Visit to Neurologist for nerve conductivity

We visited Dr. Waldrop today and had Mom's feet/leg nerves tested and her left hand. The outcome is that she has severe polyneuropathy. ( I failed to ask what "poly" meant but I'm guessing it includes her hands -- I'll check on that tomorrow).

Given that the neuropathy progressed very slowly he says that it is most probably genetic in origin. I asked him about us and he said we could end up having it as well.

To rule out other causal factors, he tested Mom for diabetes and heavy metals which are also causes of neuropathy. Mom's tests came out good. He also checked her B12 levels and they too are good. So, in his mind, this confirms his diagnosis of genetic polyneuropathy.

His recommendation was for Mom to take a B complex vitamin daily as it should make her more comfortable and possibly slow further progress. As for us, he recommends adding B complex to our daily regime as well as it could delay neuropathy in us.

Long and short of it, this is a contributing factor to Mom's balance problems in addition to her eyes. Physical therapy should help and we are seeing him in 6 weeks, at which point the therapy is finished and we can see how much progress has been made.

Neurology doctor

Today we went to see Dr. Waldrop at Kennesaw Neurological associates. Mom wanted to see if she had positional vertigo per a guess from Dr. Cantwell. Dr. Waldrop reviewed Mom's CT scan and ran through several balance tests; tested Mom's senses and her reflexes. She has no feeling in her feet and no reflex in her feet. She has cerebral atrophy - most probably a result of the stroke and that affects balance. More than likely she is suffering from multi-functional balance issues which is consistant with a person her age. The semi-circular canals start to deteriorate, vision becomes challenged (Mom cannot shift from indoor light to outdoor light with easy anymore), and balance is challenged. Given the brains neuroplastic quality, he is sending her to physical therapy which should help and on March 10, he is going to run some electro???? tests to see if her nerves are sending impulses. Today she had blood drawn and is doing a 24 hour urine test to see if there are any underlying problems that are contributing to her situation. Otherwise, he thinks she is in great shape for her age.

Doctor Myerson visit

Saw Dr. Myerson today. He's the rhumetologist. He did a thorough history on Mom and looked her over. Tested her strength, listened to her vitals.... He pronounced her amazingly healthy and well recovered from her 2008 ordeal.

He too said her dizziness is from Positional Vertigo and said we should get a referral from Dr. Cantwell for an occupational and physical therapist. They can help get the "rocks" in between the semicircular canals reorganized (the cause of the vertigo). He explained that the rocks don't move as well between the 3 canals as they do when we are young, hence, the dizzy sensation. These rocks can be moved via therapy so this gives us a new mission in the New Year.

Regarding her hands, he gave her some meds to try out that won't interfer with the coumadin. If they work we can get a prescription, if they don't it hasn't cost anything for the samples.

A visit to Dr. Cohen

Mom saw Dr. Cohen today and her heart is fine. The readout on her pacemaker is that it will last between 5.5 and 7.5 years before a new battery is needed. Mom told him about her dizziness and he asked her to describe it. There are two kinds of dizzy 1) when we get up to fast and 2) when we move our head. Mom's is in her head. So he recommends we see her neurologist. Fortunately, we already have one. Cohen, said that he wasn't an expert in this field but it sounds like Position Vertigo. This has something to do with the inner ear swishing around. His recollection is that there are training exercises that can be provided and/or medicine but reiterated...see the neurologist on this score. This explains why Mom has fallen down twice in the last month. Once going over the treadmill to close the blinds and once when she stood up from putting some papers through the shredder. Cohen also suggested that she use her cane more frequently.

Dec. 7, 2009

As indicated, Mom and I stopped at the 700 bldg. and picked up the CD imaging for her pulmonary nodule. We then went directly to Dr. Cantwell for a report on the CT and to address the problem with Mom's face - it is swollen making her look like Droopy. We think it is an allergy. He has prescribed a steroid pack if it becomes worse and an epi-pen in case something terrible should occur. He said that the bendryl tablets were the right thing and that she needn't take the steroid unless it gets worse rather than better.

On the CT scan. The report today indicates that "they" (specifically the radiologist), knew there were 2 pulmonary nodule on 8/28/2008 however, in the report of 8/28/2008, there is no indication of a nodule(s) using that particular language. It is a very comprehensive report covering her brain, intestinal system, heart and chest. Hence, I see no reason for Cantwell to have known there was a nodule present at that time. (I have the cd of these images.)

In today's report (12/7/2009) it says, " There are 3 pulmonary nodules identified, one of which is calcified. The noncalcified nodule is in the left lower lobe image 227, 3mm, and right upper lobe image 100. (I have the cd with these images). Both of these nodules were present on the previous examination of 2008 representing stability over a 1 - year period indicating a benign lesion. The previously seen inflitrates and effusions in the lung basis have resolved."

Karen and Karley wonder if we might need a second opinion. Diane - do you have an opinion. I am comfortable with the opinion we have. If we get a second opinion, it would be easy. All I have to do is give the cd to a radiologist and him/her read it.

Dec. 1

Dr. Cantwell's office called to say that on the X-ray taken a week ago to diagnose Mom's bronchitis , contained a pulmonary nodule. This was found by the radiologist who has the last word on the X-ray. When I talked with Sharon, Cantwell's nurse, she said a Pulmonary Nodule is common but you definately want to check it out.

Today, Dec. 2., I got an appointment for her to have a CT Scan at Kennesaw Imaging Center (Bld 700). A CT scan appears to be the gold standard for diagnosing the benign/not benign aspect of the nodule.

So, tomorrow at 11:45am we will go for the CT and them proceed to the Dr.s building near Northside Hospital for her Boniva infusion. More news to follow.

Mom's pre-diabetic

I spoke with Dr. Cantwell's nurse today about Mom's elevated blood sugar levels and A1C... Mom is pre-diabetic but just only. No medication is necessary and she should moderate her sugar intake.