Enlarged Heart? Does that mean its over?

[bigand]

I joined this forum because I am in desperate need of some advice from long time users.

I am 4 weeks into my second cycle, this one being a test only cycle of Test Cyp 250mg/week and Test Prop 100mg/eod.

I through the cyp in there because I felt my levels drop too much between shots of prop and the aggression wasn't fun.

So the other day I decided to try some Ephedrine to help with cutting.

I'm 26, 250lbs, 18% bodyfat.

The first few days were fine. Then about a week ago I had the day off work and doubled up on my workout. I usually go at 6am and I went again at 2:30 pm. In the morning I took 24mg Ephedrine and 1 scoop of Hyper-FX 280mg caffeine. I felt fine in the morning but took another dose of Hyper -Fx before my 2:30pm workout.

As Im lifting the 100lb dumbells up for a shoulder press I feel my heart rate go through the roof. I dropped the weights grabbed some 80lbs and did my set. As I stood up I felt flushed, short of breath, dizzy and my heart was beating irregularly.

I went home and checked my vitals (wifes a nurse) and my heat rate was still 110 2 hours after I stopped my workout. I then became tired and fell asleep.

I stopped the caffeine and Ephedrine for my next workout and it went pretty smoothly a little shortness of breath but nothing major.

The next day I wanted a boost so I took a simple energy drink with 80mg Caffeine, 1000mg Taurine and B-vitamins.

Next think you know my arrithymia is back and I'm in the hospital my heart rate is jumping from 70-150 in 10 seconds and Im feeling like crap. They kept me over night and ran some tests and turns out I have an enlarged heart. I went for a MUGA scan yesterday and will have the results today hopefully.

Lifting weights is my life and I cant imagine stopping and being happy. Has anyone else had this problem and found a way to work past it?

In case this helps my first cycle was Test E 600mg/wk Deca 400mg/wk for 8 weeks then Sust 250 500mg/week and Equipoise 600mg/wk I followed up with a PCT of hCG and arimidex.

[almostgone]

I can tell you from experience that this is not necessarily the end of your lifting. Always follow your cardiologist's and physicians advice, but there can be many positive outcomes to this....ditch the preworkout supplements, stay off cycle, and listen to your doctors.
I don't like to post my medical history, but in this case I will post some so that you see there is plenty of room for a positive outcome.....
At one time I was diagnosed with left bundle branch block, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and mitral valve disorder. At my first echocardiogram my ejection fraction was barely 10%. A normal persons' is around 35%-45%. I was actually a candidiate to be worked up to receive a transplant for awhile. I've had a biventricular pacemaker installed, caught multiple strains of staph later on, had to have pacemaker removed to clear infection, and spent about 12 weeks with a PICC line in my arm that ran over to my heart and also I had to wear a pump 24/7 that dispensed Nafcillin and another antibiotic (can't recall the name). My blood is too thick and I was sent to an oncologist that informed me I have a Coumadin resistant gene and that he didn't want me on an injectable thinner for a long period of time because of the risks associated with it (the only injectable that worked was Arixtra, a low MW form of heparin if I recall correctly). I also have an arrhythmia that they tried to control with Digoxin...only problem being that they took me all of the way to 200mcg (which is a hell of a dose) but I never could reach a therapeutic level.
My point being that I've got a really crappy heart, but I still lift. My advice is to hang in there, communicate with your medical/treatment team, educate yourself, and maintain a positive attitude..
Oh yeah, my cardiologist AND my physician endorse lifting along with cardio. The only restriction I was given is to BREATHE during my lifts..NEVER hold your breath during a lift.
Also, there are quite a few people with enlarged hearts that don't even know it and function perfectly.
Like I said......
Communicate with your doctors, listen to them, and ASK questions. I kept a notebook with me constantly so I could write down questions/ take notes.
Hang in there, man. I did and I'm almost 50.

[bigand]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Even though I followed my PCT last cycle my libido never came back after 4 months off. I was only having sex once a week as opposed to 2-3 times a day and that's why I decided to try another cycle because my doctor was saying my test level is fine (18). As soon as I started the prop injections I had my libido back and now I'm dealing with this.

Do you have an idea if even a TRT dose is safe for me? Like Test Decanoate 100mg/wk?

[Black]

Thanks a lot for your reply.

Even though I followed my PCT last cycle my libido never came back after 4 months off. I was only having sex once a week as opposed to 2-3 times a day and that's why I decided to try another cycle because my doctor was saying my test level is fine (18). As soon as I started the prop injections I had my libido back and now I'm dealing with this.

Do you have an idea if even a TRT dose is safe for me? Like Test Decanoate 100mg/wk?

You are gonna want to discuss that with your doctor/physician.

[BIGB]

Have you been to a Doctor.

You may not have a enlarged heart but actually a pre excitation syndrome to sympathometics.

You also may have developed Atrial Fibrillation the reason for your HR jumping all around.

Get it looked at and they wlil figure it out.

[bigand]

Have you been to a Doctor.

You may not have a enlarged heart but actually a pre excitation syndrome to sympathometics.

