My journey wasn't anywhere as intense as yours, my health problem not anywhere as severe as your array of symptoms, but I experienced the same thing with doctors. I couldn't get them to consider unfamiliar options. I would remind them that the advice they were giving to people with my problem was different from 10 years ago, which was different from 20 years ago, which was different from 30 years ago, and so forth. Since the advice they were giving now would be different in 10 years, might they possibly consider that they were as wrong now as they had been 10, 20 and 30 years ago?
Of course the answer was no. They were giving the best advice available, and there was no other advice. Many of them thought I was talking science fiction, asking them to give me advice from 10 years in the future, but all I was really trying to do was get them to consider other possibilities. It never worked.
A little history. I had always had less stamina than my peers throughout my life. This was a minor matter when I was young because I never aspired to be a professional athlete - playing at the amateur club level was fine with me. But as I got into my 40's the problem became more and more pronounced until finally I was fatiguing very quickly with minor exercise and would quickly run out of breath.
The lightbulb went on while visiting an elderly housing facility. I noticed that it was common for some residents to run out of breath after minor exercise, such as climbing a few stairs. Realizing that their problem was diminished heart function I decided that I had to further explore the cardiological possibility. I had already seen a cardiologist, but all my valves were functioning fine, echocardiograms revealed clear arteries, and the electrocardiogram came back normal. It was time to delve more deeply into cardiology.
Skipping the details, I finally found the answer with the help of doctors following a traditional but state-of-the-art approach. A catheter with a blood pressure sensor was inserted through my carotid artery down into my left ventricle. Contrast material was added to my blood for X-ray photographs to be taken every 10 seconds. Blood samples were to be taken every 30 seconds. I then rode an exercise bike until I could ride no more.
The diagnosis was left ventricular hypertrophy, meaning my left ventricle walls are thicker than is optimal, making it difficult for the left ventricle to take in enough blood during each heartbeat. The solution was simple: medication, which works for some people, not for others, but fortunately worked for me.
I'm happy to hear you found a solution that works for you. I've kept my own story short, but I searched for a solution with doctors for 20 years, and it was long and frustrating. You've found a way to treat your symptoms, which is all you need, but I hope you eventually find the cause because that might make clear additional ways to treat your symptoms.
One frustration I didn't experience was convincing doctors I was active, but that was only because of my orthopaedic problems. Obviously someone wearing out his hips as quickly as I was must be very active. I've had both hips replaced, the second one this past summer.
--Percy
™ Version 4.2
