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Please, all I want is someone to talk to for advice

Lizie-Loo2013 profile image
18 Replies

Was diagnosed with Af 3 years ago.

Recently have been having more episodes which are lasting longer and longer.

Dr decided to send me back to hospital for heart scan and e c g. This was in September. Since then have heard nothing.

All I want is advice on whether or not to increase my Bisoprolol daily, or can I take it as a pill in pocket? Dr won’t prescribe Felc , says it’s an awful drug!

I’m so tired and fed up and don’t know where to go for help. Dr says it’s with the hospital now.

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Lizie-Loo2013 profile image
Lizie-Loo2013
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18 Replies
gwyn53 profile image
gwyn53

You need to contact the hospital.

Ask why you haven't had the results.

If you don't get good response contact your Dr who should have the report.

You have to sometimes push them.

On the other hand,there may be nothing they are unhappy about and you will get another appointment.

The whole point is to make sure YOU get the results.

I really wish you well.

I did go through a terrible time with episodes at end of last year.

But it was stress.

You are putting alot of stress onto yourself.

Try not worry.

Easy to say. I know.

I'm the worst worrier but just try.

Hope this helps a little.

Which hospital if you don't mind me askiñg?

Gwyn xx

Lizie-Loo2013 profile image
Lizie-Loo2013 in reply togwyn53

Thank you so much for your concern. My care is under the Lister hospital at Stevenage.

Think I need to make a pest of myself both with the dr and hospital.

I feel so anxious and stressed - and we all know what that causes!

All I seem to do is worry when my heart is going to go crazy again.

gwyn53 profile image
gwyn53 in reply toLizie-Loo2013

Bless you.

It's so hard isn't it?

You must contact them and keep making a nuisance of yourself.

It's your body.

Your report.

Your future and we all have a good one if only these idiots saw that not telling us anything good or bad makes us worse.

Monday morning if possible phone them up.

I work for the NHS.

They really won't mind.

It may have gotten lost.

But it's a long time to wait.

Keep in touch and I will hope for a good answer for you

Hang in there.

We all need someone to help us through.

Gwyn

Flecainide pip has worked for you but your GP won’t renew the prescription. I wonder if she is concerned to rule out ischaemic heart disease first.

To get back into the hospital system more quickly, you may feel it worth spending £200 for a private appointment with an EP, reverting back to the NHS for the tests. Time to talk again about ablation perhaps?

Hello Lizzie, I see you have been a forum member for at least a couple of years so I’m assuming you have seen a good few posts and replies during that time. Firstly, we are not medically trained therefore we are unable to offer advice on prescribed medication for reasons I’m sure you will understand. Because AF is generally a progressive condition, it really is important that you get back to the hospital and push hard to get the results for the tests you had last year. Obviously your GP has referred you to the hospital and it’s unlikely that you have been discharged back to your GP but if you are not getting the information you are entitled to then your GP needs to be aware. I suggest you find out if there is an Arrhythmia Nurse attached to your hospital. They can be a great source for support and can often enable things to happen so if there is one, make contact and keep them onside so try not to be negative even though you have every right to be. If there is not an Arrhythmia Nurse, then ask for the contact details of your Consultants secretary because whenever tests are carried out, a follow up appointment is scheduled and it’s just possible that you have slipped under the radar. If you are comfortable ringing the secretary then briefly explain the situation regarding your tests and the deterioration in your overall condition and ask if and when a follow up visit is planned. Alternatively write or email your request which will then provide a record of your attempts to seek the treatment you need and deserve. None of this is easy, but the current climate things will may not happen unless you take the initiative but always, always keep the people you talk to onside....

If your AF is worsening and not being controlled by medication, it’s usual to be put forward for an ablation (see NICE guidelines).

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

enherts-tr.nhs.uk/patients-...

Suggest you contact PALS details of their services above .

Jennyquilt0 profile image
Jennyquilt0

Phone the hospital and ask to speak to the secretary of the consultant you saw. Tell her what has happened. I find that if you are very pleasant to them they are very good at checking and sorting things out. Hope this helps.

Jenny

Lizie-Loo2013 profile image
Lizie-Loo2013

Thank you all so much for the advice and care.

I’m not one to make a fuss, hate going to the Dr , keep putting it off because there are more poorly people than me.

My husband and grown family are amazing, they keep telling me to make a fuss, and are always there when I’m feeling unwell.

Perhaps this is the time to try a new me - will phone dr Monday and try and sort things out. Thank s to all you kind people once again. X

in reply toLizie-Loo2013

Just a thought, but Tuesday or Wednesday might be better. Hospitals/Surgeries are under a lot of pressure at the moment and catching up over the weekend won’t help. When you say Dr, do you mean your GP or a specialist at the hospital. If all the tests were carried out at the Lister then I assume you are referring to a cardiologist. I see that they run an Arrhythmia Clinic there so there is a chance they have an Arrhythmia Nurse. I suggest you never underestimate the value of an Arrhythmia Nurse.....good luck.

My GP has told me only Cardiology are allowed to prescribe Flecadine or give the GP permission too..C

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo

Oh Lizie Loo I feel your pain.

Sometimes things don't happen quickly enough for us and it leaves us feeling abandoned and stressed.

It's time to make a fuss! Go back to your Doctor and explain how you are feeling and ask him/her to chase up your appointment.

The alternative is to go down the "Private" route for initial consultation with the follow up being done on the NHS.

I took this route eighteen months ago after being in the same situation and it has worked for me.

I hope you get some results soon.

Redders profile image
Redders

I suggest you change doctors as he dous’nt sound at all interested. Hope you get sorted soon

radagast58 profile image
radagast58

I find a polite constructive email to the consultants medical secretary followed by a phone call can be very helpful!

Good luck

Maagaa profile image
Maagaa

hi Lizzie its clear to me that you are not in the US why haven't you had conversions or ablations or have you? Sounds like you need to see an Electrophysiologist ASAP

Mrspat profile image
Mrspat in reply toMaagaa

Lizzie mentioned which UK hospital she attended elsewhere in the thread. Why did you say “clear to me you are not in the US”?

Maagaa profile image
Maagaa

I do not know the name of every hospital in the US but the one she mentioned did not sound as if it was a hospital in the US. Why would that be of such importance?

Vixxster profile image
Vixxster

Seek a new doc. You must be proactive.

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