Frustrated

Sorry, I just needed to vent a bit and hear if anyone else has any ideas. I’ve been having more problems with being able to breathe. I get tightness in my chest and searing pain up my sternum. I called and spoke with the PM nurses and they just said it wasn’t a rate and pacing issue. What kind of answer is that?!?!  I ended up going to my family doctor who recommended another cardio provider.  I’m not sure if I want to switch providers because I really like the NP who I see at my current cardiologist.  But yet, the EP messed up during my ablation and that’s why I can’t breathe (they hit my phrenic nerve and paralyzed my diaphragm). Maybe I should see someone else. I don’t know what to think anymore.
Any advice would be nice...I’m so confused about what to do. Should I consider changing providers?

6 Comments

Frustrated....

by Pookie - 2010-11-13 08:11:35

I can just imagine how frustrated and angry you must be, however, if I were you (this is just my opinion) I would go see the other cardio provider because a 2nd set of eyes (and brain) might be able to help you out. Sure, you like your NP, but she's not the one who, in the end, will be able to help solve your problem.

Would this be considered a 2nd opinion only or would you have to stay with this new cardiologist? No doctor should become annoyed that you have sought a 2nd opinion. Just like every doctor didn't make 100% on all their tests when going through medical school. Your present doctor should understand, and if he doesn't, well, he wouldn't be my doctor much longer.

It's your body, it's your life, it's your problem that you have to live with day in/day out and you deserve an answer.

That's my 2 cents:)
Take care, stay strong.

Pookie

thanks

by ambers - 2010-11-13 09:11:46

I appreciate your input! No I wouldn't have to stay with the provider. I do have private insurance as my husband is a federal employee. Thanks again...you brought up a good point about a new set of eyes.

ditto

by Tracey_E - 2010-11-13 10:11:08

Pookie said it beautifully! First thing I'd try, tho, is to see the dr rather than the pm nurses. Usually their training is minimal and they're not good at fine tuning and trouble shooting. They check it, if there are no major red flags and you're pacing, that's all they know to look for. Just because you're pacing doesn't mean everything is a-okay or that the problem can't be related to the pm.

Hitting the phrenetic nerve is a risk of an ablation, odds are it's not the dr's fault but simply bad luck. Unless you have reason to believe he did something wrong or you're no longer comfortable with him, I would not change drs simply for that one reason. Not saying you shouldn't switch or get a second opinion, just pointing out that it's a real risk and sometimes it just happens.

Possible It Is Not PM Related

by Juan - 2010-11-13 10:11:56


I was having pain kind of like what you describe especially after I ate lunch, One day it was worse than others and my wife called my doctor. He told her to have me chew up an aspirin and if the pain went away call him back and he would meet me at the ER.

I ate and aspirin and the pain was gone in less than 5 minutes. I went to the ER and got a stent implanted to open a partially blocked artery a few hours later.

thanks

by ambers - 2010-11-14 12:11:48

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the feedback!
No, i don't have any reason to beleive that my EP did something wrong. I just had no idea that it was a risk. I will try meeting with him before switching doctors because he really made me feel listened to. I was really surprised because I've changed EP's three times now. The first told me I am a hypochondriac before even looking at the monitor strips, the second wouldn't answer my questions and there was a significant language and cultural barrier, this one actually makes me feel listened to and he explains things really well. The down side is that he is so good, I can never get an appointment. I scheduled my next appointment with him the day after the PM placement and the earliest I could get in was february.
My family doctor is trying some new things to aleiviate the pain...she started me on some muscle relaxers because the diaphragm is a muscle and she is hoping it will help. The other part is she is going to monitor my lung functioning closely and maybe put me on oxygen...Im really hoping I don't need it because Im only 25!
Im definately starting to feel like a downer : (

Ambers

by marsupial - 2010-12-08 10:12:46

It is a lot your going through.....Being active helps......and doing as much as you can in life also.....like backpackng with freinds etc.....
Take care,
Marsupial,
(Michael)

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