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STRESS TEST RESULTS

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Heart & Cardiovascular Disease
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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/9/2005 8:44 PM (GMT -6)
Good Evening All!! 

    Hope all is well.  Finally had my stress test, plus arterial blood flow sono and pressure cuff measurements too on my legs!  I was in the hospital since 5/6 and came home today 5/9.  On intervenous Heparin since 5/6.  Everything came out normal.  My cardio wants me to start taking my Previcid again and follow up with him on 5/26.  Soooo tired of all this craziness.  Does anyone have any ideas here????  

     Hoping and praying for all.

      xoxo Maryme 

Post Edited By Moderator (Admin) : 5/12/2005 2:30:25 PM (GMT-6)

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LibbyG
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 263
Posted 5/9/2005 9:03 PM (GMT -6)
how did the heart tests all end up pointing to

taking prevacid?

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/9/2005 9:13 PM (GMT -6)

Mary, why did they hospitalize you to begin with?  Was it just to do all the tests together to get to the bottom of things?  Or did something happen?

Libby, I'm just guessing here, but sometimes reflux problems present themselves as heart disease/angina.  Mary, is this what occurred?

Are you feeling better???  Tell me what's happening.

Hugs, Teri tongue

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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/9/2005 9:26 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Teri:)

     Went to hospital on Friday evening with bad shortness of breath and my legs were acting up.  Called my cardio and he suggested that if its so uncomfortable for me to go to emergency.  I had trouble breathing most of the day Friday.  My abuteral pump didn't help me either.  I was perplexed and scared.  Kept me on Heparin until I came home this evening. 

     Hope you are feeling better and you have good test results too!!!!

     xoxoMaryMe

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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/9/2005 9:30 PM (GMT -6)
Oops I forgot to tell the truth Teri, I am feeling better but I am very perplesed about all this, not having a good time here, I just need to know what's happening. I have a very low WBC, could this be related to that????
Just need to know!!!
xoxoMaryMe
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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/9/2005 10:07 PM (GMT -6)
Mary, here's a site to look at re low WBC's-

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/wbc/test.html

 

When you say your legs were acting up-are you referring to the cramping?  Did they check you for PAD?,or med.'s causing this?, or perhaps needing a supplement?

 

I'm not completely sure one has anything to do with the other, Mary.  What did your Dr. think?  Sounds like he was considering a blood clot?  That's why the heparin?

 

You know when you have gastric reflux, angina and asthma, it can be very difficult to tell the difference.  So I do understand, as I've been there before.  Just make sure you get at least some thought's re this from your Dr., okay!?

 

Hugs, Teri xoxoxo

 

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ChevyAsylum
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 84
Posted 5/10/2005 11:10 PM (GMT -6)
I've had two separate instances (one last year, one this year) where the stress test, EKG and echocardiogram SUPPOSEDLY didn't show anything. In the first one the doctor discharged me from the hospital and told me that I definitely did not heave heart trouble (in spite of two prior MIS) to exercise and eat broccoli. The following week, I was at a different hospital where they did an angiogram (cath) and when I came back to the land of the consious, they told me that my coronary arteries were so diseased that they were keeping me for an immediate bypass procedure. Ok...so a doctor makes a mistake. I can live with that.

About 4 months after the bypass, I started feelin really lousy again. I went to my regular cardiologist and he seemed more interested in getting to his next patient (or tee time) and brushed it off. I asked my PCP (I really trust him...so I went to him for advise) what to do. He recommended a different cardiologist....who put me thru the exact same battery of tests at the exact same facility and came back with the exact same answer: "your problems are not heart problems." BS!!!

So I emailed my PCP and he said that he thought I otta get a 3rd or even a 4th opinion. I went to a doctor who does NOT do testing at the aforementioned facility...and he came right out and told me that the echocardiogram had been misinterpreted. He had his own tech run another one and it was abnormal. Then he sent me for another angiogram which showed a significant advance in the CAD. Unfortunately, the arteries that are affected cannot be treated with procedures approved by the FDA (although they're using 'em like crazy in Europe.) So I'm being treated with medication. A form of chemotherapy, if you will. And that's what I feel like...somebody going thru chemo. I still have my hair, but other than that....

Anyway, (and this is just me....take it with a grain of salt) I don't have much confidence in doctors who make a black and white diagnosis based on stress testing, EKG and echo. I don't think it gives them enough information to decide if there's a coronary artery problem. I tend to beleive the angiogram...since I can SEE what's going on and I can see where there's an occluded blood vessel. DGMS.

