I was diagnosed with PPCM over four years ago, several weeks after my second child was born. Initially, I had been misdiagnosed with everything from postpartum depression to asthma. I even saw a cardiologist, who didn't mention the possibility of PPCM. Then I started going downhill fast in the eighth week postpartum. I was swelled up, vomiting fluid, couldn't stand up or walk a few steps without help. Finally the internist ordered a chest x-ray to check for lung problems and saw my enlarged heart.

My EF at diagnosis was 18-20%. I went into the acute cardiac care wing for 10 days. I started out on IV Dobutamine and Lasix, on which I lost 20 lbs in a few days. Then I switched to Capoten, Cordarone (for whacked-out arrhythmia), Lasix and blood thinner. I had an EP study while in the hospital also.

After the hospital stay, I was still very weak and short of breath. Plus I was in shock and depressed about facing a heart transplant. They had me convinced I wouldn't be around more than a few years. I went through a bad summer with lots of bed rest. I got second opinions at two other hospitals, but anyone who saw my echo said I was probably headed for the transplant list because I was not improving.

Three months later, I started to experience a very gradual improvement In my EF. I also gained improvement in my overall energy level and mood by switching basic medications (Zestril instead of Capoten, no Lasix, no blood thinner). I still had very limited activity.

I continued to make very slow gains, eventually trying Coreg and getting help with antidepressants. By the two-year mark I was up to an EF in the low end of the normal range, about 40-50%. Now I am well into the normal range. I had been on SSD and LTD for many months. I returned to part-time work at about two years. Now I still work only 10-15 hours/week, but it is easier to do than before. I hope to boost my hours to help with our general financial health. We have maintained full-time live-in childcare throughout this, which I am convinced was a lifesaver, and we need to recover from that cost.

My current meds are Diovan 80 mg/day, Coreg 25 mg/day, Amiodarone 200 Mg every two days, and Effexor 37.5 mg/day. I have had a problem with angioedema (swelling inside throat, etc.) from the ACE inhibitors recently, so we are trying Diovan for now. My energy level is very good and I have few limitations by my standards (no strenuous stuff or running).

This summary does not express much of the emotional torture of the last few years. That is the luxury of successful treatment. I don't feel like I'm cured or anything - because I have the side effects of the meds to remind me. However, I have come much further than I ever expected to. I have the energy to find other things to obsess about! I completely empathize with anyone who is newly diagnosed and feels like they've fallen into quicksand. There are few things as awful as thinking about leaving your very small children with no mother. I am here and ready to have confidence for all of us PPCM patients. There are a lot of treatment options out there that really work, and it is true that our type of cardiomyopathy has shown many complete recoveries. Just don't be surprised if I insist that we need an unlimited amount of rest those first months, and as much help at home as our families can muster.