Dr McKenna Called About Holter Monitor Results

First off, I have learned when the doctor himself is calling you that the news is not what you want to hear.  Secondly, I was right in the first sentence.  His 24-hr monitor showed more atrial fibrillation and tachycardia.  McKenna suggested we start him on a small dose of Atenenol (beta blocker) that he said may or may not work.  This is something we tried before and the medication made him sick, vomit, faint, and blood pressure drop.  So, we will not be putting him back on that medication.  I could hear the concern in his voice as he was talking to me.  It is an unmistakable sound in voices when they are concerned.  I had figured there was not much change because I hadn't heard from him about the monitor and it has been a little while.   

Seems when we think things have leveled out with Kody .... things change for the worst.  At the moment I am still working to process this new information .... not sure how to feel about it all.  We just came back from an amazing vacation and then I get a call from his doctor that is just like wow.  

((HUGS))

Cardiology in The AM

Tomorrow morning is Kody's appointment with Dr.  McKenna .  It has been 6 months since visit so he will get an echocardiogram and EKG done.  This will give us all a better understanding of Kody's heart status.  I will bring up the couple of 'episodes' that he has had as well as bring along the xray he had done.  Updates will follow the appointment. 
((HUGS)) to our readers

Cardiology Visit

We had a visit with the cardiologist at St Josephs this morning at 9:30am.  The routine test were done on him.  He is all of 72.6 lbs and about 4ft8in.  The doctor didn't say much about the EKG.  The echo that was done today shows he has had some changes but nothing hugely significant.  The thickening in the muscle has increased but the mitral valve isn't regurgitating anymore that it already was.  Of course he advised we use the Lasix only when necessary because it could cause a lack of fluid in the system making it more taxing on the heart then things already are.  He talked about doing a halter monitor on him during the next visit in 6 months.  Also said that we may want to discuss medications again on the next visit.  But he understands my reasoning for steering away from medication that could do more harm then good since the heart of a FRDA person is different.  


We will deal with things as they come. 

Got back from the Cardiologist appointment a little bit ago.  The doc did the EKG and echocardiogram which gave him a clearer picture of the heart.  I made sure to bring to his attention the edema (water retention) which is has been occurring for a couple months now.  So he asked if it was alright to put Lasix on board. Now he asks rather than assuming I am going along with everything and I am glad he respects that. Lasix is a diuretic and it will be given to him on an as needed basis. Also Kody came home with a Halter monitor for the next 24 hours.  This will give him a better idea of how Kody's daily activities are.  I will update more when the results of that come back.