Anyway, if I were in your position and continued to have problems of SOB and angina, I'd pester a doctor until they did the darned angiogram....I say this because they symptoms are there and something's causing them. They were in my case. But even arteries that were 95, 98 or 100 percent occluded didn't show up on the stress test. If the testing procedure can't pick those up, what darned good is it? Once again, DGMS.

I wish you the best of luck with it.
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Lisarose
New Member
Joined : Apr 2005
Posts : 6
Posted 5/11/2005 12:15 AM (GMT -6)
Hi Chevy.  Your post really intrigued me.  I also have lost all faith in Cardiologists. (No lecture please from those who love theirs)  They miss so many things unless it is a loved one or themselves. 

You mentioned that there is an area they could not stent or by-pass.  I have been told the same by one of the ninny's I see. (distal LAD)  What is this thing in Europe that they are doing for people like us?  What is this Chemo treatemnt? Do you drink the stuff? How will you know it is working?  Have they mentioned to you about collaterals that may grow? 

I had 2 stress echo's recently.  One showed postive ST changes during stress. Told not to worry. Then I had the repeat at another facility and the doc was upset with me cuz I had just had one at his competitors place.  He would not show me the results but told me the competetor's was all wrong.  (Hatfield and the McCoys, M.D.) eyes   I was suppose to have a repeat Cardiolite test done (had 3 stents in 6 months earlier) and  Dr. Bozo was so mad at me that he cancelled this and said the stress echo he just did, was as good as a nuclear cardiolite and come back in a years time.  Does anyone know if a stress echo is the same as a Nuclear cardiolite?  I think I have been railroaded again.  This group of doctors want things their way or the highway especially if one is older. mad

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ChevyAsylum
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 84
Posted 5/11/2005 2:49 AM (GMT -6)
Hi LisaRose.

I don't have it in for all cardiologists. But I think the examples I've stated are symptomatic of the health care industry in the US. What my real complaint is about is having the same tests at the same facility and having two doctors both completely mis-diagnose the problem. If I were looking for a common area, I'd look at the testing procedures. For one thing, the "X-Ray" lab (where they do the nuclear medicine scan) is at the other end of the hospital from the area where the patients are treated. And the procedure is to have the patient prepped, then walk from one area to the other. This brings questions to my mind about the amount of contrast media that remains in the circulatory system by the time the patient walls a half-mile, then has to wait for 40 minutes before the testing is done. I think the breatkdown is in this area...as well as the doctors' absolute faith in the results of the testing.

I looked high and low for a web site to send you to that refers to the procedure that (the last time I checked, 3 weeks ago) was being performed in Europe. It's like a mini-Roto-Rooter that cuts plaque buildup from arteries that are too small to be treated with angioplasty or stentation. I thought the name of the company was SilverThorne or something like that, but I've just about worn out Google trying to find it. I'll keep lookin.

When I referred to Chemo, I meant the chemical treatment for cancer...with all its unpleasant side-effects, such as hair loss and digestive ailments. I'm just on a pretty aggressive dose of medication for the BP and cholesterol...and some for the angina.

I've heard that spontaneous collateral revascularization can occur...the only problem is getting the patient to live long enough for it to happen.

I feel pretty fortunalte in that I've found a cardiologist who WAS involved with the facility where I had the testing done previously...and left to go into practice for himself. He didn't exactly see things eye-to-eye with the first facility and their (as he put it) "required level of mediocrity." So I think that in my case, at least, he's gone out of his way to prove them wrong. This has been to my benefit.

However, when you start mixing poor medical practices with competing healthcare companies or clinics, it just compounds the problems.

As far as "stress echo" and "nuclear cardiolite" tests, I've heard them used interchangeably. One way to know for sure: if you had a sonogram test where they rubbed the sound transducer against your left side, then it was an echocardiogram. If they had you walk on a treadmill, then inject cardiolite and then you got to lie down in a rather large machine that rotated plates around your body...sorta like an MRI...then it was a nuclear cardiolite test.

Frankly, my experiences with both tests have shown that there are ambiguities to each and that the results are still subject to interpretation by the cardiologist. In my case, the 3rd doctor stated to me (and maybe he shouldn't have done so...but he did) that the 2nd doctor completely mis-read the echocardiogram that was done.

