Mugga or Electrocardiogram??

Options
Crystlesmom
Crystlesmom Member Posts: 20
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I've seen several folks have been given a "Mugga" scan. My doc ordered an "electrocardiogram", which I did have done. What's the difference between the two and is one better than the other? I'm starting my chemo this Thursday and just am wondering.

Also......everyone is telling me that I will be GAINING weight with this.....please say it ain't so (smile). I worked so hard to lose 85 pounds and have kept it off for over two years and DO NOT want to gain any weight because of meds!! I have asked my doctors and they have all just smiled and said .....don't worry about it!!

I still need to lose about 20 more pounds, but I do not need to gain any!!

Appreciate all your input!!

Comments

  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    #2
    Options
    A muga scan
    will show your onc how healthy your heart is to see if it can handle the chemo drugs.I wouldn't be the best at describing the procedure to you,so I won't even try(someone else on here will be able to for sure)!
    My onc told me that most of his patients did gain weight with the chemo drugs that he used on me,but I personally lost quite a bit of weight because chemo did a number on my tastebuds and nothing tasted good. Please don't set out for this goal though-it's not a good way for anyone to lose!And your doctors and nurses don't want you to be concerned with losing weight right now...
    Let us know how your first round of chemo goes-hope it goes smoothly!!
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #3
    Options
    outdoorgirl said:

    A muga scan
    will show your onc how healthy your heart is to see if it can handle the chemo drugs.I wouldn't be the best at describing the procedure to you,so I won't even try(someone else on here will be able to for sure)!
    My onc told me that most of his patients did gain weight with the chemo drugs that he used on me,but I personally lost quite a bit of weight because chemo did a number on my tastebuds and nothing tasted good. Please don't set out for this goal though-it's not a good way for anyone to lose!And your doctors and nurses don't want you to be concerned with losing weight right now...
    Let us know how your first round of chemo goes-hope it goes smoothly!!

    I was told the same, most
    I was told the same, most gain weight. I only have had 2 treatments so can't tell ya much at this point. I don't feel like eating much about 3 days after treatment so I am hoping that helps some. Have a long way to go so will see.
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #4
    Options
    Hello
    Hello, Crystlesmom, I, like Outdoor Girl, lost weight due to chemo affecting my sense of taste. Outdoor Girl is right that you do not want to worry about your weight during chemo. Just eat as healthfully as you can. Not to scare you, but it may come down to what you can tolerate eating, frankly.

    As for heart tests, I did have both a MUGA and an EKG. The MUGA is a test of how well your heart pumps the blood. All you do is lie there for about 30 minutes. There may be others who had just the EKG. I believe that they measure different aspects of your heart function. You might ask your onc. why he/she decided you do not need the MUGA scan.

    My best to you as you begin treatment this Thursday. Chemo sucks, but it is doable. You'll come out on the other side sooner than you think.
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #5
    Options
    Crystlesmom........
    I did gain a little bit of weight during chemo. And my face got puffy from the steroids.

    I had a Muga scan, but no EKG, so I can't answer about that or why some oncs order one over the other.

    CR
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #6
    Options
    CR1954 said:

    Crystlesmom........
    I did gain a little bit of weight during chemo. And my face got puffy from the steroids.

    I had a Muga scan, but no EKG, so I can't answer about that or why some oncs order one over the other.

    CR

    Crystalsmom
    I did not gain or lose weight during chemo. I could and still need to lose weight.

    Every three months I am scheduled for Echocardiogram with infarction. This is not an EKG.
    This test is an ultrasound to look at the four chambers of the heart, valves blood vessels entering and leaving the heart and the sac that surrounds the heart.

    Margo
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #7
    Options
    Looks like others have
    Looks like others have explained everything so well for you. See how valuable this board is and how wonderful they are. Glad you found us!

    Hugs

    Kristin
  • cathlinberreth01
    cathlinberreth01 Member Posts: 38
    #8
    Options
    Kristin N said:

    Looks like others have
    Looks like others have explained everything so well for you. See how valuable this board is and how wonderful they are. Glad you found us!

    Hugs

    Kristin

    MUGA vs echocardiogram
    Here is a link for MUGA

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MUGA_scan

    Basically all it tells the doctor the percentage of blood that is pumped through the left ventricle of your heart.

    Echocardiograms give extra information and a short range for your ejection fraction.

    I had adriamycin before so my heart has mild damage. MUGA showed a 44% ejection fraction. The echocardiogram told my doctor that all my valves were healthy, my heart is not enlarged and that my ejection fraction was 40-45%.
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #9
    Options
    Hi Crystlesmom. I didn't
    Hi Crystlesmom. I didn't have chemo, nor, these tests. But, the others have explained them quite well for you.

    Mainly, I just want to wish you good luck!

    Hugs, Susie

Discussion Boards