Downward spiral...

Hi guys,

Hope you guys can give me some advice and help me get my health back in check.

I have been training for several years, some of you may have seen posts on here many years ago that I made. Recently I tried to compete twice. Once during cycle and preparing I got several injuries all related to joints and had to stop almost completely for a few months. Once again I tried this year and while on cycle and pre contest I got several injuries in my neck and so forth including both my knees and elbows were in pain. The sad part is I looked better than some of the pros this time round and this was going to be my first novice show. Had routine and everything spot on.

At this point I am only interested in getting my health back. Every visit to ER when some random issue occurs results in blood work with high white blood cell count and kidneys or liver countings being high. It took arthretist medication to get my eblows and knees functioning again and I feel ready to train with exception with this recent history:

1. Pain on chest, thought it was anaxiety, went in they found I had an infection of some sort on my lungs... on antibiotics etc..

2. Incredible stomach pain on lower left - Doctors took xrays etc and said I have diverticulitis and noticed some strange object of some sort on my colon. Kidneys not looking good but being treated. Liver looks good.

3. I get better, but then once again I have a blockage, end up in ER and they took blood work again. Kidneys looks better, Liver looking bad?

4. I have a expert surgeon look at my inside and ses the object thats apparantly on my colon is missing and it does not look like I have diverticulitis at all. With following exception, my esophagus look like something from an 80 year old and I have huge infection all the way to my stomach and he had to take several samples of things found.

All the above occurred in period of 4 months...

During every visit or randomly taking my blood pressure its usually 120/70 +/- a few.. which is ideal. But every now and then it goes as high for no reason to 180/110. Using zero medication and this is while being fully rested.

My bloodwork also indicates my test levels are low, not gone just lower. 1/3 of what they should be. This is about month after I stopped all training PCT etc...

I never before been sick or had any issues, and it seems every visit to a doctor contradicts the previous doctor. Also how can I trust a doctor that askes me if I drink? I tell him I dont drink then he gives me a copy of my blood work. He fails to mention my liver is stressed, which I could see in the blood results.

I have not yet received any results for the samples being tested for cancer etc.. But I know lieing down and just doing nothing is not going todo my any good. I need to get my health back.

I went from less than 4% BF at 85kilos to 22% BF at 88kilos now.

What advice can you give me?

I am pondering taking a TEST only cycle for replacement and boosting me. I am not sure if TEST only would affect my liver or kidneys as my whole system is very sensitive? Would it be a wise decision? Then focus hard on getting my fitness back and dropping my BF and putting on a little bit of muscle again with a clean diet.

At this time sitting doing nothing makes it incredibly hard to diet at all.

Any help would really be appreciated or advice...

Dude I'm going to give it to you straight, if you continue down this path, you WILL land up on dialysis, a stroke with those sudden bursts in BP, and possibly a heart attack. I had to stop 10 years ago, my dream was competing, the stuff I did to my body to get myself stage ready with absolute madness, and only now can I realise how insane I was. I would risk my health to place or not place on a bodybuilding stage, really?

Did they check for a bladder infection before thinking diverticulitis, because those type of bladder infections require a 21 day course of antibiotics.

Your BP spiking is not due to nothing, there is a reason and if that reason is kidneys not functioning properly the you land in a catch 22 as the high BP damages the kidney filtration and the GFR readings coming back u healthy pushes the BP.

If you have had bloods that show bad kidney function and then you have bloods show good kidney function then I promise you, your kidneys have not healed (as they cannot), you where just more hydrated when you went to have it checked and you making a true reflection of their function, you need a swap from your kidneys to see their real state, and that is quite a painful needle going in you and that can only be done when your BP is perfectly stable.

Focus on your health, there is actually a sum that I was given by my nephrologist that you can workout from your GFR and urea that you can workout by what age you will land up on dialysis unless you can pull a miracle, and that is doing a complete 180 of your life. No more pain killers, absolutely 0 anti inflammatory medication, any toxins you put in your body, drugs, cigarette, booze what ever and sort yourself out

I don't smoke. I am not sure how or what todo or where to start.

I have stopped drinking any medication, since I don't know what is affecting me. I steer away from any meds.

