Enlarged heart & what scans?

[Chelee]

I was curious as to which scan/x-ray will show if your heart IS enlarged? What is the best way to find this out?

Thanks...

Chelee

[CLTann]

I would suggest ultra sound, since it is not invasive and does not cause any radiation accumulation.


Ann

[Chelee]

Hi Ann, Thanks...never thought of a ultrasound. I was mainly curious because I recently got some of my records from my oncologist from when I landed in the hospital. One of the papers from a CAT scan I had in the hospital said I had a enlarged heart.

This concerned me and worried me since I am on herceptin. I never had a enlarged heart before. So when I had a follow-up appt. with my pulmonary doctor...I asked him why my oncologist NEVER mentioned to me that I had a enlarged heart? I told the pulmonogist its right here on this paper from my CAT scan. (Which by the way the pulmonary doctor is the one that ORDERED this CAT scan for me when I was in the hospital with breathing problems)

So he KNEW my entire history. Anyway...when I asked about not being told about an enlarged heart...he looked kind of annoyed at me and said " You DON'T have an enlarged heart...YOU CAN'T tell that from a CAT scan"!!! I was a bit put off at the way he answered me...like he was mad. (I didn't do anything...I am just trying to gather information about ME that could be very important I would think)

I kind of backed down from him and said "I only wondered because it says it right on this paper...so I just wanted to know.".

He AGAIN...looks up at me...looks TICKED...and raises his voice a tab..and says, "Like I told you... there is NO WAY to tell you have an enlarged heart from a CAT SCAN". (He was then DONE with this topic)

Why so mad at me? He was so nice before. I was JUST reading what I had in my hands...I didn't write this. I was almost ready to cry...I have enough to deal with. Now I can't ask a little question without getting screamed at. I would think a CAT scan COULD show an enlarged heart. And if my heart ISN'T....why does the paper say it is???

Anyway...now I have switched oncologist and I think I will push for a ultrasound of my heart. Its time for my follow up ECHO or muga soon. I do herceptin...so I need to stay on top of this.

Its so weird how nice this pulmonary doctor was to me IN the hosptial when I was layed up for 10 days sicker then a dog. Now I ask a SIMPLE question...and get my head bit off. I can't win.

Thanks again Ann...I appreciate your reply about the ultrasound. I am going to look into that asap.

[CLTann]

Hi,

It is not uncommon to have a His Mighty God doctor to be mad when a lowly patient challenges his neglect. That is pure egotism. Many doctors are taught in their medical schools (honestly truth) that once they become a doctor they are in an elite group, far above common people. From then on, they should remove words from their dictionary such as "sorry" "fault" "forget" "wrong".... They now cannot be wrong any more. I elected to respond even more rudely than them and use voice loud enough for others to hear. Of course, if you are in a small community, you have to submit to their tyranny since you have no other alternate.

Ann

[lexigirl]

Dear Chelee,

They could tell that my heart had enlarged from my last muga scan. They compared the pictures and my hear had enlarged considerably. The measurement went from 43 to 72. After a break from the herceptin my heart size went down to 62. I had my herceptin this past Thursday and will have another muga in a month or so. This will let the Dr. know if it 's the herceptin or possibly could have been a combo of the chemo, rads and herceptin. I am now on herceptin only and am praying that my heart will be okay. I don't know if they can tell from a cat scan if your heart size has changed but they can see in a muga. I hope this helps.

Lexi