stress echocardiograph

[bigkev414]

Just posted about Sotolol and forgot this one.......I haven't posted for ages but some of you old hands (hope you're all still here) The cardiologist who saw me in hospital last week said he wants to do a stress echo. Here we go again on the merry go round.....I've had two over the years and both times no abnormality was detected. I'm scared - I've got that many ailments that I can barely walk and I KNOW an exercise will trigger arrhythmia, either my old friends, SVT of this new one AF.
They just automatically tell you to do this, this and this.....and come back in a month. I don't want to do the stress test. Anybody else had a problem like this? I'm 71 nd asking questions like a 5 yer old I know, but, hey....who can I turn to?
thanks guys

[DeltaDawn23]

Maybe you could ask what he hopes to find and if there is another way to find it?  You certainly have the right to refuse.  

[jeff1971]

sad to say Bigkev but if you are in Australia - tests are where the money is. You can bill medicare lots for testing - not so much for taking the time to talk to patients. My husband is a specialist (not cardiology) and doesn't have a lot of time for cardiologists who just order the same tests over and over again.

[itdood]

I don't know if this will help, but I've gotten to a point with tests that I ask myself and others, as a means to what end?     We go through the tests, what will we learn and what would be the possible actions?   If we aren't going to learn anything new, and / or if the possible actions of that test are not doable then why bother?   (Rhetorical question).  

[bigkev414]

Thanks for your reply Ger...yes, after 27 hours awake and 9 of them with pounding heart and breahing problems, alone in a little hard hospital bed on my own he just 'swept in' and said "they will give you the new medication list' and make an appointment for you to see me in my rooms in a month and we will do a stress echo. I'll see you then. And went out to the next one.
Seemed Ok but we are just 'sausages' to the specialists.
I was so exhausted and shakey and had tken 10mg valium in the night that it really didn't sink in.
Had to get a cab home and all I wanted to do was go home to bed.
I am not going to have it and will contact him and follow your suggestion.

[Ger57]

Why did not you tell him right away that you do not want to do it? Did he take you by surprise?
I would contact him and ask if there is a good reason for the test or that it is just routine. I do not have such "good friends" but I would stay away from them if I could, unless your cardiologist has good reason for you to meet them :-)
I agree with you that doctors often let do all sorts of tests and hardly seem to realize what stress this puts on their patients.