Update on negative cardiologist

[doramar38]

Hi, this morning, I sent an email to my cardiologist, through his web page, he replied within minutes! I asked him to refer me to an electrophysiologist to discuss the merits or demerits of an AV node ablation. He has agreed to do so and will contact him today. I live near Taunton, in Somerset. Ablations are only done at Bristol or Exeter, so I will need to go there.... probably Bristol, he says.

Thank you again, everyone, for your support. 😁

[meadfoot]

There was a really good EP at Bristol who spoke at one of the af patients meeting, I think he was called Glyn Thomas, quite young and very risk averse he said. Sounds a good bet.

Pleased you are having a referral. Best wishes. Ps I sent you a private message earlier.

[doramar38 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi. Sorry I can't find your private message!!

[meadfoot in reply to doramar38]

Look at the bar at the very top of this page And by the word chat you will seecitvshows one message. Click on it and it will take you to private messages.

[doramar38 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi, Just received a copy of the letter my cardiologist sent to Bristol Heart Institute. I will be seeing the EP Glyn Thomas. In light of your comment, I'm pleased about that! Got to wait til I hear from him now.

[meadfoot in reply to doramar38]

That's good. He is not a cavalier type of EP sounded very considered and risk averse when he presented at the af patient day, always good to have someone who takes account of the bigger picture in your corner. Hope you find him helpful. Good luck.

[Finvola]

Speedy result!! So pleased for you.

[BobD Volunteer]

I understand waiting list in Exeter is 8 months.

[Buffafly]

Hi Dora(?), I live in Taunton, wondering which cardiologist you saw? I have seen several different ones, 'my' latest one was lovely and treated me like a sensible person although the dreaded comment 'considering your age' did come up. I was referred to Harefield for my ablation for AF and Flutter but Bristol is much easier to get to!

[doramar38 in reply to Buffafly]

Buffafly, my cardiologist is Mark Dayer. I generally like him, but he was very negative on this occasion, with reference to my age. It disappointed me, altho I should have suspected as much, as he was very flippant about his mother, who has AF. That aside, he's okay. Mind you, when he implanted my ICD device, he pricked my heart with one of the leads!! He had to stop at two leads, instead of the three, as I was in such agony. He only owned up to what he'd done at a later appointment!!

[Buffafly in reply to doramar38]

Thanks for your reply. I looked him up, seems he is the top man so you would hope he would know what he is doing. As I said I seem to have been played 'Pass the parcel' with, have seen 7 different cardiologists over the years. I hope I can stay with this one because I really liked him and I think that helps. I hope you get a positive response in Bristol.

[CDreamer]

Oh - good result! I do hope he took the feedback on board as well.

There is a long wait at Exeter - I am waiting on a Pace & Ablate there but they do triage and see people in urgent need. It’s such a shame there is are these very long waiting lists but unfortunately just so many of us these days.

Might be worth ringing both hospitals to see what sorts of time you may have to wait.

Best wishes

[Buffafly in reply to CDreamer]

I have been told 13 week wait for an echocardiogram in Taunton 🙁

[CDreamer in reply to Buffafly]

OMG - I don’t think it would be much quicker at Exeter. I know the doctors and nurses in the area are just as fed up with this malarkey as we patients.

My brother has just been referred last week and got an appointment for 13 July - Merseyside.

[djbgatekeeper]

Well done you... fight the good fight 👍

[wilsond]

Good! Hope you get somewhere now!

[charley1953]

Really good to hear that things are moving in the right direction. Hope you won't have to long a wait.

[opal11uk]

Well done Doramar, I always feel so much better when I have taken back control, good luck moving forwards. With regard waiting time, just keep on at them stating that this is urgent.

[GeraldHine]

My husband is 90 years of age with (recent) AF and has been under the NHS at the Barts Hospital Heart Centre in London. After being assessed he was immediately offered ablation. This Centre is said to be at the forefront of Cardiology world-wide and there has been no hint of ageism in the way they are dealing with his condition. We have asked about medication options before going for surgery (as NICE recommends) and have been trying to ensure that we are fully informed on these before deciding to accept ablation. I absolutely agree with everyone who has said "stand up for your rights" and "get a second opinion". I do hope the offer you now have will result in the best treatment for you, which is what you deserve and unquestionably have the right to receive, also a quite different approach to relating to an older person. Please don't let this unhappy experience affect how you see yourself - you are as precious and valuable a human being as any of us, age is irrelevant . I'm just wondering how you might manage to use the "second opinion" to help your first doctor adjust his attitudes as regards older people?? I warmly wish you a much better experience and outcome going forward - please do let us know how you are doing. Cynthia

[Teignfisher]

Try Dr Edward Duncan a leading EP at Bristol Heart Institute I found him very personable and competent

Good luck