Below is Dad’s med schedule as of 3/21/10, Mike
Crestor: 20 mg; 1 tab/day – PM
Tricor: 145 mg; 1 tab/day – AM
Prilosec: 20 mg; 1 tab/day – AM
Metroprol; 50 mg; 1 tab/day – AM
Prozac: 20 mg; 1 tab/day – AM
Lesinopril: 20 mg; 1 tab/day – AM
L-Thyroxine: 0.075mg; 1 tab/day – AM
As of today, 3/30, Mom’s anti seizure med is down to one pill per day. Suggested to her she take this at night.
Mom’s cholesterol med is down to once per day now as well, to be taken at night.
This story is not about why I would have made a good doctor, but how we need to talk with Mom, especially about her health these days. For example, she tells some of us she is nauseous and some of is she is “sick to her stomach.” When I probed with specific questions, these are the details that emerged.
She has been nauseous for about a month. When she gets up in the morning she is not nauseous (wish I knew how to spell that word,) eats breakfast, takes sodalol and about 1-2 hours later gets nauseous. When I spoke with Dr. Heist’s office, that kind of detail is more helpful to them than a general “feeling nauseous” complaint. Because of the details, they were able to determine that the new cholesterol med she went on about a month ago could be causing the nausea and that those symptoms are consistent with side effects from the cholesterol med. To be determined if that is the cause, but nonetheless important to get as many details as possible from Mom.
Okay, okay, I probably would have made a great doctor — if only I were as smart as Scottie!
I’m glad they are not rushing to do an ablation on Dad. I think it’s risky at his age. I’m hoping for sleep apnea. I know this is a lot on all of you there when Mom and Dad need assistance and I am sorry I am not there to help. I will call them every day. We’ll have the MRI sent to Mike’s office to be re=read by one of his radiologists. They will be very thorough. I’d like them to come out here end of April/early May for some golf and relaxation if their health permits.
Carol
We saw Dr. Heist with Dad on Thursday. Dr. Heist confirmed he does have sleep apnea. Dad will begin to use the “mask” for 30 days when he returns from visiting Bob and Maria in DC on April 12.
Dr. Heist wants Dad to lose weight, too. He changed one of his meds that might make him less tired. Dr. H. is disinclined to do a cardiac ablation on dad to take care of his “skipped hearbeats” until after exhausting other treatments. Dad returns in May and will have another Holter monitor at that time.
Hi all, here is the latest update on Mom. She was seen by Dr. Sanford Levy, neurologist, of North Shore Medical. He put her on an anti-seizure med and ordered an EEG (brain scan) and MRI. We will go back to see him on May 6.
Dr. Sanford says that often in patients Mom’s age the cause of seizures is a small stroke. the MRI will show whether or not there is any scar tissue that would indicate a stroke.
The anti-seizure med will make Mom tired for a while. She is understandably low, so any visits/phone calls that “jolly” her up will be great right now.
We could not get appt. with an MGH neurologist until June FYI, even when Dr. Heist’s office called.
As of 3/27/10, here is a list of mom’s meds:
toprol, 50 mg daily, Dr. Heist
Lisinaprol, 20 mg daily( 1/2tab twice per day), Dr. Heist
Sotalol, 160 mg. daily (80mg. twice per day) Dr. Heist
Warfarin, 7.5 daily, Dr. Heist
Pravachol, 40mg. daily, Dr. Heist
Levetiracetam, 500 mg. twice daily, Dr. Levy
Mom’s Dr. contact numbers:
Dr. Sanford Levy, neurologist: 978/532-8010; 6 essex center drive, suite 307, Peabody
Dr. Peter Sheckman, PCP: 781/593-3400, Union Hospital Medical Bldg.
Dr. Kevin Heist, cardiologist: 617-726-4959, MGH Heart Center
Michael, can you get and post info for Dad? Mom has copy of his meds in her wallet. Thanks.
Saw Dr. Sheckman today. Tomorrow, we bring mom to see a neurologist in Peabody. Dr. Sheckman thinks this seizure is neurological, not physiological like the last one. He thinks they will put her on anti-seizure meds. I am having medical records sent from Bridgton Hospital where she was treated Saturday night after the seizure. Mike has sent me his detailed impression of exactly what the seizure looked like, which will be very helpful.
I will plan to stay at Mom and Dad’s Wednesday night through Friday afternoon.
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