I am a 38 yo female, diagnosed with early DCM Feb 2008. I experience a lot of bigeminy, palpitations, SOB on exertition, chest tightness, but do not have CHF. I have Toprol and Coversil daily.
I have just recently had a routine echocardiogram whereby a small leak in the tricuspid valve was noticed, which has not been obvious in earlier cardiograms (last one was June '08). The technician told me that it is something not that uncommon but I wasnt sure if he meant not uncommon for DCM patients or not uncommon, period. During a recent ambulance trip to the ER I was also recorded experiencing AF, which is also something I have not been made aware of in previous monitoring. However, it did resolve itself within a couple of hours. I have since felt that fluttering again, once, accompanied with increased discomfort, but also again, only for a short duration. The ectopics have continued as "normal" (for me!).
Are these signs that I may be experiencing a small degree of deterioration? Should I be requesting more frequent follow ups? I accept that if there was a need for me to be attended to at this current time then that would be happening, so I am not panicking, yet! I confess though, I am concerned, and would like to know whether or not I should be keeping a closer watch on how things pan out, or just sit back and treat these new things as nothing. I like to read up on everything new, but it is difficult to find reliable information written in layman's terms that isnt "worst case scenario" (Which I know I am not). I dont want to hassle my specialists with these concerns, but dont have a follow up appointment until mid January. Could you point me into a more informed decision, or is that too hard without knowing other details?