My Diagnosis - Visiting a Primary Care Physician (PCP)

I went to the doctor on December 14^th.  I did not have anyone to help with lovebug so I took her with me.  In the garage, I parked on the second floor not realizing that there was no way for me to get the stroller up the stairs into the building.  I was already exhausted from taking the stroller and the car seat out of the car and the thought of having to put them back in the car, drive down the ramp, park on the first floor and take them out of the car again made me want to cry.  Instead, I decided to walk down the ramp to the first floor of the garage knowing that I would pay for this decision when I would have to push the stroller up the ramp to get back to the car. 

When I saw the doctor/nurse (I can’t remember exactly who I told what), I explained my symptoms.  I was short of breathe, had pain in my chest when I would try to breathe, and I occasionally coughed or wheezed when taking deep breaths.  I was in a fairly good mood and the doctor commented that I didn’t “look” like someone who was sick.  (I have a few thoughts on this comment.  I'll come back to later).

I was asked questions regarding my history with asthma and the doctor contemplated prescribing an inhaler for my symptoms.  However, he kept looking at me with a worried look which caused me to be concerned.  At this point, my WebMD research made me think that I could have a blood clot in my lungs (pulmonary embolism).  The symptoms are almost identical to mine: shortness of breath, chest pain and a cough.  Also, one of the main causes is surgery and I had a cesarean 12 weeks earlier.  I believe the doctor was thinking the same thing but I can’t recall if he ever said it. 

He eventually suggested that he find an inhaler which was safe for breastfeeding and that I come back the next day for additional testing.  I told him that I would rather figure out what was wrong immediately.  He agreed that it could be something more serious so he suggested that I visit an emergency room not very far from his office.

I want to pause my story for a moment to talk about this doctor’s visit.  In the month or so since my diagnosis, I have read countless stories about women who had their symptoms ignored by their doctors.  They are often dismissed and told that these are normal pregnancy symptoms.  Ignoring PPCM can lead to their condition going untreated until they get worse.  Some women have passed away before their doctors have figured out what was wrong with them. 

I understand that PPCM is a rare condition that affects about 1000-1300 women in the US each year and there are about 4,000,000 live births in the US each year.  BUT it is a condition that doctors should be aware of despite how rare.  First of all, the population that could be affected is limited to pregnant women or women that have just given birth.  Secondly, when the common symptoms: fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, bloating and swelling are present, testing is simple to rule out PPCM.

I say all of that to say, DO NOT LET A DOCTOR DISMISS YOU OR YOUR SYMPTOMS.  It’s difficult at times to speak up for yourself, difficult to insist that you are not sent home with an inhaler.  I know because I saw the dismissal firsthand.  I am sorry that I didn't look or act like I was sick.  I couldn't breathe.  Insist that your doctor run tests to rule out PPCM because it can be treated, especially if caught early.