I don't go so far as to say that everyone should have an angiogram in each case. But when the symptoms are there, and the other tests come back with indeterminate results, then I'd think it would be time to check further, rather than send the patient home and tell them there's nothing wrong. Hell, if there wasn't anything wrong, we wouldn't have been there in the first place.

I'm goin back to bed. Best wishes and nite-nite.
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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/11/2005 6:02 PM (GMT -6)
Good Evening All!!!
I went to the hematologist and had some bloods drawn there and low and behold my WBC was normal. He explained it could have been lowered by a recent infection. He was testing me for several other factors too such as thyroid, immunity problems, etc. I'm going back on 5/28. When the cardio visited me in the hospital to say hello and he'll do what he can with non invasive measures, if things come out normal we will scratch heads together on this. Hope we figure this out soon. I trust this man explicitly. We will hopefully get to the bottom of this. Thanks everyone for your responses and comments. Hope all is well with everyone. Take care, God Bless and be well!!! xoxoMaryMe

Hi Teri :)
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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/11/2005 6:15 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Teri:)
I just want you to know even though in the beginning I did have angina, I was never given nitro script. Did you have to ask or were you just given it???? Curious. Took a long walk, became very winded, my legs were fine. I actually had to stop and stand still for a few minutes before continuing on my journey home. Go figure. Hoping to figure this out soon!!!
Take care, God Bless and be well.
xoxoMaryMe
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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/11/2005 7:17 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Everyone! tongue

I've had the stress echocardiography done using a medication to make my heart go faster than normal-they were checking to see if my heart was strong enough to undergo surgery.  Apparently it was - I had the bypass right afterwards.  Here's a site that explains it a bit better.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007150.htm

If you are having a nuclear stress test, here is another site to visit..

http://www.asnc.org/patientinfo/information.cfm#A-2

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/12/2005 2:50 PM (GMT -6)
Hi MaryMe! tongue

 

The Nitro was just given to me as they saw the blockage in the arteries and though they felt at that time they couldn't do anything for them, they felt at least they could help with the angina pain.

 

I'm surprised that if they feel you've had angina that they don't just give you a script to have on hand "in case".  You might want to ask your Dr. about this the next time?!

Hugs, Teri tongue

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/18/2005 5:50 PM (GMT -6)
Hi MaryMe!!  Just checking in on you and hoping you are well?!  Thinking of you...Hugs, Teri tongue
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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/22/2005 9:42 AM (GMT -6)
MaryMe, Here I am again, wondering where you are and hoping all is well?!

 

Keep us updated and let us know how you are doing?!

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/22/2005 3:18 PM (GMT -6)
tongue  Hi Teri!!!!)

     Hope your doing well.  I'm so so at this point, I'm playing the waiting game this week. sad   Gastro on Monday, Cardio on Thursday and Hematologist on Saturday.  Hope something shows to explain all the craziness lately.  Have chest pain on and off, sort of feels like ripping or tearing.  I will report this to cardio.  Just biding my time.  I hope you had good test results yourself.  Let me know. Thanks for your concern.  

       Take care, be well and God Bless!

       xoxoMARYME tongue        

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/22/2005 3:30 PM (GMT -6)
Hi MaryMe! tongue

 

That's a lot of Doc's to see in a week~I wish you well on all of the visits!! yeah

 

Why the hematologist?  I thought you said the last WBC had turned out normal?  Something else?~oh, no!

 

Keep us updated here and I hope they can tell you something!!

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

 

PS  I'm just peachy here  cool  in this 100 degree weather! 

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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/30/2005 2:00 PM (GMT -6)
tongue  Hi Everyone and Happy Memorial Day!!!!

    I'm letting you know that I'm being started on a water pill to take with the Altace  -  Triamterene/HCTZ (Dyazide or Maxzide).  He's a phone call away, if I have anymore problems.  Don't know what happened when I was in the hospital other than normal results on test.  Guess I'm cracking up!!!!?????  I did see the hematologist on Sat., May 28 and my liver enzymes were elevated, going to have a sonogram of the abdomen done, especially checking the liver.  I'll be off Lipitor and Zetia for 2 weeks.  Lipid levels are well below normal.  They took more bloods.  I'll be seeing him on Sat., June 4 again.  My autoimmune system and thyroid is fine, I guess that's good news.  Thanks for your letting me vent here folks, God Bless.

