Maxine Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Hi,I can't seem to get my PCP to take me seriously. I am going to be having a 64 slice cat scan in place of a colonoscopy due to high sensitivity to drugs. The surgeon who I saw for the colonoscopy wanted to go this route first------she saw my BP that day, and it was running really low---80s/something---and then they took it again and it went up to 90/60----this was sitting-----so you can only imagine what it was standing.If something shows up on the c-scan---then I'll have to do the colonoscopy----but she will admit me to the hospital, and have an anesthesiologist present for the procedure.I don't have the real low BPs all day long everyday---it fluctuates----but it's been running pretty low---more then it did in the past.Anyway---I also have upper cervical spine/chiari issues along with instability at the cervical/cranial junction---most likely due to EDS. As a result of that I have constant pain which varies from mild to severe throughout the day---and spasms that spread into my chest.The surgeon and I thought we would also do a cardiac C-scan the same time I have the virtual colonscopy----WHY NOT. The reason is because I have long standing low HDL (27)---and moderate LDL/Borderline (127)---and triclycerides---of 205--Total 195. I told her I would feel more at ease if I could have this done. She agreed it was a good idea, but my PCP would have to order it. WEll that was a mistake. When I called my PCP---she said go to the ER if your having chest pain. I told her I have pain everyday that spreads from my neck/clavical/upperback into my chest---and it's hard to tell sometimes if the pain could be cardiac related. My feeling is no----but I would like to play things on the safe side.This type of C-scan is recommended by cardiologists for people with chronic low HDL. I have always followed a very low fat diet---and it could be secondary to that---no good fats, but any surgars I ate---even if low fat----would elevate triclycerides. Hashmotos thyroid doesn't help with the cholesterol either-- Of course my health problems prevent any type of aerobic exercise, and the pain makes it difficult to do weight bearing exercise----ect. I do legs lifts, and other mild types of exercise. The fatigue is relentless---and I'm just happy to keep up my house on good days.I'll probably need to call the cardiologist I saw a couple years ago. He did do a stress echo about 2 1/2 years ago---and he said it came out fine. I also have an implanted cardiac loop recorder-----and I get ECGs downloaded every couple of months or so---but it's not a 12 lead---6 lead-----it's to check for arrhythmias.What is it with docs today---I can't even get her to set up an appointment to see me.Any insights?Maxine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stellakitty Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Yeah Maxine...Get a new PCP ASAP!!!Angie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lthomas521 Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 You might be able to raise your HDLs through dietary measures: eat more nuts (unless you are allergic to them).http://heartdisease.about.com/cs/cholesterol/a/raiseHDL.htmYou might also consider taking inositol hexaniacinate:http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent....;chunkiid=21769However, you have to do this under a doctor's supervision, because the doctor has to monitor your liver enzymes to make sure that it isn't causing liver inflammation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maxine Posted August 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Thank you lThomas,I have increased the healthy oils in my diet---olive---ect......but I stil don't think it's enough----it's hard to eat much.I eat nuts, but not often as I have a diverticuli in my small intestine that is bothersome---but not serious---If I eat corn, however------------- I eat such a low fat diet, that I missed out on the good fats, and combine with the thyroid issues---well, I've always struggled to get my HDL over 35. I remember once it was 37---that was when I could drink alcohol. With my POTS symptoms so out of control lately----I can't drink a drop of alcohol.My main concern is why my doc doesn't seem to take this seriously. From what I read---she should be.I'm pretty mad for a number of reasons about my medical care-----just not taken seriously---period......Can't figure it out.The niacin sounds like a good choice, but my concern is the flushing---I'm wondering what that will do to my heart rates.Maxine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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