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I need help ..

molinad1985
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I am 23 yrs old.. I recently about 3 months ago .. started with a weird ache in my heart not the chest but in my heart.. it makes me really angry that most cardiologist just say im too young but they dont know how I feel, those palpitations are so scary my heart starts beating so fast.. its scary Im afraid of dying and leaving my1 yr old daughter behind.. the Dr and insurance dont seem to think its possible sometimes i think i should just write my baby a letter to tell her how much i love her incase anything happens.. helppppp

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31 replies

angelk

Hello I thought that maybe I could give you a possibilty, something to look into for your symptoms. I started having pains in my heart about two year ago, they were localized pains, I would always grab my chest area just at my left breast. I just found out that I have a PFO that is the medical term for a hole in my heart, it took three different major attacks for them not to gove up and write me off as well, I always heard from the doctors and nurses that was way to young for it to be my heart. After awhile you get so mad,but I kept having these attacks. I am not saying that this is what you have, but it is a possiblity, and if it may be, this is nothing to mess with. You need to persistant with the doctors and do not give up, because like you said, you know your body and do not let doctors push you around your daughter is depending on you.
Sincerely, AngelK

Brianne

Hi!
I'm sorry to hear that no one is taking your heart pain seriously. I would be persistant and find a doctor that is willing to help you figure out what is wrong before its too late. I wish I would have paid more attention to the warning signs my body was telling me before I had a cardiac arrest. I use to have crazy heart palpitations.. I use to have almost a rising feeling in my throat followed by a strong, hard thump. I dismissed these symptoms because I had one cardiologist perform one EKG and he didn't see anything wrong. You know your body best and what is normal. Do not ignore these symptons. Get help, real help. Best of luck to you. Let me know what happens!
Hugs Brianne
ps - i'm young like you too only 28, (my heart symptoms started when I was about 24) with a 3yr old. I understand how scary it can feel. The worst feeling is thinking you may not be there for your daughter... I understand. Do all that you can for yourself and your daughter.

careh

Hello ladies!! I was 19 years old when I collapsed while running with my Dad. I was officially diagnosed with heart problems at 22 and went on beta blockers (Corgard). I am now 49. They mistook my problems for mitral valve prolapse because my valve showed irregular in an echo. It turned out to be electrical in nature (although my valve does leak a bit). Back in 1981, they didn't really diagnose electrical problems correctly. It doesn't matter how old you are....heart disease can happen. Please don't let them dismiss your symptoms just because you are young. (They tried that with me too.)
As the other ladies said, it is YOUR body and you know how you feel.
Good luck and please keep us posted!
Carolyn

goingstrong

I have emailed separately about where you are receiving care now. We live in the same city so hopefully we can talk a little about this.

Keep pursuing this as you know your body best! Did you see the article in the Houston Chronicle today about women getting inadequate care for heart attacks?

We know that out here, don't we ladies? I'll post the link in another thread

molinad1985

hello ladies.. well its been a while .. and so far nothing yet .. i continue to have the pain every so often.. well on a daily basis not strong but scary...matter fact as i type this it hurts , and i have to grab my chest ... the palpitations come and go i got an ultra sound on the vascular system it seemes to be ok.. i know have depression and i think its all due to this problem it bothers me so much i can barely carry my daughter or change her diaper because of the pain or the tiredness.. it drives me crazy i try to avoid it as much as possible.. but sometimes its toooo persistent .. and i break down ... my dad thinks its gas..?? i dont know but what ever it is i want it out and want to live my life again.. i mean i dont even go grocery shopping anymore due to this... and i have anxiety attacks.. i feel like im going crazy i know if they got a hold of the problem in my heart my anxiety and depression wouldnt be how it is ... but best of wishes to you guys for the holidays and sorry i take so long to get back to you guys.. thanks i feel like finally some one knows what im going thru

goingstrong

What follow up do you have with your doctor? Is he continuing to pursue this - watch/wait - what's his plan?
So now your US of the vascular system is within normal limits - what's next?

You probably need to see a family physician or psychiatrist for depression evaluation - and anxiety is a diagnosis in itself. You might need something to help bring that down when it gets too overwhelming.

Have a great hristmas! Let us hear.

Lynn

Patybluetx

I agree with Lynn you have to have a plan and as a patient you have the right to demand one! Why haven't they put you on a 24hr monitor to monitor your heart palpitations?

As for your depression, please see a therapist to evaluate how badly depressed you are, if you don't work out your anxieties you can begin to have panic attacks and then you'll feel like you are having a heart attack and then they'll really not take you serious! So get that taken care of ASAP.

