Back in February I had an "episode" with my heart that landed me in an ambulance and in the emergency room. It has taken almost four months to see a cardiologist and my appointment was Tuesday. You may have noticed the website was quiet that day and now you'll know why.
I will try to keep my language clean but please be warned of a possible language warning okay?
So Tuesday came and I was anxious. Because of my heart...a trip to Las Vegas with my Mom and sister was cancelled and another surgery was put on hold until we knew the results of my heart. I was even taken off my one medication for sleep and pain and my pain specialist had even stopped my infusions until we knew it was safe for my heart. Caution overload!
At my appointment, I met with a resident first and he explained the options for treatment focusing on the procedure and risks for correcting what's wrong with my heart. My anxiety level went up even more (just a wee little bit).
I will try to keep my language clean but please be warned of a possible language warning okay?
So Tuesday came and I was anxious. Because of my heart...a trip to Las Vegas with my Mom and sister was cancelled and another surgery was put on hold until we knew the results of my heart. I was even taken off my one medication for sleep and pain and my pain specialist had even stopped my infusions until we knew it was safe for my heart. Caution overload!
At my appointment, I met with a resident first and he explained the options for treatment focusing on the procedure and risks for correcting what's wrong with my heart. My anxiety level went up even more (just a wee little bit).
And then the doctor came in. Here is what he told me in point form....
and then he said....
and then he said....
the best course of treatment is to give you a daily medication to control your hearts electrical and prevent it from over firing and triggering another episode
Do you see why I'm ready to RANT? You may not and that's okay...but I'm going to RANT anyway....
It's not life threatening...but here take a pill. We need to determine how severe the issue is first...but here take a pill to prevent an episode. You may never have another episode again...but here take a pill.
UM...HELLO?!?!?! KNOCK KNOCK....are you in there doc?...I don't think so.
If it's not life threatening...why take a pill? If they need to determine how severe and life impacting the condition is...why take a pill? Why is it that the first response from most doctors now a days is...here take a pill? I seriously don't get this.
When I said that medications were not an option due to not having benefits and that I live on a disability pension income...he questioned me further. And when I again said no...pills are not an option for me...he questioned me further still. WHAT PART OF NO MEDICATIONS did he not understand? If having this problem is not going kill me....why the hell should I take a pill? Please!! esplain to me Lucy cause I just don't get it! Nope I don't.
And then...he offered me a pill again!! (I almost lost my cool) Are you flecking kidding me? Is that all our doctors are now a days? Pill pushers? Why give medications unnecessarily? and to me taking this pill each and every day is just that....unnecessary. How can he determine the seriousness of the condition if I take a pill that will prevent another episode? If I may truly never have another episode (and he reminded me it's been over three months since the first with no repeat) why give me a pill each and every day for the rest of my life. He said it's the best heart condition to have...yet he wants to medicate it? WHY?
If what's wrong with me won't kill me...why take a pill? If my life isn't impacted seriously by the condition...why take a pill? If managing my stress, diet and exercise will help me prevent another episode... why take a pill? WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?
Yes our doctors know a lot...but...I don't think they really use their brains sometimes. Maybe it's just me but I really do wonder about our medical system now a days. Pills for this and pills for that...they hand them out like candy. I don't like candy.
And one other question I have...if what's wrong with my heart could cause sudden heart failure and I need to be sure to get to the hospital in time...is that not life threatening? DUH! And although he did say he will "monitor" my heart...I don't need to see him again unless I have further issues.
I left the room shaking my head...
Before you accept any medications...please...make sure you really need them and that your life will be improved by their use. If not? it's an unnecessary medication in my opinion.
take good care of you eh?
UPDATE: it's been well over a year now since that first episode and you know what? I've never had another and I am so glad I did not take that pill.
- of all the heart conditions to have...this is the one you want to have
- it's not life threatening...though if you have another episode you need to get to the hospital within 15 minutes so you can receive the medication to stop and restart your heart again
- sudden heart failure is possible if an episode is left untreated so be sure to get to the hospital in time
- structurally...your heart is fine but your heart has an electrical problem
and then he said....
- you've only had one major episode requiring a hospital visit
- you may never have another episode again...some people only ever have one and may never again
- we need to determine just how severe and life impacting the issue is
- I don't think surgery is an option for you..there are certain risks for the procedure and I don't feel the ablasion is an option at this time
and then he said....
the best course of treatment is to give you a daily medication to control your hearts electrical and prevent it from over firing and triggering another episode
Do you see why I'm ready to RANT? You may not and that's okay...but I'm going to RANT anyway....
It's not life threatening...but here take a pill. We need to determine how severe the issue is first...but here take a pill to prevent an episode. You may never have another episode again...but here take a pill.
UM...HELLO?!?!?! KNOCK KNOCK....are you in there doc?...I don't think so.
If it's not life threatening...why take a pill? If they need to determine how severe and life impacting the condition is...why take a pill? Why is it that the first response from most doctors now a days is...here take a pill? I seriously don't get this.
When I said that medications were not an option due to not having benefits and that I live on a disability pension income...he questioned me further. And when I again said no...pills are not an option for me...he questioned me further still. WHAT PART OF NO MEDICATIONS did he not understand? If having this problem is not going kill me....why the hell should I take a pill? Please!! esplain to me Lucy cause I just don't get it! Nope I don't.
And then...he offered me a pill again!! (I almost lost my cool) Are you flecking kidding me? Is that all our doctors are now a days? Pill pushers? Why give medications unnecessarily? and to me taking this pill each and every day is just that....unnecessary. How can he determine the seriousness of the condition if I take a pill that will prevent another episode? If I may truly never have another episode (and he reminded me it's been over three months since the first with no repeat) why give me a pill each and every day for the rest of my life. He said it's the best heart condition to have...yet he wants to medicate it? WHY?
If what's wrong with me won't kill me...why take a pill? If my life isn't impacted seriously by the condition...why take a pill? If managing my stress, diet and exercise will help me prevent another episode... why take a pill? WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?
Yes our doctors know a lot...but...I don't think they really use their brains sometimes. Maybe it's just me but I really do wonder about our medical system now a days. Pills for this and pills for that...they hand them out like candy. I don't like candy.
And one other question I have...if what's wrong with my heart could cause sudden heart failure and I need to be sure to get to the hospital in time...is that not life threatening? DUH! And although he did say he will "monitor" my heart...I don't need to see him again unless I have further issues.
I left the room shaking my head...
Before you accept any medications...please...make sure you really need them and that your life will be improved by their use. If not? it's an unnecessary medication in my opinion.
take good care of you eh?
UPDATE: it's been well over a year now since that first episode and you know what? I've never had another and I am so glad I did not take that pill.
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