Is This It?!

Yesterday afternoon I called Dr. RF's office for test results. Both heart (rhythm) monitor and echocardiogram turned out normal.

I've still been having noticeable palpitations several times a day. So I asked the clerk who read me the results to schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. RF.

Later I told John everything but he wasn't pleased.

"No words from the doctor?"

"Are you supposed to conclude yourself that you just had a panic attack since the echocardiogram shows no signs of MVP?" he said.

I wasn't thinking much of it. In my mind at that moment was that I needed to know what to watch for in the future because the doctor mentioned hearing a click in my heart. What should I do if the palpitations never go away? Thus I made an appointment anyway.

After John's remarks I did think it's a bit sloppy on the clinic / doctor part. When I saw him last, he didn't tell me what's next after the tests. If a person goes to test for HIV, doesn't he/she get info or a lecture on safe sex? Since when the additional step has become a luxury? Is our medical resource so bankrupt that the doctor doesn't have a minute to drop little comments in my charts?

You think I should be relieved learning that I don't have MVP?

Not exactly.

My sister, a stay-home mom, who lives across the Pacific, has similar symptoms (and chest pain) sometimes but never diagnosed with anything wrong with her. (MVP runs in the family.)

Perhaps we all get very stressed, at different phases of life, across the ocean, and FREEK OUT.

I admit that I have been under stress from work, guests, and planning our future. But to cause anxiety attack is puzzling. John and I enjoy the outdoors very much. We always do something like beach or hiking trips on the weekends and we've been swimming twice a week since January and for relaxation. It's hard to believe all these activities don't help alleviate any stress from me.

I have also read on Web MD that although echocardiogram is the best way to determine MVP, it's very hard to detect unless reviewed carefully by very experienced cardiologist. I'm not doubting my cardiologist. It's just everyone is different. I remember one time I had slight fever but my body temperature showed normal. The nurse was ready to dismiss me but the physician was thoughtful and experienced enough to "know" my regular body temperature was lower than average (normal) thus diagnosed that I had slight fever.

Sigh, I don't want either MVP or panic attack as the diagnosis for my recent episodes. My health is in my hands. If the doctor doesn't bother to address to me, I just have to pay to see him again.