Please help! Muga scan stopping chemotherapy

Cristi23
Cristi23 Member Posts: 23
edited October 2014 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
Please help! Muga scan stopping chemotherapy
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  • Cristi23
    Cristi23 Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2014

    Hello..

    I have already been diagnosed with breast cancer. Was to start my dance with "Red devil chemotherapy" this morning. Before I went to the chemo room my doctor wanted to talk to me. My MUGA scan came back as Low ejection fracture. My "score" was 47 but needs to be at least a 50 to start my highly recommend treatment. Has anyone else dealt with this? What can I do to increase the number? I am going to see a heart doctor on Monday.. I am feeling pretty sorry for myself being I am only 35 with 3 kids and no other health problems :-(

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  • Kris103
    Kris103 Member Posts: 57
    edited October 2014

    I've not actually been in your position, but I did have to wait before starting chemo back in March because I'd gone to the ER with chest pains in February and my cardiologist wanted to do a stress echo and a nuclear treadmill to check that out, before starting chemo. The waiting was scary, and it seemed like it took forever to get the appointments and get the tests done. My tests all came back normal, and I started into chemo very quickly after that.

    Red devil (you mean Adriamycin a/k/a Doxorubicin, right?) is very well known to be hard on your heart, and can potentially cause or worsen heart problems both in the short and long term. I don't know that there is a way to increase your ejection fraction, since that's the percentage of blood that's pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat. Certainly see what your cardiologist has to say and make sure they communicate with your MO.

    Even if your heart tests mean that red devil is not for you, your MO will be able to get you on an appropriate and effective chemo regimen. This is just one of those bumps in the road - you'll be over it and on your way soon. (((HUGS)))

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2014

    Can they change your chemo regimen to exclude Adriamycin, like TC instead?  The heart damage from Adriamycin is not usually reversible, like it can be with Herceptin, so starting with a low ejection fraction could be a real problem for someone who is young.

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  • Cristi23
    Cristi23 Member Posts: 23
    edited October 2014

    Thanks for the replies. My MO is very concerned because she believes adriamycin is the best treatment for my case. She stated that she does not feel confident in the other types of chemotherapy right now. I am petrified as this is the first health issue I have ever had. I saw concern on her face which triggered fear in me. It is starting to feel like a never ending nightmare.

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  • Momonana6
    Momonana6 Member Posts: 186
    edited October 2014

    Christi,  I had Adriamycin, Cytoxin followed by Herceptin when I was first diagnosed in 2006.  Then a recurrence as metastatic bc to the lung earlier this year.  Since I am ER+ and Her2neu + oncologist started the regimen of Herceptin and Faslodex.  At the start I thought for my peace of mind I might add a cardiologist to the team.  Great idea since she is testing (sonogram)for any EF decrease and I feel so much better staying on the regimen of Herceptin now.  She is also doing some added labs with my tx every 3 weeks...that could show any  earlier indication of pump problems.  Might this work also for you?  Good luck in finding what is best in all respects.    Hugs,  Peg

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