Since my trip to the resus dept at the qe in kings lynn i have been doing well on the Amiodarone Hydrochloride 200mg twice a day my beat is still erratic and its down to an average of 100bpm.
The appointment at the bmi sandringham private hospital was cancelled so was due to run out of pills so i rang the local terrington docs and the doc said there is no problem with AH pills and i will only get a blood test once a year, anyone out there can give me a quick yep he is right as all i seem to read is that they are nicknamed the domestos of the pill world and i should have regular blood tests to check my liver, by the way i was left by my doc on bisapol with a 140bpm and my nhs appointment was six weeks away. Feeling crap that i seem to have been left in that condition its like the local docs are saying go away any pains go to a and e, seems they think its no big deal, just got off the phone with doc and i expect a letter soon saying find another surgery cheers wayne 49 and fit as a fiddle other than af.
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danielmoto
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In reality I'd go as far to say the majority of GPs are not up to speed with the regimes and specifics of AF / Treatment. When I was on Amiodrone I had letters advising me to go for blood tests every few months, whereas when I was on its supposedly less lethal counterpart Dronedrone I had blood tests at 1, 3, 6 month intervals for liver function.
There are many horror stories out there and people particularly adamant that Amiodrone is the devil's spawn and should not be touched under any circumstances but short term useage should not present any real problems. It certainly got me back into a correct place when I had it IV and then orally short term.
Can you see if you can get your Cardiology appointment moved forward as you're having problems?
many many thanks for the replys jedi and yatsura, no chance of moving my appointment forward, seems my local surgery dont take af as being serious, I wasnt far off a continuous 140bpm for five weeks solid only when i went to a and e they put me straight into resus and acted straight away and changed my med straight away, thats what disappointing the doc who owns and manages the terrington st clemment surgery was happy to let me wait with a 140bpm until mid nov for my app with the nhs cardio, hence why i have decided to sell my motorcycle to pay for a private assesment.
Jedi has said it all really. I'm always surprised by the contrasting ways that GP s deal with AF though. At my surgery a continuous heart rate of 140 is not treated in a cavalier fashion. It's taken seriously.
Having just replied to a another thread with similar content I am yet again feeling stunned! Having to sell your bike to be able to access reasonable healthcare.........
Jedi offers excellent advice and re-enforces for me that we need to be well informed and to question Doctor’s and challenge when required.
HR of over 120 for any sustained period should be investigated as a matter of course.
Funnily enough I have the opposite problem - GPs send me to A&E - who do nothing.
Thankfully I have an excellent GP practice and excellent EP.
If you are taking powerful drugs you need regular blood tests - I don’t take Amiodarone but do take other powerful drugs and am tested monthly and I have access to all my results and am encouraged to know and understand my numbers.
One of the doctors at my practice often used to say “a lot of patients have permanate af” but 3 of the other doctors sent me to A&E when I’d been at 140 for 24 hours.
Go back to your GP and ask him about the care plan that you should be on if you are taking amiodarone - a plan that is set up between the hospital and the GP and involves regular blood tests, thyroid tests and an annual ECG. Have you been referred to a cardiologist?
Hi Daniel, so sorry you have had this experience. I am in Norfolk too but in the N&N catchment not the QE. I was taken off Amiodarone by my cardiologist as my GP wrote to him as it was making my hair fall out. Horrible drug. You should be on regular blood tests and it does sound like your GP is not taking this seriously enough. 140 bpm for five weeks is an A&E job and should be taken seriously. Do you have a Cardio community nurse you can call for advice? You should not have to sell your motorbike to access health care. If you can change your GP, it might be a good idea to do a bit of research and find out what the other surgeries are like nearby. Ask for a referral to a community cardiology nurse too, even if it’s just someone you have phone access to when you are worried. All the best and I really hope you get more support.
Hi danielmoto
I think the situation is that you have been started on Amiodarone (which has worked) but have not seen a consultant. You have a GP who appears from what you say, to be reluctant to engage in your cardiac care.
It really is essential for you to rebook your private opinion, and with an electrophysiologist rather than a cardiologist if possible. You could ask here for a local recommendation.
Remember not to go down the private route for investigations until you have explored NHS waiting times, fees are sky high.
You need to get expert opinion asap in my opinion to get a plan of action in place, particularly now that you are on Amiodarone.
Coping with paroxysmal AF can be challenging. NHS care in this area is sometimes inadequate.
Informing yourself is essential. The AFA website and this forum will be invaluable to you. Keep asking for help at this tricky early stage on your journey. You needn't feel alone 👍
Lance2 has got it in one. Amiodarone 200mg twice daily is not a low maintenance dose and you definately need a treatment plan. I am on 200mg daily with 6 monthly blood checks and doing fine. Medical trials doing studies of low maintenance dosage show significant reduction of side effects although thyroid problems are not dose dependent. All heavy duty medication comes with possible side effects so regular monitoring is essential. You need a plan!! Good luck.
Many thanks again for all the replies, all your comments are a great help and gives me the will and knowledge to sort this cheers again and a big thank you wayne.
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