Help please!

marycrawford

I just go to work this morning as I had my OB appointment and they want me to see a heart specialist. I have been having shortness of breath and mild swelling and my pulse has been on the high side. They are thinking I have pregnancy induced cardiomyopathy. I know I should not have googled it but I did and I am freaking out. I am at work and I am trying to be ok but I am so not. I had pre-e with my DD and after delivery i was rushed back as I had fluid in my lungs and my bpo was 195/112. They thought at one point I was in congestive heart failure and it was one of the scariest things I have ever gone through. I had just had my DD 3 days earlier and I thought I was going to die. Now they are saying that is what I could of had then and they didnt know it. I know I am rambling but I am seriously about to break down.

niki731

What are they suggesting you do?  What all have they said?

AbJams

My bff had this with her first pregnancy, and she is FINE. As scary as it is, it's better to have a diagnosis, right? Stop googling!!!

ejh090305

I had to see a Cardio with my 1st pg too. Rapid pulse, irregular h/b, shortness of breath, swelling and elevated b/p all of that. Never above 150 though. They did an u/s of my heart and were able to determine that it was hormone induced. I did in fact go right back to normal within days of giving birth. It all came back with this pregnancy though. my pulse hangs out at about 114 bpm and sometimes feel so loud. My bp only edged up at the end but there were times I probably should have taken it and didn't. Good luck and keep us posted.

marycrawford

I had a heart scan tomorrow at 11am and then on Monday I have an appointment with the caridologist at 11:30. She said that if the shortness of breath gets worse or I begin to have chest pains to call 911. In the mean time she said not to panic. Dont panic, your kidding me right.

 I stopped googling. Big Mistake. I was happier not knowing that it was. I actually feel like I am having a panic attack and I need to calm down before I go crazy.

Mrs.Weggy

Try to stay calm until you get a confirmed diagnosis.  Google will make you crazy and will only get you more worked up.  I am seeing a cardiologist b/c of pregnancy induced tachycardias.  I ended up having to leave my job b/c my OB wanted me doing nothing until I could keep my heart rate at a reasonable rate. 

They did a bunch of tests (EKG, Echocardiogra, Holter Monitor) and determined that my heart is perfectly healthy.  Unfortunately, my heart doesn't handle the increased bloodflow during pregnancy very well and results in my heart rate being way too high (up to 160bpm the day I wore the holter and averaging around 120bpm some hours during the day).  I finally started taking beta blockers 2 weeks ago and I feel SO MUCH better.  My heart rate is back down to normal, no more dizziness or shortness of breath.  Hang in there, hopefully they will be able to find something to make you feel better!  I know it is scary to have heart problems with a LO growing inside you.  It's better to know what is wrong so that your doctors can take care of the both of you.  I hope you get some answers soon!

marycrawford

Ok I am leaving to go and have my echo please wish me luck. I cant even concentrate work is going to drag as well as this weekend till I see the heart doctor. I am probably overreacting...right.

marycrawford

Well I am meeting with the heart doctor today @ 1130. I will update later. Thank you to those who responded.

marycrawford

Well I am back. The test was negative but the doctor still wants to move me to a high risk OB and continually monitor my BP and let him know if my chest pains or shortness of breathe gets worse. I feel better but he said by no means should I relax and that it could turn at any moment. They took blood and ran a BMP and one of the tests shows if you are in congestive heart failure, normal is 0-100 and I am 102 so they are still worried and cant explain the breathing. I do feel better I just hope it stays that way. Thank you to everyone who responded.