thinking healthy thoughts, gai

Hey gaiagrrl - that's a pretty remarkable family history, so for sure I can see how you'd be feeling worried.  Terrific that you're aware though, and I bet you've been doing lots of good lifestyle stuff to reduce your cardiac risks as much as possible.  

Great to hear you've got a cardiologist involved & a good work-up is in progress... really important to get the right minds on the job for you.  

The field of cardiology is making progress by leaps & bounds these days.  We have a huge cardiac service at my hospital, and it's amazing what good stuff is happening.

Sending you & yours lots of great healthy energy on this spring day ... peace & new beginnings, right?    

sending healthy thoughts your way.  Hoping all works out well.  A scary situation to be in, for sure; hoping you'll have support to work through it. 

With your family history and what is happening to you, it is understandable that you are feeling scared.  My prayer is that as you go through this time of tests and awaiting results and then possible treatments is that you are filled with awareness of the presence and the peace of God through all of it.

giagirl ....HUGS ...and yes my thoughts and prayers are with you for a good outcome.

I hope they find the cause of your problems and that the solution is a good and easy one.

I have had uncles and a dad that have suffered and died because of heart related issues and I understand the anxiety of wondering if we are next.

HUGS and I am glad you confided in us....

Rita

Prayers and positive thoughts are winging their way across the countryside tonight and tomorrow.   Seeler

best wishes from me - that your test results are good, that your fears will be quieted, and that you'll kick your family history of heart disease in the butt!

gaiagrrl,

Scared when it is paralyzing fear, is not so good. Scared, as in motivated, to stay safe or get out of harm's way is a good thing.

My wife's favourite saying is, "Knowledge is power". Your concerns are real. You learned from your family history. You moved on it. Your doctor heard you and listened, for many they do not. You are getting a battery of tests. This is before a heart attack.

It may not be the good news you might want of "it's nothing". It may however be something that means you can be pro-active or take steps to live and love a long time, that too is good news.

I will be thinking of you and also sending a wondermail.

gaiagrrl,

With your family history, it's understandable that you're feeling scared.

When I'm in a scared place I have a wee talk with myself.  My first thought - and I hope yours - is that I'm acting responsibly by taking my problem to the experts. These are the people who, unlike us, will act out of knowledge rather than fear. If you do have a problem these are the ones who can come up with a solution.

So, give yourself a big tick  - by going to the doctors you've acted responsibly.

Next question, what else can you do to mitigate the fear? This revolves around the question of control.

At the moment you're feeling that awful "I'm not in control" feeling. How can you mitigate that?

Another big tick here. Share your fear - as you have done here. It helps ease the  feeling of isolation.

(In my recent health scare what I missed the most was my husband 's presence.)

You have a wonderful resource here - as you have a loving partner. Believe me, she will be feeling scared right along with you.

In those moments when it get's too much you have someone close to share your tears and fears with.

As my Nana used to say, "There's nothing like a few tears to ease a problem."

Another wonderful resource you have is your little daughter. Kids are unbeatable when it comes to hugs, laughter and distraction.

Finally, you have God's presence. He will share your fear and comfort you - that is His promise. (I never let Him forget - I go through many a fear-filled day mouthing my mantra "God be with me, God be with me.")

For purely selfish reasons, I hope and pray that all goes well. I love your artwork and enjoy your contributions here on wondercafe. 

Thank you one and all... i was really moved to come back and find so many responses and such encouragement.  I appreciate it (and y'all) so much.  I'll take all this good energy and intention with me tomorrow as I lace on my running shoes and convince them that my heart does *not* want to give up the ghost.

Thinking of you tonight gaiagrrrl and sending caring thoughts your way. 

TL

gaiagrrl .... add me to the many who are sending lots of positive energy your way. I am also glad you posted  - there is a community of caring people here who listen, who provide support and offer encouragement. I empathize with your worry (and your partner's) and am holding you in my thoughts.

((((((((((gaiagrrl))))))))))

Sending healing thoughts your way.  You certinaly come form a family that would make you cautious.  Getting complete testing, as opposed to just ER testing will help you figure out what is going on.

Good luck

Wishing you well with your heart tests.

Glad you are getting it checked out and seeing the medical folk. Too many people hope it goes away rather than dealing with it.

May they find you have a heart as strong as the love in it!

I am thinking of you tonight and tomorrow.

Bear  Hugs and prayers.

Gently holding you in my thoughts and filling the space with light for you. 