What you think I can do? Perhaps go see a dietitian to come up with more diets that are easy on my system? Only drink water no cool drinks...

Please any any tips? Should I be training hard as usual? .. I take it no hormone therapy...

What ever I do, I dont want to make it worse by thinking I am doing good.

Any medications for my kidneys, liver I can take?

What was your process to recovery?

That's even more of a issue, as if your body is screaming the way it was and you don't have big toxic things to cut out makes you in even worse of a situation.

I went and studied everything I could about alternative medicine, I read everything I could, I read book after book, I then researched everything I could and once I was well into my studies I met a man who has a number of different doctorates and he was able to help assist me. I've never met someone as smart as him the only problem is he no longer practices anymore but he has written a few books. He was even working with Harvard and helping with research and he own case studies, etc.

Hormone replacement therapy is going to change your blood count one way or another. You really need to fix yourself and I can't even promise you will be able to do that, you may just slow down the damage you have caused. I don't know your full medical history, but what I do know from myself when I was asking the questions you are, I knew I was in a pretty bad place.

Dude I don't mean be rude. But I am a scientific person, I work with things that make physics seem silly. What your stating is really concerning to me, but you haven't really given me any valuable information except that I am doomed. I need some honest direct feedback. Based on what I have used and done, I haven't really provided much detail. Although its mostly based on studies and trail and error. Some things Ive used were at the advice of so called Pro(s). The reason I say so called is, Ive learned just because you have a Pro Card and a personal trainer that earns a tenth of what I get doesn't mean you have a clue what your doing.

I am seeking some hopeful advice. Since I have zero faith in doctors that contradict themselves. I am not sure how some people can study for so long and get so many things they have studied wrong. Its not hard to find medical references and books.

What I do know is, I am hopeful there is someone that has more of a clue. Someone that actually can give me some good advice Not that I am doomed, that part I have figured so far. I have several infections on several organs, all looks like a possible autoimmune disease that I have not yet determined or understand if its related to any substances used previously.

However I think the next time I see a doctor and if he gives me crappy answers, I will report him to the HPCSA.. with a recording and valid findings.. you cant argue with facts.

One of the things that concerns me, a-lot of stuff being sold now days does not contain what its suppose too. ie hcg being tested with pregnancy test show negative results.

There is so much BS and everyone has something to say, but half of them dont know what theyr talking about. Strange thing about people are, they assume someone does not know and blur out so much BS that I have so many alarms going off in my head that it hurts listening to them

So please be kind enough if you know anything useful to share. Otherwise this forum isnt going to really enhance any time I spend on finding a good source of information or rather advice.

I take it you wount share the person you were talking about @ Harvard? I know many guys at MIT.. I come from a different world of engineering. Maybe I can meet up with him, if his a big deal someone I know may know him.

Replacement therapy will change my blood count how? I am trying to get some sold expierenced information on what exactly it affects. Perhaps references. I know the basics, but I need know how Ester effects your body not just the TEST alone. I know that it has to somehow impact the liver and kidneys. I am just not sure how much. Everyone seems to think there is no affect what so ever. Yes the obvious things are like the red cell count... There are many many variables here..

However my real interest here, exception to PCT. Who ever had issues with their liver or kidneys how did they treat them? How long did it take to resolve? Do they have blood work information? I guess I can just go ask a doctor then research it and filter the BS, since this seems to be the norm now days.

Thanks for the responses so far anyhows.

You talking to the right man dick fuck. Listen, shut up, read.

Well if you work with things that make physics look stupid and a 'scientific' person then an alternative treatment option will not work for you as no one is going to fund herb, and other alternative types of treatments. So you not going to have clinic trials to get data from.

You simply asked how I reverted the state I was in and I told you.

No you can't meet the person I'm speaking of because it can tie back to me. I have provided names of a number of specialists on the forum to help people find a resource they may need to help assist but this person's name i wont give out. But like you said if he is so well known your friends at MIT would probably point you in the right direction. The only reason I said Harvard is because it became exciting when I was seeing him to see the world opening their eyes to alternative approaches to things years ago wouldn't even consider as it wasn't scientifically proven.

