Last Thursday, well two Thursdays ago on 2/2/17 (yes I’m behind again), I went to the Cardiologist on the advice of my GP. They immediately performed an EKG and took my vitals. We explained that I’d had trouble breathing, which was worse during exercise, that I had Ulcerative Colitis, and that my X-ray had shown what appeared to be an enlarged heart. The Cardiologist seemed very understanding, told me that the results from my EKG were normal, and scheduled me for an echocardiogram the very next day.
I was aware of the potential for left ventricular hypertrophy occurring from heavy lifting and thought that might just be the situation with me. Unfortunately it wasn’t. During the echo the Cardiologist explained that I have left ventricle weakness (technically heart failure) as well as fluid build up around my heart. He was stumped on the cause since I don't have high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease or really any of the risk factors. He prescribed a low dose beta blocker as well as a diuretic to take once every three days. Unfortunately the beta blocker made me feel worse than I ever have in my life. It made me severely fatigued (basically unable to function), completely out of breath, lightheaded, and made it difficult to sleep. I was on it for a few days but had to stop taking it. I went for a follow up with the Cardiologist this past Friday and he agreed to put me on an ACE inhibitor instead (which has a similar affect as the beta blocker but works off of a different mechanism).
How did this all happen? When I first went to the GI doctor almost two years ago I had digestive issues and slightly elevated liver enzymes. Now my digestive issues are gone, but I have a fatty liver, painful swollen joints, over 20 things out of whack on my bloodwork, and heart issues!
What’s changed between then and now? Has my autoimmune disease really progressed this much to give me all of these other issues? I’m starting to think that a more likely conclusion is it’s actually the meds, specifically the biologics (that have a laundry list of side effects), not the autoimmune disease itself (although the symptoms are similar), that are causing all of my issues. At this point I think it's worth the risk of coming of the biologics to see if I improve. I have an appointment scheduled with the GI later this month to explain my plans. If he wants to put me on something other than a biologic then I may give it a try but otherwise it doesn’t seem worth the risk of staying on them.