My story..

[ericaj]

Hi I am new here and just wanted to post a question. If I am taking a beta blocker (bisoprol 7.5mgs) and in the last few months it has controlled my tachycardia and symptoms but now I ma feeling a rapid pulse and hard heart beat would it be a safe idea to call my internist to see about upping med or what should I request?? I also have Aortic valve insuff. and stenosis (moderate) as well as mitral valve mild regurg. which up until this past jan. gave me no problems. I am in between cardios right now and seeing an internist who treats alot of cardio pts. for heart issues. I take effexor xr 37.5mg for anxiety but I really don't bel;ieve this is the issue and my internist was divided she didnt really think that was the cause either and the effexor has done nothing except maybe make me calmer and even more patient than I already was. Anyways I just switched from pediatric cardio to adult cardio but I didnt hit it off w/newest cardio and he kept blowing me off so I blew him off and got into this internist and havent set anything up with new cardio yet until I need to next march or so. Anyways I am sorry for rambling so my questions is just should I call my internist if palpitations and rapid pulse + feeling of heart beating hard and slight lightheadedness persist like they have for 2 or so weeks now?? Her nurse had told me go to my NP for any problems but my NP is out of town and I really wish I could do something... Thanks for reading this, Erica

 

[John Cochran]

Erica,
Welcome to our little family here. I am sorry to hear about your current problems. You will find many people here who have had similar experiences, and I'm sure some will be along shortly to add their advice.

Any time a cardiac patient has a significant change in their condition, it is time to see a cardiologist quickly. There are a number of ways tachycardia can be treated, but it is nothing to ignore; delaying is NOT a good idea.

I know that cardiologists are not always the easiest doctors to get along with, but their knowledge and expertise is essential to someone with your medical situation. Believe me, I have seen all the things that can go wrong with tachycardia with my son, but have also seen the miracles of modern medicine at work. Please get yourself a thorough evaluation by a competent cardiologist as quickly as possible. Let us know how it goes!

Best wishes,
--John

 

[bvdr]

Hi Erica,

Welcome to this wonderful site. As you probably already have noticed, there is a wealth of information on this site. There arn't many valve problems around that someone here doesn't have first hand experience with and is willing to share their experience with others.

Like John just mentioned, cardios sometimes are not the easiest docs to get along with but specialists really do have their place in our lives. Tachycardia and the feeling that your heart is pounding out of your chest are symptoms that can very easily be coming from a valve problem. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone and call your internist though you might well need to be seen.

Again, welcome to this site. Make yourself at home and please let us know how you do with this.

Betty(bvdr)

 

[JimL]

Hi Erica and welcome; please don't hesitate to bring all your problems and concerns here.

I would encourage you to find a cardiologist you are comfortable with soon.

 

[Nancy]

Hi Erica-

Welcome to the site. You've already got lots of friends who understand.

You really need to be seen by a cardiologist asap. Call your Primary Care Physician and set up an appointment there first, and then ask for a referral to a cardiologist. You need cardiology, in addition to the care of your primary physician, with all your conditions. When there are several conditions, many of them overlap specialties.

Please don't wait to do this. March is way too far away. You need to get this under control now.

best wishes and let us know how things go.

 

[MelissaM]

Hi Erica,

Welcome to the site! I agree with the others - find a cardiologist that you can live with as soon as possible., even if he or she isn't your "dream doc." Look for that second. You need treatment - someone who can assess your changing condition (and yes, they can and do change quickly!) and advise you accordingly.

You need to be assertive with your health care in a way that you may never have been before: calmly asserting what you need over and over until someone listens. I believe a passive approach is not effective in today's crowded medical system. Anyone care to chime in on this?

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Melissa

 

[epstns]

Welcome, you're in the right place!

Welcome, you're in the right place!

Hi Erica,

Welcome to our family here at VR.com, and welcome to The Waiting Room. There are folks here who have been through it all, folks who have learned lots and are willing to share, and also folks like myself -- waiting around until time for surgery.

Ask all those questions. Those who know answers will always help. The rest of us can learn from the discussions.

Enjoy your time waiting with us.

P.S. I almost forgot -- if you are not comfortable with your cardio, FIRE THE BUM! I just went through the process, and beside having a good outcome, it just felt good! I did the internet research and looked for a cardio who practices at the hospital I would use, and has a specialty in valve dysfunctions, etc. Found a great guy who makes me instantly comfortable.

Just do it!

 

[ericaj]

Thanks you guys for all of your kind words I truly appreciate em!
I am sort of stuck right now should I call my internist see if I could up my med or should I wait until the 5th and talk to my NP? I already sorta did fire my cardio and have a new cardio picked out but havent seen her yet as my internist has kind of been following my care (although i don't see her till march) but she said to talk to my NP w/any problems and well my NP is out of town this week. I am also moving in a few weeks so not sure if I should pick out a new cardio closer to where I am staying or travel 3 + hours. Should I just call my internist??? grr. thanks everyone, Erica

 

[Ross]

Awe shucks, I wanna fire somebody! Who can I fire today? Hmm, I'll have to think this over for a while.

 

[LoraW30]

Erica,

Something I've learned over the years is that although your doctors might not appreciate being called in on things, go ahead and do it. You know your symptoms better than anyone else and the best way to get answers is to stick your neck out and make the call. It could be nothing and it could be something. Upping your meds may or may not be the best thing, as it may not even be related to your meds dosages.
Since you're planning on moving, you might want to go ahead and start searching for a cardio closer to where you'll live. I myself make a two hour drive to see mine.

Definitely don't put off making a call, just because your internest wants you to talk to the NP instead.

Good Luck,
Lora

 

[John Cochran]

Erica,
Rarely to I presume to tell anyone what to do, but YOU NEED TO BE SEEN BY A CARDIOLOGIST, ASAP!

An internist simply doesn't have the depth and breadth of training to assess or treat your conditions. For example, your tachycardia might be able to be cured with an ablation (where they run a catheter up into your heart and eliminate the defective electrical pathways) or other procedure. Meds are not always the right answer. At any rate, you would likely benefit from an electrophysiology study (EP study) which can determine the root cause of you rhythm problems.

As others have said, you need to be assertive in managing your own care. Tell, don't ask, your primary care physician that you want and need a referral to a good cardiologist immediately.

--John

P.S. I apologize for the "dad" in me speaking out, but you really need to get this attended to NOW, not later. Big hugs!

 

[Johnny Stephens]

WHAT JOHN SAID

WHAT JOHN SAID

Hello Erica - John is right, you need to get in front of a cardiologist ASAP. Also forgive me, but the fact that you're raising the question of whether you should calling your internist is telling me that you really have doubts about that being the correct action. In my opinion, the symptoms you describe, light headedness and palpitations are somewhat alarming. Call the cardiologist now.

(pushing because I care).