Guest guest Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 I've noticed a great disparity between how paramedics and nurses interpret my symptoms and how my cardiologist interprets them and I'm curious if this is a common phenomena. For instance, when I was in the ICU during my first recognized A-Flutter event, the paramedics and nurses seemed quite concerned, panicked even, at my heart rate and blood pressure. There was even an instance when a new shift nurse came storming into the room, obviously alarmed, only to be quietly told by the nurse that was with me that " It's ok, he's been at that rate for 2 days. " She even protested " But… " but the rest was lost behind a closed door. More recently, after my a-fib ablation, they tried to cardiovert me chemically because I was in " Left Atrial Flutter " It didn't work but 30 minutes later I had a pause of about 9 seconds. The nurses were all over me, crash cart in the hall, cool cloth on my forehead, " You poor dear. " The doctor simply shrugged and told me that 9 seconds was " Kind of long but nothing to worry about. " Similarly, when I was in the hospital to have my meds changed, I had a 7 second pause. I was asleep and didn't even know it happened but the nurse the next morning showed me the EKG trace and confidently told me that they would probably put a pacemaker in because the pause was over 5 seconds. He also told me, to comfort me I suppose, that he had stationed and " external pacemaker " outside of my room. Again, when I talked to the doctor about this, he waved his hand and told me that " You were cardioverted twice in two hours and were full of drugs. Don't worry about it. " Also, when the paramedics responded to my first two tachycardia attacks, they seemed very concerned; concerned enough to cardiovert me in the truck BEFORE the sedation had taken effect. When I had the third and forth attacks, the doctor told me to just relax then waited hours before cardioverting me. Everyone, EVERYONE, I've talked to about my EP say he's great. " The best " , " Really knows his stuff " , " I'd trust him with my life " so I guess I do trust him yet the disparity in reactions still mystifies me a little. Anyone else notice this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 Garrett, Sounds familiar. Even amongst the cardiologists you'll get different opinions. My atrial flutter episode of yesterday (one week after left atrial ablation) was all handled by the younger cardiology fellows with prescriptions for antiarrhythmics. Then my EP walked in and gave me a different diagnosis and said I didn't need the antiarrhythics. I guess that's why we put our lives in their hands (the EP's, that is). As for pauses, I hear that's pretty common; haven't experienced it though. Lester Mixed Messages I've noticed a great disparity between how paramedics and nurses interpret my symptoms and how my cardiologist interprets them and I'm curious if this is a common phenomena. For instance, when I was in the ICU during my first recognized A-Flutter event, the paramedics and nurses seemed quite concerned, panicked even, at my heart rate and blood pressure. There was even an instance when a new shift nurse came storming into the room, obviously alarmed, only to be quietly told by the nurse that was with me that " It's ok, he's been at that rate for 2 days. " She even protested " But. " but the rest was lost behind a closed door. More recently, after my a-fib ablation, they tried to cardiovert me chemically because I was in " Left Atrial Flutter " It didn't work but 30 minutes later I had a pause of about 9 seconds. The nurses were all over me, crash cart in the hall, cool cloth on my forehead, " You poor dear. " The doctor simply shrugged and told me that 9 seconds was " Kind of long but nothing to worry about. " Similarly, when I was in the hospital to have my meds changed, I had a 7 second pause. I was asleep and didn't even know it happened but the nurse the next morning showed me the EKG trace and confidently told me that they would probably put a pacemaker in because the pause was over 5 seconds. He also told me, to comfort me I suppose, that he had stationed and " external pacemaker " outside of my room. Again, when I talked to the doctor about this, he waved his hand and told me that " You were cardioverted twice in two hours and were full of drugs. Don't worry about it. " Also, when the paramedics responded to my first two tachycardia attacks, they seemed very concerned; concerned enough to cardiovert me in the truck BEFORE the sedation had taken effect. When I had the third and forth attacks, the doctor told me to just relax then waited hours before cardioverting me. Everyone, EVERYONE, I've talked to about my EP say he's great. " The best " , " Really knows his stuff " , " I'd trust him with my life " so I guess I do trust him yet the disparity in reactions still mystifies me a little. Anyone else notice this? Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 My last ER/hospital visit was about two weeks ago. My event started Monday morning, I went to the ER Tuesday morning, and was cardioverted Wednesday afternoon and sent home. During these three days, I saw FOUR cardiologists from my same practice, although none was my own doctor, and all four wanted to do something different and perscribe something different! And dr. #3 changed the meds that dr. #1 had just prescribed, and dr. #4 got the last laugh, since he was the one to discharge me! I also saw an endocronologist that Tuesday, who said I might be diabetic and have an autoimmune disorder, so she ordered a bunch of tests. I went for a followup with that group, saw a different dr. yesterday and he had NO RESULTS, but wants me now to have a glucose test tomorrow. This guy yesterday also completely pooh poohed the Vit C that s Hopkins told me to take for heart healing. I find it all quite absurd. Stef Lester on lrobert@...