A Little Poking and Prodding
About a week or so ago, I called my Doc’s office to get my heart results. As most of you already know, I went in for a little poking and prodding because I fatigue when I’m exercising and I sometimes can’t climb steps & talk at the same time without getting fairly winded. (I run, eat healthy, and I’m in good shape — 5′6″ish and only 120-something pounds.) Because the heart and lungs work together as a team, I had to go in for testing on both. Lungs were fine. So, I’d been waiting on the heart results. I called Doc Dee a while ago, and they told me that she was out on vacation. Hence, the no Heart Watch 2007 updates posted on my blogs.
Okay, so, Doc Dee got back from vacation. She called me, and left a message on my machine. Apparently, my heart is “perfectly normal.” I should feel relieved. Right? I should feel settled. And, truthfully, I do. A little bit. I guess the only thing that makes me freaked out a bit is the breathing stuff. If my heart truly is fine and my lungs are great, why do her tests show that I can’t breathe at full capacity? I guess I could go with one of two answers. On the one hand, everyone’s body is different. Maybe mine just doesn’t need as much air and, therefore, my lung capacity is low?
On the other hand, maybe Doc Dee isn’t catching something or she overlooked something in my test results? She’s my general practitioner — not a cardiologist or a lung specialist. And … If I’m being honest … when I originally heard that she was out on vacation, I wanted to scream out: NOW YOU’RE SCREWED, FBC!!! I love my doctor to death. She just kind of, you know, rushes things a bit. And, she knows this. She has apologized on a previous occasion. But, I guess the “rushing” comes with the territory. She’s good at what she does. And, a lot of people want to see her. A lot of people. So, in order to see all of her patients on a given day, she has to be quick. Vacation = backlog. So, I worried that she’d probably go over my results even faster than she would have under normal circumstances.
In any case, this is where I now stand: Doc says things are fine. I feel perfectly fine (as long as I kick it down a notch with running and cardiokickboxing). I could go in for additional testing and/or go get a second opinion. But, I’ve decided against that option for now. After all, this isn’t something that flared out of nowhere. It’s just something that’s been with me for a while now. It hasn’t gotten significantly worse. Or better. If you’ve ever had tinnitus for an extended period of time, it feels kind of like that — something is happening that’s probably not typically supposed to happen, but it’s not anything that’s going to kill or otherwise harm you. Bodies are complex systems, I guess. Has anyone else out there every had a similar situation? Your body acts weird for a bit, but there’s no really identifiable cause?
August 1st, 2007 at 10:53 pm
well, I’m very happy she didn’t find anything in your exams, I am sure she did do a delicate analysis of them and that’s it! Try to move on and not to think about it. Though, get periodical tests done this year at least!
That has never happened to me before, but if it does I’m sure I’m gonna say: “That’s because you smoke too much” and cut down on it for a few weeks.
Great to hear you’re doing all right.. see, you weren’t screwed after all, right?
Au revoir
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:40 am
Yeah, so far, I feel good about everything. I’m gonna turn my attention away from it for now, and I’ll just keep it on on the radar during my annual physicals.
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:50 am
Glad to hear that things seem to be fine. If it were something really serious, she probably would have found it with even a cursory review of your tests. That said, if it were me, I would probably go see a specialist, just to be sure.
August 2nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm
I haven’t commented in a long time but I felt the need today. I’m glad to hear your test results came back ok but I’m worried that your Dr may not be giving you the attention you deserve.
I say, take your health into your own hands and get a second opinion from a specialist. It just doesn’t seem right that a healthy, active young woman should be gasping for breath. It could be for a number of minor reasons that could be easily fixed and I think you deserve a better quality of life and you deserve not to have to worry. The fact that the initial tests came back fine is a very good sign of nothing major.
But, if your gut sent you to the Dr about it in the first place, you should probably keep digging until you get a proper answer from a specialist.
Take care.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:25 pm
Of course everything is ok. You look perfectly fine to all of us out here in bloggoland.
