Mary Ann,

I am NOT going to speculate what it means. But, I would say it is extremely IRRESPONSIBLE to make you wonder for the entire weekend. You should call them up and demand some answers and let them know that you are very worried. Hopefully, they will offer you some answers, which calm you down.

I am very sorry about their behavior. However, you can NOT expect much from doctors since in general they do NOT have any common sense. Your situation proves my view of them in general, very disappointing.

I wish you luck and lots of it.

Scott

Mary Ann,
If it were me, I would call the doctor's office, talk to the doctor, and find out why the change of plans re: the stress test and the results of the echo. Maybe it's not bad news. Monday is along way off. I'd be a wreck too ifI had to wait that long for answers.
Take care,
Annette

I called the office. His nurse said I should be happy they cancelled the stress test, and shouldn't be concerned, and that the doctor didn't seem concerned when he told her. Easy for them to say.

Do any of you remember when I said I thought there was a connection between my stomach or a hiatal hernia and my afib. And when they did the echo, as soon as she put the probe under my sternum, it was uncomfortable and I immediately went into afib. Well, I just did some research and this is what I found.

http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186%2F1476-7120-6-46

Mary Ann

Hi Mary Ann
Sorry u are having a rough time:
So glad you called Dr back - I would have been scared, too. I Probably ask too many questions and bug them, but I know I have a right to know, just as u do. I agree with everything Scott said and it is getting worse (Sure there are a few good ones around). We have to be advocates for our own health. I am probably a Doctor's worst nightmare with all my questions! Very interesting article! So am sure it isn't as bad as u were thinking. God bless u and PLEASE let us know what the Dr says. Prayers for you and good Karma!

Hi Mary Ann I agree that you should call and ask the doctor to call back and explain his findings. Explain your anxiety level and that you don't want to wait until Monday. I would be going crazy too! On the flip side if the doctor found something bad I think they would want to see you ASAP. I know everything is going to be fine for you. Take care and keep us posted. Your in our thoughts. The Chandless family

ahhhh the insensitivity of the medical community ~said the nurse~ and I am serious *sigh* when I had my first stress test I got a call on Weds afternoon ( the day before Thanksgiving ) a VOICEMAIL telling me that I was going to need further testing and possibly a cardiac cath.....what ?????? freak out ? holiday week end ? A cariologist group always has someone on call....I called and asked for the dr on call who said he didnt know who I told you need to find out or I WILL be in the ER having an MI from anxiety and so he did find out....it was all benign possibiities I had additional testing after the holiday and I am living happily ever after. It is likely going to be the same for you MaryAnn but just assert yourself and impress on them the anxiety they are creating by not giving you information......

Mary Ann,

Thanks for the link. I learned something new, thank you.

I think you got your answer from your doctor's office, which is in a way good news. More than likely your doctor knows that your afib is related to your hiatal hernia and your echo shows it. So, I would say just kick back and relax for the weekend :-) Also, if you have some time during your busy weekend, look for a doctor to address your hiatal hernia. It looks like that will be your next stop, sorry :-( Always something!

Well, I bet you are very happy that you do NOT have to go through your dreaded (LOL) nuclear stress test. Not bad at all :-) Life is even better without nuclear stress test, LOL

I am happy that you can have a good weekend now.

SameDayNurse -
I have been always so lucky that every time I was in hospital, there was at least a nurse like you around who became my advocate and saved me from the doctor's wrath, LOL. Seriously, it makes a big difference to have an understanding nurse with common sense who does not blindly follow doctors. A couple of nurses like you helped me out tremendously when I had my ablation last December and ended up with internal bleeding for 2.5 hours.

So, keep it up. Your wisdom, insight, and common sense are very much appreciated by patients like me.

By the way, the hospital PCP was also the God of common sense, which is very rare for doctors. She saved me from a lot of unnecessary tests like CT scans and cardiac cath ordered by the hospital cardiologist. Yes, I believe there are a few good doctors out there too :-)

Have a great weekend everybody,
Scott

SameDayNurse, Thanks for making me feel better. If you lived closer, I would be taking you to the doctor's with me. lol The doctors cause me more anxiety than anything. I bet their family members don't go through this.

And ScottZZ, Glad you enjoyed the article. Interesting wasn't it. Too bad the doctors don't take that into consideration. I'm really going to try and take your advice and enjoy the weekend. I was actually getting to the point where I wasn't so afraid of the stress test. Then this happened. You're right....it's always something.

Thanks to all again. Hopefully no more panic attacks any time soon.

Mary Ann

WOW! I think everyone here has given you some great advice, so glad you called your doctor back. Just goes to show once again how insensitive they can be. Glad you were able to get some answers and can now relax until you can go in and see the doc. Scott says find someone to look at your hernia, very good idea!

Good for you....you handled it well. Glad you will get your hernia taken care of too. One step at at time, you're doing Great!

Mary Ann,

I agree with everyone's advice. Is there a way to put a call in and ask the DOCTOR himself/ herself to call you back?? Then you would really get the scoop.

If the hiatal hernia is related to the a fib, if they cure the hernia, maybe your a fib would go away too!!

I can totally relate to your feelings. I would be the same way too!

I'm late to the party here... but...

I remember last Memorial Day 2013. I was in the car, all packed to go to the beach for a long weekend, backing out of the drive way when the hospital called and said, "Robert your room is ready. Ready," I screamed, "For what?"

Evidently an echo showed that my ejection fraction was down to 35% and I needed immediate hospitalization.

Needless to say, I was shocked, mad, and disappointed that I ruined everyone's holiday weekend.

Robert
PS: Turns out my EF was 45%, NOT 35% (due to measurement error), and I spent the next 72 hours on the cardio-ward.