Finding a doc that will listen

Hello. I hope someone will give me some insight. I have sick sinus syndrome - tachy-bradycardia. I have a dual chamber pacemaker. I want to find a doctor who will listen to me and explain things to me. But It's such a hassle going through that process. And how do you fire a doctor? Or do you just not go back? But then I have the pacemaker box that I send in my reports through. I read here about how someone calls and tells you what the report indicated or that a doctor actually sits down and talks about a condition. The last INR test, the technician chided me about how long it had been since I visited the doctor. What? No one told me that I needed to come back on regular intervals. I had told the doc many times how extremely tired I am and how I feel the arrhythmia, but no comment. I'm discouraged and don't know where to start ... just find a doctor who is on the list with my insurance company and hope I get lucky? Has anyone else felt this way?

6 Comments

can be challenging.

by qwerty - 2010-04-19 03:04:36

Finding a Dr is hard. I really don't have any expertise. I am fortunate to work with several nurses and I asked them who they would use. Do you have a regular doctor? Could he recommend someone? If you don't have a regular Dr. and no one to ask, try choosing a Primary Care Physcian for a physical and then, if you like him aski him what cardiologist to recommend.
It can be a long process. If you already have your PM I can see where it would be even more difficult.
This probably wont help you, but know that if you have any questins, the people on this board are good at sharing.
Hang in there. Have a good day

Thanks for the kind words ...

by paf - 2010-04-19 05:04:03

I appreciate you taking the time to respond. My primary is the one who recommended the cardiologist that I'm going to now. I actually have talked with her about the situation. I'll figure it out. But thanks again.

pm

by butfreddy - 2010-04-19 07:04:06

I have a dual chamber for the same reason I also have a pm box but I still see my cardio dr every 4 months Are you taking any meds for heart It seems to me you should talk to the person who did the surgery

paf

by LS - 2010-04-19 08:04:53

I guess if you don't like your Dr., look for a new one in your network.
Call the Dr. & ask all your records be transferred.
I had a friend who switched 4 times before she clicked with one!
Good luck to you,
Liz

Find another doc

by ElectricFrank - 2010-04-20 02:04:29

I see you have a Medtronic. I suggest calling the number on your ID card and ask for a list of cardiologists in your area that use the Medtronic rep for checkups. They are very competent and tend to be willing to go over things with you.

The best way to change docs is to find one you would like to change to and then have your records sent to the new one. With the lack of interest your current one is showing in you I wouldn't be concerned about him, and likely he won't notice you are gone.

frank

I So Know What You Mean

by stealthrecon - 2010-04-20 05:04:58

The on call cardiologist that did my emergancy dual lead pacer implant did an excellent job with the implantation. However, he was the least personal, hard to understand, impatient, non caring Dr. I have EVER dealt with in my entire life. He even refused to give me a cardio clearance for my job, stating he didnt write any sort of dr notes and to deal with my primary care dr to get a note. I went back to this cardiologist for my 1st checkup and he had the exact same attitude. I just called my primary dr and told him i needed a new cardiologist because i could no longer deal with this ***hole! He hooked me right up with a new dr and this one is GREAT! I love this guy. In reference to my original dr.....he even refused to transfer my medical records to my new dr stating that they belonged to him and his office....so i had to purchase all of my hospitol record from the hospital stating what happened to me so that my new cardiologist new exactly what was going on with me. Well i hope this helps. Just have ur primary dr give you a referral and lose the cardiologist u dont like. Some cardiologists wont take a patient that had a pacer installed by a different dr, so make sure your dr referrs you to one that will. Steve

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