Viral Myocarditis ....

[DMickey28]

Any experiences?

 

[NCRedding]

My mother had this about 5 years ago. She didn't realize it was viral myocarditis until several months later when she had heart issues. Thankfully, her doctor started her on Co-Reg for her blood pressure which protected her heart. She ended up developing cardiomyopethy from the virus, but with great care, she was able to reverse her heart damage. She is going strong at 72

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks.

My DH had Myocarditis back in May of 2009. The week started with a virus of some sort in his body and traveled to his heart. We ended up in the ER and then the Cardiac ICU 5 days later. At first they thought it was a heart attack but then ruled that out ... he walked out with DX of Myocarditis and has been following up with a cardiologist since then. He is on BP meds but that is it. He had his last appointment at the end of January with the cardiologist and was given the all clear completely with an EKG.

He is now suffering from the exact same viral symptoms that lead up to this (minus the fever) and is freaking out. We have spoken to his old PCP which lead us to his Cardiologist who told us to contact the PCP because he is not having ANY symptoms with his heart at all. He has an appointment with a new PCP tomorrow for the viral symptoms but is freaking out.

He's in Cali this week (we live in NH) for work but cut it short and is flying home right now instead of tomorrow. I know that NOT every virus is going to attack his heart but it's scary. His symptoms are the same, exactly, and also a bit private which is why I am not posting them!!

My gut feeling is that he is run down from the travel and stressed because he had to go so far away so close to my due date and that his symptoms are a result of being run down ... he has enlarged lymph nodes and redness/swelling/tenderness around them ... I am hoping that once he gets home tonight and gets a good nights rest in his own bed he will feel better. He said aside from the swelling/tenderness he feels 100% and has no fever or anything.

 

[TwingleMum]

what are the symptoms?? How would you know you were having it?

 

[DMickey28]

It's hard to pinpoint the symptoms. Some people don't know for a while that they have it and experience shortness of breath, dizziness etc. for a while before going to the doctor.

For my DH, he was sick with a fever for a few days, started antibiotics for this viral infection on a Friday. Saturday he was feeling better. Saturday night we actually had an arguement and while he was talking it out with a friend he felt like his heart was going to pump out of his chest. He relaxed and was fine ... we made up, went to bed and then he woke me up at 2AM saying he had a wierd pain in the center of his back. He said it felt like a muscle but not a back muscle because he couldn't pinpoint it. Then his HR was elevated and his BP was fairly high (we monitor it because he has high BP anyway) and then once his hands and feet got cold and numb we went to the ER. At first they said it was a heart attack because this Troponin levels where elevated. Eventually they said it was Myocarditis and the troponin was released due to the damage in his heart as a result of the infection.

His Stress tests where fine, his EKG's where always fine and his Echo was fine. He had decreased heart function at the time but since then has gotten better and all tests are normal.

 

[TwingleMum]

How was it diagnosed???

 

[DMickey28]

Once they went through all the tests (Stress/EKG/ECHO) and saw that there was no lasting damage or anything to his heart, went over the prior symptoms of the infection that is the conclusion they came to. I suppose it was the process of elimination? I don't remember clearly if there was something specific that pointed to it but I don't believe so ... the fact that troponin was released showed that there was some sort of physical damage to the heart which was inflammation of the heart muscle itself. He was in the hospital for 3 days, out of work for 3 weeks and very weak for about two months. He got his total clean bill of health this January, 8 months later. He literally could not walk the length of our driveway (three car lengths or so) for quiet a few weeks. We used to take very short walks a few times a day to build up his strength.

 

[TwingleMum]

WOW!! Scary. I'm glad he is doing better. My oldest DS was born on 3/21 so con( he is 9 ) grats on your new little angel. Best of luck.

 

[DMickey28]

Thanks. I have a repeat c-section scheduled for 3/22 but half hoping I go into labor before that!