Hello, thank you for approving my request to join.
In Oct 2019 my husband had his first Afib hospitalization, he converted in 3 days and was sent home. In Jan 2020 he went into Afib again and spent another 5 days in the hospital, but did not convert. He was sent home on Afib medications and a note to stay out of work x3 months. His diagnosis was congestive heart failure, fluid restriction, no salt diet. COVID hit our area (small upstate --really upstate part of NY) and he was not allowed to return to work (Corrections Officer) he was fine and doing well until Oct 2020 when he had a terrible increase in edema. He saw his cardiologist and he put him on diuretics, but it was still uncontrolled. Cardio referred him to gastro for a liver workup as his liver markers on blood tests were elevated/concerning (bili was high). the gastro put him on a drug that raised his potassium to 8!!! He spent 5 days in the ICU and another week in a step-down unit in late Nov 2020. Since that time he has deteriorated quickly - 2 heart attacks, Afbi & Vtac, he had an ICD placed 8 February 2021 and very very uncontrolled edema. He is currently an inpatient at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester NY x1 week after being transferred from our small hospital in Watertown, NY x1 week. This is his 6th hospitalization since November 2020!!!
They just diagnosed him with AL Amyloidosis. He had a cardiac MRI in late Jan 2021 which showed thickening of the heart. A heart biopsy was done this past Tuesday and confirmed AL yesterday. A bone marrow biopsy is being done today, but they are positive that he has Multiple Myeloma as well.
From everything I am reading, his prognosis, due to advanced heart failure is not good. I am wondering if there is anyone in this forum, that had advanced cardiac involvement and was misdiagnosed for over 1 year, and had good outcomes with treatment.
My husband survived non-Hodkins Lymphoma 20 years ago, he's a fighter, but I am fearful that the AL is far too advanced...
thank you for any insight.