Congestive heart failure???

[wrought]

Just got an email from a buddy of mine, he's in his early 40s been on gear pretty much continuously his whole adult life. This is the 2nd attack in 6 months, the last time he was in the hospital for a week and the docs didn't diagnose anything but the told him that the values for muscle stress were like off the charts (think he was talking about BUN levels, but not sure). The first attack came on fast, and this one developed a bit slower, symptoms are:

- severe muscle soreness (he can't sleep because it hurts so much)
- muscle weakness (finds it hard to walk)
- abdominal swelling
- feet/ankles are swelling and discolored

He's seeing a doc but more information can't hurt. Thanks guys.

 

[Jarconis]

also sounds like acidosis to me or renal issues, either way, sounds really serious

 

[Govan]

So the doc hasn't yet diagnosed him with anything?

From what you describe it does sound like CHF. Congestive heart failure is where the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to other oragns in the body. I am an ICU nurse and have seen tons of patients with this disorder. He definitely has some of the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, fatigue (or as you describe muscle weakness), fluid in the lower extremities and the abdomianl swelling.

His doc should perform whas called a BNP and off the top of my head I think that stands for B-type naturietic peptide (I think thats it). Anyways, this is probably the test you referred to as being off the charts. If thats the case, then your buddy has congestive heart failure and is going to have to make some MAJOR lifestyle adjustments. But first, you friend needs to find out what he is diagnosed with. He needs to find out what test they ran on him. They may have been referring to his CPK and not his BNP. But that wouldn't fit the clinical picture you are describing. Did they put him on a diuretic, like lasix?

By the way, the number one cause of CHF is high blood pressure. And if your buddy has been cycling for most of his adult life then it's very likely that the gear caused his CHF, whether that be directly or indirectly.

Again, your friend needs to make sure this is indeed his diagnosis. IF so then he needs to hook up with a cardiologist, especially considering he is only 40.

ONe last thing there has been some evidence, which suggest HRT to be benefectial to those with CHF.

 

[Pekkerwood]

I had CHF April 2007, I am 80% recovered one year later. Many do not, it depends on the cause of the heart failure. You may search previous posts as I detailed my experiences as best I could. Bottom line, very serious. One prominent study showed 50% of CHF patients will live past five years. Please understand this was not normalized for the age of the patients, but I merely state this to show the seriousness. Over 35% of CHF are labeled as idiopathic cardio myopathy, basically meaning unknown origin.

The doctor should be doing an Echocardiogram if CHF is indicated. I also had a Echo done from a probe down my throat and an MRI. I had high blood pressure from AAS as well as sleep apnea. I also did daily injections and weekly injections. Viral causes are a very real possibility and one of my doctors suggestions for my cause. CHF is often found with an enlarged heart which cannot be determined by the enzyme tests.

The symptoms, from the limited information given, sound like it could be CHF. BTW I too, am in my forties, and generally healthy, having worked out for over thirty years on a daily basis.

PWood

 

[wrought]

Thanks Pekkerwood, I remember your posts when you got diagnosed and was hoping you'd chime in on this. I haven't heard back from my buddy yet so I'm assuming he's being kept at the hospital under observation.