I hope you find answers!
Martha

molinad1985

thank you friends... so far for anxiety i got xanax.. i dont know what his plan is.. or what he is thinking of doing with me im putting my self in the lords hands after all he made me and he can fix me.. my Dr seems quite mean at times .. but i guess ... as for depression im having issues finding a psychiatrist the one i used to go to retired ... and most i have called only see people over 25 ... my ultra sound was ok ... he was focusing mostly on gall bladder stones but nothing was there ... i dont see how that relates to it.. ?? i try to take it easy my anxiety does get out of hand n i do get panic attacks my husband doesnt understand and lately i developed a fear of being alone.. i really go into panic mode then.. but the bad part is that people are focusing on my anxiety and forgetting my heart... Merry Christmas.. and thanks you guys make me feel alot better

afargelli

Don't let this go! Find a female cardiologist or try a large teaching hospital in you radius.

pattyjw59

Be careful with the Xanax, I watched my brother get totally strung out on them. And who can blame you for having anxiety attacks? There is nothing more frustrating than when your docs won't listen to you! I have been through that as well and it makes you just want to scream at times! Like the other ladies have said, do not give up and keep pressing until you get an answer. Sometimes you have to go through several docs to find the right one who will take the time to listen to you. I hate the "you're too young" BS they feed you. My nephew had a full-blown heart-related collapse when he was only 14, and they found a faulty valve in his heart. Prior to that, he had complained of chest pain but all the docs blew it off as not eating right or some such thing. So keep talking until someone listens. I do not know where you are located but in almost every major city there are medical college hospitals; we have 3 here in Augusta. They tend to have the best docs, they really do. I love the heart doc I have now, he is wonderful and really listens to me. God bless you, we will keep you in our prayers.

goingstrong

Ok. I have emailed you the name of a psychiatrist in our area who I think is very good! You must get more than Xanax because it is not a good solution to your anxiety. Yes, it helps in an acute attack, but you need medication that in the long term, will help your brain get back to normal neurotransmitter levels! She may even have some ideas about appropriate cardiac networking for you!

Please call her and make an appointment.
And while you are at it, Have a Blessed Christmas.

And, ........ we care!

Lynn

dede118

Hi molinad-Sounds like you need some support.

I know-I've been there too. Be persistant and realize you are your own best advocate. Don't let them wear you down or dismiss you. Keep faith that you will be helped soon. Frequently it takes more than one or two doctors to sort out these types of problems. Keep demanding the respect and care you deserve.

First of all,I assume you are seeing and being followed up by your primary care doctor or family doctor? That is your first line of defense. If this doctor is dismissing your concerns or even worse,"being mean" to you then rethink this choice of primary doctor. If you have a good relationship with your primary doc then write out all your concerns on paper,call for a visit and adress every one of your concerns to your satisfaction with your primary. If not then there are alternatives.

You have insurance-call the insurance and ask when you can change to a new primary doctor. Pick one close to you from the list they provide. You can also ask your OB GYN if they have any suggestions regarding a new primary. Also your OB GYN should be consulted about your depression and your care should be followed up with a psychiatrist.

If your OB and primary doctors don't refer you to a psychiatrist(preferably with post partum depression experience)then you'll have to call your insurance again and ask for instructions on how to proceed to get one that they will pay for.

This plan of action will get you started to recieve quality care.

Now,if you don't have confidence in the cardiologist you are seeing then there are easy ways to get another one. It may be well worth the bother for you to change.. Hopefully you have sat down with your current cardiologist already and discussed in detail all your symptoms and concerns and detailed interpretation of any tests you have already undergone.
The cardiologist should have an interest in caring for you. Have you had basic thyroid testing and testing for infection? Full blood panels to rule out anemia, which can ironically also cause wierd chest and abdominal pain? Any tests you have already undergone and history done by your doctors should be transferred to a new cardiologist if you do choose to change heart doctors and or primary physicians..

Please also ask your insurance company directly if they have a phone case management service you can participate in. This is a team of RNs (supervised by doctors) who will call you once a month or more to monitor your progress,give suggestions and support to you. They can help you find the fastest ways to cut through any obstacles to your care. This service is always free and you can disenroll at any time. I have used this and found it very helpful in times of crisis.

Hoping these suggestions can help you some.
Above all,don't give up. There are caring,helpful and competent medical people out there,it just takes a little searching sometimes to get hold of them.

dede118

Oh moli-Most important !!---I forgot to tell you to get your husband to take you to the nearest hospital ER(or EMT ambulance if someone isn't right there to take you) the very next time you have a bout of chest pain,heart pain or such. Don't second guess yourself. Bring your baby with you if there isn't someone there to take the baby immediately.
This is the fastest way to hook up with competent cardiologists and get cardiac testing done pronto. You pay for insurance and have every right to use it.
Acute chest pain is always an emergency priority no matter what a persons age is.
I was dismissed by my cardiologist at a young age as being a "cardiac neurotic". I took three months off from work because I was so sick from being a "cardiac neurotic." Eventually I went to another cardiologist who diagnosed a cardiac virus which ended up causing a lot of heart damage!

molinad1985

hey guys i went in today and they put me on the halter monitor i go back tomorrow and see what they say so far to them its just anxiety sometimes i even believe it my self since everyone even myy family thinks so they just dont know.. but i wont give up ... ill update tomorrow and see whats new in this journey

LTLCS

From all you have shared I agree it sounds like anxiety or panick attacks. I know a LOT of people that have them and it sounds exactly like what you discribe. Sounds like you need someone to talk too also. We do have a way of talking ourselves into having serious health issues when we don't have them. Been there done that.

