You all must be tired of all my questions but I do want to know as much as possible about having a heart attack and angina and what better place than among women who have experienced it.
Last week I had my stress test assessment. I decided to go to a big rehab center in Toronto because they had all the latest technology and techniques.
When I arrived, it was the usual asking questions and taking an ECG. The technician was efficient but not particularly understanding. Then came the stress test.
There were two people present, a man and a woman. The man explained what was going to happen and was quite clear. I was to sit on a bicycle and pedal at a certain speed for five to seven minutes. I was hooked up to a BP machine and a device to take my pulse, which I expected. Then the woman, who was definitely not a compassionate person, told me they were also measuring my oxygen intake and proceeded to stick something in my mouth without asking if I wore dentures (fortunately, I don't or I would have choked). I did tell her that I had a bad tooth at the back which I can't have removed until I go off Plavix but she just rammed this mouthpiece into my mouth without listening to what I said. The tooth was knocked out of position and is still that way and I have difficulty speaking. She then put something over my nose so I could only breathe through my mouth. None of this was explained beforehand and she was far from gentle when she stuck these things in my mouth. I managed seven minutes at between 65-84 on the bike - I know that isn't MPH lol It was that mouthpiece that made me stop, along with the woman technician who wanted me to stop so she could have her lunch.
I had a lot of questions. They found one irregular heartbeat throughout the whole test. My dr has told me EVERYBODY has these. The man who was looking at the tests while I was doing them also told me that everybody has irregular heartbeats at times. He answered some of my questions but it seemed like the woman just discouraged not only me asking questions but him answering them.
I had numbed out through most of this because of the bad vibrations. When I got home, I realized I was really scared and angry. Is this how they treat scared and vulnerable people at this rehab center? Maybe all their advanced technology means nothing if there is no humanity to go along with it.
In a little over a week, I have to go to orientation and I have asked my adult daughter to go with me to see if she picks up the same vibrations. It might be that the people doing the assessments behave in such a remote manner because they only see people once but I want to make sure - which is why I want someone else's opinion about this rehab center.
I have yet to connect with anyone there who is compassionate. The secretary is rude. The woman who did the assessment accused me of stalking her because I was waiting for a taxi which took almost an hour to get there. (I told this woman she wasn't my type - I was angry).
If this doesn't work out, I'll have to apply somewhere else and more paperwork will have to be done - it just seems overwhelming right now. All I'm trying to do is heal and do what's best.
Has anyone had experiences like this? If so, what did you do? How can anyone heal when the "healers" have no compassion? I just feel like crying. They even lied to me about a kit of information which costs $25.00 - said they'd give it to me and I could pay later since I'm on disability. I never got the kit.
I feel like such a weakling saying this but the truth is that I'd like to just go and slap that woman technical upside the head for her behavior towards me.
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Stress Test - Assessment
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 2, 2009 at 5:10 pm · 10 replies
- In Experiences with healthcare professionals
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Plavix Surgery Angina Heart attack Lopressor Bypass surgery Coumadin Stress
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- By grace5
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 6:12 am
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Hi, you're not a weakling at all, I think that sense of dismissal and rejection has affected us all at one time or another during the whole healing process. Sometimes on here you get a 'Whoopee I've found a nice doctor!' post but they're almost as rare as hens teeth, most posts are about how badly we've been treated, sadly, it's an ongoing theme.
That overwhelming urge to slap someone is not uncommon either!
I guess in the great scheme of things we're like cars on a conveyor belt in a repair shop to some people, just a bunch of symptoms that need fixing.
I can't get over what that woman did to your tooth, how horribly brutal and unkind.
If you go to rehab you may well find it'll be fine, the people who run these are usually kind and understanding, and you may also find other people there to talk to.
If you pick up negative vibes and feel unhappy just get your coat and leave, it's voluntary after all. The purpose of rehab is to make you better not to cause you stress or upset you, that would defeat the object, it's your life, your choice. Remember that always, YOU are in charge of you.
As for those cruel and insensitive people who are obviously in the wrong job, they should be working on a production line or sweeping the streets, well I'm a great believer in Karma, one day they WILL walk in your shoes then perhaps they'll get the wake-up call they need.
Hang in there and keep posting, don't keep it in, let it out! ;-)
Hugs,
Lidia xx
- By lvfrogs
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 9:36 am
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Hi Natalie,
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. It truly is horrible that there are so many negative, uncaring people in the medical field. I have dealt with many like that. When I find one that is caring, I stay!! and there aren't that many, unfortunately. My cardio doc is one of the caring ones and I love his staff too. Lucky me.