    Take care, be well all!!!!

    MARYME

    P.S.  Teri I won't see the Gastro until June 6th.  Crazy me had the dates mixed up Ooops! yeah

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 5/30/2005 6:56 PM (GMT -6)
I'm glad to see your Dr.'s are staying on top of all this and I hope that liver scan turns out well!! Interesting story re elevated liver enzymes...I had that at one point too a couple of years ago...they told me that I had to keep coming back for checks on the enzymes so they could keep a close eye on that. My golden retriever (Sam) had some blood tests done a few months later, and her liver enzymes were elevated!! I then had my re-test done and my enzymes had gone back down to normal! They never figured out why? mine went up, cuz they didn't really have enough time to check it out. But Sam's vet told me that it amazes veterinarians, how some animals take on their owner's illnesses. Sam now has a heart murmur, I've had a mitral valve problem for a while...I really hope she's not taking on my illnesses for me-it'd make me feel really bad!!

Sorry for the long story, Mary, but I truly hope you do well with all these upcoming tests!!

Hugs, Teri :)
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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 5/30/2005 7:39 PM (GMT -6)
tongue   tongue Hi Teri:)

    Hope all is well with you and your doggie Sam.  It is amazing how animals sometime take on characteristics of their owners and sometimes even look like them.  No kidding.  Hope you two stay well.  Yes my doctor is on top of everything but has no clue as to what happened with me on Mother's Day weekend.  Everything was normal.  Go figure.  My legs never bothered me except for my knees.  Who knows??????  You would think I'd be use to this by now.  NOPE not me.  I get more puzzled and perplexed about things.  I really try to figure things out, sometimes I guess only God knows why this happens.  Good to say hello and I hope you stay well (Sam) too!!

     I'll keep you posted about my upcoming visits.

     Take care, God Bless and be well.

     xoxoMARYME tongue

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 6/2/2005 9:24 PM (GMT -6)
Hi Mary, was just thinking of you and wanted to wish you well on your upcoming tests...and to let you know that Sam is a blonde, and I'm a brunette, so as far as looking alike??? lol 

 (I couldn't resist!) tongue

 

Big Hugs, Teri  tongue

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Stardreamer
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2005
Posts : 68
Posted 6/3/2005 5:40 AM (GMT -6)

Chevy--just a quick note--  ALL of my tests are always normal--

and I have had multiple blockages that are only found on cardiac cath--

If you are still feeling poorly continue to pursue this as you know your body better than anyone!  Please keep us posted-

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MARYME
Regular Member
Joined : May 2005
Posts : 43
Posted 6/6/2005 9:47 PM (GMT -6)
tongue  Good Evening All!!!

      Just updating as to what is going on since my Dr.'s visit of late.  Off Lipitor and Zetia (1 week) enzyme levels going down.  Had more bloods drawn.  I'll have my sonogram of abdomen on 6/13.  Will see hematologist on 6/25 to discuss results. Went to my Gastro 6/6 to discuss my colonoscopy results.  Everything is fine, 2 polyops removed were benign.  Thank God!!!!  He doesn't think my chest pain is from a stomach issue.  My cardio doesn't thing my SOB and CP are cardio related.  Is it my lungs???? According to prior CT scans everything is normal???   Bone pain????  I'm sick and tired of feeling like I'm loosing my mind.  Anyone here have ideas?????

     Quite hot and humid today in NYC, I had trouble breathing and some chest pain that only lasted a few minutes.  If I continue to have more chest pain, I will call cardio. 

        Thanks for your good thoughts all.

         Love, God Bless and be well all

         xoxoMARYME.

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Teri16
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2003
Posts : 5230
Posted 6/6/2005 10:56 PM (GMT -6)
Hi MaryMe! tongue

 

It sounds so far, so good, except you are still left with almost what you started with...the chest pain and SOB?!  You mentioned that you had CT scans done?-of your chest?  Have you had a chest x-ray recently with this pain and SOB?

 

If it's not reflux, and it's not heart? (What tests did they do for that?)  Have you ever had a history of asthma?-wheezing?  This should have shown up on the other tests...just a thought.

 

I wish you well and please keep me updated MaryMe!!

 

Hugs, Teri tongue

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Kathlyn1950
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2004
Posts : 462
Posted 6/7/2005 6:50 PM (GMT -6)
Good luck, Mary!
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