After my heart stress test results came back "normal," I asked to have the cardiologist call me so I could find out what this meant in terms of my moving forward. It took seven days and a visit to my PCP who emailed her for me to receive that call. Even he had not yet seen the results - they had to go to the cardiologist first.
It began by the doctor saying, "I understand you asked me to call you." My sarcastic thoughts: Well, yes, doctor, I just went through huge efforts to take a test you wanted and I would like to know what the results mean. What I said: "Yes, I was told the results of the test are 'normal.' What does that mean translated into next steps for me?" I couldn't help but think she wouldn't have called me at all if I hadn't asked for the call and if my PCP hadn't emailed her.
There isn't a need for me to go into medical details here because the upshot is this. My symptoms are under control. The method she has to correct the initial problem does not work all the time and when it does, it is not uncommon for people to have to do it over and over to stay out of AFib. I am not sure I am willing to walk down this road. And there is still one more test coming up that she was not aware of - a sleep study to be sure I don't have sleep apnea which can cause AFib. I see that doctor on the 28th.
What I realize is this. If I want to heal the initial issue, it looks like I have to do my own research more deeply than I have and pursue what I think will work for me. I cannot trust that having tests to give doctors more data serves me. I will continue to keep the symptoms under control, see the sleep specialist, but otherwise I think I am pretty much on my own. My sister recently had the same experience. She took a test, didn't hear back and when she called for the results, the doctor acted like it was a huge inconvenience to discuss them with my sister!
So for all my readers who are going through medical issues right now, it looks like we must always retain control. I knew this. Now I know it even more.
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