If it will make you feel better, I only lasted 1 minute or less on my stress test. It was basically over before it began :(
Anyway, Lidia gave great advice as she always does. Try the rehab and hopefully, you will get a better experience. If you don't, then leave. Also, if you continue to have bad experiences there, I would write a letter of complaint to the company. There is no excuse for that.
Hang in here Natalie. Life will get better :)
Hugs,
Colleen
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 9:53 am
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Hope this doesn't come out wrong but it's good to know I'm not alone in this experience - not that I'd wish it on anyone.
If the rehab counsellors are as unfeeling as those doing the assessment, I'll ask the cardiologist to refer me somewhere else. For all their technology, without human compassion rehab just won't work for me. We're all vulnerable and need to feel safe and comfortable.
- By Kennarina
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 10:32 am
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Aaarrrrrgggh! I'm with you!
I am so sick and tired of those with zero people skills working in positions where every day they must deal with anxious, frightened and vulnerable heart patients. For the patient, there is no such thing as a 'routine' cardiac test, especially once you've had a heart attack.
At my last echo cardiogram, I was so pissed off by the two burned-out, socially retarded cardiac techs doing my procedure that I lodged an official complaint immediately afterwards with the departmental manager - something I never would have done before my heart attack. Before then, I would have just griped to my family and girlfriends who would have all said 'ain't it awful?'
Instead, this time I submitted to the Manager my list: "Top Ten Tips on How To Treat Your Patients", which she distributed to all her staff and which I'll post on my website and also here. She also sent out a group email on the importance of the 'meet & greet' function, and is doing a staff in-service meeting to improve patient care.
The key here is that mine was the second complaint about her staff in less than one week. This is why it is so important to send your feedback to the boss!!! With only one complaint, they can write you off as a cranky whiner, but when a manager gets a number of complaints, either verbal or in writing, he/she MUST take action to address the problems with staff. If there is no appropriate response from the departmental manager, go directly over their heads to the Chief of Staff at the hospital.
Attitude starts with management. That's where we have to go to demand common courtesy of their staff. The woman knocked one of your teeth out of position?!?! That must result in a formal complaint to her boss.
Unless patients begin to think of themselves as CONSUMERS who have a right to expect professionalism and politeness, these dim bulbs will continue their ways for their entire careers. We don't need to be nasty in our complaints ("your staff are idiots!") but just calm and detailed with lots of "I" messages that communicate how the treatment we have received has affected us.
BTW, it's not just in the hospital system where this insufferable indifference and rudeness lives. It's an epidemic. Yesterday I was at city hall to pay our property taxes, and the middle-aged clerk who served me at the front counter was chewing gum (!), did not make eye contact, did not even say hello, thank you or goodbye. It was appalling!! I feel another complaint to management coming on.... :-)
XOXOXOX
http://www.myheartsisters.org
- By motorcyclemama
- Posted July 3, 2009 at 10:35 am
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Sorry about your bad experience. I had a stress test on the 18th of June and it was problematic, also. They were over an hour late. I took off work. I had to stand for over 30 minutes because the technician couldn't get the leads to record and had to take them off and put new ones on. I was told to take big steps. I am short so that wasn't good. After all of that the cardio rehab nurse argued with me about taking things out of my pocket to weigh me.
A week later, the cardio nurse argued with me about the dosage the doctor had put me on of Lopressor. I finally mailed her a copy of my discharge papers and wrote her a letter saying I didn't want any more contact. This woman argues and argues with me about everything and it has totally stressed me out. She called me at work a few weeks ago and started in again. I AM following a 1000 cal diet. My cholestrol is great. My A1c is 6.3. I have lost over 20 pounds in two months. I walk 45 minutes a day. What more could they ask. I did all this on my own without any of their help. I sought a nutritionist out and am working with a diabetic nurse.
So..........my advice is this: seek out your own support system, medically and personally. Don't give them all the power. It is your life and YOUR HEART not theirs.
Good Luck! Empower yourself! Just say NO to insensitive, rude people!
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 4, 2009 at 4:36 am
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Kennarina - you are absolutely right. We are consumers and I'm going to contact the rehab center about my tooth. What would have happened if I had been wearing dentures? There is no need to be rude, I agree, get more attention with a respectful letter. The people who go to rehab are scared and shaky. Right beside the cardio rehab is the neuro rehab and some of the clients look so shaky and scared. Wonder if they get treated the same way. But - I loved your answer.
Motorcyclemama - Part of my experience was the opposite of yours. I'm 5'8" and the bicycle I used was meant for people about 4' tall. The tech would not adjust it. Your test sounds a bit different from mine but your feelings sound similar.
