[Ryan]

...or third, fourth, etc.

If you don't think your cardiology team is helping you/taking you seriously -- bail and find someone who does.

I saw my new cardio doc. today. He was VERY aggressive after reading my patient history. He ordered an echo, electrolyte panel, and a 48 hour holter immediately. Turns out the "elongated mitral valve" that my last cardiologist ignored on echo and stress echo and deemed benign is actually prolapsing.

In three weeks, I might finally have an answer as to what's causing my ectopics. This doc said he is 90% sure that the valve is the culprit. He wants to put it all together and come up with a treatment plan (which won't, thankfully, involve a valve replacement!)

Anyway, just a word to you all that if you feel like the docs are wasting your time, go with your instinct and "fire" your cardio team! For the first time since 2008, I felt some psychological relief that I might have "an answer"... all because I took a chance and got a new doc to check out my skips.

[dr461]

What if this cardiologist is aggressively wrong? Do you get a 5th opinion? At what point does one just accept what the doctors say? Or is it best three out of five votes?

[Ryan]

Then I'll keep looking until I find an answer.

My last cardiologist said something to the effect of "hey, you've got a weird looking mitral valve...but that's not the cause of your skips" after looking at my echo. I asked him what was then and he said, "they're benign but we don't really know. There's no prolapse or regurg. from that valve etc." And, unsurprisingly, that never sat well with me.

[Miss Elizabeth]

Ryan, I am glad you switched doctors and are happier with your new one. I switched doctors at the end of last year and I am soooo glad I did. My last doctor kept telling me my heart was not the problem, but he didn't have an aswer as to what was the problem. He treated me for over five years and according to him nothing was wrong with my heart. If that was the case, why did he keep having me come back to his office for treatment? And if nothing was wrong, why was I diagnosed with an enlarged heart and mitral valve prolapse before I ever became his patient?

Which group did you just leave and which group are you with now? We live in the same area and I am curious if we have or have had the same cardiologists.

[DaniRae]

I am glad you found some answers I hope that this gives you peace of mind that you so need.

But I must admit that even if that is the problem, you may still have to live with your skips etc. But it may still be very well benign. That could easily be why your original cardio did not take it to the extreme. Because it's not a real problem?

[dr461]

I think a competent cardiologist can read an echo and holter results. One of the big problems is that PVCs are so common, and it is often hard to find the cause of them, absent other symptoms. 90% of the time, they are just not anything of concern. It is that 10% that we all worry about, justifiably. You were right to get more than one opinion, but I would be a bit wary of such gross conflicting opinions, and find the cardiologist with the best reputation you can find.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by DaniRae

But I must admit that even if that is the problem, you may still have to live with your skips etc. But it may still be very well benign.

I've lived with them this long...I was just surprised, after being told by more than one doc that there was nothing wrong with that mitral valve despite the deformity, that a doctor confirmed my suspicions.

[mairegra]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I've lived with them this long...I was just surprised, after being told by more than one doc that there was nothing wrong with that mitral valve despite the deformity, that a doctor confirmed my suspicions.

Same thing with me. I was diagnosed with mvp in the 80's and have a faint murmur. Use the murmur as a test for doctors as some do not hear it. I was "undiagnosed" when the criteria for mvp were revised. When I had a consultation with a new electrophysiologist I just added it as a BTW at the end and he laughed and said "why didn't you mention this upfront, this is a huge factor". None of my other cardiologists or EPs even considered it.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by mairegra

When I had a consultation with a new electrophysiologist I just added it as a BTW at the end and he laughed and said "why didn't you mention this upfront, this is a huge factor". None of my other cardiologists or EPs even considered it.

Just curious...did your electrophysiologist treat your condition any differently after the big revelation?

[Susie]

I was thinking about a second opinion on my echo, or even a re-do. You see, when they did it, according to the tech, it was a "technically difficult study" well, why in the heck did they not tell me when I was there and re-do some areas. The tech just left the ejection fraction box blank, said, according to the doc, that it was too hard to figure out. I tried to talk to the doc that ordered it, but I get ignored and my calls are not answered, he said it is a normal echo and not to worry. Well, I am worried sick. I want a re-do but no doc will prescribe it. I am beside myself with fear.

I will admit, the remarks said: "Normal LT and RT heart size with normal global systolic function. So, that is good I guess. I just wish they would have done an ejection fraction, the one I had done in 2009 the EF was 75.