Enlarged Heart

[flump1]

As above really, when I went for my x ray results following up a bout of pneumonia earlier this year, the chest x ray was clear....now I have an enlarged heart. After discussing my maintenance dose of steroids, I left without asking more about my heart. Anybody come across this before ? Is it treatable ?
I am definitely feeling like rent a wreck this year : (

[excelsior-1]

hello flump.

have you asked your doctor about this?

[boxtops]

It's not necessarily a good idea to read up too much on the net, but this might help http://www.betterheal...isease_enlarged_heart

[flump1]

Hi Execelsior, I was flabbergasted and wanted to talk steroids. I was also breaking my neck for a pee having waiting a long time for my appointment so no , I didn't discuss it with my GP . She wants me back in a month .

[Sqad]

I shouldn't read too much into this as there are a very few and uncommon conditions that can enlarge a heart in less than 6 months in an otherwise healthy person.

Was the diagnosis of an enlarged heart made clinically or on X-Ray.

Don't Google it and don't worry.

[flump1]

Thanks boxy, I took a look at that link.
Headwreck, good to hear about your mum.
Sqad, thanks for that answer, it showed up on x ray, I haven't been feeling myself ( or anybody else for that matter ) and have to have these chest xrays after that thing they labelled pneumonia early this year. At that time when I was in hospital my crp was 300+ , now it is 53....still want it down to about 25 where I cope better.

[Sqad]

Well as your CRP is 53, clearly you are on the mend.
Providing that you have no ankle oedema (swelling) and are not short of breath, the enlarged heart is not doing any damage and the cause needs to be sought.

You have an underlying medical condition which may give us a clue, but forgive me as i have forgotten what it is.

[flump1]

Thanks again Sqad, I have retro-peritoneal fibrosis, and pernicious anaemia, had to give up work four years ago and I seem to be going downhill since !

[Sqad]

Yes.....I have just remembered........enlarged heart due to thickening of the walls of the heart (myocardium) is associated with retroperitoneal fibrosis and that MAY be your answer.

Don't panic.