Is it common for Dr.s to Differ in Opinions on Tests?

[fluffypurrcat]

I have posted a couple of questions on this forum and one on the DR. Heart forum which I got an answer to. I will give a quick overview. I am a 54 ( 55 on May 28, ) year old female. I have high Cholesteral, Total Cholesteral 284, Triglicerides 210, HDL 50, LDL 184,Non-HDL 222, I allso have gained about 25 pds since hurting my back in 199, ( DDD, herniated disks L-4 L-5,,Chronic pain that I take Methadone for. Allso ex-smoker but I quit in 1979 after 4 packs a day. Because of back pain and a bad foot,( 2 operations in less than a year, it is hard to exercise the way I should.
Also my dad died of a heart attack at age 60 .

I take Lipitor for cholesteral, Atenol for blood pressure, and my dr. recently added Zetia and I allso have Nitroquick. Last month, April, I suffered a severe sudden episode of chest pain, squeezing hard to breathe, mid chest, nausea, jaw pain, cold sweats and feeling faint, and feelings of doom. I failed to go to E.R, denial and went home, took aspirin and layed down. Saw dr. for surgical clearnace of another foot operation, and when she heard about my episode of chest pain, she said classic heart attack symptoms. Ordered a STRESS SESTAMIBI MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION SCAN AND CARDIAC WALL MOTION ANALYSIS. Saw the dr. on the 6th, and she told me the results showed I did have a MI, that I had a Reverse Perfusion Defect and also what can be called Stunned Myocardium on the stress part of the test. It allso said Clinical Correlation advised. So she referred me to a Cardiologist.
                I got the call for the Cardio appt this morning, and they told me they didn't really want to see me, but would do a consultation. Basically they thought by looking at the report, that my test was " Normal" and I was ok, but would see me for a consultation. I was very upset, and the consultation would not be untill June!

        I called my referring dr. back and asked to see my dr. To make a long story shorter, they told me the dr. wants
me to be seen and she is going by what the dr. who did the test wrote, and that it is abnormal. She called another dr. and they already called and have me scheduled to see them next week, the 22'nd which is a releif. My question is this;  How many of you out there have had conflicting reports, where one dr. (Cardiologist, ) does not want to see you or do further testing, because either they don't think it is Serious enough, or think a test you have had is Normal even when the radiologist or person reviewing the test says abnormal?? Have you ever had a problem with a dr. because they only want to see the " High Priority Cases" or perhaps because they prefer not to see medicare people? I just can not believe after going through all this that the Cardiologist was not even going to see me, but was " talked into it."
  If it was not for the concern of my referring dr. and the other Cardiologist in town, I would be left on my own. I know I must not be the only one who has gone through this. I would appreciate any feedback. Oh , and by the way, the Dr. Forum that I posted my results on here last week, said by the test I had, he thought I should have further tests, probably a left catherrization and possible stent. Hopefully my heart was only Stunned, and still alive.
I dont think he would say that if he thought I didnt need further testing, do you?

              Thanks.                                                                  fluffypurrcat

[momtofourboys]

OMG okay I  don't know hwy they do what you are saying. I have been through this with Christopher for the past 3 1/2 years.
His cardiologist has TOLD 2 other cardiologist about what HE feels he needs to tell him no paper work is going back and forth between them Chris' cardiologist felt all of his problems are his asthma and has stated my biggest concerns are his breathing.
I have only ben saying for the past 3 1/2 years that I am going to loose my son.
I went to 2 asthma doctors(NOT ASTHMA CAUSING THIS) these doctors listened and read his reports that I brought to the appts.
anENT says it is NOT asthma.  
I came on to this wonderful website and told these great doctors what is going on with my son and what the reports have said about his echo. they have backed up what I have been saying.
I went again explaining Chris' symptoms and my concerns and his cardiac doctor says it is asthma(I can't afford to travel not with 4 boys)
I had printed off hwat these great people have said and the doctor started to listen and then Chris had an episode
BINGO we are headed for a pacemaker most likely.
In my opinion I just don't think the doctors are listning to carefully. I also feel it could be the way they went through their training.
my thing is ALWAYS ALWYAS GET COPIES OF YOUR TEST AND MEDICAL RECORDS FOR YOURSELF  when you go to any new doctor, you wnat to make sure they have records too, even if it is for a 2nd opinion. look at what Chris' doctor did onl told them what he felt was going on. I brought records and that helped.
do not be afraid of hurting your doctor's feelongs because you go for a 2nd opinion or want a copy of your records, if they are any type of doctor that really cares and most doctors are that way, then they would actually be okay with you **** that. most doctors won't even know you requested a copy of the records.
good luck and if you feel in your gut that something isn't right, then you stick to that gut feeling and keep pressing on
michelle

[Tinu1959]

I have come across two categories of Cardiologists who have treated me post MI. One category who want to do procedures like cath, stenting, devices and invasive studies. I have gone through all of them. There are other doctors who will not do any procedure until it is really necessary and will try to treat you with only medicines.

The problem is that most of the time, if doctor is of second type the patients think that he is not taking much interest. That is the reason I went through so many invasive procedures, most of which were not required. I even have an ICD, which some of the doctors feel, was not necessary..

The doctors of first category will try to put a stent on the first opportunity. They will never mention that sents have their own problems. Drs of second category will try to put you on medications, low fat/low salt diet and exercise which will, over a period of time, allow heart to develop alternate blood sources(collaterals) and the blockage becomes less critical.

You have to be lucky to have second category of Cardiologist and have faith on what he says.

Good Luck