Completely agree with finding a support system "just for me". If this rehab center doesn't work, I'll look for another one. Sometimes I find the amount of information I get from drs is overwhelming. A nurse told me I should be tested to see how the Plavix is working. The family dr told me I didn't need to have more tests till August. The cardiologist I see in about two weeks for follow up and both drs work to make sure my meds are in order. Part of rehab is supposed to be teaching us how to read food labels - maybe translate is a better word. If it isn't, they also have dietitians.
I'd like to say a lot more than NO to those nasty rude people = )
- By Great-gram
- Posted July 12, 2009 at 7:10 pm
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Hi! I'm not really thrilled with the hospital we normally use, but we like are primary, so we pretty much stay put. Our old insurance because too expensive, so now with the new one we pay less and can choose doctors and hospitals and don't have to have a referral. My husband went through cardiac rehab - the nurse was an absolute delight, the whole staff in rehab was incredible. Because of finances, they grouped rehab at another one of their hospitals, further away for us, but even more importantly away from a large group of poor and elderly people, who have to depend on public transportation. Also the hospital that the rehab is in has no cardiac care unit for emergencies, although they have an emergency room. They also broke up the team that worked so well. Guess I'll eventually have the opportunity to try out the new rehab some day. The people who do our stress tests, echos and other procedures are generally really nice and do answer questions. It's the acute care for the elderly unit that I can't stand. The best staff person there is the activities director, who listened and demonstrated that she cared. My husbands medications were mixed up when he was discharged, and if I hadn't had a nursing background he could have been in some serious trouble. I will say that the nurses were nice about the questions I asked when I called to verify. He could have had a double dose of coumadin. Not good. Sounds like you have to go through a great deal of paper work to change your place of care. Blessings, hugs and prayers! Great-gram
- By ceebee
- Posted July 13, 2009 at 5:40 pm
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I can't say I've had bad experiences with all of my cardiac care folks... but I had a really rough time with the freaking nurses after my bypass surgery.
I know you feel like crap after the surgery because both of my parents went through it. I know they want you to walk asap because it helps you heal faster (and gets you out of their way faster too!)
However, my situation was different. I felt like hammered crap ... didn't want to eat... food was tasteless... my stomach hurt as well as my chest. I DID NOT want to walk... but because they hounded me... I did walk with my brother when he came to visit.
But I still continued to feel like crap when these nurse ratchet types insisted i should be up and at em. I couldn't put my finger on what was wrong except I felt nauseous and dizzy and soooo weak.
Well after a particularly horrendous session where they all but threatened me with bodily harm if I didn't get up and WALK... I buzzed them (for the second time that day)... they didn't respond.
I kept buzzing and said I needed toileting help.
They didn't respond. I stumbled to the bathroom... not wanting to even hold my head up. Then in the bathroom I pulled that cord... and finally one of them came in ... snapping at me about what kind of help I needed... and she had another patient to see about besides me.
Then I passed a bucket of blood from both ends. That got her attention. A lot of yelling and stat this and stat that soon followed.
I wound up back in ICU with a bleeding ulcer for two days ... and got a butt load (pardon that) of apologies from every head nurse at the hospital as well as fruit baskets... etc. However, I wouldn't have gotten that... had I not complained loudly and in writing. If I EVER go back to that hospital and that unit... I'd better be comatose and out of my mind.
- By lonewolf7
- Posted July 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm
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I don't think that every person in the health field are like the one who smashed my tooth. The drs and nurses were good at their jobs even if they - especially the nurses - were in a bad mood. In Canada a lot of nurses move to the USA to get paid more. A lot of dr's do the same thing.
If I've realized anything, it's that all the technology, etc. doesn't do anything unless there is a caring and supportive person doing the tests. Don't they realize that they're dealing with scared and vulnerable people. Too bad they couldn't do some kind of "personality" test to see if they really are good with patients.
- By AlaskaGirl
- Posted July 16, 2009 at 11:51 am
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Wow! I've not had the bad luck to be treated as any of you have. I'm astonished (and thankful). I had the opprtunity to be at a Hospital Auxilliary meeting yesterday and we were shown a short film call "The Pickle". It was about giving good customer service, no matter how you feel or what's going on in your life. I do patient comfort on Wednesday nights (books, magazines and hand massages). I see the staff working on that afternoon and evening and some of them could benefit from that film, too.
I guess my advice would to clue in the appropriate bosses for these employees. They shouldn't be allowed to treat patients the way they do. AlaskaGirl
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