I am not a doctor so I can't treat you, this is a steroid forum to discuss the use of anabolic steroids. I gave you advice to stay away from them based on what you have said. You are more than welcome to try what ever medicine you like, just know, everything with a S attached to it can results in further side effects, so good luck on your recovery.

vision wrote: But I am a scientific person, I work with things that make physics seem silly.

As a scientist that only believe in what can be proven scientifically, why did you come to a community steroid forum for advice? I've first spoken to you 6 years ago and I've never thought of you as someone that talks crap, but this rubbish about your work making physics look silly is bullshit.

vision wrote: However I think the next time I see a doctor and if he gives me crappy answers, I will report him to the HPCSA.. with a recording and valid findings.. you cant argue with facts.

Perhaps the doctors just cannot explain what's wrong with you and that happens all the time. You also cannot expect a doctor to know about every possible medical finding. I think you have lost touch with reality because perhaps you expect mankind to know and understand everything because the stuff you do makes physics seem silly after-all. In truth we are still very primitive creatures and know very little about life, physics and whatnot and as a scientific person you should have known that better than anybody else.

Admin then you of all people have no idea what I do for a living. Im honestly disappointed, thought I could find some sort of references or an indication of how someone has dealt with this. On a last note you got to get your basics right. The fact is a smart person knows what he knows and knows how little he knows. When people that are suppose to medically provide a basic general service to you and fail at basics thats where i get concerned. I was not really moaning about the fact that they dont know what is wrong. I understand its not an easy diagnoses. If you need help you ask a mathmatics professor for an explanation of boolean algebra and if he cannot answer the foundational basics then why not? Dude I understand this place is here as community steriod forum. Hence alot of substances if used in high or excessive volume can cause problems with kidney and liver function or perhaps some stranger issues. You of all peole should know that. So why not let the cat out of the bag and see who else had problems and how they best dealt with it? I dont want to be a asshole, but in this community there is a ton of bullshit. I am stating the obvious to you. There is opertunist selling fakes or bad stuff, there is athletes selling bottles of fakes when they finished using the real stuff.. apparantly one guys excuse was everyone is doing it.. oh then there are clueless guys in the gym trying to sell someone a anaplon only cycle or put a guy on super strong anti estrogens when his dry as hell.. wtf? Look im no expert, i do t know it all. But id like to hear from others that do know something that has problems similiar to mine. Is that so bad? If so ill drop my account and this is obviouslly not the place to talk about recovery after things went wrong. Maybe its bad for business for some guys.. hell one thing I learned you can throw all the money in the world at a expert apparantly in this sport and he will just mess you up. I have given the benefit of the doubt to alot of these so called professionals.. man today I want to kick myself for it. Atleast know i can warn others about them. I will continue todo so

dick fuck? Roflamao. I think you just answered my question about the type of people I need to not engage with for advice.

vision wrote: Admin then you of all people have no idea what I do for a living.

Ok, so tell me what you do that makes physics look silly?

vision wrote: Im honestly disappointed, thought I could find some sort of references or an indication of how someone has dealt with this.)

00pump did help you with what he could. Most here have no medical background, so what advice did you expect? Few have the major problems you are having.

vision wrote: On a last note you got to get your basics right. The fact is a smart person knows what he knows and knows how little he knows. When people that are suppose to medically provide a basic general service to you and fail at basics thats where i get concerned. I was not really moaning about the fact that they dont know what is wrong. I understand its not an easy diagnoses. If you need help you ask a mathmatics professor for an explanation of boolean algebra and if he cannot answer the foundational basics then why not?

What's the basics they got wrong?

vision wrote: Dude I understand this place is here as community steriod forum. Hence alot of substances if used in high or excessive volume can cause problems with kidney and liver function or perhaps some stranger issues. You of all peole should know that.

I know about the issues steroids can cause, but surprisingly few people I know have health problems as severely as you do. Do you know why, because I don't make false claims like testosterone only works when used at doses higher than 600mg per week. When you abuse something you will have problems, but that is exactly what I'm avoiding by suggesting low and EFFECTIVE doses to members. See cycle 1 and 2. The cycles you called useless.

vision wrote: So why not let the cat out of the bag and see who else had problems and how they best dealt with it? I dont want to be a asshole, but in this community there is a ton of bullshit.

