Serious question about a doctors visit I just went to today! please help!

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

My work switched to group health so I could no longer go to my old doctor because she wasn't covered under my insurance anymore. Anyhow I've been real sick coughing for almost 10 days so I decided to make a doctors appointment. This specific doctor is new to the clinic and to this state, as this is what was said in his bio that they give to all the clients. I go in, the nurse comes in, takes my vital signs and leaves. so far so good. Now,this is what I have a concern about, I tell him what's been going on and on top of my tank top, he places the stethiscope on my breast, just above the nipple and on all sides, then on my back and then back to the middle of my chest then does the other one like this too. I was thinking, "aren't you supposed to be listening to my lungs, which are not located on or in my breast to see if there is any weezing since I just told you that I've been coughing for 10 days?" I'm not accusing him of anything. I've NEVER had any doctor place a stethiscope when they were trying to listen to my lungs or heart on my breast before. Near the breast yes, but never on the breast like that before. Do I need to be worried or is this normal? If this just sounds crazy to you, then just tell me to not worry. I'm just a little concerned please help! Need and would very much appericate all your opinions! Thanks

 

[booger73]

uh.. lungs are 'behind' the breast area on some women.... i know this sounds funny, but for most women the 'area just above the nipple on all sides' probably falls in a different "area" of the chest.. for some i think that would be exact center of the lung area approached from the front..

i wouldn't say it's unusual to listen front/back/side/middle to cover all the areas.. he didn't 'touch' that area that i can gather from your description, and it sounds like he did the same exact 'area' on other side?

i assume he also listened 'through/on top of your tank top'.. not like he asked you to remove it/life it up, whatever..

umm.. i wasn't there, but i honestly don't make anything out of it.

 

[okeydokey]

I think he was listening to your lungs, which are located in your chest cavity which are underneath your breasts.

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

okay, thank you guys! I just talked to my husband and he said the same thing. I know it sounds totally stupid but I was just kindda worried. Thank you!

 

[daisax]

Are you small busted? Maybe it's a breast size issue, and mine are so big they wouldn't hear a blessed thing if they tried that approach, but I've had my lungs listened to dozens of times and never any breast touching except at the base.

 

[npmommie]

you are fine.
It sounds like he was being very thorough in listening to your lungs and heart

 

[mariolatry]

For a pulmonary complaint, he was probably trying to be really thorough and listen to all of the lobes of the lungs.

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

Thank you guys SO much for all your input! I still feel so poopy (sick, sinuses are killing me along with this awful cough) but I feel much better about the situation. Thank you guys so much!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I would certainly keep abreast of the situation on subsequent visits.

Seriously, I think it would depend on the anatomy of your breasts and chest, to be honest. Most people, I think, lift "up" a breast to listen underneath, IME. Less tissue to hear "through". Of course, this might not be possible if breasts are, um - how to put this - flat? (We don't need to know. ) How have other people listened to your lungs before, in the same way?

FWIW, there have been cases of "mishandling" before, so it's not completely out of the realm of possiblity. I take it if you were concerned enough to post this your internal radar went off.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I would certainly keep abreast of the situation on subsequent visits.

Seriously, I think it would depend on the anatomy of your breasts and chest, to be honest. Most people, I think, lift "up" a breast to listen underneath, IME. Less tissue to hear "through". Of course, this might not be possible if breasts are, um - how to put this - flat? (We don't need to know. ) How have other people listened to your lungs before, in the same way?

FWIW, there have been cases of "mishandling" before, so it's not completely out of the realm of possiblity. I take it if you were concerned enough to post this your internal radar went off.

I agree with this post. It depends on a woman's anatomy. I've never had a placement as described by the OP. And I've gone in pretty sick too. Doesn't mean it's "not done", but it doesn't seem like the best placement for me in particular. Maybe it's the same for the OP.

Anyway, you felt uncomfortable OP. I probably would too, given my body make up. Keep an eye on him. It may be nothing, but as Pea-n-Me stated, something being a bit off is not out of the realm of possibility.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Along with your lungs, I am sure he was listening to all chambers of your heart, and the valves, to make sure you didn't have something like a pericarditis, or chf.

 

[LOVEDISNEYLAND]

I would certainly keep abreast of the situation on subsequent visits.

Seriously, I think it would depend on the anatomy of your breasts and chest, to be honest. Most people, I think, lift "up" a breast to listen underneath, IME. Less tissue to hear "through". Of course, this might not be possible if breasts are, um - how to put this - flat? (We don't need to know. ) How have other people listened to your lungs before, in the same way?

FWIW, there have been cases of "mishandling" before, so it's not completely out of the realm of possiblity. I take it if you were concerned enough to post this your internal radar went off.

Well, I'm defiantly not flat but not huge either. I know, might be TMI for some. I went to the same doc since I was in my late teens and I'm now 29. I had a women doctor and she listened to my lungs more in the middle of the chest, on my back and on the upper part of the breast. Bottom line is, I hate change and I need to find a doctor that fits me. I'm a chicken that's all Maybe after I meet my annual deductable, I'll just go back to my old doctor because she's out of my network so I have to meet the deductable before my insurance will cover it.