnesium without any mix in it...just NOT mag citrate...goodluck, Gina