> wrote: Garrett, Sounds familiar. Even amongst the cardiologists you'll get different opinions. My atrial flutter episode of yesterday (one week after left atrial ablation) was all handled by the younger cardiology fellows with prescriptions for antiarrhythmics. Then my EP walked in and gave me a different diagnosis and said I didn't need the antiarrhythics. I guess that's why we put our lives in their hands (the EP's, that is). As for pauses, I hear that's pretty common; haven't experienced it though. Lester Mixed Messages I've noticed a great disparity between how paramedics and nurses interpret my symptoms and how my cardiologist interprets them and I'm curious if this is a common phenomena. For instance, when I was in the ICU during my first recognized A-Flutter event, the paramedics and nurses seemed quite concerned, panicked even, at my heart rate and blood pressure. There was even an instance when a new shift nurse came storming into the room, obviously alarmed, only to be quietly told by the nurse that was with me that " It's ok, he's been at that rate for 2 days. " She even protested " But. " but the rest was lost behind a closed door. More recently, after my a-fib ablation, they tried to cardiovert me chemically because I was in " Left Atrial Flutter " It didn't work but 30 minutes later I had a pause of about 9 seconds. The nurses were all over me, crash cart in the hall, cool cloth on my forehead, " You poor dear. " The doctor simply shrugged and told me that 9 seconds was " Kind of long but nothing to worry about. " Similarly, when I was in the hospital to have my meds changed, I had a 7 second pause. I was asleep and didn't even know it happened but the nurse the next morning showed me the EKG trace and confidently told me that they would probably put a pacemaker in because the pause was over 5 seconds. He also told me, to comfort me I suppose, that he had stationed and " external pacemaker " outside of my room. Again, when I talked to the doctor about this, he waved his hand and told me that " You were cardioverted twice in two hours and were full of drugs. Don't worry about it. " Also, when the paramedics responded to my first two tachycardia attacks, they seemed very concerned; concerned enough to cardiovert me in the truck BEFORE the sedation had taken effect. When I had the third and forth attacks, the doctor told me to just relax then waited hours before cardioverting me. Everyone, EVERYONE, I've talked to about my EP say he's great. " The best " , " Really knows his stuff " , " I'd trust him with my life " so I guess I do trust him yet the disparity in reactions still mystifies me a little. Anyone else notice this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 There's some potenial dark humor in what you've written. I can imagine a skit being made of it. The docs are a bit like airline pilots, always cool. " Ladies and gentlemen we are decending vertically for a previously unexpected stop... The weather is cold and sunny, but we anticipate warming flames to offset the chill.. " but to give the docs their due, after 4 years of med school, years of residency training, followed by specialty training they have often gained plenty of experience, and have developed an ability to differentiate between emergent and urgent situations. At least that is my hope ;-), garrett63376 garrett63376@...> wrote: I've noticed a great disparity between how paramedics and nurses interpret my symptoms and how my cardiologist interprets them and I'm curious if this is a common phenomena. For instance, when I was in the ICU during my first recognized A-Flutter event, the paramedics and nurses seemed quite concerned, panicked even, at my heart rate and blood pressure. There was even an instance when a new shift nurse came storming into the room, obviously alarmed, only to be quietly told by the nurse that was with me that " It's ok, he's been at that rate for 2 days. " She even protested " But… " but the rest was lost behind a closed door. More recently, after my a-fib ablation, they tried to cardiovert me chemically because I was in " Left Atrial Flutter " It didn't work but 30 minutes later I had a pause of about 9 seconds. The nurses were all over me, crash cart in the hall, cool cloth on my forehead, " You poor dear. " The doctor simply shrugged and told me that 9 seconds was " Kind of long but nothing to worry about. " Similarly, when I was in the hospital to have my meds changed, I had a 7 second pause. I was asleep and didn't even know it happened but the nurse the next morning showed me the EKG trace and confidently told me that they would probably put a pacemaker in because the pause was over 5 seconds. He also told me, to comfort me I suppose, that he had stationed and " external pacemaker " outside of my room. Again, when I talked to the doctor about this, he waved his hand and told me that " You were cardioverted twice in two hours and were full of drugs. Don't worry about it. " Also, when the paramedics responded to my first two tachycardia attacks, they seemed very concerned; concerned enough to cardiovert me in the truck BEFORE the sedation had taken effect. When I had the third and forth attacks, the doctor told me to just relax then waited hours before cardioverting me. Everyone, EVERYONE, I've talked to about my EP say he's great. " The best " , " Really knows his stuff " , " I'd trust him with my life " so I guess I do trust him yet the disparity in reactions still mystifies me a little. Anyone else notice this? Web Page - http://www.afibsupport.com List owner: AFIBsupport-owner For help on how to use the group, including how to drive it via email, send a blank email to AFIBsupport-help Nothing in this message should be considered as medical advice, or should be acted upon without consultation with one's physician. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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