Cardiologist visit, from Mom

Well, I am feeling happier now that we have seen the cardiologist. He explained to me that the pacemaker is working just fine. It is designed to keep his heart rate from going too low and the defibrillator part will keep it from going too high. Richard's heart seems to be going in and out of rhythm--which it did in the hospital, too, when he was in intensive care. This afternoon it was back in rhythm.

There are things they can do medically for this problem. In fact, he could live with the problem if the meds to regulate the heart don't work. Dr. Sher put him on an alternative to amiodarone, which Richard had stopped when we read the dreadful possible side effects. I can't remember the name of the prescription, and we left it at the pharmacy--it sounds something like Sokolow. (Richard has ventured out on his own to dump a squirrel or I would ask him.) He is also starting him on coumadin, so that if the other drug is not effectiive, he will be less likely to form clots. We still have to get the Holder monitor tomorrow (Friday) and the echocardiogram on Monday.

Then Mom mentioned yesterday:

Dad got his Holter monitor this noon. He started his new meds this morning and he feels terrible--very tired and light-headed. I don't know if it is from the meds or from his heart being out of rhythm.