Not feeling all that great lately ...

I'm off to see the PCP this morning ... just not feeling all that well. Lately I'm being caught between my PCP and BS on health advice, and it's hard to know just who to listen to. Because it's raining and dreary, and my BS is 1.5 hours drive away, today I'm going to the PCP to see what he has to say about how lousy I'm feeling. I know I've mentioned the "late dumping syndrome" thing my BS said I was experiencing ... causes my blood-sugar to plummet suddenly at any time of day, even hours after eating. It's supposed to be a typical "over 1 year post-op problem", temporary, that passes within a month or two ... but has been happening since last of March with no real let up. So I've been trying to ignore the crappy way I've been feeling, assuming it was that, and just carry on with my exercising and life. In the last 3 weeks, though, it seems the situation has increased rather than eased up. Several times a day I get this weak shaky feeling, nausea, slight dizzyness, hot and cold sweats and almost always I feel breathless and it feels like my heart is going to pound out of my chest. It's gotten to the point that I've stopped going to swim class because I don't want to get that weak in the water, and for the most part, exertion can make it feel worse. So I feel sort of trapped in between two physicians who are pulling me two different ways. Top it off with the fact that my PCP just took over my care in February (my 30-year PCP retired) ... I just don't know him well enough to have full-faith yet, if that makes sense. The backside of this story is that in 2002 my older brother got up one morning and said he felt nauseous ... got to the doorway of the bathroom and just dropped dead. He had a huge heart attack. He was 53. So the worry of familial history underlies everything when I feel so uncomfortable in my chest like I have lately. Oh well, I'm stalling ... need to drag myself in there and get dressed. Don't know if I'll come home feeling better or more confused and ill. Talk with you all later, Myra G

Awwwwwwww myra I am sorry you feel icky I hope all goes well with the dr please let me know what he says just know I am sending you a big ole' fat hug from ga I miss you guys love candy

Hey Myra, I am so sorry you are feeling so bad. And I know exactly how you feel with family history. My parents were both death of heart attacks by the time I was fifteen so know what you are feeling. It crosses my mind alot. But seems like to me, these dr's need to get there *&^$# together and find out what the problem is. You cannot continue living that way and feeling that way. This is not our myra!! You cant be our perky cheerleader we are used to and our roll model if down and out sick!! So I sure hope they help you today and you better let us know what's going on. I will be waiting ( tappin my fat foot) lol... Hugs Marge

Myra I'm sorry your feeling so bad!! The things you described sound just like the symptoms of Angina. I remember looking into it when they were going through all that stuff with my heart. My grandmother has it and she was telling me about the things you feel. PLEASE have it checked out and make sure they know you are not getting better. Sometimes doctors can be slack when it comes to listening to their patients and it really steams me. This is our life in their hands and busy or not they need to treat everyone as an individual. Take it easy and get some rest and PLEASE let us know what they say. GREAT big hugs being sent out to you. Jamie PS I've decided to take your advice and join one of the online photo shops so hopefully I'll have some pics up soon. Thanks Myra!! Your the greatest

Hi, Myra: Sorry to hear you've been feeling less than 100%. I saw a program recently on TV that says women often have heart problems that go undetected because doctors don't think women have heart problems the way men do. Be sure to kick your PCP in the shin if he doesn't pay attention to your symptoms and do some serious testing. It could be something as simple as a potassium deficiency. I know what you mean about breaking in a new doctor. I've had my doctor for 2 1/2 years, and yet there are times when I'm not sure I have full faith, either. Keep us posted! Kix

Myra, I'm so sorry you are feeling poorly!!!! Hopefully, they can find out what is wrong. Do you get regular bloodwork to check your vitamin and nutrition levels? Big Hugs!!! Lori

hi myra: i'm sorry to hear you're feeling under the weather - still. i hope between both of these drs. you'll be able to discover what the real issue is. i know what you mean about being tired. i've been sleeping about 12-14 hours daily lately. it's really not easy to be tired all the time. has your pcp suggested a heart specialist for you yet? you've probably already seen one, but if not - i think you should. please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers, myra. i hope your answer comes to you soon. and please keep us posted - if you're up to it. hugs dorthe

Hi Myra I am sorry you are feeling so bad. I am saying a prayer for you that this will all pass. love marie

Saw the PCP yesterday morning ... he basically listened to my heart, did a chest x-ray and pronounced it all "fine", barely listened to my complaints, said it's "probably" the Dumping syndrome ... "just keep on riding it out, sooner or later it will stop". Went home feeling sick and basically blown off. Later in the evening it all started up again, with upper chest pain, back pain, nausea, shortness of breath, hurting to breathe, heart pounding ... so I went to the Urgent Care (after-hours) physician, who did an EKG and said it looked "fine, but that really doesn't mean anything when you're having chest pain". He suggested I see the PCP again and see about being referred to a cardiologist, and then said "bye". I went feeling sick, came home feeling sick, fell into bed and cried which made my chest hurt more. Laying down seemed to make it feel better so I basically crashed for the night at about 7:30. Today I feel generally like crap, and I've put in a call to my PCP to be referred, but no return call yet. Also, it would seem strange to me after having so many cardio tests before surgery last year, that something might be wrong now, but how can we know about things like that? I'm getting ready to call my BS now and talk with him about the whole thing too. I just feel something's wrong and no one's really listening to me ... they're just all too willing to encompass the whole thing into this vague "Dumping syndrome" thing, but I don't think my chest would be hurting like it does if that were it. Trouble is I live so far from the BS ... I'd rather see a cardio in his hospital so they could at least talk face to face. So that's where I am today, and I'll post more when I know more or feel better, which ever comes first. I don't like to "borrow trouble" but something is telling me this isn't just dumping ... so your prayers would be appreciated. (((Hugs))) Myra G

Myra you are most definitely in my thoughts!! What a frustrating situation you are going through. I hope one of those docs wise up soon and listen to you. Please keep us updated and rest when you can. It's so scary to hear your symptoms and hear how their blowing you off. Can you contact the cardiologist yourself or do you have to do a referral? Could you call and at least tell them your symptoms and how no one is listening and that you really think you need to be seen? GREAT BIG HUGS and thoughts being sent your way. Jamie