I am a lung cancer survivor and a heart patient.

Good luck to you, I'm sure you'll be fine.

martzj

hi dede118,

"I was dismissed by my cardiologist at a young age as being a "cardiac neurotic". I took three months off from work because I was so sick from being a "cardiac neurotic." Eventually I went to another cardiologist who diagnosed a cardiac virus which ended up causing a lot of heart damage!"

Do you have documentation regarding the 'cardiac neurotic' stigma this cardio created? Get copies of your cardio records ASAP. You need to nip this in the bud, especially if this cardio is sharing your charts with any of your other doctors. This kind of gender bias is unfortunately mainstream US practice and you'll need to stay alert for it. Get documentation and begin to familiarize yourself with the terminology, the docs version of what was going on vs what you were experiencing and trying to explain as a patient.

Best wishes to you and have a good day,
Jaynie

dede118

Hi Moli-Glad you are getting a cardiac monitor.
Should show up arrythmias.
I'm glad you are being persistant-keep on girl till you get the answers you need.

Please don't pay attention to family who think they know what is or is not wrong with you. Just smile and nod at them and blow them off politely say thanks for your thoughts.

Don't dismiss anxiety attacks either. They are your bodys way of saying-hey-something needs attention here!

You can easily be having cardiac difficulties along with anxiety attacks. Goes hand in hand and is perfectly normal. Regardless of what transpires with your heart diagnosis and treatment,any emotional issues need attending to. Having anxiety attacks or depression are separate from the cardiac issues and do not mean that in having these issues there is no physical issue going on simultaneously.

It is all part of being human-as you know mind,body and spirit and emotions are all strongly connected.

Wishing you the best of luck with your progress.

dede118

Jaynie-Thanks for your reply.

This episode starting search for cardiac help started almost thirty years ago so most of those issues are moot at this point.

I was humiliated and frusrated at the attitude of the cardiologist who cared for me at that time and labled me "cardiac neurotic"

There is, unfortunately, still gender bias regarding womens health issues but much less than back then.

What I'm very concerned about nowadays is the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome widely sweeping affects on women that is underresearched and underfunded.

I have since in the last couple of years been diagnosed with this syndrome. Actually many years ago my ovaries were diagnosed as being polycystic-that was that. I was told I'd just have to live with the pain and have surgery if it became unbearable.No one told me about all the serious health problems that could arise from this seemingly inconsequential problem.

It's only recently I started doing research about it and found out it can cause heart disease and diabetes among other serious health concerns. There are treatments if started early enough can curtail the serious affects of P.O.S.

Please,ladies,look this up on the web and educate yourselves. It can be very important for you. Especially if you are young enough to begin treatment. It is too late for me,I already have continued heart disease and am an insulin dependent diabetic from the results of having P.O.S.

I have two daughters ages 17 and 21 that I recently had checked out by an GYN doctor for this problem and both have been diagnosed with PolycysticOvary Syndrome. They are young enough to begin treatment that can stop them from ever progressing to severe consequences of this syndrome. Also,it can affect fertility as well as cardiac function.

My girls are now on treatments for this and are doing well. They also found a couple of blood problems from evaluating the bloodwork done by the doctor for P.O.S. My girls are both on medication for this also which will prevent blood clots.

Please check this out. It has meant so much to me to be able to help my kids avoid a lot of health problems later in life.

Sorry to ramble but I guess you can tell I'm very passionate about getting out the word on P.O.S.

Hany

Hi Molinad

I feel for you . Going through these tests and dealing with doctors who keep saying nothing is wrong is torture and then getting it from your relatives or other people who really have no idea what you are going through. It is sooo tough. I have been in this situation myself for many years.
I think it is very dangerous for doctors to jump on the anxiety attacks as being the sole problem. As dede said sometimes it is a way of reacting to danger . I have also been labelled depressed and so doctors presume its a mental problem.
I just have to wait and wait. I will be having an MRI on the 26 Jan . They will be testing for ischemia. It does not test for prinzmetal though I dont think. So far they have ruled out heart rhythm problems with the holter monitor and valve problems or heart muscle problems with the echo. My running tests were o.k too.
How long have you had the pain , what do you think could have triggered it? Anyway best of luck to you.
You hang in there O.K? Cute baby by the way.

best wishes

Hana

martzj

Hi dede,

" have two daughters ages 17 and 21 that I recently had checked out by an GYN doctor for this problem and both have been diagnosed with PolycysticOvary Syndrome. They are young enough to begin treatment that can stop them from ever progressing to severe consequences of this syndrome. Also,it can affect fertility as well as cardiac function."

I'm sorry you've been through such a long hard road with POS. My precious godson, now a college sophomore was born to his POS mom....after 8 years on those POS hormone shots and treatments. But he was so worth the wait!! I love him to death. Very sorry your girls have POS too but now it is almost no problem if it is quickly picked up on.....and it should be because the sypmtoms are blatantly obvious. Great to hear your girls have a very good shot a the normalcy you missed out on.

Take good care,
Jaynie

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