You also may have developed Atrial Fibrillation the reason for your HR jumping all around.

Get it looked at and they wlil figure it out.

I have had 4 EKG's and a MUGA test done plus all the blood work. It is definitely an enlarged heart my cardiologist says.

I will post the results of the MUGA here tomorrow or as soon as I get them.

Im really just looking for someone here with a similar issue who has continued to use AAS and how they have been able to.

If I have to stop for good I will but I had plans to compete next year and its really hard to just let my goals go so easily.

As of right now I have stopped my cycle and will run a short PCT since Ive only been on 4 weeks.

Thanks for all the replies.

[mauz]

use nolva and clomid for pct not hcg & adex that might help your libido issues hcg and adex are not good pct

[Igifuno]

Solid advice from almostgone

[BG]

Solid advice from almostgone

Yes great psot.

[BG]

Im really just looking for someone here with a similar issue who has continued to use AAS and how they have been able to.

If I have to stop for good I will but I had plans to compete next year and its really hard to just let my goals go so easily.

Re-read this dumb few sentences. Listen to your doctor, dont seek the answer your hoping to hear on steroid forums.

[Rwy]

Re-read this dumb few sentences. Listen to your doctor, dont seek the answer your hoping to hear on steroid forums.

Well said and whats with all the caffine? I am 35 on trt and 1 cup of coffee does me fine for the whole day. Sometimes its too much and I get the shakes!!!

[diesel101]

I'm with you RWY if I take half that much caffeine I look like l have Parkinson's.

[AD]

a good non-caffeine way to stay awake during the day: go to bed earlier

[Rwy]

I'm with you RWY if I take half that much caffeine I look like l have Parkinson's.

Me too Starbucks gives me anxiety so bad. I cannot handle it. The other day I had an iced coffee from dunking dounts. I played 2 hours full court got home and went to the gym to do weight because I was so wound up.

[BIGB]

The biggest issue now is if you have a enlarged heart is what type of cardiomyopathy you have if it is Restrictive, Dilated, or Hypertrophic, when you find which one you have you will be placed on medications to increase output but minimize your HR, i would suggest stop all use of any medications or supplements that are stimulants so anything to causes your BP to go up.

[AD]

roughly translated, an enlarged heart is cardiomegaly. which is not the same as cardiomyopathy.

[MuscleInk]

Good advice above. I replied in your other thread and recommended a MUGA and associated blood work. I'm working with another member here regarding a cardiac syndrome (I will not name the member, sorry).

You won't necessarily need to abandon fitness goals but an adjustment is likely. Competitions may be limited to physique.

Were your ejection fractions measured?

[Honkey_Kong]

Good advice above. I replied in your other thread and recommended a MUGA and associated blood work. I'm working with another member here regarding a cardiac syndrome (I will not name the member, sorry).

You won't necessarily need to abandon fitness goals but an adjustment is likely. Competitions may be limited to physique.

Were your ejection fractions measured?

Isn't there a difference between an "athlete's heart" and an enlarged heart? I mean, the OP was posting that he was using various stimulants (ephedrine, caffeine, etc). Couldn't he just have come down with an illness and the combination of the uppers caused the symptoms? If I remember, wouldn't the heart function have to be altered for the enlarged heart to be a problem?

I really don't know how you'd diagnose this sort of thing exactly. I'm rather thinking he should not jump to conclusions just yet though.

[almostgone]

HK, Muscleink is way more knowledgeable about this than I, but I'll throw out what little info I can offer. I believe it's the combination of an enlarged heart and an arrhythmia that can lead to a "floppy" heart/ problems.

[AD]

Isn't there a difference between an "athlete's heart" and an enlarged heart? I mean, the OP was posting that he was using various stimulants (ephedrine, caffeine, etc). Couldn't he just have come down with an illness and the combination of the uppers caused the symptoms? If I remember, wouldn't the heart function have to be altered for the enlarged heart to be a problem?

I really don't know how you'd diagnose this sort of thing exactly. I'm rather thinking he should not jump to conclusions just yet though.

exactly. that's why MI asked about the ejection fraction.

[bigand]

Well I got the results of the MUGA today. I don't know if it was because I told the ER doctors I was a steroid user or not but the cardiologist there had led me to believe and I'm quoting him here "your in big trouble". The results of the MUGA showed my LV is enlarged but within the upper limit and my output is 66%. So basically other than a little high blood pressure 145/100 I'm fine.

[bigand]

Re-read this dumb few sentences. Listen to your doctor, dont seek the answer your hoping to hear on steroid forums.

I didn't realize me looking for someone who had the same medical issues as I did and wanting to continue with goals I have been working towards for over a year now is dumb.

As I had stated I was waiting to hear from the doctors and was hoping to come in with some educated questions as to what I may or may not be able to do in the future.

Thanks for the reply though anyways.

[BIGB]

moral of the story is you have a enlarged heart, you can call it what ever, cardiomyopathy this is a condition you have. other factors lead to your heart being enlarged, and your heart enlarges in many different ways. thickens, thins, chambers thicken, and is caused for various reasons, yours most likely dilated and need to keep BP under control.