Very few have life threatening problems and 00pump is the best person to tell you how he dealt with it. What exactly is this bullshit you are talking about? Are we making inaccurate medical statements from time to time, YES, but we also learn new things and correct ourselves as we go along. The site doesn't claim to be an accurate source for medical research.

vision wrote: I am stating the obvious to you. There is opertunist selling fakes or bad stuff, there is athletes selling bottles of fakes when they finished using the real stuff.. apparantly one guys excuse was everyone is doing it.. oh then there are clueless guys in the gym trying to sell someone a anaplon only cycle or put a guy on super strong anti estrogens when his dry as hell.. wtf?

You are talking about people not involved here, so what is your point?

vision wrote: Look im no expert, i do t know it all. But id like to hear from others that do know something that has problems similiar to mine. Is that so bad? If so ill drop my account and this is obviouslly not the place to talk about recovery after things went wrong. Maybe its bad for business for some guys.. hell one thing I learned you can throw all the money in the world at a expert apparantly in this sport and he will just mess you up. I have given the benefit of the doubt to alot of these so called professionals.. man today I want to kick myself for it. Atleast know i can warn others about them. I will continue todo so

00pump was replying to your post and then you went on the attack, so if there were others with similar issues they surely aren't going to help you now. How did you come to the conclusion that you cannot "talk about recovery after things went wrong"? All I see in this thread is you going from a nice polite person to an ass hole in a matter of hours, I understand you are under stress because you're dying, but 00pump was only helping. Now you're also making false accusations that discussing health issues from steroids is bad business for someone, do you realise that a major part of this website is dedicated to discussing and helping each other with side-effects?

It seems that you paid a pro to help you with your cycles and now you're blaming that person for your health issues. You are a smart guy, you say so yourself so why didn't you realize sooner that something is going wrong? This is the perfect example why I'm going to continue to suggest 500mg Testosterone per week instead of making dangerous and false claims that a minimum of 600mg is needed.

vision wrote: One of the things that concerns me, a-lot of stuff being sold now days does not contain what its suppose too. ie hcg being tested with pregnancy test show negative results.

I'm willing to bet money that you tested it wrong. HCG is not faked as far as I know, maybe under dosed or damaged from improper storage, but fakes are not likely.

Did you dilute the HCG before testing? You have to dilute it, because the pregnancy test will not work if the HCG is highly concentrated: www.anabolicsteroids.co.za/forum/6-stero...ith-a-pregnancy-test

I'm more than willing to share with you if you have specific questions on what I recommend with regards to high blood pressure for example, or an enlarged heart or irregular heart rhythm or kidneys that are under strain. What I'm not prepared to do is advise the use of ABC due to the fact that it could possibly further damage XYZ. You must know that natural / chinese medicine can do some serious damage if used incorrectly and when I was treated the doc I worked with would mix a 2 week tincture and then change it up from there, he would also take a sample of my blood each time and display the sample under a microscope that is projected to a screen so I too could see what he was talking about, and he could show with a drop of blood what damage I have done to each organ and how my cells are damaged and a list of other things, I made sure I didn't inform him of a single issue I had and was sceptical, so I wanted him to tell me if he could find something.

The last thing I want to do is provide information that could further harm you. We could get into allot of trouble advising medical treatment and something happens to you and I'm then blamed because I advised something to you.

So I'm more than willing to help answer questions you have, but this thread is going to take time to discuss and give information from a 'person experience' position and not from a medical advisory stance.

Vision,

Dude,this is not good.What done is done.

My sugestion would be:

Take your meds as per your Dr.
Stop ALL gear.
Eat healthy.
Walk for excersice.Dont do weights,it puts more strain on your body.

Forget about Bodybuilding and find another hobby.

Take it easy.
Sleep alot.

Vision i feel your pain,i dont think all is doomed.Just take care of yourself buddy.

All the best.Tonight i will pray for you to recover(NOT being SARCASTIC)

Let me know how it goes.

Vanman wrote: Vision,

Dude,this is not good.What done is done.

