When do I feel normal??

Ok, my mind is playing tricks on me! I'm stressing a bit. My PM is ok, but we are still tweeking meds. When does this get better? My rate has been running 90-125. Besides my Inderal LA 120mg, I was just put on Digoxin to bring the tachy down. Anyone have any experience. All this constant change is stressing me out. I'm 3 weeks post-op. I guess I just wanted things to go more smoothly. Today frigtened me. My child brought me some kind of crud home. Just what I needed...fever, body aches and chills! The "Nurse Practicioner" for my cardiologist called in a zpack. The pharmacy wouldn't fill it because it raises Digoxin levels and could've hurt me, so the nurse gives orders for me to stop Digoxin for 5 days while I take the zpack. All I can say is good catch Walgreens! But why didn't the doctor catch it?? Makes me wonder if I need to switch cardiologists. Anyone else deal with these mental stresses from doctors. Mine throws everything on the nurse practicioner and only sees you for the big stuff. I don't feel she's qualified to deal with my situation. Am I overreacting on this? Makes me afraid I'll end up dead from the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.

Thanks for listening to me ramble and rant. Would love some input and thoughts

Anna

5 Comments

Torn

by annaelliott76 - 2009-12-07 10:12:03

Thanks Pacergirl!

This has gotten to the point of the nurse practicioner acting as a cardiologist. When you call to make an appointment, they will not make an appointment with the doctor unless you scream about it. My cardiologist is wonderful, just too may paitents and obligations. I'm torn. After having complications during the PM surgery, my brother told me the cardiologist stayed with me for over 8 hrs., til 10pm. When I woke up, he was the first face I saw sitting in a chair at the end of my bed. Of course I immediately knew something was wrong, but still it shows dedication. I just can't get to him on a day to day basis. It's very aggravating.

Anna

hi

by pacergirl - 2009-12-07 10:12:56

Anna, it is my opinion that a healthy patient is one that pays attention to details, ask questions when uncertain and gets answers when needed, no matter what it takes.

One very smart thing you have done is retain a pharmacist that pays attention. They are required to check scripts, but no one is perfect. I'm glad you have a good one.

If you don't feel confident with your cardiologist then by all means get a new one. I don't see why you would stay with a dr. that you can't talk to or doesn't have time for you. I happen to really like the nurse that works with my cardiologist and he's really good as well at taking care of me. However, I do have to remind him from time to time that I am the St. Jude dual Identity with the low battery. ha ha seriously! He only has a few of us that are younger than most of his patients. 50 ish. When I discovered this about him, it explained the puzzled look when he would enter the room and wonder why I was there. He thought I was a Co. Rep for St. Jude Medical one day! I would love to have that job actually.

So, in closing... if you aren't happy or confident... in my humble opinion, find a new dr.

Good luck and welcome to the Pacemaker club. You are now a regal member of the Pacer Chicks as well.

Best Regards,
Pacergirl

he might not know

by pacergirl - 2009-12-07 10:12:57

Anna, your Dr might not have a clue as to how the nurse is treating you. Maybe you could have a quiet friendly chat with him. That is what I would do. Let him have a chance to "fix" the situation. If it starts to cost him patients (money) he will pay attention.... he may not even know what is happening. Patient relations is a very BIG issue. It needs to be brought to his attention.

Good luck,
Pacergirl

Im torn with this one

by walkerd - 2009-12-08 07:12:41

I encounter the same thing, to an extent, last two times havent seen doctor, but his head nurse who does my pacer readings and prints it out and takes notes on symptoms is very very nice and knows her job very well. Doctor has been at hospital with patients, I remember when I was being diagnosted last July my cardioligist whom I had never seen before this was at the hospital till 9pm reading my echo disk and ordering meds for me. I think well he was there for me and has been until late he is doing it for someone else that needs him alot more than I do, Im sure he or she reads your pm results and what the nurse puts in the notes, i would tho if you feel the nurse is being rude and not answering questions call for an appointment or talk with the cardiligist on the phone and voice your concerns. If you cant get any answers then by all means find another doctor, lets face it getting well has alot to do with the trust you have in your doctor taking care of you, maybe not alot but it does have an affect on your heatlh I really dont care what anybody thinks about that it does. All my best wishes to you and hopeing you get better.
dae

Hang in there Anna you are not alone

by Kathy.m.wenger@gmail.com - 2009-12-25 01:12:36

Hi Anna, Just wanted you to know that you are not alone. I too have had to stand up for myself with the Doc's PA she flat out lied to him on my first visit after the pacemaker was implanted, and sent me on my way without seeing the pacemaker Rep and the Dr. himself. I went back and ratted her (PA) out, needless to say she is not to happy with me.
Stand up to them, they work for YOU! Doctors sometimes forget that, you and your insurance are paying them, not the other way around.
You and your family deserve for you to be treated well.
Hang in there.
Sincerely Kat
aka someone who is learning to stand up for herself too.

You know you're wired when...

You make store alarms beep.

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Hi, I am 47 and have had a pacemaker for 7 months and I’m doing great with it.