Hi. Went to the cardiologist today it is awful. Worst experience today. Went to get results of echo and 48 hr monitor. I basically sat there while he read my echo results, writing stuff down and drawing. No talking to me just silence. He then watched some videos of my heart beating and again the same. I was getting stressed by this point as lots of writing but no information to me. He then moved on to asking about my current medication and didn't tell me the results of the echo. I said I had tried increasing the bisoprolol from 5mg to 7.5mg as requested last time but couldn't get on with it. It made me feel too ill and I couldn't tolerate it. I have told them last time I don't like the 5mg let alone increasing. I then told him they made no impact on the ectopics. He told me all ectopics are benign so he doesn't treat them. I was getting annoyed by this time. To simply dismiss people with hundreds of ectopics a day is a disgrace. He then said increase yr bisoprolol to 6.25mg to which I told him I cannot get on with it. I then had to ask for the results of the holter monitor. He read it and said nothing. I noticed the word brachacardia when sleeping at the bottom of the summary. I asked wouldnt this increase in bisoprolol from 5 to 6.25mg make this worse? He said it's a balance???
SmArt this point I have been sat there thinking the silence is terrible at times and I still don't know my results? I asked for echo results, he said the images are poor and he can't see properly. On the holter he said I had recorded ectopics!!!! No sh*t Sherlock!!
At this point I felt totally gutted and felt I had wasted 6 months waiting for nothing. I was left feeling he had not consideration for me as a patient at all.
Eventually, he said I could try verapamil if the bisoprolol was not working so I wandered if anyone else takes them for ectopics?
Sorry for long story but I got there lol
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Bmwpaul1971
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He was quite dismissive of ectopics as if it was nothing. I told him they affected my quality of life. He didn't seem bothered to be honest. Story of my visit.
Your EP certainly wins the NHS communications skills award 2018.
I would agree that Bisoprolol precipitates Bradycardia as believe it or not for me stopping taking 1.25mg per day has increased my heart rate from 37-45 to 55-65.
I do have heart block which is why I was taken off it. We are all different hence the wildly fluctuating doses of Bisoprolol that are quoted on this forum.
Regarding taking Vepapamil for Ectopics I can’t help you there. My view is that there is little medication out there for Ectopics and that you are better off trying to control anxiety with meditation.
See Dr Sanjay Gupta’s YouTube video on Anxiety and Ectopics it is very interesting.
Hi Pete. Yes I have seen Dr Sanjay's videos and they are great. My anxiety is getting better but the funny thing is was through the roof after the visit with frustration lol.
I just don't understand why so many people in the medical profession act as if it's none of our business and we don't need to know anything about our results which they've assessed! They need to realise that times are changing and with the growth of internet use we are a lot more aware and understanding of our heart conditions. They're paid to serve us, not the other way around! Makes me cross!
A few months ago I was talking to my GP on the phone and he said that in all his years he'd never had another patient like me. I think he meant charming, witty and well informed, cough, cough. I'm afraid with age has come the ability to say what I think and also ask for what I think is best for me, with regard to my heart.
Your cardiologist sounds full of his own importance, I'm sorry you didn't get the information that you'd hoped for.
Thanks Jean. I phoned PALS at the hospital and told them. I have never complained before. They said they would try and get me a new appointment with someone else before the next app in 6 months or a telephone call ?
I should hope so! Treatment like you received is quite unacceptable. I'd have been furious too. What a shame it is that there aren't more cardiologists/medical professionals like Dr Gupta. If only he could have a quiet word in your man's ear.
I do hope the next person you see/speak to is more understanding.
A friend of mine used to work for them and she was always telling me to encourage people to do that. My younger sister had some tests and then was forgotten! Never heard from the hospital despite chasing them. She complained to PALS and they sorted it, the outcome was that my sister was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of one removed. My friend urged me to get my sister to take the case further, but she wouldn't!
I have always been one to get answers. I don't just rely on drs. I trust my own feeling about things. Unlike my poor old dad who just believes everything they tell him. That cardiologist is probably like that with everyone. Unless you are an old hand in this heart game you probably would not have thought anything more or certainly that the level of care and explanation was unacceptable. I went to the optician recently who diagnosed iritis. An inflammation of the pupil etc that can lead to vision loss if left untreated. I had previously visited the Dr twice, and A and E who said it was an infection. If I had just accepted that I would never have been referred to the specialist for steroids and other drops I needed. Moral is, if you think something is not correct do something about it. It's your body and quality of life. 👍
That’s horrible I’ve had doctors discussing my case at the foot of my bed I knew more than they did, when I tried to say I could help I was pointedly ignored grrrrr.
It makes me cross to hear that Jan. Its about time doctors realised it's our body, we know how it feels and we may just be able to help with our diagnosis. Instead it's like they want us to keep quiet and take whatever diagnosis they decide to give. Well the worms are turning!
Indeed they are Jean we are making them accountable and some of them don’t like it.
Did he introduce himself? Was he a Consultant? Did he have the capability to read the echo? There would have been a technician report on the echo he could have shared. If indeed it was unclear, another should be scheduled for you. Makes me wonder about his level of competence in AF.
He sounds like he has a terrible bedside manner. I’d find another doctor. There are so many nice ones out there that treat you with decency and dignity. The fact that he dismisses you by saying that ectopics are benign sounds so asinine. Doesn’t he realize how uncomfortable and annoying an ectopic can be especially when you’re getting them all day long? In this day and age patients want to be part of/involved in/aware of their medical treatments. You have the right to know everything that’s going on in your own body.!
I get the feeling some cardiologists cant be bothered with people who go to them about ectopics. They think its not a problem and you should get on with it. They don't understand how life changing they can be. I think some cardiologists need further training in my opinion
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