Coughs, Tests and More Challenges

• by bionicdee
• 2012-12-22 10:12:19
• Complications
• 1138 views
• 0 comments

Hi guys,
It has been at least since February that I posted. It has been an interesting year. I try very hard to keep moving and not be stopped by my health issues, which are really trying to sideline me. OK, so moving into the details. I had my pace maker on February 15 and had to go for a lead revision on February 28. A Medtronic REVO, MRI compatible. In my reality, I have traveled all year for my job- especially busy this summer and fall. Life was moving forward, except for a cough that I could not shake. Tired me out and started to be a cough that people would turn around in public and ask if I was ok. You could hear me through offices and in church, I was the annoying one. We did everything, changed BP medicine to generic Avapro(helped somewhat), changed acid reflux medicine back to Aciphex (helped somewhat,) and took Zyrtec to rule out allergies (helped somewhat).
Six months, still have the cough. So the Cardiologist ordered a series of tests – Echo Cardiogram, which came back with indicators that my heart is not pumping at the normal rate. Range is way lower than normal range. In fact they are concerned that I may have a sick heart. So they are ruling our inflammation and other issues. As well as an angiogram, no blockages.
As a result, more tests, including: a pulmonary test, cardiac MRI (remaining still for 3 hours) with and without contrast and the ever fabulous ( myocardial biopsy) yesterday. The doctor is trying to rule out diseases of the heart; an early consideration (barring any other issues) is that we may need to resync the heart with a third lead. Well, that is where I part ways with the EP and the doctor that specializes in heart failure. We are waiting for the results of the tissue biopsies which will be after the holidays. They will be sent to University of Chicago for analysis.
Right now, I am anxious for any comments and gain insight from anyone who has gone in for a third lead. I want to understand the down side as well. I will be 60 in 8 days and have been lucky not to have any other contributing modalities that I know about anyway. My mantra has been to keep living and keep going. I would love to hear from all of you. I am not going to let this stop me, but- I need support.

Thank you.
Bionic Deb slowing down a little!