RECENT DIAGNOSIS & DONT REALLY UNDERSTAND IT

[Whatamug1]

Hi I'm a newbee - Just reading a letter I'm to take to my Dr & it says that my Primary Diagnosis on Discharge: is Bigeminy provoked syncopal episode. Can someone talk to me as if I'm a person and not a symptom please because it's all gone over my head. I'm not a great fan of the medics having had some awful experiences so would very much appreciate some help. Thx ann

[rosyG]

Hi,

Bigeminy just mean an irregular heartbeat where every other beat is not as it should be and sycope means fainting- which they seem to be saying results from your irregular heartbeat- What treatment have they suggested as if the irregularity s corrected presumably it will help to stop the fainting??

Do press the consultant to explain things properly- it's not good to be left in the dark- hope you are not feeling too ill.

[Beancounter Volunteer]

Hi whatamug

Yes Rosy has pointed you in the right direction, it means you have fainted due to an irregular heartbeat.

Bigeminy itself is not usually too serious as I understand (and I have to say here I have no medial training whatsoever) it's usually left alone, but it can occur as a result of AF or other arrythmias so they need to check this out.

I assume this was ER and the letter back to your doctor?. Then what should happen now is probably referal to a specialist to check out your heart, and they will of course do ECGs (loads of leads on your chest doesn't hurt at all), and maybe even an echocardiogram (scan of your heart like an ultrasound) If they don't find anything they may even ask you to wear a halter, which is just another ECG type machine which will measure your heart over a longer period, usually a week to see if what is happening is only episodic.

Anyway do ask anything and we will try and help, this is a specialist AF forum however.

Be well

Ian

[Whatamug1 in reply to Beancounter]

Thx I was replying to Rosy but it's disappeared somewhere - Firstly thx so much for the info. Was in a pre-colonoscopy clinic when it kicked off & ended up on a ward being monitored. There's a 5 day monitor being booked and an ECHO so I now know they have me on the right plan !!!! I'll sleep better now - Thx again to both of you....Ann

[Hidden]

You fainted because of an arrhythmia. Why don't they just say that?

_

[Hidden]

I sometimes think the medics use words like 'syncope' to scare the living daylights out of us! At least they are looking into it and doing some monitoring, all of which sounds positive. But you're entitled to a layperson's explanation so do ask, if they start going over your head with these terms. Or come here for a translation

Lis

[BobD Volunteer]

I remember my EP talking at a conference and joking that when doctors don't want patients to understand what they are talking about they use Latin or Greek words. Really doesn't help does it.

Bob

[Loo53]

I do docs dictation and some of them talk normally for the English part of the sentence then speed up to 90 mph for the medical terminology or drug dose and then slow down again for the rest of the English or sometimes you can even understand the English, so fully understand that, when even their secretaries don't know what they're talking about..that's when we turn into detectives trying to decipher what got said and sometimes we can't read their writing either so how on earth are patients expected to understand...? The worst thing is when they come up to your desk talking in abbreviations and diagnoses expecting you to know who it is they're talking about..so you end up nodding like you do so as not to appear dumb...

[Whatamug1]

Thank you all - how come you make sense & those in the know don't. I've always beleived experience in anything is the best teacher & I guess I've a lot to learn, but slowly and surely because it's started making sense now. I've already learned 100% more than I knew. I'm not sure but am I on the right site? I am usually a bit more 'assertive' but all I wanted to do was get back to my animals. Thx all once again.

[Whatamug1]

Thank you all - how come you make sense & those in the know don't. I've always beleived experience in anything is the best teacher & I guess I've a lot to learn, but slowly and surely because it's started making sense now. I've already learned 100% more than I knew. I'm not sure but am I on the right site? I am usually a bit more 'assertive' but all I wanted to do was get back to my animals. Thx all once again.

[Bill_Payer]

DCC