Bad Cardiologist Visit...... :-(

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Gang,

Just wanted to let you know that I followed up with my cardiologist today, and I WAS NOT HAPPY. I know that Jim (Shine-On-Syd) is right about not liking cardiologists, because, at my appointment today, I noticed that he likes to down-play everything when he can't seem to figure out what's wrong.

I told him that I am getting fatigued when I climb the stairs to my apartment. I told him about the significant "swishing" sound that I hear my heart do every so often. I told him about feeling pressure and chest pains the minute I start to do anything to exhert myself. I told him how tired I get from simply riding in a car or doing something as simple as painting a dresser..He swears up and down that it's NOT my heart. I just cant believe how condescending his analysis of my heart issues were. Moreover, I can't believe the fact that I have run into another "bum" doctor. I thought I had a good one this time, but alas, I got another bad one.

WHY DON'T THESE FOOL DOCTORS START LISTENING TO THE PATIENTS INSTEAD OF GOING STRICTLY ON TEST RESULTS, CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT DR. BERNDT TOLD ME HIMSELF THAT ALL THE TESTS WERE NOT 100% ACCURATE ANYWAY? Please pardon the frustration and the venting...I just hope something can be done....Harrybaby666

 

[Karlynn]

I really do "feel your pain". I went through 5 doctors before I found one that would listen and not discount my symptoms I was describing.

Sounds like you already know you need to move on to the next doctor.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Karlynn....

Hi Karlynn....

Don't you just hate it when a Dr. doesn't believe you? Honestly, I wonder if they have the Initials MD stuffed so far into themselves that they only listen to what they are giving you for advice....I guess it's time to move on, but with Shine On Syd's help, I am hopefully going to talk to a surgeon...Thanks for the encouragement... Harrybaby666

 

[Ross]

For women, it's worse though. Not that I like to say that, but it seems they are always discounted by Cards. It really is getting very difficult to find one that worth a darn.

 

[Marguerite53]

How frustrating!

How frustrating!

Gee, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time with the cardios. I'm going in to see mine in afew hours and am going to ask to get a referral to a surgeon. Then I'm going to take my husband in with me (finally) when we get to the surgeon and see what happens. I know my husband will keep me grounded (he discounts all my complaints, oh honey, did you get enough sleep last night, really ?) and it is very hard to describe what might be symptoms to anyone!! Isn't it?? I mean, why doesn't someone write a guide about what we are really supposed to be looking for in our bodies, especially when most of the things creep in so slowly?? I share your frustration there.

But, hey. Can you get in to see a surgeon? Check with your insurance people. See if you can't just make your own appointment, have the cardio fax over your entire records prior to the visit, and just see what a surgeon would advise?? From all that I've read here, a surgeon can be your very very best friend through this.

Keep us posted! Good luck!

Marguerite

 

[Bryan B]

I had a similar problem, but from a different angle. After having had endocarditis (plus a congenital VSD and AI since age 18) my PCP said I didn't need to followup with a cardio when I asked him if I should. I insisted so he referred me to one. Within 2 minutes after meeting the cardio he recommended surgery and I saw a surgeon 2 hours later who also recommended surgery. There are good docs and bad docs out there in every field of medicine. Keep looking Harry...going straight to a surgeon sounds like a good plan. JMO, but I think most surgeons are "straight shooters" and will give you the answers you are looking for. Mine said that we could put off the surgery for 6 months or more by starting ace inhibitors, but eventually I would need the surgery and now would be better than later. When he got in there my valve was riddled with perforations from the endocarditis...glad I didn't wait.

 

[MelissaM]

Sorry you go the run-around Harry. Doctors can be SO infuriating. It probably makes you less enthusiastic about finding YET ANOTHER doc and potentially going through the same situation YET AGAIN. I feel your pain. Stick with it. As Karlynn said, sometimes it takes four, five or six doctors to get one who listens.

It must be "get doctor with an attitude day". Yesterday I nearly passed out walking down the hall. For 5-10 seconds, I was completely immobilized, collapsed against the wall for support. The health line insisted on an immediate appointment this morning - couldn't even wait until the afternoon when my schedule was clear - and the doc said nothing was wrong. This is a GREAT answer, but I didn't need to have my whole day disrupted to find this out.

 

[Marty]

I don't wish to make a blanket defense of all cardiologists. I know they have a represenitive number of a......s. But remember they spend a lot of time in the
CCU, ICU, etc. with desperately ill patients. When we walk in and tell them about a little shortness of breath, lack of energy, vague pains, etc. and look like a million bucks and all tests are negative ,try to understand why they don't get too excited and be happy they didn't immediately admit you to the hospital.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Milissa...

Hi Milissa...

Hi Milissa,

I am sorry about your passing out yesterday, I hope that they get to the bottom of it and soon. I just hope that we both can get a doctor that will listen to our symptoms....Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[Georgia]

Just thought I'd drop in a minute: last year I disagreed with my pcp about my coumadin - he'd misread a notice from the hospital and was going to screw with my dosage (again) and I told his nurse that I wanted to talk to the cardiologist before I changed the dosage. He sent me a letter telling me that since I didn't "trust" him (note: this is the guy who misdiagnosed me for years - thought asthma, etc.) I ought to get another doctor. Altho quite peeved at his attitude, I got another and have never looked back. Current doc is a peach (actually, he'd been my pcp for 15 years before I had to change due to insurance contracts).

