Update on my nephew

[joy]

We got an update on Sidney today, and unfortunately, they believe that it is his auto immune system that is causing his heart to fail. He has been on meds to make his heart stronger, but they don't seem to be working, his ejection fraction is only at 25%. We will find out on Friday whether or not he will have a defibrillator put in, and when he is strong enough to travel, they are taking him to the cleveland clinic for a second opinion. The thing that worries me is they mentioned that he may need a heart transplant sometime in the future.

I feel horrible for him, I mean, he just graduated, had a great job working for penske working on deisel engines, even was in a union! Now he may end up on disability for the rest of his life. He just can't win. I hope that he will remain healthy for a while. Does anyone know if Prednisone has any affect on the heart? That is his anti rejection medication for his liver. Poor kidKeep him in your prayers, he needs them now more than ever!
Joy

 

[Ross]

Prednisone is nasty stuff. There isn't too much that it doesnt' affect. That stuff cost me a hip, but it did save my life. Don't know if that was a good trade off or not. Joy I would think that yes, Prednisone can affect the heart. It's a freakin synthetic steriod and steroids kill people over time.

 

[hensylee]

Joy, thank you for giving us an update on Sidney. It is hard to hear anything like this about one so young. His life is forever changed. He is in my prayers.

 

[Karlynn]

Joy, Sidney will remain in my prayers, along with the rest of his family.

 

[bvdr]

Thanks Joy for the update. To me, Prednisone seems like two different drugs. On one hand it is just short of a miracle drug for ACUTE cases of inflammation no matter where in the body the inflammation is located. The other face of prednisone is when it is used over a long period of time. True, it suppresses the inflammation but takes its toll in the process. It lessens the body's natural immune response and messes with blood sodium and other electrolytes. Prednisone use can cause the blood pressure to become too high because of the increase in blood sodium. Infections can go undetected until they are severe. Fungal infections are very bothersome and stomach ulcers can develop.

Prednisone also affects blood calcium levels which in turn affects joints .....sometimes to the point that the joint needs replacement.
It is a hormone and thus can affect almost anything.....including the heart.

I hope he has a turn around and gets to the point where he has zest for life again.

 

[Yaps]

Praying for your nephew..woof

Praying for your nephew..woof

But in answer about prednisone..I personally hate it.
It just makes me tremble and shake..will not take it.
Was presribed it for a long time, when drs said I had emphysema. Yuck is what it is.Love Yaps

 

[catwoman]

Joy:

Sidney and the rest of his and your family are in my prayers.

 

[Abbanabba]

Sorry to hear the latest news Joy.

Still sending positive thoughts.....
Anna

 

[gemini1968]

I am so sorry about your nephew. All Ic ould find about pred and the heart was this:
Heart attacks; several factors (including smoking, high blood pressure and high blood sugar) combined with long term prednisone treatment may lead to a narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart and early heart attacks. This risk can be decreased by maintaining a reasonable weight, controlling blood pressure and, most importantly, not smoking.

I am on pred. off and on (low dose) for autoimmune connective tissue disease and psoriatic arthritis.

Wishing you and your family all the best!