permanent af

[stephenalbert]

Have permanent af but have not seen a cardiologist for some years. Is this normal and is it acceptable/

[BobD Volunteer]

Personally I think that anybody with AF should have at least annual service and drug review. I presume that you are anticoagulated and on some other drugs? Have a look at CareAF website for good practise.

[dmac4646]

As Bob says , annual check up would be wise - even of you are using anticoagulation things have move on with that recently.

[Elaine1951]

Insist on seeing a cardio

[PeterWh]

Insist on seeing an EP (Electrophysiologist) and don't get fobbed off with a general cardiologist. For list of EPs see main AFA website. Suggest researching in advance of seeing GP.

[Omniscient1]

I concur with what everyone else says, you should get yourself checked periodically, but to your question is it normal - yes in my experience, if you leave the Drs alone they will leave you alone.

[HastyHeart]

Yes, it's been true Omniscient1 for me that unless I requested a checkup, and I never did due to not realising I could, you are "left to get on with it". I am now in permanent AF, officially diagnosed 18th June last year, at a first and last (SIIGNED OFF!) appt with Cardiologist. Also started taking 10mg Bisoprolol that day (already taking 125 mcg Digoxin and on Warfarin). No offer of follow-up anywhere. But spoke to GP on tel appts several times after that, feeling wiped out and unwell, plus further episodes of my so-called " bad" AF. Told to keep taking meds. at that dose. Only started feeling better after swapping taking meds in the morning to teatime 6pm-ish. Have been OK if still ongoing tiredness and odd days of feeling "fluttery" and unmotivated to do much. Realise now that I've lived with possible AF for over 35 years, not knowing what the mild momentary intermittent palpitations were. My first episode of "bad" AF was August 2010 (blue light ambulance from GP surgery to A&E!). Medically cardioverted overnight, discharged next day, put on Atenalol and Aspirin. Was fine until April last year when AF kicked in again with vengeance. But NO check-up in between 2010 and 2015, esp regarding the aspirin then known to be useless. Now, on back of repeat prescription YESTERDAY, I am requested to contact Surgery for medication review, with "nurse/ doctor/pharmacist possible by telephone".

About time!! Yippee!

As I'm OK right now, I always think I shouldn't bother busy GPs unless I am unwell. That's what a lot of us think, esp us older ones!

PS I read this Forum every day with my breakfast cuppa. But I don't post very often as others offer pearls of wisdom, support etc . etc. so well.

Have a good 2016!

Sandra x

[robin5 in reply to HastyHeart]

I seem to be very similar to yourself. I was diagnosed over 5 years ago , but looking back I have probably had AF for some time . My GP picked up erratic heart beat and i was referred to hospital. Apparently my heart was out of rhythm for 75% of the time, although BPM not too bad . I only ever saw an arrhythmia nurse never an EP. I had a cardioversion which did not work and was put on Flecanide and asprin. I was then left to it.

Two years later my DR contacted the hospital and insisted that I was reviewed, but again I only saw the nurse. I assume that at some stage a DR of some description looked at my notes, but I was told that nothing further could be done.

about a year ago I mentioned Warfarin but the hospital said to keep me on Asprin. However in the summer my GP sent me for an ECG prior to her making the decision to put me on Warfarin. This showed I had flutter. She was straight onto the hospital again.

Within a few weeks I saw an EP who suggested I had catheter ablation as everything else had been tried including a couple of months on Bisoprosol. Since then I have had a hybrid ablation, first part in October second in December. Feeling okay but it is a bit early to see if this has been a success.

As you say , some of us are just left to it. At least my GP seems to be on the ball!

[DavDug]

Oh Sandra.

Get to that Electrophysiologist and get sorted.

I progressed to permanent AF and wish I had been more firm with my cardiologist years ago.

Get well.

Dave.