[Susie]

You know, sometimes I just do not understand doctors. Let me explain.

This past Tuesday, I finally saw the doc that had ordered the holter monitor. Well, the visit went well at first, my blood pressure was great, 117/70, O2 saturation 98, and I felt pretty good. The doc came in and we talked about the holter, he said it was very good and completely normal and for me, the skips are fine as they are normal for me. He said the echo was fine too, that those numbers I was concerned about were normal due to my small left ventricular size and such. All in all, he said, my heart was great and please do not worry, all was benign. Well, I was very happy and and he could see that, especially when I said that I was not worried then if they were benign. Well, it was after I was happy he sort of dropped a bomb. He said:

However, this does NOT mean you will not have problems when you get older as our heart ages, things can happen.

Well, I felt like I was hit in the tummy, he did not even add that it may not be the case with me as my heart was so healthy. I could have cried. Maybe I over-reacted, but, from what I have read here, I did not think it could get worse, oh sure, I know we have no guarantees in life, but, I was still sort of stunned. I shan't go back to him, the only reason I went in the first place was to hear his opinion on my test, I had already gotten a good opinion from a doctor I see in Seattle.

I wrote her, and she said that was a trick by some doctors to get a person to keep coming back, but she said, for me, it is a 5 alarm fire alert. She said not to worry, that yes, it can happen to anyone, but with a heart like mine, the statics are good.

Gee, why do they have to scare you, I mean, why couldn't he have just said, don't worry, in a good heart like yours, it is probable that it won't happen. Dang.

Well, that is all, I had to vent a little.

Love ya all.
Susie

[dr461]

Don't worry--that is his "cover his ass to make sure his malpractice premiums don't go up" speech. He's big time covering his ass, and I'd get another doctor, due to that attitude. Your tests are normal, YOU are normal. He's an idiot. ANYBODY in the general population can develop heart disease when they "get older." So, that is all he's saying--you have NO increased risk over the general population. I'd flush him as a doctor, as there are many doctors. Mine just said "you are OKAY, period."

[Susie]

You are so right Dr, I have flushed him. From now on, it is the doctor in Seattle, it is farther away, but she knows me so well and knows how to NOT scare me. I liked him sort of at first, but, the more I have seen him, the less I do, I really do not trust him now.

This was not the first time he said something like this either, I should have known the first time I met him when he said that a few PAC's and PVC's were OK, but, we have no way of knowing when they can turn bad. Well, again, I have not read that here or even the Med Help forums. That was my red flag, I should have listened to my conscience, oh well, live and learn.

Oh, LOL, he explained the difference between PAC's and PVC's, I listened politely, but heck, I could write a book on the difference, I don't think he realized just how much I know.

Well, so much for that experience. Your comment sort of sounded like the Seattle doc, LOL, I like that.

Take care my friend.
Susie

[dr461]

Oh, I once gave a scare monger doctor like that a lesson in spontaneous anglo-saxon obscenities when he pulled that garbage. After my tirade, he backed off and said "I have to say that to every patient, because if somebody drops dead and it is my mistake I get sued." He was honest about that and got flushed down the toilet for his insensitivity. Doctors not only need competence; they also need an appropriate bedside manner.

[Katie]

No one knows what the future holds but he should've said something like: since your heart is in good shape, here is how to continue to keep it that way.

[Susie]

I agree, but, well, he didn't. Oh well, I guess there are a lot out there like that, folks that have understanding doctors are very blessed. Mine run away from me, I guess I can't blame them.

[jkfrench]

Please don't worry. I changed cardiologists this year. I was seeing one for 15 years that kept telling me I was fine and not to worry yet he kept making me retake all the tests yearly. (echo, treadmill, EKG). I asked him why and he said "because you have arrhythmias! Well that scared the crap out of me. This new doctor told me that he was using me to pay his bills. I didn't need echos and stress tests every year. It was over kill. So pick the doctor you love and BELIEVE them. You are fine Susie. I understand why you are stressed... because your symptoms have changed a little and increased. But that is just hormones. I have been going through the same thing over the last year. But I finally decided enough was enough. I'm going to stop trying to be the doctor and just believe my doctor. We love you!!!!

[dr461]

This new doctor told me that he was using me to pay his bills. I didn't need echos and stress tests every year. It was over kill. So pick the doctor you love and BELIEVE them. You are fine Susie. I understand why you are stressed... because your symptoms have changed a little and increased. But that is just hormones. I have been going through the same thing over the last year. But I finally decided enough was enough. I'm going to stop trying to be the doctor and just believe my doctor. We love you!!!!

Jodie got that one right--he was using you to make the payments on his BMW 750. Doctors love nervous people, as they are repeat business for them, don't I Know! lol Been there/ done that, and found doctors who are caring, compassionate, and not worried about generating extra income by scaring their patients. We do love you, and you can relax and enjoy Christmas.

[Susie]

Yeah, I believe he was using my fear for his own good. It is hard to find genuine, caring doctors.

I love you all too.
Susie