Are our hospitals on there knees

[Davewba123]

I had a cardioversion in April and had four appointments with cardiologist cancelled since .now got to wait till November .I'm having issues with amiodorone but doctors reluctant to change it

[icklebud99]

GP won't want to change meds without Cardiologist. Ask for direct number to Cardio nurse and ask for a change of meds as your quality of life is suffering, usually the Cardiologist or EP will get back to you sooner than waiting for an appointment. Keep pushing, it seems the only way to get heard in the current climate. Works for me. Good luck.

[Norm]

Let me state again that amiodorone is drug of last resort and you should not take it for very long. Please read and research this drug if you have not already done so. I was on it for about four months and I now have tablet for life for my thyroid, amiodorone is very toxic. If you have delays with seeing your cardiologist I might suggest you think of a private appointment or your GP or go to A&E.

Personally if your cardioversion worked I wonder why you are on amiodorone, if you are now in NSR.

Hope this helps you

Norm

[Hidden]

Agree with Icklebud, find out if there is an Arrhythmia Nurse attached to your hospital and get in touch with him/her as they can contact the EP directly. I’m not medically trained, but from what I have seen here on the forum, amiodarone is normally prescribed for 3 months after a CV. I know it’s a pain, but you might get a better response if you go back to the reception desk where you had it done, but please do not change your medication without advice from the hospital.....good luck

[BobD Volunteer]

I agree with all the above but would just add that rhythm control drugs such as Amiodarone should not normally be under the control of GPs here in UK so you do need to contact your EP for guidance so that they can instruct your doctor. Try writing to their secretary or email them direct.

[meadfoot]

Try calling your cardiologists secretary, or arrhythmia nurse if they have one, they are good people to have on your side and are a direct route to your cardiologist. These days we have to know our way through the system or sit on the sidelines for months on end awaiting appointments which will invariably be cancelled. Give it a go you have nothing to loose and everything to gain. Best wishes.

[MisUse]

Hi. We have an arrhythmia nurse at my hospital who we can contact. Could you contact your hospital and ask to see if there is one there. The other option is maybe contact PALS team at hospital. I have had to contact them a few times, and they have always been very helpful. I agree with others, Amiodorone is a powerful drug, and you really need to see someone from the hospital team. From April to November is a long time to wait for a follow up.

[Davewba123]

Thanks everyone for replies least someone listening lovely people on here😀

[Mike11]

Hospitals are overworked and everybody needs to take a more pro-active approach to their own health. Have you got your own ECG and BP monitor ? Have you then tried reducing the dosage of amiodarone to see its effect on you ? Obviously GPs can't go prescribing different drugs without consultant authorisation, but that doesn't mean you can't work with them on optimising dosage. And if the drug simply isn't suitable for you, have a private appointment to get the consultant to give your GP a list of what else to try and in what order.

[Davewba123]

Cheers mike