My sugestion would be:

Take your meds as per your Dr.
Stop ALL gear.
Eat healthy.
Walk for excersice.Dont do weights,it puts more strain on your body.

Forget about Bodybuilding and find another hobby.

Take it easy.
Sleep alot.

Vision i feel your pain,i dont think all is doomed.Just take care of yourself buddy.

All the best.Tonight i will pray for you to recover(NOT being SARCASTIC)

Let me know how it goes.

I think this man has the right plan. There's no shame in hanging up your muscle dream and to just live a holistic life.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi

Here is my story, in April this year I went to my GP that's been my doctor for 28 years and told her that I am tired all the time, she asked me if I am sleeping properly, I said no I wake a lot during the night and its not to go to the bathroom. She asked if I am stressed so I said yes because I am running late on projects because I am having difficulty concentrating. At times I also feel anxious. She said it sounds like stress and will give me a sleeping pill and lets first see how it goes. I did not want any mood meds. I had normal BP 117/78 no cholesterol (2., 15% body fat no water retention or any other obvious signs to show something was wrong.

Two weeks later while driving I felt immense pressure on my chest and felt light headed, it was 2 blocks from Steve Biko and I thought what the hell, maybe they can check me out because I don't think I will make it to another hospital.

Was helped with 10 min at casualties they did ECG it spit out a list of errors, gave me a red sticker on my file and I saw a doctor in 5 minutes. He asked similar questions to my GP, checked my blood pressure (132/86, Pulse 128) took some blood told me to take it easy and relax, the doctors were great because it was hell in there,two taxis had collided with a motorbike thrown in so they were running like crazy trying to get to everyone felt like I was in an ER episode.

Doctor came and told me to go for a chest x-ray and that another doctor from Internal Medicine will come to check me out, I felt much better at this time and were considering going home thought it might have been something small.

New doctor came and checked me out, so I asked if I can go home she said no, I am being admitted she is waiting for my blood results. So got transferred to a ward, she does some more tests listens to my heart, asks me if I ever had swollen ankles or wrists, I said no, don't smoke, don't drink, not using drugs. Says she wants to verify with professor, she had two interns from the Netherlands with her, apparently I am an odd case. Professor sees me confirms her diagnosis there is something wrong with my heart. Get transferred to a new ward, waiting for cardiologists to do a sonar. The doctors seemed worried because of some of my blood test results. (At the time I had no idea what they were). Cardiologists comes to me in the ward and does a echo, sighs and tell the other doctor I have 4 chamber dilation, left ventricle is enlarged by 7,5 cm both bottom valves are leaking and I have 17% left ventricle ejection fraction. I need a hart transplant. I thought I heard wrong. I wanted to go home because I felt fine, still a bit tired but the way I used to feel the past year or so. Not expecting to hear I need a hear transplant.

BNP was 1186 must be between 0-30, T count was 36.4. Creatinine was 105, bilirubin 29, C-Reactive protein 18, White cell count 11.77 Neutrophils 8.68 D-Dimer Quantitative 0.54.

More tests, MRI, MIBI, lung function. MIBI results indicate that 2/3 of my left heart chamber is paralysed no blocked arteries. More questions. I am given 6 months to live if there is no improvement. The waking at night was due to the heart enlargement, when I roll onto my left side the gravity put extra pressure on the heart, for it is pressing against the left ribcage wall. My heart extends past my left nipple.

I remember I had bad flu 14 months prior and my heart rate at the time was going crazy, 180 when I was walking according to my Polar. Did not train for 3 months because I felt to bad. So they think it might have been the flu that caused the paralysis and that in turn caused the heart to enlarge to compensate. Was placed on the heart transplant list, had only an 8% chance of a match due to my blood type.

Stayed in hospital for a month, received meds and was told I can no longer work, am not allowed to do any training, must try to walk a little bit every day. 5 Months pass and I am feeling a little better, lots of people prayed for me, medically they could do very little. Went for my monthly checkup and the doctor almost falls off the chair when he does the sonar. The parts of my heart that's been paralysed for more than a year had started to beat again and function improved to 40%. He said he know of only three other cases where this has happened. I am certain its because of the prayers, think me a fool but there was nothing that could be done medically.

