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Confused and very upset

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Ok Here goes
I am not much for posting, would rather read others experiences and try to learn but___
Some background on me
I am a 63 yr old, relatively intelligent, (although I do smoke) (I know I know) lifelong depression patient.
I am shy, introverted and have a very hard time being assertive with anyone so when a Dr says something to me I disagree with I don't say anything
I am so introverted that my family is not even told of any of my symptoms unless absolutely necessary (rarely)
Managed with medication for years.
I have had 30+ yrs problems with pvc's.
Culmination of about 6 yrs of ??? with the medical profession.
6 yrs ago, no insurance
Moderate controlled high blood pressure.
I took an amoxycillin and within minutes was going into aniphylactic shock.

Arrived at er in time and during workup obviously ekg showed irregularities.
I got a call from my Physicians nurse stating I needed further testing.
A failed stress test and Stress echo later I was referred for cardiac cath
The Cardiologist left the room mumbling that my heart was fine and the echo must have been a false positive
About two yrs later when the pvc's were getting much more symptomatic and i was experiencing chest pressure and severe shoretness of breath I had another ekg at my local Dr's and a V-tack was detected.
Was referred to electrophisiologist in nearby town
At the first appointment I liked him. He assured me that there was no V-tack but instead excape beats (no explanation)
Second visit
Second visit he had a very pretty female intern working with him that day and the egotist was showing off for her
Cocky, sarcastic with me etc Spent at least 5 minutes demanding to know where I got the amoxi pill that i took that resulted in the anyphylactic shock years before (relevance?)
He spent 15 minutes arguing that Thyroid had no effect on heart (real confidence builder there)
Even went to his office to research Internet articles supporting this another 10 minutes
He ordered the king of hearts monitor that day I was to return in 1 month
I returned for the results of this Very expensive monitoring.
He entered the room and asked what he could now do for me
When I told him I wanted the results of the King Of Hearts and some answers
His response

Oh not too bad___
You have an Incomplete RBBB
You have a lot of PVC which are not dangerous
But he could ablate them
And if you are having Angina you won't live long

I answered that an ablation was out of the question as it was too expensive
He replied oh, not that expensive
Again I said out of the question
He got angry, said you can get dressed and go home now! Left the room
Stunned I got dressed and stood in his hallway looking for him to try to get answers of what to do next.
I told his nurse that he had a nasty temper
20 minutes of waiting for him later while I was standing in his hallway outside his office and looking very stupid,I finally confronted him about what to do next then he said maybe a sestamibi could be the next step and asked his nurse to find the phone number for me to call and ask the price
Again with no insurance I Passed on the Sestamibi at that time

It is now two years later
I have recently been much more symptomatic with the Angina symptoms mainly with exertion
Was sent for Sestamibi Stress test
Passed
Requested a consult with another cardiologist

One week ago I had a visit with Female cardiologist
thinking she would be more knowlegable about womens hearts and also more compassionate
At our visit last week I sensed she was quite distant and cool (attributed it to my insecurity and nervousness)
However she is a working colleague of the first electrophisiologist i saw two yrs ago
After setting up the CT angio for me her nurse explained things and told me after the test ask directions to Dr's office for the results

Before the procedure at Marshfield her nurse again approached me to tell me to just go home after the test and Dr would
“drop me a note!!”



Today I got her "note"
This letter is to notify you of the results of your CT Angiogram This demonstrated normal coronary arteries and normal left ventricular function.
Based on these results I would classify your intermittent chest pressure and dyspnea as non-cardiac in origin.
At this time no further cardiac work-up is indicated

I KNOW this is Cardiac in origin and I am not imagining symptoms. More than likely Microvascular.
Don't know if I should cry or be MAD being dismissed by a female Dr who should know better.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Angina Pain Depression Stress

3 replies

Hi, So sorry you are having a hard time with your doctors. I too have been where you are with doctors who are rude and not-informing with information . I have gone through 6 cardiologist in three years now. i refuse to be talked to like I am stupid or less than they are (doctors). I have a new card. doctor now who I am still not sure of yet. ( only had him 2 months). He has given me more answers than the others and seems to be willing not to stop trying till I get the answer for my chest pains disrupting my life .
We know our bodies better than any doctor could ever know, so keep pushing for a answer . The woman doctor 's response does not surprise me, because they all cover for each other in this DOCTORS ONLY Community. I ask for a copy of EVERY test including ecgs blood work etc. SOmetimes they try to resist by saying they will send it to my family doc. but I just say "Thanks" I still need a copy also. They have to give you one even if they dont want to. The trick to get these free of charge, is to ask for it right after the service is provided (or test is done) otherwise they will charge You a service (printing fee) My PCP gave me this tip and it has worked for me so far.
Keep the faith in finding the right doctor for you. Wishing you well. Terri

Thanks for the answer Terri
Do you know what further testing they could do to look for either spasms or microvascular disease?
I am beginning to be embarrassed to call for another Dr appointment!! Am almost questioning my own symptoms and instincts about them. Although if this is not Angina it sure does a very good job of imitating it.

Hi, The only test i know of that will show it is a angiogram (catherization.) I have had several done over the past three years. I do know they can give you a medicine when doing this to see if your arteries start to spasm, which causes pain in your chest. It might be worth asking the doctor about this. Good Luck,, Terri

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