Since I've been on Tracleer for nearly a year (July 2006) and I can not have an MRI due to the metal in my body (Harrington Rod & Sternum wires), I have to have a Heart Catherization. The doctors want to get an idea of whether or not the pressures within my heart has gone down from using Tracleer. I think they have but what do I know? I'm just the patient, right?

I have often told my mother that I wished that she could take Tracleer because for some reason, the medication seems to reduce the symptons of my migraines. I don't know if it is just a fluke or if it something that really is a benefit from Tracleer. It's never been for Migraine use. The cost of Tracleer for the 125mg, twice a day dose is about $3700 a month. That's one expensive medication. But for someone who can not have a heart or lung transplant, this is one of the only thing left for me to try.

My next heart cath is May 21. I'm still a little nervous about it. I think my older sister will be coming down again to be with me. I'm not looking forward to the week after when I will be recovering. I definitely wears me out physically.

My last doctor appointment I had to do a 6-minute walk test. I did pretty poorly on it. I knew it was going to be bad because it was fixing to rain and so it was pretty darn humid outside. In the building where I did my walk, it felt like they didn't have the a/c on because it was cool outside. They couldn't understand why I was doing so poorly when all the other times I did pretty well. People who don't use oxygen or have breathing problems just don't understand the concept of the weather playing a huge role on our breathing ability.

I am a patient on o2 24/7 and you are absolutely right. The weather plays a vital role in how well one can breathe when the breathing is already compromised. A new physician that I saw recently confirmed for me that there are physiological reasons for this. I told him I thought it was all in my mind that on certain days I would step outside and go right back in the house because it felt like there was no air outside. I will start taking Tracleer next week for treatment of PAH and I pray that it will help. The condition leading to the PAH is called Sarcoidosis which also caused Pulmonary Fibrosis. Hope all goes well with your cath.