So upset!!

[Lotty321]

Sorry me again but so upset. I received a letter on Friday to say that my referral appointment has changed from 10th September to 22nd October!! I suppose I should be happy that they don’t see me as an urgent appointment but so annoying that I have to wait even longer now. Also after doing some research I’m wondering if my ectopics triggered my atrial flutter as they say it can?

[meadfoot]

It's very frustrating but not uncommon these days for apps to be changed, its happened to me many times. Try not to stress, as frustrating as it is you won't be in danger by the extended time or you would not have been changed. Only your medic can answer your question re ectopics triggering the flutter. Try not to speculate if you can and get a list of questions together ahead of your october appointment so that you can be well prepared for your appointment.

[Lotty321 in reply to meadfoot]

Thank you, I’m definitely going to make a list! X

[fallingtopieces]

Lotty, did you buy yourself a Kardia? If not and you can afford one, my advice is to buy one. For sure, it will definitely help you. Yes it goes on an iPhone. I have mine secured on the back of my iPhone and it’s earnt it’s initial outlay over and over again. The fact that you’re panicking is need enough.

My second piece of advice is to buy magnesium citrate right now, and start taking it asap. Start taking 600mg (usually 3x 200mg tablets) a day every day, with a view to upping it to 800mg. I would be surprised if this didn’t have a positive effect on you.

This type:

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01D58...

It took me lots of research to reach those two products which help enormously.

The Kardia will, a) catch episodes to show a consultant, b) put your mind at rest.

Magnesium will have an effect on your bowels, so be prepared. 600mg should be fine. Persevere with it, it will make a difference.

By the time you see this consultant you will have some readings from the Kardia and you may well be experiencing far less episodes of ‘flutter’ or other arrhythmias.

Good luck and try to stop panicking 😉

Pat x

Edit— I should add that all the above is my view only and you should research it yourself too.

[Lotty321 in reply to fallingtopieces]

Thank you so much I really appreciate the advice x

[Lotty321 in reply to fallingtopieces]

When I look there are different kardias? Which one should I get? X

[fallingtopieces in reply to Lotty321]

This is the one I have attached to the back of my iPhone 7plus cover. It came fixed in a back plate which sticks to the phone of your choice. I’ve had 3 Kardia (previously called Alivecor) the first was fixed in an iPhone 4 case. When I moved up from the iphone 4, I snapped the device out of the no longer needed case and stuck it to the back of my new iPhone with double sided tape! Then I found a new, older model on Amazon for £36 so bought that( husband has that now-doesn’t need it but has it anyway). Then bought this one which fits any phone with room for it(could be all phones, I’m not sure as I’ve only had iPhones for years)or can be used independent of the phone but very close by.

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01A4W...

Kardia has its own website too.

Pat

[Lotty321 in reply to fallingtopieces]

That’s great thank you. Do you mind me asking what case it is? X

[fallingtopieces in reply to Lotty321]

Not sure what case you’re referring to Lotty but if you mean which phone cover I stuck the Kardia to, it’s this one:

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B01L8T...

The Kardia device pre built into an iPhone case is no longer made( I think) which is just as well as if you upgrade your phone every 18-24 months ish, you will want your Kardia device to last across several phones.

I hope that’s the answer you’re looking for.

Pat

[Clyde12 in reply to Lotty321]

I’m fairly new to all this too and like you , and probably everyone else, panicked and made my AFib worse! I got myself a Kardia and a wee case to put it in from amazon. “Caught” some episodes and took the results to my Gp. It took me a while to learn the best position to catch episodes and learn how to print off the results by the way....a younger computer literate person helped me! My GP looked at results and put me on warfarin straight away. At that stage I was like you and waiting to see cardiologist. Don’t be afraid to ask any questions again Lotty.....this is a great site and has been of enormous help to me.

Good luck.

[a1anx in reply to fallingtopieces]

I take 600 mgs of Magnesium Citrate daily. It seems to help. Does anyone know the max safe dose ?

[fallingtopieces in reply to a1anx]

I'm sure there is an amount that's not really good to take but that would be huge, and remember, excess magnesium is excreted out so if there's a danger it would be for people with below par kidneys dealing with any excess.

There are many people with AF and other heart arrhythmias (especially in the US) taking >2g(2000mg), which is 3 times your dose.

Pat.

[Polski in reply to a1anx]

Don't take so much that it causes diarrhea. If it does then you lose good electrolytes which won't help!

[Vonnieruth]

Hi Lotty sorry about appointment but look at it as a good thing No major concerns by the look of things None of us are medically trained to advise on medication or supplements That is up to you and your doctor's to discuss I think

[IanMK]

Hi Lotty

I’m sorry about your extended wait. Unfortunately, the pressures on the NHS often lead to non-urgent cases being delayed.

Keep your questions for the doctors. Don’t consult Dr Google; he is not qualified.

[Chaddy44]

I had mine cancelled from June 19 to Nov 1st so I kept ringing for any cancellations and got one last week , it's common for people to cancel this time of year so give it a go you never know your luck

[grandmadogs]

I totally understand your frustration. Yes, you know it probably means they are not too worried but in the meantime you are left with so many questions in your head. Nobody likes the waiting period and when it is a health worry hanging over you it is doubly bad. S

[Maril1]

Had my appointments cancelled many times . At one stage they were cancelled every few days half a dozen letters at the same time there was a big thing on the news about people not turning up for appointments no wonder . I did not know whether I was coming or going. Apparently it was the new multi billion pound computer system they always say that! They like to waste billions on useless products especially when the government puts it's oar in. In my experience the NHS was a comedy of errors but they get there in the end but you have to have your wits about you. I had to laugh and joke about it( otherwise I would have been suicidal) ,it did make me feel alot better and to be honest when it counts they're the bees knees.

I was diagnosed with permanent aflutter back in 2006 after going through a number of cardioversions got an ablation in 2008 and that cured the flutter part, touch wood.

I found the consultants secretary a good number to have it cuts through all the bumf .

[sadie308]

Keep that appointment but call them back and ask if they have a list in the event of a cancellation. A similar situation happened to me but by being on that list I was moved up twice and ended up with an appointment only a week later from the original one.

[Jlaine]

Personally if I were that upset I would call and ask to speak to my Drs nurse or physicians assistant and discuss your concerns and see if they can get you in earlier. or put you on a waiting list if someone cancels.Being stressed also is not good for afib. Best of luck to you. I know your feelings as I have experianced some of them.

[Jlaine in reply to Jlaine]

Its easy for others to tell you to relax but not so easy if you are on the other end of stress!Right!

[Lotty321 in reply to Jlaine]

So true x

[fluttered]

It is my opinion that ectopics can and do trigger aflutter or afib if your atrias are susceptible.

The question is: what triggers ectopics? My ectopics are unpredictable. They seem to have their own timing. My ablation has blocked the pathways so they no longer can trigger afib or aflutter. I can live with ectopics every now and then.

[Lotty321 in reply to fluttered]

Sometimes I can go months without feeling my ectopics and then they will come back! I think mine are triggered my lack of sleep, stress etc x