Here’s my major medical issue: You know how when you stand up fast you sometimes get light headed? Well that happens to me all the time, occasionally to the extent that I actually pass out. And I’m in perfectly good health – I can even do a 360-slam dunk. (oK, I made up that last part.) Docs say there’s nothing really wrong with me, and to just effin’ cope. So, I cope. No biggie. Everybody has something.
August 2nd, 2007 at 1:41 pm
I’m glad she didn’t find anything bad, but I’m a bit unsettled that she found nothing at all…does this mean that, as usual, I’m not happy no matter what? ;o)
I’d just keep an eye on things and be realistic with yourself if something changes or gets worse. If I were you, I’d be going to a specialist for a second opinion, but you know your body and health better than any of us, so I know you’ll do what’s right for you.
Good luck! And congrats on officially not having a “broken heart.” Hehehe…
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
It also sounds like it could be allergy induced asthma symptoms. I’ve lived in NY and often get winded due to all the gunk in the air. I carry an inhaler that I use rarely but it does help when I’m working out or hiking. (I’m not a medical doctor so of course I don’t know for sure, just going by my experience). Good luck. Just started reading your blog and I’m enjoying it.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:35 pm
Hmmm don’t overdo it FBC, we all wanna keep on with the FBCgossip/ reallife sexindacity soap :D
Or maybe you should just think less about Sex and the City-Carrie’s sailor :P
Btw did ya hear the funny news about the vixen diaries?? Could be interesting for ya ;)
August 2nd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
I’m glad to hear your heart’s beating good! I would say a pulmonary specialist would be the next person to visit if you really want to know what’s going on with those lungs. Asthma can kind of come and go in mysterious ways… but I’m not a doc so I should just shut up now. Hang in there!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 pm
I am thrilled she didn’t find anything wrong, though I am with Mama Christy I would go to a specialized doctor to confirm. However, it could be related to exercise…aka even if you are in great shape your lungs may or may not hold enough air for the amount of cardio you are doing. I am no workout expert, unless you count channel surfing LOL but it could be something like that :)
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Your words did not convince me. You still seem worried, but chose denial over ‘certainty’. Why be in denial when a second opinion would help you sleep better at night?!? (and go full-out the next time you have a hot steamy night with Mr. X or Mr. & Mrs. Y.)
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:47 am
MamaChristy: Yeah, although I’m not going to see one now, I’ll definite see a specialist at some point in the future.
haze: Wow. THANK YOU for the kind words. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, but the comment that you (and other) left make me realize that I should definitely see a specialist in the future.
Baba Doodlius: That used to happen to me!!!! I’ve had the shortness of breath thing since high school, but it used to be accompanied by getting lightheaded when I stood up. Back then, the doc told me it was because I had extremely low blood pressure. (And, not to mention, I was anemic.) The low blood pressure and anemia correctly themselves naturally over time as I gain weight. And, like magic, the lightheaded stuff went away. The shortness of breathe, however, has remained.
AmyD: That’s my plan for right now. Self monitor and, at the next year’s physical, see a specialist.
colored me: I wondered if this is the case!! I’ve noticed the breath thing more here in NY. The air is different, and my apartment has carpeting. (I haven’t lived in a place that had carpet in *ages*. I didn’t know that people still used carpet.) Both of those things — poor air quality outside and carpeting inside — could be complicating my breathing. But, on a different note, THANKS for reading my blog. And, I’m glad that you enjoy it.
papigiulio: I’ll *always* bring the FBC gossip no matter what my situation in life. ;) And, for the record, that sailor guy you mentioned *IS* sexy. His name is Daniel Sunjata and he’s currently in ESPN series “The Bronx Is Burning.” He’s GORGEOUS!!! Hmmm … maybe he should be the next Manly Monday pick!
John Enright: Yeah. The pulmonary specialist is prob a good idea. I’ll take that up with my next physical. I’m sure it’s nothing.
Felicia: You’ve all convinced me. Def gonna check it out with a specialist.
ErrorBoy: Baby, I’m *always* up for going full-out when I have steamy nights with Mr. X and/or Mr. & Mrs. Y. ;-)