(((((gaiagirl)))))

You're in my prayers too gaiagrrl. I can tell you know to stay on top of it and be proactive with your health. Good for you. My dad had a double bypass ten years ago and had to make changes, mostly in his diet. He's doing well though and I'm sure you will too. Whatever it is, it isn't bigger than GOD and HE holds you in HIS hands.

Thinking about you today, gaiagrrl .....

thinking about you gaiagrrl

Thanks all for the thoughts.   I"m home now and am trying to sort out a very stressful day... mostly because of the doctor, not the test.  So if it's ok, I"m going to vent a little...

So, my appointment was over 1 1/2 hours late which,  I know, just happens sometimes but nonetheless, is annoying... But at least my partner came to the appointment with me and we had a chance to visit (which was nice cause normally mid-day, she's hard at work and I'm chasing a toddler)...

When my name is called the Dr's nurse comes and gets me.  She's lovely - very friendly and calming and personable.  So, she gets me all hooked up and ready for the test but first is my consult with the cartdiologist.  He comes in, I smile and say hi, he doesn't smile back and then is a bit startled to see my partner there... and asks who she is, I say, my partner.  He says "Why do you want her here?"  AI'm thinking what an odd qusetion but  just reply, Cause she's my partner.  And then felt I needed to justify her presense and so added that she is sometimes better at remembering things than me but he's already made me feel a bit defensive cause i've just watched two other couples come and go from the same test... clearly spouses sometimes attend.

Anyway...  to get to the point, he begins to talk to me like I am a flea on his least favourite camel.  Him:  Condescending, dismissive - why are you here, you're too young to have heart disease.  Me:  Um, Have you looked at my family history.  Him (huffy) Of course! And then he doesn't talk to me.  Talks about me with his nurse with me in the room.  LIke I"m not there.

So, I tentatively ask him if my family clinic has indeed sent my history. (because if they did, how could he completely dismiss the need for me to follow up 3 possibily-heart related incidents?) He glares at me (not exaggrerating.) and says Of course. Of course they did.  Why do you need to know?  Do you need to see it?  Do you need to see it?  (leaves room and gets a piece of paper) and puts it right in my face and says slowly,  Can you see that I have the information?  At this point I really feel like I am being punished or mocked for following up and taking responsibility for my own health.

ARGGGGGG.

And by this time I feel like a squished bug.  He takes me blood pressure.  I do the stupid treadmill and he takes my blood pressure again and I feel like saying (but refrain) Of course my blood pressure is high, I'm stressed, in a hospital and I don't like you!!!!

Anyway, he then tells me that obviously my heart is fine.   I must admit I probably looked a bit blank at this and asked him whether there were other heart issues that weren't related to exertion.  He looked at me for a long second and then just said definitively, no.  And walked out the door - no goodbye... nothin.

So.... the good news is that nothing turned up on the stress test. YAY.  The bad news is that my cardiologist is a toad.  And the unsettling news is that I have no idea what's happening with these "attacks" and feel a bit adrift in the sea of health care.

Ah.... (exhaling) thanks for listening....

OHHH Gaiagrrl - make a complaint!  Rarely do people complain about miserable doctors, but until they do, nothing changes!!  That was just plain horrible, and there is no excuse in the world for it.

No matter how many times they  have been through something, they NEED to remember their patients are nervous, scared first timers and deserve to be supported not only in getting a test result but also in living through it. 

Anyway, Poor you!!  And good to hear that maybe you have little to worry about. However, maybe a second opinion from a new cardiologist is worth a thought.  Then maybe you can just stick with the second doc.

You need a funny movie and something great to plan for the weekend.

Well, I *did* just pick up the entire set of Harry Potter movies cause I just read all the books over the last 2 weeks...  so I have a lot of broomsticks and wizards in my future.

Yes, gaiagrrl make a complaint;

The BEST thing that can happen is that you don't have heart disease.  You do not need to apologize for taking your health seriously.

The doctor sent my mom home (after I spent a week convincing her that she needs to go to the doctor or the hospital) in full blown cardiac failure.  She was 69 years old.  Her face, feet, and hands wore swollen to 3x or more of their normal size.  She could not breathe when she lied down flat.  She had a pacemaker.  He gave her a shot of demaroll for her backache and when I left her in her waiting room at the ER I told him something was wrong and he needed to do more.  He asked me if I was a doctor now.  He patted my arm and said "your mom just needs a good night rest...do not worry"  I told him to at least take a blood test.   The ambulance had brought her to the hospital because she could not walk and how was I supposed to get her home?    The next morning I took her to her own doctor who admitted her to the hospital immediately.

