Girls who have 2 cardios

[LovinLife]

Hey girls! I know some of you have mentioned you have 2 cardios. Do they both know you're seeing someone else (feel like we're talking ab cheating on a husband here) How do they take it? And what do you say?

I'm supposed to go back in for an echo with my 2nd opinion doc today, but I've changed my meds since the last time I was there and I'll have to tell him about it. I'm worried he'll be offended I took the advice of another cardio. But I want to go in and get an echo, esp since I'm about to start working out hard core.

He doesn't have the best bed side manner....actually he has NO bedside manner...so I wouldn't be going back to see him if it weren't for the echo.

So what should I say or do?

[kariefristoe]

Personally, I would just get the echo and not tell him anything else about the other doctor right now or the change in meds. See what your echo results are and if you aren't satisfied with where your EF is compared to where it was last time then you can decide which doctor you feel was giving you the best advice.

Remind me again:
1) When was your last echo? What was your EF? Did you have the echo done with Cardio #1 or Cardio #2 (being the one with no bedside manner)

[LovinLife]

My last echo was done with cardio #1 when I had the TEE in July. Cardio #2 hasn't done one since March when I was first dx. I just think they ask every time I go in what meds and dosages, so I hate to lie about it.....I think they'll do the echo first though, so maybe if it looks good, they won't bother asking :)


Say a prayer for me!

[LovinLife]

Well, I got there today and of course they asked about the changes to my meds. He acted like he had no problem with it, etc, and didn't ask anything more, so I didn't offer anything more.

He did an echo...which is the only other one he's done on me since a few weeks post dx. He told me he estimates my EF is 45-50% but calls that "normal" and tells me to go on with life. What I didn't tell him was that I just had an echo in July that said my EF was 60% and the one previous to that said the same thing. So now I am FREAKING out! Who do I listen to? I've already put in a call to my #1 cardio....he is supposed to be the best in the state at reading echos, and I'm hoping he'll do a quick look for me. I would hope I haven't slipped that much since July. I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I just wish I wouldn't have even gone.

I also asked him about getting on some anitanxiety/antidepressants and he said he didn't think it was a good idea with my BP issues. But days like today, when things aren't going so well, I feel like I'm at the end of my rope. And I hate to say that, bc I know I don't have it nearly as bad as some of you, but it's just really taking it's toll. I'm tired of this roller coaster, and I'm tired of feeling like I have no idea what to do for my health or for myself. Any suggestions?

[MissaBaby]

I have to confess, I have cheated on my cardiologist about 5 times.

I am an echo junky--and luckily my insurance company supports this twisted habit of mine.

I never got the same opinion twice from any docs....I would relax about the echo difference for now, you aren't that far into this game yet and different machine and person reading it etc..

Does insurance let you get any other opinions?

Just FYI--I always refer to my 1st cardiologist who treated me in the hospital as my baseline and truth.....the other cardiologists were just flings..LOL

[LovinLife]

LOL..."flings" ...I like that! I'd like to "fling" #2 out the window for giving me bad news! LOL I have calmed down a little and am just going to wait to hear from my main man LOL And hope he'll do a quick look.

My insurance did cover all my echos, but we changed to a higher deductible plan, so we still have 3000 to meet for the year, so I'll probably be paying for these out of pocket! :( But I need to know for my peace of mind. I'm hoping he'll do a quick look for free.

It's good to know that I'm not the only one with numbers all over the place, but it still is hard to figure out which cardio to trust and which numbers to believe.

I just want a good solid 70% LOL then, even if someone is 20% off, I'm still good to go!

[tabs]

Tish,

I often had echos that showed lower numbers even up to 1.5 years after my lowest EF reading. The first time it happened I had been readmitted to the hospital for an infection. I took a peek at the echo machine and it gave me an EF of 13-17% when my previous echo had been 23-25%. I knew that I was feeling healthier and I refused to believe it. I came back to my hospital room just as rounds was happening. I told my doc what I had seen and they all tried to reassure me that it was ok, that they would be able to bring my EF back up. I stuck to my guns saying that it was impossible for my EF to be that low. More to shut me up then anything (although they may have been worried as well;) ) they gave me a muga. That scan, just 2 days later, showed that my EF had been incorrect, in fact my EF had increased to 30-32%. I was so happy to prove them wrong!

So long that you are continuing to feel better then what you did before, I think that you can believe that your EF did not go down! Trust your instincts!

Twilah

[Tara423]

Tish-
I see my cardio who diagnosed me in the hospital. Then he referred me to an HF specialist, who happens to be a friend of his. Even though he referred me, I still feel as though I am cheating. I always say "Dr. Zucker said.... Do you agree?" or vice versa. My HF specialist seems more optimistic about a future pregnancy, where as my cardio is still on the 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 rule and not real keen on the future pregnancies idea.

Anyway, I take what I want from both as far as advice, etc. But since I am also an echo junkie I enjoy seeing 2 doctors.