Advice Wanted... (medical) UPDATE post 14

[yeartolate]

Went to the Doctor and didn't get the Echo because I've been sick with a fever for so long that my results probably wouldn't be accurate.

I saw my regular doctor, my temp dropped to 94, my BP was high, my pulse was 161. He ran a strep test and some blood work, don't know when I will get the results. He told me to go home hydrate and rest, he didn't give me anything at all . At least the fever is gone, but my voice is gone and I feel like i've been run over with a dump truck!

I haven't eaten since yesterday morning when I ate a step 1 geber baby food apple sauce (only thing I could swallow) and I've lost 6 lbs since last Friday, I now weigh 109 and I'm 5'9''

EEEK! What did the doctor do about your heartrate???

 

[minniecarousel]

I'm PMing you my cell number - you need another friend to run around for you when SO isn't around. I'm sorry I didn't see this yesterday ('course, yesterday was my day to look in on my sis who had a hip replacement - just call me "Nurse Nancy" - uh, make that "Nurse Julie"!)
Hope you feel better soon!

 

[TheLionKing]

Temperature of 94, heart rate of 161 and high blood pressure?

If you were in my office, you would be going straight to the Emergency Room.

As for not taking medications before an echocardiogram, the only medications a cardiologist might tell you to stop is a beta blocker so when he/she exercises or stresses your heart, the heart rate response will be adequate to assess for coroanry artery disease. Medications like Tylenol to treat a fever would be perfectly fine before an echocardiogram.

 

[suzannen]

I'm so sorry you're feeling so bad. I agree with the suggestion of Boost. My Dad was recently in the hospital and when he was having trouble eating and getting nutrition, all of the nurses instantly said "get him some "Boost". It really did help.

I hope you feel better and get some answers soon.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

94 degrees and you aren't in the hospital? Isn't it considered hypothermia when you hit 95 degrees and below?

Maybe it's just me but I would expect a doctor to be more worried about the temperature and extremely high pulse. I'm really surprised that he didn't admit you to the hospital.

 

[icebrat001]

TheLionKing- Temperature of 94, heart rate of 161 and high blood pressure?

If you were in my office, you would be going straight to the Emergency Room.

As for not taking medications before an echocardiogram, the only medications a cardiologist might tell you to stop is a beta blocker so when he/she exercises or stresses your heart, the heart rate response will be adequate to assess for coroanry artery disease. Medications like Tylenol to treat a fever would be perfectly fine before an echocardiogram.

I thought I would've been going to the ER too, with my heart rate so high but I guess I was wrong, I also thought I would've gotten some meds.

I spoke directly to my doctor, he said no tylenol, advil, aspirn nothing, he said it would ruin the results, but in the end I sat miserable for nothing because they wouldn't even run the test.

minniecarousel- I'm PMing you my cell number - you need another friend to run around for you when SO isn't around. I'm sorry I didn't see this yesterday ('course, yesterday was my day to look in on my sis who had a hip replacement - just call me "Nurse Nancy" - uh, make that "Nurse Julie"!)
Hope you feel better soon!

Thank you Nurse Julie!

yeartolate - EEEK! What did the doctor do about your heartrate???

Not a single thing.

UrsulasMyHero - Well I'm sorry you didn;t get your echocardiogram, But look at it this way, You're gorgeous, at your height and weight you could try out for "America's Nest Top Model" *grins* Did I make you laugh? I hope I did.

Rest, rehydrate and relax. Get the Boost or Ensure, and remember your friends are here.

Yup, you made me laugh! I am nowhere near pretty enough for that show. I wish!

C.Ann
Here's a link to their web page so your SO will know what to look for:

http://www.boost.com/index.html

Forgot to mention they also have it with fiber now, but we haven't tried that yet..

Do you swear it taste good, or am I going to gag trying to swallow the stuff? what does it taste like?

 

[disneynutt1225]

Malaysia, feel better soon! Get lots of rest and remember to keep on drinking. I can't believe your doctor didn't let you take anything and you didn't get to do the test anyway. Yeesh!

 

[icebrat001]

94 degrees and you aren't in the hospital? Isn't it considered hypothermia when you hit 95 degrees and below?

Maybe it's just me but I would expect a doctor to be more worried about the temperature and extremely high pulse. I'm really surprised that he didn't admit you to the hospital.

I don't know the actual number in which once it hits a certain number it is too low, I just took my temp and it is up to 96 now, closer to normal. I wish the pain would go away.

 

[foxfire]

Gee, I think I'd be looking for another doctor. I think you needed more care than you got and, at the least, the okay to take something like Tylenol. Your heartrate and blood pressure would be something my doctor would have wanted to monitor for a while. I hope you feel better soon.

 

[C.Ann]

Do you swear it taste good, or am I going to gag trying to swallow the stuff? what does it taste like?