I only go for another checkup in January. I walk 5km a day and started to do light exercise using elastic bands. I can do 50 pushups 10 x 5 sets. A fellow patient who was in the hospital with me with similar heart damage and also 17% function died a month ago. I am able to work again, if not as same pace as before.

The reason I am telling this story is to show that doctors don't always get it right. Do I hold it against my GP, no she is still my doctor. I am immensely thankfull for the excellent help I received from Steve Biko cardiac unit. My medial aid informed me if I was not in a state hospital I would have had to pay in R163 000 so it ended up a huge blessing. Do they know exactly what was the cause, NO, they think it was the flu virus but can't say for certain. I got a new chance on life, will I be a body builder, No. Did the doctors tell me everything when I was deathly ill, NO. I only realised how bad it was when I researched my test results. I asked the one doctor the other day why they don't tell you and he said its so that people don't lose hope. They don't have all the answers and sometime need to guess and hope that they are right. Does this brake my trust in doctors, No.

My advice, listen to them, do your own research and discuss that with them. Use your medicine and stop all gear. Decide whether you want to live or die. If you want to live then look after yourself.

vision wrote: Admin then you of all people have no idea what I do for a living. Im honestly disappointed, thought I could find some sort of references or an indication of how someone has dealt with this. On a last note you got to get your basics right. The fact is a smart person knows what he knows and knows how little he knows. When people that are suppose to medically provide a basic general service to you and fail at basics thats where i get concerned. I was not really moaning about the fact that they dont know what is wrong. I understand its not an easy diagnoses. If you need help you ask a mathmatics professor for an explanation of boolean algebra and if he cannot answer the foundational basics then why not? Dude I understand this place is here as community steriod forum. Hence alot of substances if used in high or excessive volume can cause problems with kidney and liver function or perhaps some stranger issues. You of all peole should know that. So why not let the cat out of the bag and see who else had problems and how they best dealt with it? I dont want to be a asshole, but in this community there is a ton of bullshit. I am stating the obvious to you. There is opertunist selling fakes or bad stuff, there is athletes selling bottles of fakes when they finished using the real stuff.. apparantly one guys excuse was everyone is doing it.. oh then there are clueless guys in the gym trying to sell someone a anaplon only cycle or put a guy on super strong anti estrogens when his dry as hell.. wtf? Look im no expert, i do t know it all. But id like to hear from others that do know something that has problems similiar to mine. Is that so bad? If so ill drop my account and this is obviouslly not the place to talk about recovery after things went wrong. Maybe its bad for business for some guys.. hell one thing I learned you can throw all the money in the world at a expert apparantly in this sport and he will just mess you up. I have given the benefit of the doubt to alot of these so called professionals.. man today I want to kick myself for it. Atleast know i can warn others about them. I will continue todo so

Vision I can see what you want to achieve here and by your reasoning I can quickly deduct your IQ is high. However because of the stupid color commentary like example above, this thread is now a heated mess instead of the constructive return of experience you seek. I was excited when I read your post because we can help you, but right now I just want you to go your way and tell other people how incredibly smart you are. If our community is so shit then by all means find one that isn't!

FIllet wrote: You talking to the right man dick fuck. Listen, shut up, read.

Fillet we don't allow childish name-calling on this site regardless of why. I have spoken to you before.

Pyroclasm, don't bother responding to vision.

macwanabe wrote: Hi

Here is my story, in April this year I went to my GP that's been my doctor for 28 years and told her that I am tired all the time, she asked me if I am sleeping properly, I said no I wake a lot during the night and its not to go to the bathroom. She asked if I am stressed so I said yes because I am running late on projects because I am having difficulty concentrating. At times I also feel anxious. She said it sounds like stress and will give me a sleeping pill and lets first see how it goes. I did not want any mood meds. I had normal BP 117/78 no cholesterol (2., 15% body fat no water retention or any other obvious signs to show something was wrong.

Two weeks later while driving I felt immense pressure on my chest and felt light headed, it was 2 blocks from Steve Biko and I thought what the hell, maybe they can check me out because I don't think I will make it to another hospital.

