Advice and Recommendations for Good EP for Croydon bigger london needed will go private

[Bettiehough]

I have PAF but had been reasonably ok for 2.5 years on 200mg flecenaide and apixaban. Had 2 hospital epeisedes 20/11/2017 and 9/10 /2017 with very fast and irregular heartbeat and was chemically cardioverted in Urgent Care. First episode my flecanaide dosis was raised to 300mg . I also have Myalgic Encecephelylitis a neuro immune disease and am very sensitive to medication and am mostly housebound with my ME[ extreme fatigue and pain main symtoms] using a wheelchair when I go out. I was feeling awful with higher dose and dose was lowered to 250mg by GP and i was referred to a cardiologist. I don’t have and EP never had. I then had the second hospital episode and my medication was changed to 200mg flecenaide and 50mg metroprolol. I had very bad side effects from metoprolol and lowered dosage to 25 mg and could at least get out of bed again. I had to cancel a cruise due being in the Atlantic for 6 days and cruise ship wanted a fit note from a dr. My referral to cardiologist is not coming through despite following it up so maybe i should just go private. I want to go to SA for my yearly 4 months stay in our holiday home but needs more stability. I had cardiac arrest with one of my episodes in 2015 before so I am feeling unsafe and hospital visits let me crash with my ME and render me bedbound,. My GP not very clued up so i manage my own illnesses! My question should i raise dosage of metoprolol as i adapted now to lowered dosage? Also i need to go to a good EP near Croydon for help and will go private if needed. Any recommendations?

[rosyG]

hi

We can'r advise re meds changes I'm afraid. Best to get referred to an EP who can advise on everything. Your GP should ask for an urgent appointment, given your medical history. I would broaden the area to include all of London as that's where the top EPs are. Many on this site will advise who they have seen. Sabine Ernst at the Brompton is good- Richard Schilling at Barts- Mark Gallagher at St Georges- there are many more but I haven't had ablation so be advised by others who will post when they see your question, Good luck!

[Surreyhunni]

I would in the first instance ask your gp or cardiologist to refer you to an EP. I see Dr Martin Lowe and am not far from Croydon - he comes to my local hospital once a month but is based at St Barts. He also see people on a private basis - google him and you will see his credentials.

[Bettiehough in reply to Surreyhunni]

Where are your local hospital if you are in Croydon?

[Surreyhunni in reply to Bettiehough]

I'm not actually in Croydon but close by, my local hospital is East Surrey but I'm not sure if he goes to Mayday as well.

[Bettiehough]

Thank you. It was made urgent but they mislaid referral after follow up from me and GP so nearly 2 months and nothing. That’s why I am thinking to go private. Thanks for names. Will google them.

[Surreyhunni in reply to Bettiehough]

Going private may be more reassuring for you if you can afford it, as I had to wait 8 months for my 'urgent' first appointment to see the EP on the nhs.

Best wishes

[etheral in reply to Bettiehough]

Wow, both the US and UK systems are at the mercy of office assistanants who have had a bad day. At least you presumably py less.

[Barb1]

I can recommend Riyaz Kaba who I have been with since 2010 and has done 4 ablations on me. I see him at St. George's Tooting and Woking Nuffield and Runnymede Chertsey

[Bettiehough]

Thank you everyone for recommendations. I will google them and make a choice on who is easiest accessible. I see now that my NHS referral that has not come through is not to an EP either.

[Dodie117]

Mark O Neill in St Thomas' did my ablation in November 2013 and free of AF since then.