irregular heartbeat

[cali111]

Last December I completed a pace and ablate, which leaves me pacemaker dependent. Two weeks ago I was in A&E due to shortness of breath. I was diagnosed with left sided heart failure and given frusemide together with the Indapamide. I saw my GP on Friday and she sent me for urgent Blood test. As the surgery had a two week wait I went straight to the hospital and they returned results within two hours. A doctor telephoned me and said I was very low on potassium and needed to start taking a supplement yesterday. This was at 18.00 just as they closed for the weekend. I told him to put it on the spine and my pharmacy would pick it up and post on Monday. He said no to tell him what pharmacy would be best for me, so I did. I have been unable to track this prescription and so I will have to pursue this tomorrow morning. I have not taken any diuretics since Friday morning as instructed, but when I checked my BP today it was showing an irregular heartbeat which it should not have done.

Sorry it was a little long but has anyone have any thoughts on this and if this is not good. As I am deaf I cannot telephone the out of hours service unless I am desperate as I do not hear.

[Hidden]

A&E can check your potassium, and if it is low, I would expect them to prescribe the tablets, all within a couple of hours.

[cali111 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I would have to be desperate to visit A&E as it was my last visit that has landed me in this muddle. Last time in A&E I had to wait 7 hours. I am trying for 111 and they are getting the paramedics to ring me back, which should be a LOL as I am so deaf. Still I know that I should not be seeing irregular heat beats. Maybe I will be able to track my lost prescription. There is no way I am going to A&E again. I can wait until 2morrow and go to the surgery and sort it face to face. I just wanted to be certain that I will not endanger myself by waiting.

[Auriculaire in reply to cali111]

As a stop gap try drinking coconut water which you can buy in health food shops and supermarkets. It is very high in potassium.

[cali111 in reply to Auriculaire]

I did do this as I traced an arrhythmia. I was sent 2 A&E but as I suspected the waiting was 6-7 hrs.and i refused to wait. This morning I did sort it out, a prescription was sent on Fridy to my pharmacy but was lost in the transition so it was sent again today but as they had not got them i had to wait until 17.00 before i got them. What a mess!

[Auriculaire in reply to cali111]

Glad you have got sorted! The joys of A&E in winter and they haven't yet started on the flu crisis - unless they have decided to keep it off the news this year!

[Hidden]

Calli, I agree with Happyjo. I think that A&E should be able to sort you out as you are so obviously unwell. Hope you are able to manage this.

Best wishes

Sandra

[radagast58]

I hope you have got this sorted and that you are feeling better??