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My FIL, age 78, had a heart attack and stents 18 months ago. Since then, he’s assured us he doing well. We’ve noticed him being more tired, and having swollen legs. He said he was not told to change diet, avoid alcohol, etc. He has a few drinks every night. He also happens to have a return of prostate cancer , Gleason score 9 per his recent biopsy.


In getting a cardiac work up for the biopsy, they did a cardiac ultrasound, which showed his ejection fraction had dropped from 45-48% last December to 38% now. He had a cath yesterday. His stents are fine. One artery is 30% blocked but they aren’t worried about that.


I think they plan to give him Entresto. Anyone have experience with this? I’m also worried about his cancer. They were in the process of looking at cryotherapy. He’d already had radiation.

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My mother used Entresto for something like 10 years to help curb the advance of her CHF. As far as I can remember, there were no side effects that bothered her.

She did not stop having a glass or two of wine with dinner often during those 10 years while on the medication, and it didn't seem to cause a problem.

She stopped the medication once she went into hospice.

Her only complaint about it was the cost - I think her co-pay was a little higher than with other medications, but it was in no way onerous. She was just used to no co-pay or extremely low co-pay with the insurance she had. And things like that just seemed to irk her, even though the money was never a concern - it was more the idea of having to pay more that annoyed her.

My understanding of the medication - which I admit is somewhat limited - is it helps increase the strength of the heart to improve the injection fraction numbers.

Good luck!
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As much as we need to be informed we also need to trust that the people involved in the medical profession know what they are doing. Your FIL has a lot of issues, is his personal physician capable of coordinating the care? And do you have the authority to receive information (HIPAA and/or POA)?
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Oedgar23 Aug 2023
My 72 yr old wonderful MIL has been dealing with all of this so far. She is his POA, and I think my DH is after that. MIL and FIL are both mentally totally sharp, thankfully. My DH works a demanding rotating shift work job. SIL, a young widow with a 6 year old, is their sole income. I’m not working, but have been dealing with my mother. (Difficult situation, it’s in my profile). I’ll help in-laws of course , but my mother also needs more medical stuff and I’m the ONLY help she has!
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This is used for heart failure meaning your FIL has Congestive heart failure maybe caused by his heart attack. When I looked up ejection fraction this is what I found...

"Decreased ejection fraction doesn't have many preventable causes. However, it can be triggered by a heart attack, coronary artery disease, diabetes and/or uncontrolled high blood pressure, which can be caused or worsened by: Alcohol or drug abuse. An unhealthy diet, high in saturated fat, sugar and salt."

So FIL does need to watch his diet. My Dad had heart problems and salt was the one thing he was to cut down on. This is the reason for your FILs water retention which is what Entresto is suppose to help.

Water retention is serious. Because his heart is not able to pump efficiently fluid does not leave the body. This retention can fill the lungs and the person dies. Your FIL needs to be told how serious this is. He is too old for a heart transplant so if he wants to live longer, he needs to take care of himself.
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Oedgar23 Aug 2023
Yes he has a new dr now so hopefully he will get better instructions!
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I just read your response to Wiley. Your Mom comes first. Your DH is responsible for his parents. You will burn out if you try to be there for everyone. As you said, in-laws are with it and active. MIL is capable of caring for her husband.

My Dad died at 79 from heart disease. My Mom was 78. My Dad had to retire on disability at 52. Not once did she ask me or my brothers to help her. She did it all. Even when he was on Hospice she never asked for help. My DD, an RN, did go over at night and get him ready for bed but I don't think Mom asked.
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sp196902 Aug 2023
Correction Oegdar comes first, then her husband and children and then anything left for her estranged mother. DH and his sister should be responsible for their own parents.
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