quote:

ORIGINAL: SailingBum

Whenever I'm prescribed a new drug one of the first things I do is read up on the side effects.  About a year maybe a year and a half ago.  Doc told me to the take Simvastatin to reduced my lipid count.

So I read up on it the side effects didnt seem to awful so I started taking 40 mg a day which is a HUGE dose.   I called the doc the very next day with symptoms of some of the side effects ie muscle weakness and nausea.  Doc was like keep taking it.  I remember thinking this is nutz. I am not taking this stuff if I am going to feel like this.  So I reduced my dose to 20 mg a day <actually more like a couple times a week cuz my lipid count was "fine" and I don't want to take any more drugs than I have to> and the side effects eased considerably.  I actually gave wade a years supply of Simvastatin cuz i only took it a couple times a week.

So last spring a trip to ER for heart. everything Fine   Summer still having issues Chest X ray blood work another EKG, stress test. heart monitor for 3 weeks.  You name the heart test I have prolly had it TWICE.  One Doc told me stress test was exceptional.  Another doc asked me if i was a athlete, laffed and told him uhhh not so much.

Started going to the gym in November mild workout sent my body into not such a good place.  Let me tell you heart palpitations will scare the hell out of you.  Imagine your heart feeling like it's going to beat right out of your chest. I liken it to take a hammer smash your thumb that intense throbbing is what your chest feel like. Most times HP are nothing to be concerned about.  Operative words are "most times"

Met again with heart doc early December said keep working out but be "mindful of your body"  So Im like doc most times I have 3 of the 4 symptoms of a heart attack.  Tightness in chest, Heart palpations, Nausea.  The ONLY symptom I don't have is shortness of breath.  He prescribed a wonder drug that will not only stop HP.  It lowers the heart rate and reduces blood pressure.  Which after reading up on the drug I will not take.

Now keep in mind at least 5 different heart docs have looked at my file. 4 of the heart docs I met.  I spent over 3 hours consulting with 2 of the heart docs.  In other words not your typical 15 mins apt. I did hours of research as well I was very well informed.   So the whole time I'm thinking these docs have to be "missing something" 

I have countless hours on the web looking for possible causes of my heart issues. Finally I think I have it nailed Down.  It's prolly the Simvastatin or  a low potassium intake.  I reread the side effects of the drug and although they didn't bother me at first Im thinking about 4 to 5 months later is when my heart issues showed up.  So I  am drinking OJ and stopped the drug.  So who is the moron here, my six that's right 6 <including my primary care> freaking docs that missed the Simvastatin or the low potassium or me for not rechecking the side effects sooner?

According to the New England Journal of Medicine the VA health system is by any standard they measured is by far better than private health care.  Survival rates, preventive care, Treatment systems.  <The VA and the military health systems have nothing to do with each other>  The reason I bring this up is supposedly I was getting the best care in the US, And it still sucked,  According to WHO the World Health Org the US ranks 37 th in the world for health care.   Although we outspend as a percentage of Gross National Product at least 2 to 1.  Canada ranks 30th  France is # 1

As I was explaining to mom and her ER doc as I thought she was getting really lousy care during her 2nd visit to ER in a week.  Doctors are not nearly as smart as you think at least in the US.  And prolly more Important as Dad used to say "Doctors bury their mistakes".  According to dad the killed his dad.  They almost killed mom when they misdiagnosed her hernia when in actuality her heart was blocked 90 % It is your best interest to keep a sharp eye on your doc.

If I can prevent one misdiagnosed person It will have been worth it.

BadOne

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lizbetbathory

thanks ive done lots of research but it isnt easy to find a doc out of state who willtake me on and for me to be able to get to them. I cope decently but of course some days are better than others ya know?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Lizbetbathory

ive been to every hospital here teaching and other wise there isnt anything they can or will do now. as for calling my old doc to get a referal it didnt help much ...... he just sent me some where that had no idea what to do.... 

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all i want is to run my business adn to play with my daughters. I am so close to just losing it all. I hurt so bad  and my shoulder is so unstable i cant give my kids a hug  ot button my shirt or wash my hair by my self. please some one help me. I am at the end of my rope and cannot live like this any more.

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I called my doc and asked him if he could refil mt perscription and he said no my shoulder didnt dislocate.... so i am not in pain...... notice it was my knee that went out......

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I cant get a new doc with out a referal with out him and he wont give me one. missouri medicaide is a pain in the ass.