My GP refused to give me referral to cardiologist

[terrybraden]

Hi Everyone,

As the title says, my GP refused to give me a referral to a cardiologist for a second opinion because I was told its anxiety. I had an echocardiogram done and the cardiologist report states there is mild regurgitation in 3 valves. The report says that's normal for my age, and the GP agreed with the report. From reading your posts, a b12 deficiency can also create heart problems.(Cardiomyopathy). I also have a family history of heart related problems which I tried to state on at least 3 occasions. (One of my siblings died of MH, and the other has a murmur, one of parents had a heart attack). This dr. is relatively new to practice, so I feel needs a little leeway and enlightenment.

I have also read that hydroxy b12 and methyl b12 can be used simultaneously. I appreciate that advice as I've had to do that. Plus the advice that while I may have a high blood level of b12, not all of it is getting into my body. (I still have dizziness, tremors, muscle weakness) So, I have started again to supplement with the patches.

Someone else's post I read stated that they have found relief with compression stockings (sleeves). I agree, I have to wear them and they do help.

I was on Ranitidine for years, and I have recently stopped taking it. I understand from being on that medication it can create a deficiency. I wish I had known, but I am glad I know now.

Just thanks to everyone here for your knowledge. I want to print this off.

[clivealive Forum Support]

Hi terrybraden I would take comfort from the fact that the ECG found "nothing out of the ordinary" and I guess a "second opinion" would run the same test and get the same results.

Are you still supplementing with folic acid?

[terrybraden in reply to clivealive]

Hi clivealive,

No, I haven't been supplementing with folic acid. I asked this same GP for a folate level, and was refused that too. I would like to know where I stand with that one. I do eat folate rich foods, but with my symptoms maybe I'm not getting good absorption.

I do appreciate the support I get here and the reassurance, plus the knowledge. You may not be medically trained, neither am I, but it's good to know your own body.

[clivealive Forum Support in reply to terrybraden]

Well that's the thing - how are you going to know whether you are Folate deficient or have absorption problems if your doctor won't test you?

I'm sorry that you are at such an impasse.

[topazrat]

You've had a normal-ish echo, but have you had an ECG, and if so, what sort? I went to my G.P. with palpitations and runs of tachycardia. Their surgery ECG showed no problem. I pushed for a cardio appointment. Echo was normal, but they did a week long ECG, which showed abnormalities - turns out I have an extra nerve pathway in my heart which causes it to trip out regularly.

If you feel that there is something wrong, then demand a referral, as it is your right to do so. You know your body better than your G.P. If everything turns out to be OK, then that's great and your mind will be put at rest. If not, then you will get the treatment that you need.

[terrybraden in reply to topazrat]

Hi topazrat,

I had an ECG which is where they hook you up to electrodes and take a 12-15 second tracing of your heart on paper in the lab.. Is this what you mean? As far as I know, it was normal. My echocardiogram was done at the hospital and the tech smeared me with gel and used ultrasound. This report went to the local cardiologist who then forwarded a copy to my GP.

I have not heard of a week long ECG. The closest I've had is a holter monitor worn for a 24 hour period. I have heard of an event monitor which I guess is a holter monitor worn for a month.

Thanks for your support. I feel that if I had a second opinion directly with a cardiologist and was able to give him/her my history, along with the echo and if it was normal, it would put my mind at rest.

[topazrat in reply to terrybraden]

The ECG that I had was a monitor that I had to wear for a whole week. It was then sent back to the lab, who analysed the data and found the problem. Because it is an intermittent fault, the short 1 minute test showed nothing, neither did the event monitor. (Where you press a button if you feel your heart doing flip flops) I had no idea that I had a problem until I had a query stroke and they put me on the monitor, which is standard if you have a 'young' stroke. Turned out it wasn't a stroke, but luckily it picked up the heart problem that I didn't know about - if you can call that lucky!

[terrybraden in reply to topazrat]

Hi topazrat

Thanks so much for stating it so succinctly. Because the ECG was a 15 second tracing and the echo was 1/2 hr., they are like snapshots in time, and don't give the whole picture. I didn't think to say that.

I guess the next step is to request a week long ECG like you.

[fbirder]

So you've already seen a cardiologist? What makes you doubt their opinion?

[terrybraden in reply to fbirder]

Hi fbirder

No, I haven't seen a cardiologist. Not face to face anyway.

My GP sent me to the hospital for an echocardiogram, (view of the heart with ultrasound), and the results were sent to the local cardiologist for a review.( I might add that there is only one cardiologist in this city).

Those results were forwarded to my GP whom I saw when the report was in the office. The cardiologist said, "normal", so the GP, as far as is concerned too, "its normal".