Would you question the doctor? (longish medical question)

[jayna22]

Hi. I usually only post on the WISH board because I am generally too shy to talk to people. Now I have a question that I'm struggling with and want lots of opinions. Here's the story:

In January I injured my foot at the gym. Two weeks ago I finally saw a specialist who put my foot in a boot. I'm not supposed to take it off except to sleep or take a shower and I'm supposed to stay off of it. I'm actually home from work this week so I can rest it.

Part Two--I've had an irregular heart beat on and off for 16 years. Until two weeks ago, no doctor has ever caught it. They have just dismissed it as "stress" and "anxiety." Now it's been caught. I had an EKG which indicated PVCs. I then wore the Holter Monitor for 24 hours. The doctor called yesterday and said there were too many irregular beats in a 24 hour period. He ordered a stress echocardiogram for Friday. This involves walking on a treadmill at high speeds/high inclines. I was going to take the boot off and do it, but now I'm questioning that.

Here is my question. I'm going to Disney in two weeks. I know that should be the least of my worries. My foot needs to heal or the doc might not let me go. If I walk hard on the treadmill it might not heal. I've had the heartbeat for 16 years and think it is kind of silly to have the test now. I would like to talk to the doc and see if he really thinks this is necessary or at the very least postpone it until I am out of the boot/hoome from my trip.
Any thoughts?

Sorry if this was long and confusing.
Thanks,
Jana

 

[CathrynRose]

You dont have to do the treadmill.

My mom had a crushed ankle thing - and always wore a brace since it happened. They wanted to send her for an EKG - she told them "I cant walk on it"

And much argument - they can give you meds to get your heart rate up to what they need that EKG heart test thingee's to be.

Talk to your DR about doing that.

Good Luck.

 

[mrsmom]

Don't take it OFF!!! I had a stress fracture in my foot ,from the eliptical machine , I was in the boot too and i took it off for a day thinking it wouldn't bother me. I was wrong. I went to disney with the boot on a couple weeks later and was still in pain because over working the foot.when i shouldn't
Talk to your DR!!

Kim

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You do not have to do the treadmill. They will give you an injection. Make sure you have the place aware of this and get it cleared through insurance as well.

 

[jayna22]

Thanks, everyone. Your input pushed me into making a decision. I have left a message and am waiting for the nurse to call me back. I am not going to do the treadmill test on Friday. I also think that I am going to ask for a referral to a cardiologist instead of having my family doc do the test. I just want to explain to someone that this heartbeat has been here for sixteen years and never caused any physical problems (just a few panic attacks). I want the cardiologist to review the results then tell me what to do. I hope that makes sense.

While I was typing this note the doctor's office called. Friday's test is cancelled. The doctor is not in so they can't say anything about the medication. She will talk to him tomorrow about a cardiologist. I feel much better now.

Thanks!
jana

 

[CathrynRose]

While I was typing this note the doctor's office called. Friday's test is cancelled. The doctor is not in so they can't say anything about the medication. She will talk to him tomorrow about a cardiologist. I feel much better now.

Thanks!
jana

Good - cuz you know, part of the reason my mom's foot was in that brace thing, was after an accident, she got xrays on it and they told her it was just sprained.

She walked around on this busted ankle for 2 weeks - and FINALLY when it got all swelled up and un-walkable - is when they did more x-rays, and it was indeed broken. But because she had walked on it - it could never heal right... hence the constant ankle brace.

Not good to be walking on un-healed body parts. I say - if you cant get an okay from the DR for the drugs to get your heart pumpin', I'd TOTALLY wait until its healed.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Hi.
Here is my question. I'm going to Disney in two weeks. I know that should be the least of my worries. My foot needs to heal or the doc might not let me go. If I walk hard on the treadmill it might not heal. I've had the heartbeat for 16 years and think it is kind of silly to have the test now. I would like to talk to the doc and see if he really thinks this is necessary or at the very least postpone it until I am out of the boot/hoome from my trip.
Any thoughts?

Jana - how are you going to get around at Disney? Will you be in the boot still? But even still...don't you need to stay off it?

 

[jayna22]

According to the doctor, I will be out of the boot on May 16. I fly to Disney on May 17 but won't be at an actual park until May 18. The doc said I could do this if I DID NOT CHEAT at all and wore the boot all the time, which I am doing. He did suggest using a wheelchair in the airport-to save my walking time for Disney. I will also be taking the boot with me to wear in the evenings and maybe even around Downtown Disney.

Thanks again! I'll talk to the doctor tomorrow and see what he wants to do. At least now I know what I want to do.
jana