outpatients appointment worry?

[franksavage]

I am expecting some treatment in November I have just got a letter for an outpatients appointment? { if anybody could enlighten me on what to expect there i would appreciate it!.}

[Rellim296]

Is this an appointment with a cardiologist or an appointment directly related to the treatment? Have you had an echocardiogram at the hospital? Tell us a bit more. Or you can ring the number on the appointment letter and ask them to explain. Sometimes a little leaflet comes with an appointment letter. They might have forgotten to include it.

[franksavage in reply to Rellim296]

im not sure of any of them things Rellim! I think ill ring the hospital. ill let you know because without the advice here i wouldn't know what was what??

[fallingtopieces]

Frank, if this is your first ever consultant (outpatients)appointment, they will probably order you a 24 hour holter monitor and an echocardiogram to start with. You will have a short ECG on the appointment day and possibly blood tests that day too. You might have to go for a starvation Blood test. They might start you on meds or change your meds if you are already taking some.

If you haven't had a full set of bloods done for a while and your appointment is early, it is probably worth not eating breakfast before you go, no milk in tea either. Just water in the morning, no food. That way, if they want your starvation bloods done they could do them that morning.

What does it say on your letter? Usually it will have a consultants name or a procedure named on it.

[franksavage in reply to fallingtopieces]

i have just rang th hospital and they said it was to go through all my tests and stuff and to discuss what next? any ideas?

[fallingtopieces in reply to franksavage]

It sounds like they have all your test results now and will make some kid of a plan with you. They should now know all about your heart, it's structure- the size and thickness of walls etc, heart rates, possibly where the abnormal rhythms are coming from too. Either they will put you on or change your medication, discuss any further tests needed or treatment like ablation possibly.

You will also have a mini ECG on that day.

Another step forward to feeling/getting better hopefully.

[franksavage in reply to fallingtopieces]

Thanks falling...that's made me feel like some kind of resolution is in the future.

[CDreamer]

Hi Frank, how you doin?

I went to my first appointment thinking it was to see the consultant only to find it was to have a 7 day monitor fitted. Our hospital admin is pretty appalling and they often call you in for an appointment but don't tell you what for? If there was a number on the letter ring and ask them.

ECG is normally take , as are usual bloods. Echocardiogram is normally a separate appointment at our hospital, as is anything to do with radiology such as X-Ray, MRI, CT etc.

So could be a chat with Doc or any or all of above.

[franksavage in reply to CDreamer]

The Chat with the Doc...What will that entail? will he discuss what options are available ablation ect do you think dreamer because im suffering with this thing this AF...?

[Loo53]

The chat I had was what did I know about this procedure,what meds I was on and an indication of the length of the waiting list etc..

[franksavage in reply to Loo53]

Thank you so much.

[Rellim296]

I agree with everyone else. This appointment might be a bit vague but the idea will be to gather information about you and to hear your views. It should move you forward and hopefully you will have your questions and worries answered. You should benefit from it, so don't be too concerned. You don't have to have treatment if it's not what you want. Have you someone to accompany you to the appointment for moral support if you feel it would help?

[franksavage in reply to Rellim296]

Thanks for that.

[Loo53]

Oh and if you want the procedure or not...

[franksavage]

Thanks Loo...What was the risk factor like?