Was helped with 10 min at casualties they did ECG it spit out a list of errors, gave me a red sticker on my file and I saw a doctor in 5 minutes. He asked similar questions to my GP, checked my blood pressure (132/86, Pulse 128) took some blood told me to take it easy and relax, the doctors were great because it was hell in there,two taxis had collided with a motorbike thrown in so they were running like crazy trying to get to everyone felt like I was in an ER episode.

Doctor came and told me to go for a chest x-ray and that another doctor from Internal Medicine will come to check me out, I felt much better at this time and were considering going home thought it might have been something small.

New doctor came and checked me out, so I asked if I can go home she said no, I am being admitted she is waiting for my blood results. So got transferred to a ward, she does some more tests listens to my heart, asks me if I ever had swollen ankles or wrists, I said no, don't smoke, don't drink, not using drugs. Says she wants to verify with professor, she had two interns from the Netherlands with her, apparently I am an odd case. Professor sees me confirms her diagnosis there is something wrong with my heart. Get transferred to a new ward, waiting for cardiologists to do a sonar. The doctors seemed worried because of some of my blood test results. (At the time I had no idea what they were). Cardiologists comes to me in the ward and does a echo, sighs and tell the other doctor I have 4 chamber dilation, left ventricle is enlarged by 7,5 cm both bottom valves are leaking and I have 17% left ventricle ejection fraction. I need a hart transplant. I thought I heard wrong. I wanted to go home because I felt fine, still a bit tired but the way I used to feel the past year or so. Not expecting to hear I need a hear transplant.

BNP was 1186 must be between 0-30, T count was 36.4. Creatinine was 105, bilirubin 29, C-Reactive protein 18, White cell count 11.77 Neutrophils 8.68 D-Dimer Quantitative 0.54.

More tests, MRI, MIBI, lung function. MIBI results indicate that 2/3 of my left heart chamber is paralysed no blocked arteries. More questions. I am given 6 months to live if there is no improvement. The waking at night was due to the heart enlargement, when I roll onto my left side the gravity put extra pressure on the heart, for it is pressing against the left ribcage wall. My heart extends past my left nipple.

I remember I had bad flu 14 months prior and my heart rate at the time was going crazy, 180 when I was walking according to my Polar. Did not train for 3 months because I felt to bad. So they think it might have been the flu that caused the paralysis and that in turn caused the heart to enlarge to compensate. Was placed on the heart transplant list, had only an 8% chance of a match due to my blood type.

Stayed in hospital for a month, received meds and was told I can no longer work, am not allowed to do any training, must try to walk a little bit every day. 5 Months pass and I am feeling a little better, lots of people prayed for me, medically they could do very little. Went for my monthly checkup and the doctor almost falls off the chair when he does the sonar. The parts of my heart that's been paralysed for more than a year had started to beat again and function improved to 40%. He said he know of only three other cases where this has happened. I am certain its because of the prayers, think me a fool but there was nothing that could be done medically.

I only go for another checkup in January. I walk 5km a day and started to do light exercise using elastic bands. I can do 50 pushups 10 x 5 sets. A fellow patient who was in the hospital with me with similar heart damage and also 17% function died a month ago. I am able to work again, if not as same pace as before.

The reason I am telling this story is to show that doctors don't always get it right. Do I hold it against my GP, no she is still my doctor. I am immensely thankfull for the excellent help I received from Steve Biko cardiac unit. My medial aid informed me if I was not in a state hospital I would have had to pay in R163 000 so it ended up a huge blessing. Do they know exactly what was the cause, NO, they think it was the flu virus but can't say for certain. I got a new chance on life, will I be a body builder, No. Did the doctors tell me everything when I was deathly ill, NO. I only realised how bad it was when I researched my test results. I asked the one doctor the other day why they don't tell you and he said its so that people don't lose hope. They don't have all the answers and sometime need to guess and hope that they are right. Does this brake my trust in doctors, No.

My advice, listen to them, do your own research and discuss that with them. Use your medicine and stop all gear. Decide whether you want to live or die. If you want to live then look after yourself.

Awesome bud, i am glad you feel better and is recovering,
I dont know you but i felt it inside me reading your story.