My fiance is 24 and hasn't had very many health problems in her life, but is having one big one. About 2 and a half years ago, she almost passed out so she got to the ER and they diagnosed her as having a leaky valve. She doesn't smoke or abuse any type of drug (she hates even taking her prescriptions).
Since December, it has been acting up again. Her cardiologist put her on a 30 day heart monitor, and every time she would have an issue, they would record it (or call and tell her to get to the ER immediately). She hit the ER about twice a week for the last 2 months, and they totally ignore when she says she is having chest pains. The cardiologist has her on Bystolic to keep her bp and heart rate regular, and he doubled her dosage of that and said to follow up with him in 6 months. I don't think she can wait that long.
Called the cardiologist office the day before yesterday because she was having severe chest pains and her arm was numb, and they said get to the ER immediately. Got to the ER, her temp was 99, so after 2 hours of nothing, they decided she had pneumonia and bronchitis. Now we're humoring them by taking the antibiotics they prescribed, but she has no congestion, no trouble breathing and not even the slightest cough. To tell the truth, IMO that's the farthest off/stupidest diagnosis I have ever heard, and they totally ignored the chest pains once again.
The cardiologist says that she has a sinoral node that is acting up, and they can do an ablation to cauterize it so it stops messing with her heart rhythm, but 50% of people who have this done need a pacemaker afterwards (or die), so they wanted to try to cure it without having to do that if possible since she's so young.
We have been to 4 different ERs, and all of them seem to ignore the reason she came in. Anyone else had this issue, have any insight on how to cut down chest pains or any advice? I don't care what we have to do, we need her fixed, and I'm at a loss.

 

I'm really sorry to hear that. It sounds terrible.

I'm sure they would fix her up if she had money as this kind of thing gets expensive real fast.

I wish I had an answer.

 

24 Years old... Way to early for this. Sorry to hear about that.

 

Call a hospital that specializes in heart issues and make an appointment with them, you will be much better off. One other thing is if your no satisfied with the diagnosis then keep asking questions and don't take no for an answer, you must be persistant.... believe me i know.

 

It sounds like she already has a diagnosis of a leaky heart valve. But replacement valves get into more money than most people have the ability to raise so they are not about to fix it unless a source of funding comes up.:o

But that is just a guess from a distance that is based on similar situations I've seen unfold around here.

 

Wow Pickup Man, I'm so sorry to hear about your fiance's heart problem I don't have an answer for you, I agree with buck, keep pushing until you find the doctor who cares enough to do his/her job. Best of luck to the two of you, I hope everything works out.

 

Thanks for the replies, everyone, I guess that's what I'll have to do is shop around farther away from our area to find a different hospital.
She works for a company subcontracted through the government and has good insurance, but she's missed quite a bit of work due to this.

 

I agree with buckdropper, try get in somewhere to see a specialist. My brother in-law survived an upper aortic dissection about 7 years ago and now sees a specialized cardiologist on a regular basis.

Best of luck and prayers for you both.

 

Exactly. With all due respect to the ER doctors, they are practicing life saving and not treatment.
The University research schools have the best minds in the business.
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/heart/

 

Dr. Joseph Lamelas at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, FL is probably the best to fix a leaky heart valve.

Good luck!

 

What the hell is the matter with you? For all you know the OP and his fiance could be worth millions. Why keep bringing up $$$.

The OP is in Virginia. I'm sure somewhere in the DC area there is a competent doctor that can fix a leaky heart valve.

PickupMan, hope all works out well for your fiance.

 

Appointment at 2pm tomorrow with the cardiologist in Kingspot, TN at The Heart Center. We'll see, got her all fixed but the pains.

 

I'm just trying to help, what's the matter with you? Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?


True, but often they need to break ribs to get to the heart which extends the recovery period greatly. At the heart center I recommended in Florida they can do it using minimally invasive techniques (without breaking ribs). Maybe someone in the DC area can do it using similar techniques also, I don't know, but if my ticker is getting worked on I want the best.

 

Isn't that where the Canadian official just had surgery?

 

Yes, I believe you're right. It's not unusual for patients to travel long distances for specialty operations. I know I would. And the Canadians are fortunate to have that right and can often be credited through their national healthcare system for operations performed out-of-system. Of course it will not cover travel expenses and the entire cost of the operation but it is better than nothing.

Most private U.S. insurance doesn't cover travel expenses either unless it is medically necessary. I consider not having my ribs broken a medical necessity but I'm sure my private insurer would disagree with that!