Last week the newspaper reported that the doc who dropped me received a reprimand from the state due to not informing a patient of a bad pst report. I had a profoundly un-christian reaction of smug glee - glad to see the bum get the bad publicity.

We simply have to DEMAND good care and take responsibility for following up, etc.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Marty

Hi Marty

Hi There Marty

I understand your point on the cardiologists, but I have been having problems quite awhile now, and they are to the point where it's really affecting the things I do in life such as climbing the stairs, lifting heavy things, and other normal activities that I should still be able to do. You said that they spend an awful lot of time in CCU, ICU and those areas, but my question is: Why don't they listen to their patients more, given the fact that they only see them every so often as opposed to seeing a CCU patient on an everyday (or nearly everyday) basis. I feel that this is the biggest shortcomings of a cardiologist considering the fact that maybe, just maybe if they didn't discount what is told to them by the patient, that the patient would get his problem fixed alot sooner than when it gets to the critically necessary point. It's like they hand you a lit stick of dynamite and tell you to "TRRRRUUUUSSSST MEEEEEE....I KNOW WHAT I AM DOING....." - No Thank You...My Father only found out too late that he needs a heart transplant and is now dying because of his being informed too late. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to discount what you have said, I just feel that if this were pointed out to the cardio's they might devote more attention to preventative measures instead of waiting until it gets to a critical point.... Harrybaby666

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Georgia...

Hi Georgia...

Hi There Georgia,

First, let me say what cute babies you have perched with you in your avatar. Second let me thank you for the ever encouraging words from the valued VR members, and Thirdly, I agree with you completely as far as seeking a new Dr. I have a funny feeling that I will be searching for another cardio. Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[Marty]

Harry,Everything you said was true but a cardiologist may not be the right doctor for you to see for continuing care. I saw mine twice after surgery. He oohed and ahd listening to my new valve, was happy I no longer had the old machinery murmur and then he said "find a new doctor"! I said who? He said "go to the PCP internist that takes care of my wife and I". Good advice. This guy is terrific.He's smart and yes a good listener. He'll send me back to the cardiologist if I need his services but I hope it will be awhile before he does..

 

[Harrybaby666]

Thanks Marty...

Thanks Marty...

Hi Marty,

I guess I am gonna have to do something, but when I talk to my PCP, he just tells me that I have all the expert docs on board and to let them handle things...he is just there to coordinate things....I guess I may need to switch PCP's too....but thanks for the advice...Harrybaby666

 

[Shine_on_Syd]

Harry,
Sorry you had such a bad visit. Based on our meeting it sadly does not surprise me.
I'm plugging away on getting you a surgical consult and will be back to you soon.
Shine on!!
My best,
Jim

 

[Harrybaby666]

Hi Jim

Hi Jim

Yes,

It was one of those visit's to that cardiologist type of dr. you don't like...It turned out to be the visit from hell...I will be hanging on and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU again for all your help. Harrybaby

 

[KimC]

I have to agree with Marty (and Karlynn). I went through three or four cards, including a surgeon who said, "I have a lot sicker patients than you." He said it kindly, not meaning to discount my symptoms, but clearly trying to give me some perspective in his line of business.

My new PCP had a heart attack four years ago -- he was a lot like me at the time -- young, runner, no family history of heart disease -- but lots of professional stress and bad dieting history. Because of his experience, he pushed me to have yet further tests last month which finally led to my diagnosis of premature atherosclerosis. His regime of medicine, diet and exercise have significantly improved my quality of life.

Meanwhile, my card on the island (and at the CCF) pushed the heart meds but didn't seem as vested in my overall care and well-being. They're typical specialists, even with the internal med background.

Thanks, Ross for your words re: women.

All the best Harry. What's my bottom line? Find a general doc with empathy and intelligence.

 

[Karlynn]

Very few doctors are going to not back up what another doctor is telling you if they work together at the same hospitals. Get a copy of your records and start with a clean slate if you can. Go in to a doctor or surgeon and say - this is how I feel and it is not acceptable for me to live with these symptoms when I believe something can be done.

 

[Christina L]

But

But

do you think that a lot of those extremely ill patients the docs are visiting in the ICU and hospital are sometimes ones that had their "minor" symptoms just brushed off in the office and ended up with major symptoms???!!! Just a thought.


Christina L.

 

[Bryan B]

My surgeon recommended the following after surgery:

2 week follow-up with him with chest x-ray and echo

6 week follow-up with him or a cardiologist

6 month follow-up with a cardiologist and echo

Annual follow-ups with a cardiologist and echo.

I have yet to find a PCP knowledgable enough to care for my heart condition. My PCP couldn't even tell I had 2 murmurs until I was finally diagosed with endocarditis...then he said he could hear them.

This topic just reminded me of a great PCP I had here in NC (but would still go to a cardio for annual checkup). In addition to providing my primary care he also was my "therapist". Sometimes I would go in just to talk to him about things when I was going though some difficult times. Boy...I may have to look him up and see if he takes my insurance...I could use a good talking to right now.