dr ignoring 36 year olds chest pains

5 years ago by chance they found out my husbands pulmonary artery was enlarged.  They done test after test and could not find a cause.  So they referred him to Duke.  We went there and had a heart cath put in and it came back normal.  The cardiologist thought that maybe My husband had cushions syndrome and referred him to a endocrinologist.  That test came back negative and he was released from that doctor as well.  Still no answers.

A couple years later he went to work and started feeling "funny"  His coworkers found him laying on the pavement in the parking lot.   He had tried to stand up and collapsed and was shaking.  I called 911 and they came and took him to the hospital.  They found nothing!  

They sent him home with a monitor for a month and twice a nurse called concerned about what the monitor was saying, but the doctor told us the results were fine.

By this point we are getting irritated!  Another 6 months goes by and he goes to the ER for his arm and once again they admit him for his heart.  3 days still no answers.
6 months ago he started having chest pains.  The doctor stated all the moniters and equipment are telling them he is in heart failure and they want to observe him overnight.... we stay and the next day they let him discharge him once again.  We asked the doctor what is going on and all he states is nothing to worry about right now.... when do we worry about it?  How do I get answers with out bankrupting us? What do I need to be looking for?  should my husband even be working?  What do I need to say to his Doctors?  
some of the alarms he sets off are pvc acv apnea and defib what do these mean?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

It is not clear to me what he problem is.  My opinion is that if you aren't getting the answers you want and ask for, it might be time for a second opinion.  Some doctors are not good communicators.

I would want to know if he has heart failure?
What is his heart function?
Why did he pass out?

The problem is that I do not have enough information to even know where to begin with questions.

I hope this helps.  Good luck.

[cardisa]

thats the problem they have never told me why he has done any of this and its like they think someone else is talking care of it!  He has seen 4 cadiologist and no one gives him an answer, the closeset we got was duke when the referred us to an endocrinologist and then discharged him.  The endochronologist said that wasn't the problem and discharged him so once again we left with no answers!  
the tests run so far...
TEE normal
EKG's normal
tilt table normal
stress test normal (both drug induced and tredmill)
Heart Cath Pulminary artery and right side of heart enlaged normal pressures
they have even done spinal taps normal
Any time he goes to the hospital they moniter his heart for about 30 mins and decide to admit him he has up to 7 to 8 pvc back to back
sets off alarms like crazy his heart rate is very low also
One dr mentioned a pace maker then decided he was to young.  I just worry he is being looked over he hurts constantly in his chest and his PCP is more concerned about his diabetes and will not even check his heart!  
He is a 36 year old man with 6 kids
type 1 diabetes (under controll last A1c was 5.8)
large build mostly muscle
non smoker non drinker
high BP and Chelesterol
I am just sceared that if we don't find answers soon he will be gone he is getting worse by the day.  He works 12 hour shifts and hurts anytime he has even the slightest amount of stress.
Please try to lead me in the right direction...Do I need to find a different dr?

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

If you are not comfortable with your answers, obtain a second opinion.

[Cowgirl37]

Hi, this is just my 2 cents.  I have pvc's, bigeminy, trigeminy (lately I have several in a row) kind of like a popcorn popper and it makes me feel like I'm going to faint.  Chest pain, fatigue, pressure, and scared too.  I have had it with "regular" cardiologists because they are taught that pvc's as a whole are nothing and can't be felt.  UNLESS YOU ARE SYMPTOMATIC, which he is.  

You need to get him to an Arrythmia Specialist that does Electrophysiology studies.  They "get it".  I'm going thru similar circumstances and that is my next appointment.  Best of luck to you.    

[mother5590]

You have the right to all of his records. Go to all of the Cardiologists hospital etc and sign releases and get the records. Then take them to a Electrophysiologist maybe again at Duke if you are in NC. Then ask them to do a consult to look at the records and come up with a diagnosis and treatment. Many times when we talk to doctors they do not get the full story and they surely as Dr. McWilliams has said are not good communicators. You do need a further opinion. Sometimes it takes just getting everything in one place so that you can have it evaluated.  Some of the info you have expressed seem contradictaory when you express it so having hard copies on paper the medical data will get someones attention. GOOD LUCK