Vicki, The doctor hasn't given you any medicine I take it. Is this your primary physician or a cardiologist? If I were you, I would want to see a cardiologist. I have two problems. I have a heart block that is called a left bundle branch. That showed up on an ekg during a regular exam. My doctor took the ekg because of a very fast heart rate. From that I was sent to a heart doctor, given an echo, eventually a stress test, tons of blood tests, etc. and diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at that point. I didn't even know I had anything. I was put on 3 med for the heart and am on them still even though my condition has improved. I don't have any leaks but it does involve the heart muscle. Find out if what you have has a name and find out more about it so you can know what to do that might help. It's worth the effort. Good luck.
Louisa

It sounds as if Vicki's condition might be cardiomegaly which is different than cardiomopathy. Cardiomyopathy is usually treated with meds whereas cardiomagaly may not require meds unless it worsens.
Taking any of the phen phen diet drugs can lead to similar conditions. If either of you took those drugs, you might want to contact an attorney to see if you should be in that lawsuit. Just a thought.
smile

[ February 05, 2005, 01:36 AM: Message edited by: smilinize ]

The doctor hasn't given me any medications to take for my heart.

Once, about 6 years ago, I took phen (not phen phen) for less than 30 days. Not sure if that small dose would do anything.

I go back to see the doctor in a month. I'll make sure to get a copy of my echo results and ask the doctor some more questions.

No, I never took phen phen or anything. They think it was a viral infection. Of course, that is what they say when they can't figure something out. The silver lining was that I lost over 20 pounds after I started taking the meds. They don't think that's what did it, but it sure helped me to improve.
Louisa

Vicki, even though you only took phen phen for 30 days, you might be able to participate in that class action suit.

I don't know much about it, but I believe valves leaking is one of the effects for which people are being compensated. Seems like the only people who benefit from those suits are the attorneys, and the whole thing seems weird, but if it is a condition that can affect you for the rest of your life and if the drug companies didn't know about it, they should have. Maybe if they have to pay off, they will have to take note.
smile