Posted 7/23/2016 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am 48 yo female, wife, mother of an 11 and 13 yo. I am generally active, health, no family history of heart problems and I have low blood pressure and am normal in my cholestorol.
Nov 2007 - Put on Effexor/venlafaxine for generalized depression. Didn't like the way it made me feel so went off of it in March 2008.
April 2008 - Diagnosed with LBBB when I had gone to see a cardiologist because my heart was having "hard" heartbeats mostly when at rest (not activity). I was told to go about my life as normal as all tests showed normal(my EF of 60-65%). No followups recommended unless symptoms got worse.
Dec 2013 - Diagnosed with a heart murmer that was noticed by my OBGYN. All tests showed normal with the exception of my EF number was at 50% down from 65%. I was told to go about my life, everything is fine. Follow up optional.
Oct 2014 - I was diagnosed at being high risk for breast cancer (no breast cancer history in family). I was put on Tamoxifen (estrogen blocker) which caused major hot flashes as I was put into medically induced menopausal state.
Jan 2015 - Oncologist put me on Effexor/Venlafaxine AGAIN as its shown to reduce hot flashes. i had not been feeling well about 3 months after beginning this medication (bloating, severe sweating, night sweats, swollen, achy joints, foggy brain having a hard time keeping with general duties of being a staying at home mom but thought it was menopausal symptoms as did all of my dr.s (oncologist and GP)
July 2016 - after weaning myself off of Effexor for 6 weeks I have to call ambulance 1 week later with shortness of breath, profuse sweating, swelling in fingers and legs. In hospital, they fun all sorts of tests including angiogram which showed no signs of blockages at all. I have low blood pressure and no family history of heart problems. Out of the blue, diagnosed with CHF with an EF of 22% while in hosptial for 4 days.
Not sure what the heck happened from 2008 to 2016 but am in shock by all this. Dr's don't know what caused this. They have me on cardiac exercise therapy, beta blockers, lasix and low sodium diet and we are in holding pattern until they do a 2nd echocardiogram to determine if my Ef #'s have gone up in the next 2 months. It's been talked about getting pace maker or defibrilator put in if meds and time don't get my EF #'s up.
I mention the Effexor in my notes above because I came across an article where it stated that LBBB could be a side effect of taking Effexor and I was wondering if anybody else might be on or have been on this medication.
Overall, I am feeling much better than before hospital visit. Sweating has ceased. No shortness of breatch, I can catch my breath more, I'm fatigued and am having dizziness but am feeling better, better everyday.
Wanted to know how people are doing past, present and future with the same issues of LBBB, Effexor and CHF.
Thanks for your input.