skipping heart

[LadyDoc]

If he did not do an EKG you need to seriously think about a new Dr...

?

THIS.
You mean, you went to your family doc with a c/o cardiac problem and he/she did NOT order an immediate EKG? AND if it wasn't happening at that point, at least a Holter or event monitor after the initial EKG? This is bad juju man.

It's great that you are in such great shape, but don't be fooled into thinking that because of it that nothing bad can happen to your heart. Google Jim Fixx.

[kenlavine1]

Deleted

[Ops NCO]

Ok, ok get off my docs case. He's a good guy, very calm and reassuring and I think I'm one of his youngest patients (his office is next to a nursing home and across from an over 55 development). I told his office I was busy for the next few weeks. I have another appointment in April for blood work and he'll give me a referal to a cardioligist if I want.

If you knew about the two weeks leading up to my episode you would agree it was stress/diet related.

Jim Fixx obviously had a family history of heart issues. His father had a heart attack at 35 and died from one at 43. Genetics are a bitch. My father died at 80 from a pulmonary embolism while sitting in a hospital waiting to see his uroligist. My mother is 83, still works part time and smokes half a pack a day.

Yeah, you're right. You've got it all figured out. No need for us to give you any advice. I'm sure every one of us who actually works in the medical field has it wrong.

[DOC]

Ok, ok get off my docs case. He's a good guy, very calm and reassuring and I think I'm one of his youngest patients (his office is next to a nursing home and across from an over 55 development). I told his office I was busy for the next few weeks. I have another appointment in April for blood work and he'll give me a referal to a cardioligist if I want.

If you knew about the two weeks leading up to my episode you would agree it was stress/diet related.

Jim Fixx obviously had a family history of heart issues. His father had a heart attack at 35 and died from one at 43. Genetics are a bitch. My father died at 80 from a pulmonary embolism while sitting in a hospital waiting to see his uroligist. My mother is 83, still works part time and smokes half a pack a day.

I can tell you story after story of the docs that are in nursing homes, pre mortuarary establishments. They kill more patients than the nurses at the nursing home. I read that line to my wife, ER RN and Paramedic, she is still laughing 5 min later, she had to know what made me laugh and almost fall off the chair...

Good luck , I think I have explained it as clearly as possible, please call an ambulance if it happens again and go to an ER.

Quick question though did your father have an irregular heart beat, possibly atrial fibrillation that causes blood clots the cause PEs and strokes. If so you are also prone to the same thing. Could be your problem...

[kenlavine1]

Deleted

[DocD 3/325 ABCT]

Hey Ken glad you went to see the Doc. Like every one else here I've been doing this for a "few" years now... And I agree with what most everyone else says. The best rule of thumb in Medicine better safe then sorry! I'm sure on a "gut" level you are probably right. and as every one said most problems with the heart are benign, most are electrolyte imbalances and can be treated with replacement therapy and eating right. BUT, Electrolyte imbalances can also be caused by other more serious problems.

Basically what I'm sayin' is you gotta live your life but what good is it if your stuck in a hospital bed taking care of some thing that could have been taken care of earlier on an outpatient bases or worse the dirt nap we all fear.

Get the EKG and labs ASAP. if their good then you have a base line for when things start going wrong again. Don't wait if your Doc said he'd order them if you wanted... WANT. Oh and remember in this area there is no such thing (within reason) of TMI.

to quote a famous TV show "We are what you would call experts so don't try this at home"

Hope everything turns out OK

[Zimmy]

You're a lawyer, right? You don't need the heart much in your line of work, Bro.

Go get your teeth whitened and your hair done. That's where the long money is at.

Or go to the doc so your kids don't cry any sooner than they have too

[LOOON]

Go to the doctor. If your doctor sucks, go to a new one.

The fricken VA will give you an EKG just for walking in the door (my experience) based on certain symptoms. If you complain about your heart, they should hook you right up to the machine. PERIOD.....

[zanshin]

Not much to say except to ask 1 question:

You DO realize your Doc gets paid even if you die, right? Unless mebbe you owe him poker money and he has a vested interest...

But then again, it's only your heart. Not like a four-hour pharmaceutically induced boner where you should rush to the ER.

Remember what the Drills used to say when you got your thumb smashed in the pugil stick pits?
"It's a long way from your heart... you'll live." Nobody ever said, "it's a long way from your thumb... don't worry about it."

[Santo Tomas]

Stop kidding everyone. You were watching porn and your heart couldn't handle it........BWAAHAHAHAHA

Seriously though. Don't screw around with this.

[Ops NCO]

I was a little surprised to see this thread again. I figured Ken had died like the thousands of other people every year who have heart attacks after ignoring cardiac symptoms.

But, I see he was on the site yesterday, so that can't be right. Either that, or the ICU has internet access...

[kenlavine1]

Deleted

[GERONIMO]

DO NOT PUT HEART PROBLEMS OFF. I had Rhuematic Fever when I was six and there has been a lot of history untill now. I am now 71. I had an episode two years ago while on vacation. I had an appointment at Primary Care at VA two days after I returned. I related to the Docyor what happened and he gave me a bottle of digitalis. Did NOt do an EKG. After getting home and thinking about what had happened I called the Patient Advocates Office and requested to be changed to a different doctor. I was told that they would request a change but It would have to go to a Doctors board and they met only once a month. I could see quite a drag. After I hung up I wrote a letter to Congressman Ben Chandler and related what had happened. Three weeks later I got a call from VA and was told that my Primary Care doctor was changed and could I come in for a consultation on Thursday. This was Tuesday. He spent two hours going over my records to include medications. He ordered an EKG and an ECHO. I am now scheduled for an ECHO once a year.
Three months after I saw the first doctor I read his obituary in the news paper. DO NOT WAIT or presume the doctor is right. It is your life. AIRBORNE! GERONIMO!!

[diroco]

Interesting, ---I have suffered from a "skipping heart" , since 1970.I have had every test there is,never have had it cured.It is a bitch living with it,never knowing when it will strike , or for what reason.

[Para-327th]

Correct, I did not die and my problem was fixed by my doctor about 15 months ago.

Whew, that's a relief ... thought we were going to have to head shoot you and drop your forum-posting-zombie-ass.