Update 10/11/11

 

Keith me with is rheumatologist, Dr. Shahane, on 10/10/11.  It was a good visit.  I asked whether or not he should get the shingles shot and she said since it is a live vaccine he should definitely wait until we get back from Key West.  He got the pneumonia shot at the end of August and will be getting the flu shot very soon.

I asked how much longer he should be on Coumadin and she recommends that he stay on it for another 6-9 months but the final decision should be made by a hematologist so we will make an appointment with one.

She also recommends having bloodwork every 15 days to check his INR level.  

She wants to continue to taper down the prednisone at a slow pace and recommended that he continue on 10mg for 4 weeks, then 9 mg for 15 days, 8 mg for 15 days, etc.

She also recomended that he go for a bone density test because people who are on high doses of prednisone for long periods of time could have bone loss.  Results of the bone density test will determine whether or not he needs to go on Fosamax.  

We have to follow up with her in 6 weeks.  We have an appointment with his vascular surgeon on 10/13.