I don't know what some of their problems are.  I think that combined with the MD title some jerks have access to more people and more authority to be a jerk.

The doctor also does not get to decide if you want to have someone with you are not.  That is your choice and you do not need to justify it.  He probably just does not want to have a witness to his rudeness.

My advice would be to talk to your GP about delving more. I would tell them about the experience, nicely LOL. They may refer you elsewhere for cardio. My wife's doctor did when she felt the first cardio doctor might have been either dismissive or a homophobe (yes doctors come with personal baggage too). If they do not get more cardio input, they might order some other tests or  make another referral. Pursue it!

Your body is acting this way for some reason. It isn't "nothing", they just need to find the "something" even if that reason is heartburn.  So, even if Dr. Jerk is correct and "it is not your heart", for yourself and those who love and depend on you... remember that is not a diagnosis. Be your own health advocate. Do not give up until you have a diagnosis, please.

Well Gai girl,

Sorry for your uncaring experience.

I must say i had the opposite reaction-When I had my melanoma I brought a friend with me to the dermalogist. I wanted someone to remember and write it down. The nurse gushed about how nice it was that my partner could come. She wasn't/isn't my partner. We did giggle and wonder what her husband would say

I would suggest making a complaint too - on so many different levels - and asking for a new appointment with a different cardiologist if you would like one.  There's no excuse for that kind of behaviour.  Way over the line.

Really sorry to hear that you had that experience. 

Oh ... sorry to hear about this very offensive behaviour by the doc.  Sounds like it was awful for you.  Who knows what was up with him?  An unusually  bad day or just his usual nastiness?  Impossible to say.   But worth a letter to the hospital/clinic where you were seen (with a cc to the doc himself), and possibly also to the Ont College of Physicians & Surgeons - just to go on record.  Quite possibly this is not the first time such behaviour has occured.  

I'm gonna take a stab at explanation ... not in defence of the doc, please understand. Unfortunately,  I have seen many physicians who do NOT read histories in any thorough manner, if at all - particularly if it's a busy clinic day.  They DO expect patients to tell them exactly why they are there, which you didn't do (he probably viewed you as uncooperative!), and your question perhaps triggered a defensive response - and the old saying - "best defence is a good offence" kicked in - possibly making things go from bad to worse.   His response really was quite inappropriate IMO.  

Was the nurse/assistant still present during this?  How did she respond to his behaviour - did it seem to be par for the course or was she taken aback too?   I do find some staff are even bullied into compliance by some docs.  

I agree with others who suggest chatting with your GP once she/he receives the report.  Further opinion elsewhere would be a good idea I think, to put your mind at ease.  (As an aside - have you had any gall bladder investigation - i.e. ultrasound? Sometimes that pain can be awful & centred in the chest too - I would think hospital probably checked that out when you presented at emerg in pain ... but just a thought.)  Hang in there girl!!

I asked him at the beginning if he wanted my family history and he said no.  That's why I then asked if he'd been sent the info cause I just couldn't believe he'd be dismissing me if he knew the family that I come from.... So, I did try...*sigh*

And gallbladder - not a problem anymore... had it out about 5 years ago.  And actually, this pain is worse than that was and that was intense too...   The emerg doc ruled out esophogial spasm (which mimics heart attack symptoms too) cause it was 6 ot 7 hours after I'd last eaten... and also ruled out heartburn, etc....

I will do something with this... I'm just in the squished-bug stage tonight... then I'll inflate and be more pro-active...  I'll hang in, I promise

Not a good experience for you.  I would think to ask for a second opinion from a second cardiologist.

Just leaves me shaking my head in dismay, gaiagrrl ... but you will definitely 're-inflate', this much I know!  And then ... well ... something WILL happen.  Until then, hugs little flat bug   Maybe this would be a good night for that "brownie in a mug" recipe??  Thinking of you.  C.

gaiagrrl

Just a note about an article I read in the Toronto Star ages ago. I've no idea how true it is. The article said that doctors don't take womens heart problems as seriously as they do mens. They diagnose women's problems as being nerves or stress related and send them home again. I know I hear about lots of older men having pacemakers in place but very few women or women having bypasses either. I don't blame you for feeling scared. It is scary. My mother had severe heart palpitations ( the couch would shake) but she wasn't given any meds. or treatment.