-------------------

I swear it will taste good! Just don't get the strawberry and don't get the Ensure or the store brand.. I have very fussy taste buds and I will only buy the Boost - nothing else.. The chocolate is real chocolaty (is that a word? LOL) and the vanilla tastes like french vanilla to me.. It's creamy - like a very thin shake.. I can even drink mine at room temp if need be, but really chilled would be best for your first time trying it.. Shake well and enjoy! Also forgot to mention that it's lactose free - a real plus for my DD..

From the sounds of your physical condition, I would get the high protein..

 

[TheLionKing]

I thought I would've been going to the ER too, with my heart rate so high but I guess I was wrong, I also thought I would've gotten some meds.

I spoke directly to my doctor, he said no tylenol, advil, aspirn nothing, he said it would ruin the results, but in the end I sat miserable for nothing because they wouldn't even run the test.

Something is very strange about this whole situation. As a board certified cardiologist, I am hard pressed to think of any circumstance where taking Tylenol, Aspirin of Advil would ruin the results of a standard echocardiogram.

Either you misheard the doctor, which is hard to believe, you are dealing with someone who doesn't know what they are doing, in which case you should be seeing someone else, or.............

 

[yeartolate]

Not a single thing.

If your heart rate is 160 (or goes anywhere near that at rest) you need to have someone take you to the ER. Now. I cannot believe a doctor would not have insisted that you go to an ER. A heart rate like that (particularly "at rest") is a medical emergency waitng to happen. If your doctor is letting you leave the office without treating a heart rate like that (or at least sending you to the ER) you should report him - after you get immediate treatment.

A sustained heart rate elevated that high probably warrants at least an ER visit if not admission to the hospital.

Get help. Seriously.

 

[icebrat001]

Something is very strange about this whole situation. As a board certified cardiologist, I am hard pressed to think of any circumstance where taking Tylenol, Aspirin of Advil would ruin the results of a standard echocardiogram.

Either you misheard the doctor, which is hard to believe, you are dealing with someone who doesn't know what they are doing, in which case you should be seeing someone else, or.............

I called my doctor, the advice nurse who again asked my doctor and the echo department they all said no meds. My doctor is a very young doctor 27, maybe I'm too complicated of a patient for him. He is in IM no real speciality.

 

[icebrat001]

If your heart rate is 160 (or goes anywhere near that at rest) you need to have someone take you to the ER. Now. I cannot believe a doctor would not have insisted that you go to an ER. A heart rate like that (particularly "at rest") is a medical emergency waitng to happen. If your doctor is letting you leave the office without treating a heart rate like that (or at least sending you to the ER) you should report him - after you get immediate treatment.

A sustained heart rate elevated that high probably warrants at least an ER visit if not admission to the hospital.

Get help. Seriously.

He only thinks it is that high because I am dehydrated, it's a possibility, then again my normal is over 120 in the first place, guess he didn't see it as a big deal.

It sure feels like it though. Just walking from the sofa to the bathroom is a chore and I find that I have shortness of breath and I feel like I am going to pass out.

 

[agnes!]

I think you're a lovely person & have read your posts before. You're young and have your whole life ahead of you. Your SO is counting on you to be around for a good looooong while. I guess I don't really know you in Real Life, but here it goes...

Please *PLEASE* PLEASE!!!!! get a second opinion (go to an Urgent Care Clinic today or whatever it takes), have someone drive you and get thee to an Emergency Room, see a cardiologist, keep your fluids up, drink that Boost, pay for any SPEEDY/needed care out of pocket if you have to.

ALL OF THE ABOVE.

Your situation is scaring me .

agnes!

 

[yeartolate]

He only thinks it is that high because I am dehydrated, it's a possibility, then again my normal is over 120 in the first place, guess he didn't see it as a big deal.

It sure feels like it though. Just walking from the sofa to the bathroom is a chore and I find that I have shortness of breath and I feel like I am going to pass out.

I am an Intensive Care Unit RN of more than 20 years and I assure you that a resting heart rate of 160 is a HUGE deal. If you still have a heart rate like that- ESPECIALLY if you feel like you are going to pass out, get off the internet and get help. Have someone drive you to the ER - DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF.

You need help . Seriously.

 

[C.Darwin]

Are you alright, Icebrat? Your symptoms are quite alarming. Hopefully you took the advice given here and sought medical attention.

 

[icebrat001]

Thanks for asking. Still weak, feeling a bit better, still dehydrated.

I will see about switching doctors soon.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think DISers have done all they can do for you.
Being dehydrated isn't anything to play around with. It can affect your heart and if your electrolytes get out of whack you'll KNOW it and you'll seek the help you need.

 

[yeartolate]

Thanks for asking. Still weak, feeling a bit better, still dehydrated.

I will see about switching doctors soon.

Did your heart rate come down? Do you still feel faint?