It's Always Something - Dr Now Suspects Cadiac Involvement

[REP]

I've been feeling unusually bad with this lastest flareup of my chronic kidney infection, but just put it down to having the infection for so long now (a couple of years) and still not quite recovered from the surgery I had five months ago. Then it occurred to me that the 'fluish' feeling, coupled with an ongoing infection, my weakened immune system and my sore boobs - I probably had mastitis, so I went to see the doctor. Since he aways punches me in my kidneys when I say they hurt, I was a little afraid to see what he'd punch when I told him my boobs are sore!

He doesn't know why they're sore, but didn't like what he heard when he listened to my chest. Really didn't like it, and in addition to the gallon of bloodwork (including two cultures), I have to have an echocardiogram.

I am somewhat at risk for CHF because of the kidney failure/nephrotic syndrome, but maybe he just heard my murmur a little more than usual, and he's just being cautious, but I hate it when the doctor's worried about me.

[CBHagman]

1. Will they do an EKG, too?

I'm tempted to say it's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to your heart. At least they can eliminate possible causes at this point. Besides, women don't always have the same symptoms as men when it comes to the heart.

Do let us know what the doctor says.

[REP]

2. EKGs Aren't Specific For CHF, Other Problems

He's looking for things associated with fluid overload, which wouldn't show up on an EKG, or so he says! The cause is already well-documented: I have advanced kidney disease and am nephrotic.

I have an absolutely wonderful doctor who cares about me as a person (as opposed to someone with a constellation of baffling problems) and sometimes he tests me from stem to stern to make sure he can keep punching me in the kidneys for a few more years. I'm hoping he's just being very thorough again.