stress test tomorrow

[schweizer]

Just to make clear, I'm not advocating a CT scan for screening purposes. The CT coronary angiogram that I was referring to above is quite complicated, needs top-of-the-line equipment with specially trained technologists, lots of post-processing on the computer, and you won't find it for $300. It's been discussed for certain high risk patients.

A nuclear medicine stress test is a great tool, decent price, low risk, and it shows physiologically what is happening in the heart with reasonable accuracy. As some of you are noting, none of these tests are perfect.

What worries many in my field are those low cost scans that rsewill mentions. So far, the ones I've seen are "comprehensive" ultrasound screenings for a great "deal" of $xxx. What you refer to I suspect is just a limited non-contrast scan done in a trailer by a company that travels from town to town, like the ultrasound deal. What often happens is they send you or your primary care provider a report that says something like, "Non-specific small subcentimeter pulmonary nodule." (Most often an old benign granuloma, rarely a developing cancer.) What do you do with that? Now you bought yourself expensive follow up scans. Those cheap advertised scans cause more problems than find bad things, statistically speaking. Of course, there will be the anecdotal testimonials. Save your money. A checkup at the doctor's office is cheaper.

Marcus

 

[dmccarty]

....
deere755: Glad you're doing OK. The way some doctors say things to patients isn't always the best. Most of the time they just don't want to make it too complicated but aren't good at explaining in layman's terms.
...

That was a very interesting read. Thank you.

Over the years we have had some very incompetent doctors. Then there are the ones with a bedside manner that is horrible. I don't tolerate either situation anymore.

We find a good Doc and stick with them even if it means spending an hour in the car, one way, to get to them.

The latest Doc we have had to go to is amazing. The doc is at Duke and has operated on the wifey's shoulder twice. After the surgeries she sat down with me for a good 30 minutes an explained what she found and what she did. I was blown away that she spent that much time with me. She was patient as well. I was pinching myself to make sure it was not a dream.

I was very impressed with her drawing skills. She had a bunch of photos from the surgery and then drew out a very detailed sketch of the overall situation she found. She even found time to chit chat which is very rare. I even gave her a 22 oz bottle of my home brew!

All of these Duke Docs had a decent ego, frankly if you are cutting someone open, I don't see how you can't have a certain level of confidence. :laughing: I thought one of the Docs who operated on one of our kids twice only worked on kids but we saw him one morning during my wifey's surgery in a different hospital building. Turns out he is the head of honchos in surgery at Duke. Reading what he does and has done was very impressive. He has a variety of interests and responsibilities. Nice guy too.

Find a good doctor and don't let them go!

Later,
Dan

 

[Western]

Marcus, what the other guys said, GREAT info!!

I had several scans a few years ago, one I remember they gave me an injection/IV that made me feel uncomfortably "warm", I guess that may have been the "nuclear" test you mentioned.

 

[schweizer]

@dmccarty: Ah, yes, I did an extra year of training at UNC Chapel Hill after residency. Had some good times and remember that area well. Big sports rivalries in that area, which I wasn't in to. Duke (and UNC for that matter) has its share of people w/ egos.

Just remember all, many or even most of the best docs in the world are not in universities. Some of the smartest, most compassionate docs and staff work in rural areas because that's where they want their families to be. These are the guys that see the routine stuff over and over and over, and have the most experience. The university guys see run of the mill stuff only some of the time because they get sent the most complex, unusual, or rare cases to deal with. But yes, if you find someone who's a good fit, stick with him/her!

@Western: IV contrast from CT scans gives people a flushed feeling, and the stuff that stresses your heart in the nuc's scans can make your heart feel like it's racing. Either way I guess you could have a "warm" feeling.

Marcus

 

[sfloggie]

Marcus,
No one is thanked enough, so I too thank you. As said, we treasure those who treat us and "treat" us well.
I had eight stents by three doctors over four year period. The first was DR Ron Waxman who was at the Washington Hospital Center and then to Columbia or NYU.
I really missed him for the second and especially the third time.

So thank you for the information and time.

Jim

 

[DABSGT]

Best of luck, had mine 2 months ago. Hope all goes well

 

[deere755]

How many acres of corn and beans? Are you using liquid nitrogen on the corn?

I have about 75 corn and 30 beans. I used a liquid bar and applied 28%, around 120lb of actual nitrogen. I usually apply around 27 lb dry N in the fall another 30lb in the spring preplant and 120lb after the corn comes up. I figure I get about 30 lb from the soybeans planted the year before so that gives me a total of 207 lb.

 

[txdon]

While I don't know anything about you and I don't want to step on anyone's toes, there are ways of *reversing* heart disease, like the CHIP program. It's based on diet, exercise, faith/meditation, weight loss, and stopping smoking. When possible, changing lifestyle is much better than surgical or pharmaceutical management of disease. There's an interesting thread on heart healthy living somewhere on this forum. All the best to you!

Marcus

I wish my Cardiologist would have stepped on my toes, hit me in the face and water boarded me till I complied to the Reversing heart disease programs when I had my stress test (which I pass with flying colors) 2 years before my heart attack. I'm with the program now. :thumbsup:

I just wish he would have mentioned it because of my calcium score.........

Oh well, Looks like I'm getting a second chance.
Deere755 take care and there are proven ways out there that reverse heart disease, they are not easy but neither are the alternatives.

 

[blueriver]

I have about 75 corn and 30 beans. I used a liquid bar and applied 28%, around 120lb of actual nitrogen. I usually apply around 27 lb dry N in the fall another 30lb in the spring preplant and 120lb after the corn comes up. I figure I get about 30 lb from the soybeans planted the year before so that gives me a total of 207 lb.

Thats nice ... wish we had row crops in my area. So the nitrogen as applied with "knifes" between the rows?

 

[arrow]

I wish my Cardiologist would have stepped on my toes, hit me in the face and water boarded me till I complied to the Reversing heart disease programs when I had my stress test (which I pass with flying colors) 2 years before my heart attack. I'm with the program now. :thumbsup:

I just wish he would have mentioned it because of my calcium score.........

Oh well, Looks like I'm getting a second chance.
Deere755 take care and there are proven ways out there that reverse heart disease, they are not easy but neither are the alternatives.

Don, can you elaborate on the association of your calcium score to a heart problem? Thanks