My lovely daughter (second child) arrived 4 and a half years ago, a very special day! I had been experiencing some breathlessness late in pregnancy, but I had considered this to be normal late pregnancy symptoms. A day or two after her arrival I experienced severe breathlessness, struggled to walk and needed to sleep propped up. My GP initially diagnosed anxiety/ anaemia! I was around 4-5 days after her arrival diagnosed with PPCM (e.f. 15-20%) and admitted to hospital, at which point I was told I couldn't breastfeed. I (thankfully!) responded well to medication and was discharged after around 4 days. I was eventually on just beta blockers and ACE and my e.f. (Slowly) recovered to 54% 3 years following diagnosis, so I was taken off my last small dose of bisoprolol (beta blocker) and discharged to go back for an out of clinic appointment a year later, to check if my e.f. was sufficient for me to come off the ACE as well.
However, much to my dismay, my ef had dipped to 42 %, so for the past 6 weeks I have been titrating up the beta blocker (to max dose)- now on cardevilol. And my cardio seemed almost certain my e.f. will then go back I to normal range- it has been a worrying few weeks, but I am hopeful that the meds will be doing their job! I go back to clinic for an ECHO in 2 weeks.
I have remained (super thankfully!) asymptomatic from a cardiac point of view, since around 6 months on, and exercise a lot. Before the e.f. Dip I was even considering becoming a gym instructor! But I have now been told to go a bit easier on the weights..... So I am hoping the worst thing for me is that I stay on meds "for life" and continue the good health I've had so far........
My Details
- Date Diagnosed: 27/02/2011
- Child: 2
- Initial EF: 15-20%
- Current EF: 42%
Story By Abigail Findley
