shanying418 Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Hi everyone, I need some advice. I am seeing a new cardiologist this coming Monday for POTS. What should I bring? Which kinds of questions should I ask or prepare to ask? I was diagnosed with POTS about two months ago and for some reason decided to change a cardiologist to get a second opinion. My medical record is basically separated--parts in hospital and others on campus. Should I go get my medical record from the hospital? I believe my campus PCP has already faxed my school medical record to the new cardiologist. Any suggestions will be helpful. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmorgen Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Hi Shan,I would definitely get a copy of your medical records to take to your new cardiologist. I would also make a copy to keep for your own records. Does your new cardiologist have experience with POTs? My advice is to see someone who is experienced with POTs, even if you are just looking for a second opinion. If they aren't familiar with it you won't be getting an informed opinion.I know it can be overwhelming and a little disheartening to get that diagnosis, but the sooner you start trying to treat it the better you will start to feel. I have a lot more good days then I had before, and my bad days aren't as bad as they used to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brye Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 You should bring your relevant test results and records. Write down a list of questions. Also I would make a list of symptoms you would like help resolving. I always forget to ask these things. I would want to know how many POTS patients he/she has treated. Also you may want to ask if there are other symptoms that don't seem like symptoms a cardiologist would treat if he/she could recommend another specialist in the appropriate. POTS isn't all about HR and BP problems, there are all kinds of other symptoms it can cause. Neurologists often help treat POTS patients as well. Good luck with your appointment and hope you find a good doctor and your treatments are successful!!Brye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanying418 Posted July 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks for the reply! I don't know how many POTS patients she treated. . . When my PCP called them, they won't give her a specific doc's name so I basically just got a phone call this morning from the facility, saying that they put me in with a ___ doctor. While I checked their website and they don't have intro about that doc either. My PCP said when she asked a neurologist, the neuro doc. told her it'll be bette to send me to a cardio. LOL@ Brye: When you said I should talk about other symptoms what does that mean? So I should also tell my new cardio doc. about the rashes/ abdominal problems? And relevant test records... I can't remember how many blood tests/monitor tests my PCP and cardio did... Maybe I should get my tilt table test result?Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmorgen Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Definitely take you TTT and all tests they used for your diagnosis. I am going to give you my experience, maybe someone else will have different experiences. Dr's not used to dealing with POTs, especially the cardios wont listen to your other symptoms. They will tell you to go and see someone else, that isn't their specialty. I've had a cardio look at me like I was crazy when I started telling him all of my symptoms. Hopefully your cardio will have some experience. If not be prepared for strange looks if you start mentioning various symptoms. At this point, I just stop talking and know that it's time to look for someone else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanying418 Posted July 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Definitely take you TTT and all tests they used for your diagnosis. I am going to give you my experience, maybe someone else will have different experiences. Dr's not used to dealing with POTs, especially the cardios wont listen to your other symptoms. They will tell you to go and see someone else, that isn't their specialty. I've had a cardio look at me like I was crazy when I started telling him all of my symptoms. Hopefully your cardio will have some experience. If not be prepared for strange looks if you start mentioning various symptoms. At this point, I just stop talking and know that it's time to look for someone else.I agree with you. My old cardio doesn't give me strange looks but I always feel uncertain after the appointment or phone conversation. I'm honestly not certain about my decision of seeing a new doc either. . . At least my old cardio doc. acknowledge POTS and is going through the medication list to try things out. Yet, I do notice that I stopped telling my old doc. what's happening . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brye Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Very valid points about sharing non cardiac related symptoms! When I asked my cardiologist who says he's treated many POTS patients how to control my hand tremors he just told me his other POTS patients didn't have problems with tremors. I have an internal med doctor I see for my other POTS related symptoms who is very willing to help. Symptoms I have that are somewhat Non cardiac are not something my cardiologist will deal with are my memory problems, tremors, nausea, bladder frequency. I go to my local doctor as well for all my fall injuries and he is very helpful. Most of those I would leave up to my primary doctor I guess. If you determine he does have some POTS experience you may want to ask him if he would recommend a neuro consult eventually. That's next on my list for my EP doctor. If you're a fainter they may want to rule out seizures or other neuro causes as well. I've had seizures ruled out by a neuro doctor but I would LOVE some help with my hand tremor control and memory problems. I've kind of been waiting until my EP completes all the tests and reviews all the results.Good luck!Brye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanying418 Posted July 22, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 My neuro doc. already ruled out seizures or tumor in the brain for fainting. It seems like it's b.c. they run out of ideas so they did a TTT to see if they can confirm my vesovagal syncope episode, but then they said I have POTS. Should I mention all the other symptoms? Every time I get symptomatic, I begins to have rashes and nausea. My PCP referred me to an allergist but I haven't decide to go. . . I'll see what my new cardio says on Monday. I'll make a note for my questions and symptoms, maybe also bring my BP record with me. . . Tks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firewatcher Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Shan,Second opinions never hurt. If you are uncomfortable with a doctor, it is time to find a new doctor. But........a cardiologist is a specialist, so they concentrate intensely on the heart aspects of health. You may mention the other symptoms, but most would just refer you to another specialist for them. They neither know, nor could treat other conditions/symptoms. It is a rare specialist that even asks about symptoms outside their "field". My Internal Medicine doc is the one I mention all the wonky stuff to; he NEEDS to know everything that is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shanying418 Posted July 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 23, 2010 Second opinions never hurt. If you are uncomfortable with a doctor, it is time to find a new doctor. But........a cardiologist is a specialist, so they concentrate intensely on the heart aspects of health. You may mention the other symptoms, but most would just refer you to another specialist for them. They neither know, nor could treat other conditions/symptoms. It is a rare specialist that even asks about symptoms outside their "field". My Internal Medicine doc is the one I mention all the wonky stuff to; he NEEDS to know everything that is going on.Thanks! I understands that cardiologist mostly only treats heart problems. And I do let my internal medicine doc know all the weird stuffs. However, it seems like she'll want to send me to different specialists, which is really reasonable. Thanks for making me feel better about changing doctor. I keep wondering about my decision Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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