A doctor rant!!! Update post #33

[icebrat001]

I've been seeing the doctor quite a bit lately, as I have a heart condition and they are trying to find the cause. I've had what seems to be a thousand test.

Nonetheless, they took a variety of blood test and the test indicate that I have low levels of Magnesium, Carbon Dioxide and super low levels of iron (iron 4ng/ml normal is in the 22-291 range). So the doctor calls me on the phone and accuses me of having an eating disorder, she asked if I was bulimic and I said no (i'm not), then if I took laxatives (no way, I'm not sticking anything up my butt) and if I was anorexic (I eat and I NEVER workout), she orders me to see a nutritionist ( I see her tomorrow).

So, I got a letter in the mail yesterday and it says please contact mental health to help you with an eating disorder. I eat a lot, a whole lot, I just don't gain weight, that's not my problem, that doesn't mean I can be accused of having an eating disorder.

I eat tons of vegetables, fruits, and protein. I eat nutrient rich foods. Have they stopped to think that maybe I have an absorption problem?

I'm 22 and have had 2 heart attacks and they still haven't figured out the cause, I have a resting heart beat of 126 and they haven't figured that out either or given me medication, all they do is run more test and send me home without answers.

The real kicker, the doctor wrote the DMV saying that since my heart rate is so high that I am prone to fainting, so now the DMV is going to suspend my license if I don't find another doctor that says the opposite of what she has said.


Why oh why is this doctor being so evil to me, she is turning my life upside down. I've already put in a request to change doctors, but this is really starting to get annoying.

Does your doctor do this to you?

 

[EthansMom]

 

[snowball22]

Wow!!! I would definately try and find a heart specialist in your area and dump your current doc. Have you had one of those fancy new 3 dimensional heart tests that Oprah had done on her show? That type of test looks like it would find almost anything wrong with a heart. Good luck!! Let us know what happens!!

 

[VanniGirl]

I would say a new Doctor is the way to go.

 

[icebrat001]

Wow!!! I would definately try and find a heart specialist in your area and dump your current doc. Have you had one of those fancy new 3 dimensional heart tests that Oprah had done on her show? That type of test looks like it would find almost anything wrong with a heart. Good luck!! Let us know what happens!!

They only send you to a cardiologist (who would order that test) if your EKG and Echo come out strange and they look normal. So I guess I won't be seeing one.

I think they aren't taking me seriously about my heart because I have such low iron.

But I was kicked out of 2 military branches for having heart attacks while marching. The military cardiologist told me to see a cardiologist in the civilian world because it would cost them too much money.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sorry to hear of your health troubles. I would suggest you find the absolute BEST Board Certified cardiologist in CA who can once and for all figure this all out for you. It's extremely important you act now to prevent further damage to your heart. Try looking here.

 

[Dan Murphy]

They only send you to a cardiologist (who would order that test) if your EKG and Echo come out strange and they look normal. So I guess I won't be seeing one......

HMO???

I sure do hope you can get to see another doc, ice, a cardiologist. Isure would think you could, given your past med history.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Find a Cardiologist and get this addressed by an expert. A 22 year old who has had 2 heart attacks is major reason for concern. In the Drs defense, most women with eating disorders will deny it.

 

[luvwinnie]

Wait a second...you have had TWO HEART ATTACKS and aren't being seen by a cardio??

 

[tevagirl]

I think they aren't taking me seriously about my heart because I have such low iron. /QUOTE]

Then find one who will and don't stop until you do! Good luck!

 

[mum4jenn]

Yes I wold definitely find another Dr. ASAP. Do you think there might be some discrimination going on??

I am the type that has to have one foot in the grave before I go see a doctor but recently I have had so many things happening I finally decided that I should not put things off any longer. I went to a GP who asked me LOTS of questions and based on my answers has either given me medication or sent me to specialists for further testing. I am about half way through and have more testing to go but my Gp told me if I did not like any of the Drs to let him know and he would find someone else for me.

 

[icebrat001]

HMO???

I sure do hope you can get to see another doc, ice, a cardiologist. Isure would think you could, given your past med history.

Yep, HMO

 

[icebrat001]

Wait a second...you have had TWO HEART ATTACKS and aren't being seen by a cardio??

Yep that's right. I had heart attacks while in the miltary, 1 day prior to graduation in the Navy and then again on graduation day in the Army.

The military won't release my old medical records to the doctors or to me. They claim that since I never never graduated that they destroyed my records. I don't believe them because my DD 214 says I spent 2 years in the miltary when all I really spent was 4 or 5 months.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you know for sure that you actually had a heart attack, I would consider paying out of pocket for an appointment to see the best cardiologist you can find, check with a university affiliated medical center. They will do a baseline ECG - if you've had a heart attack (i.e. damage to your heart muscle) it will show. They will help you get into the system for care.

 

[AllyandJack]

Search for another PCP that's a cardiologist. My dad has heart problems and his PCP is a cardiologist - it saves a ton of time.

Some specialists also work as PCPs.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Wait a second...you have had TWO HEART ATTACKS and aren't being seen by a cardio??

Thats what I'm thinking.

 

[DJBounce]

Do you have any documentation supporting that you did indeed have a heart attack, such as copies of EKG, labs that were done, etc. (you should be able to get these old medical records regardless of what the military tells you, even if you have to involve an attorney)? You said that a military cardiologist told you to see a civilian one...did you receive a medical type of discharge (it should be on your DD214)? If you don't agree with what this current doc is telling you, or the direction your care is going....go get a second opinion. And if you absolutely can not find another cardiologist to take you on as a new patient without a referral from a family practice MD, then find a family practice MD...show them your supporting documentation regarding your cardiac history and ask for a referral. Or you can go to a university level care facility like Pea-n-Me suggested and tell them you are having palpitations, that your heart seems to be racing for no apparent reason. They will hook you up to an EKG after verifying through your vital signs that your resting HR is in the 120's and hopefully a cardiology consult is done.

 

[Mimi Q]

 

[KAMLEM]

Search for another PCP that's a cardiologist. My dad has heart problems and his PCP is a cardiologist - it saves a ton of time.

Some specialists also work as PCPs.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Why do you need permission to change PCP's? That should be up to you to decide.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Please try and see a Cardio as soon as possible. Even if you have to pay out of pocket.

My Nieces DH just had a heart attack and was in the hospital 4 days. He is only 25 years old and is very fit and active.