Reproduction

[Zackman]

31yr, Male! Got married JAN 2008! Got diagnosed with DCMP Class IV from Viral Myocarditis in NOV 2008! EF improved from 25% to 33% in Feb 2009! Ectopic beats reduced from 800 to 200. 3 V-runs! Developed enlarged breasts due to Spironolactone! Was shifted to (Amiloride5 Fursemide40) X 1.5, in March. Am on Cordarone200, Losartan50, Clopidogrel75, Digoxin0.25, Carvedilol3.125X2, Alprazolam0.25, L-carnitine500X2. Have lost some interest in sex, and find it difficult to maintain an erection for more than 2mins! Since I am going to be dead within 5yrs, my wife decided to try for a child before it is too late! Are any of the above drugs interfering? I never had problems before! Is it safe to use Viagra for a month? Is it worth the risk? Is Spironolactone better than Amiloride? Are there any forum members with EF<40% alive beyond 5yrs, without transplant or pacmaker? And ... I really would hate to leave my wife a single parent, but I would hate myself even more if the child is congenitally deformed! Do any of the above drugs cause genetically defective sperms?

[Zackman]

Hi grendslori .... really sorry to know ur daughter has it! Only thing worse than having 'it' urself .... is watching someone U really love and care for go through it!

Sorry abuout your friend too! Really rotten luck .... getting a disese like AIDS from a transfusion! I can imagine peoples reaction to her ... and their self righteous thoughts! Heck ... people are kinda wary around 'me' when they know I got "Viral" Myocarditis! LOL! Yet your friend has the guts to fight .. the will to survive for 23 years... hats off to her!

As for a transplant for me .... ummm ... got a disease just when the entire world is 'downsizing'! ... was a youngish fool who thought health insurance is for the 40+! Cant blame myself either .. used to work out at a gym ... ate healthy ... gave up smoking at 17 ... blah .. blah.. blah! Rapidly shrinking savings ... and my pride means .. I dont want a transplant! Only hope is something I vaguely remember reading somewhere. A $3000 mechanical heart, currently undergoing animal trials ..... am not sure ... but I think it is in Cuba??? or in India???

But your comments have made me realize that .. to a certain extent it does depend on a 'will' to survive! I really would love to beat those statistics and prove my Doctor wrong! :-) I would love it even better if I could attend his ... ummm.... last journey, after 30 or more yrs ( my Doctor is kinda old :-D )!

Thanks!

[Zackman]

No offence taken mini_d! :-D Couldnt talk to my cardiologist about the thing.. because he moves in the same social circle! Its incredibly embarrassing and stressful to keep trying ... or even talk about it! I dont want kids ... but my wife is at an age where she thinks her biological clock is against her! Even did the Charlize Theron 'thing' in "Sweet November" ( Keanu Reeves) and dramatically (stupidly) offered her a divorce .. so that she can get on with her life!

And I dont think it is advantageous to know how and when I will die! As a kid, seeing my Uncles die a slow and painful death ( 1 died of throat cigarettes 2. died of pancreatic booze cancer), I have always preferred 'sudden' deaths! Its the waiting part thats kinda scary! Thanks 4 d tip on d sperm stuff! :-)

[grendslori]

And why haven't you considered the idea of heart transplant??? Some patients are celebrating 20+ years after transplant. Also had I dug a hole every time some doctor told me my daughter would be dead due to her heart disease, I'd be enjoying the sunset in China by now. NO ONE can tell you you are going to have x amount of years left to live. My best friend was given 18 months to live after being diagnosed with HIV (due to transfusions) She has now had an AIDS diagnoses 3xs. Gues how long she's been alive for after her diagnoses...... 23 years!!!! Think about the 5 years again.  

[mini_d]

I would also like to add a few of my personal thoughts. Please do not get offended.

There is a saying in Indian philosophy which says that everything that is born will die. So, you will die, and so will I. It is only that one of us will die earlier, and it can as well be me. You are probably at an advantageous situation in that you know to a reasonably certain extent why and how you will de. You can probably set your things right.

The purpose of every living thing is to ultimately reproduce and leave some of its genes behind. But I believe that each child deserves to have both parents, for as long as possible. Accidental death of one parent is one issue, but in your case, you know that you are going to die within a short time frame, unless your disease stabilises or there is some successful experimental cure that can be found. So, I think you should probably rethink your plans of having a child.

Instead, why don't you enjoy the rest of your life with your wife? And stay happy

Best regards

[mini_d]

Hello Zackman,

The above drugs which you are using and your disease: both can cause a decrease in your sex drive. Viagra is not used in patients with cardiovascular diseases, because it has effects on parts of the body other than the penile blood vessels. You must first consult if sex itself is contraindicated with your disease.Congenital diseases rarely get transmitted from sperm defects which develop, if at all, due to the usage of drugs in the male. Defects that are carried to children due to drug usage are usually due to usage in the female, after conception.

Regards