Do you enjoy Strauss waltz music or mild classical?  I used to play cds at night before sleeping and found it very relaxing.

God be with you and send angels to watch over you and keep you safe.

LOL my partner just arrived with one for me with cookies and cream ice cream on top - a total indulgance...

gaiagirl

Sweet dreams tonight ......

I'm glad you're going to stay on this. Whether he's homophobic like Stevie suggested, sexist as stardust said, or just too lazy to do more than the least he could to get you through I wouldn't take anything from him seriously. It's clear he was determined to find the easiest path to be done. Yes complaining is a great idea but please have another doctor go over and redo everything. My wife had an aunt she was really close to. After she died they found a notation in her medical charts "possible something-or-other" (I forget the 20 letter name). It was that something-or-other that killed her. The doctor never said a word to anyone or did any tests to check on it. If he was still alive at that point the family would certainly have sued. As is it was a moot point. It's very possible she could still be alive today if it was checked out and dealt with when that notation was made. I don't want to be alarmist but it's even possible your dr. found something and just didn't want to bother. That's probably the least likely possibility but it does exist. Whatever the case he took a minimalist approach to your treatment and you deserve the best treatment. You have one body, one life. It is the last thing you permit somebody to phone it in, on. Don't ever apologize or be intimidated away from getting ALL the care and attention you need and deserve. You're in my prayers.

Sorry for your difficult time with the doctor.  Yes, file a complain, and get another opinion - you don't feel that you can trust his. 

He reminds me of the specialist in internal medicine that I see every couple of years or so.  He never looks a patient in the face or says two words to the patient.  Just walks in, flips through the chart, orders the nurses,  and then as the patient slips into a twilight sleep he does his exam and leaves.  Last time when I did wake up I demanded to see him - I had some questions I wanted to ask.  He was gone to lunch.  I said I'd wait.  Eventually he came in, and abruptly answered but gave me no real information.  He told me that he had already spoken to me.  Afterwards I ask the nurse.  Yes, he speaks to the patients right after the exam while they are still have under anestetic. 

I complained to my family doctor - whom I trust.  Dr. K---- won't communicate with me.  "But he does with me," my doctor told me.  Apparently he is highly respected by the medical staff, but he can't relate to patients.  He'd rather look up their ass-holes than in the faces.

So I know a bit how a doctor can make you feel - like a block of wood, rather than a person.  But your experience would be much worse because you can't trust him to be competent.  My trusted doctor trusts the specialist so I will too.  But if I could change I would.

Bed side manners?   Any type of manners?    Bah!

i would definitely get a second opinion, but aside from that, i've had "attacks" like that.  pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling --- went to the emerg and it turned out to be anxiety.  it happened after the birth of my second child and frequently.  once "diagnosed" i've been managing it (without medication thankfully). 

unfortunately there are alot of doctors that act this way.  maybe it's because of the shortage.  they are overworked and tired and cranky?

hope you're feeling better soon :)

that's probably the one thing that i know it's not (glad to be able to rule out one thing) - mostly cause I know what anxiety attacks feel like but also because of the medication i'm already on control that kind of thing.... but thanks for thinking of it...(and me)

so did you get to watch a Potter?  the music is playing in my head right now :) 

(((Hugs))) for you, and glad you hear you got icecream & cookies on  your brownie - that is good medicine!

Thinking of you ....and definitely get a second opinion.

I have palpitations with shortness of breath which were investigated a few years ago. What I was told was that they were dangerous to treat,(has caused  sudden death, lol) to learn to live with them and  that they wouldn't kill me. When I said you mean to ignore them they of course said ...NO, never ignore your heart ....  but I can't live in emerg. I know it is very frightening when you think something is wrong with your heart. Before my last surgery I saw my ECG report which  said abnormal!

Keep asking for answers and get another opinion!!!

PS; "You Raise Me Up"  is beautiful - if I want to relax it works for me!

thanks everyone for your caring and support....

You're welcome. How are you now? Have you had your second opinion yet? I'm sure we're all anxious to know.

thanks jon... i'm waiting till i see my GP in the first week of May to figure out what to do.  as far as i know, there are no other cardiologists in owen sound so what he'll do, i'm not sure.  it's also my first time meeting this new GP (our family health practice is having a very fast turnover rate...not good for continuity of care) so i'm anxious about that all on it's own... 

O.K. I'll keep praying for you.

gaiagrrl,

Your GP can order a 24-48 hour Holter test (continuous tape recording of your EKG). They can be marked for an "event" by pressing a button.