Episodes!

[rothwell]

Over the past couple of months my AF episodes have increased from once or twice a month to almost every day for approximately 4 hours I take 2.5 mg bisoprolol and have just started Warfarin. Is this level of AF episodes'normal'' "usual: 'acceptable' or should I be visiting myGP as I never see a cardiologist or EP? Are others like this?

[Hidden]

Back to your GP and get referred. AF is progressive it will probably just keeping getting more and more frequent. Good luck.

[mrsg46]

Hi rothwell , I don't actually think any of this is either 'normal' or acceptable, but it is the nature of the condition that AF progresses, sometimes gradually and sometimes very quickly, as it has in your case, so it may be time to nudge your GP into referring you to an EP, who is the best person to see. Your GP will not be able to prescribe any anti-arrythmic medication, this has to be done by a cardiologist or an EP, but if you've not seen either then a referral seems to be the next step for you. On the NHS this can take a while, but you can circumvent the waiting list by seeing the EP privately, just make sure a referral letter from your GP has been sent to the NHS hospital in question and you have a copy.

All the best for a good outcome.

[BobD Volunteer]

You do not seem to be cared for as well as you should. By now you should be seeing an electrophysiologist. (EP) who is a specialist on arrhythmias. AF is almost always a progressive condition and left untreated will become permanent so some action now to sort out a proper treatment plan is required,.

In this game one needs to be very pro-active in one's own treatment. Read all you can about AF from AF Association website and fight your corner otherwise you will not get the best treatment.

[julesp]

I would def go back to your Gp and ask to be referred as my Af went from couple times a week to permanent in just under two year. Finally had my ablation in July this year and apart from few teething problems have been ok. I wish my ablation had been earlier as was really unwell in the end so my advice is the sooner your referred the better.

[Hidden]

Hi I was wondering if you have visited your GP again and had a referral to EP. I'm just catching up with forum after Xmas. I agree with Bob that it sounds like you haven't been getting the care you should.

Your GP should be referring you to EP at the Freeman. You could always have a private consultation very quickly (like next week if you set the ball rolling with a request) and then get put into the consultants NHS clinic once you have some answers - and you could see your GP next week too so that the NHS referral goes through. When u go for a private consultation you can then let them know you want NHS treatment and you have a NHS referral in - ask their advice how you can get future appmnts on NHS. Others on here have done things like that BUT I haven't so if you want to know a bit more you could put up a post "has anyone had private consultation and gone back to NHS list?" Or something similar. Alternatively wait - but it will be a wait - for an NHS appmnt at the freeman but when u get appmnt ring up and say you are happy to take a cancellation if there is one.

If your GP still refuses to refer you say to your GP that you cannot get the treatment you need from them direct - they are not allowed to prescribe the medication etc- and so that without their referral you cannot get the treatment you need so you will have to take matters higher if you don't get the referral. You should not be left feeling poorly and without treatment.

[rothwell in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Julie and apologies for delay in response. I have spoken to my GP who at first suggested iincrease of bisoprolol but I informed her that it is a rhythm rather than a rate problem as heart rate bounces between 50 and 90 BPM. I asked for referral to EP but she said that she cannot refer directly to an EP but did agree to refer me to a cardiologist at the Freeman so I now await an appointment.