Today I meet my EP for the first time after years of muddling through without much help! I’m very hopeful he will be able to help me formulate some kind of plan for the future that will help me feel better than I do now.
I’ve written a list of things that I must discuss like anticoagulants, are there any other questions anyone can think of that I might not have thought of?
I also just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their help getting me to this point. Finding this forum has given me a place to safely ask questions and be honest about how I’m feeling.
Thank you again and all have a lovely Friday!
Written by
Kellyjelly
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Thank you, I just hope I don’t burst into tears! I’ve built it up so much in my head, I’ve been practicing my deep breathing and meditation to help me stay focused!
Take notes - have your list of questions and keep to the point. Being emotional is normal (said as I sit in a hospital room with my husband who is about to go up for a cardioversion).
It’s natural to be nervous - this is all new to you but it isn’t for the doctor and you will be on their territory so it is all unknown.
As CDreamer says make sure you have a list of your symptoms and take notes of the answers. He/she will hopefully give you the number of an arrhythmia nurse to further help and guide you.
It’s good to have a distraction and sharing our experiences helps not only ourselves, but hopefully others that read them. I’ve been through all this many times, as I’ve also had AF for over 12 years now but still remember how scary and overwhelming it was in the beginning and how I felt many doctors didn’t take that into account - it was almost business as usual. It takes a long time to take things in - I’ve just been at this a lot longer!
Take notes and ensure you get a copy of the letter the consultant sends to your GP - that way you won’t miss anything that is important. And if you need to process after - we are all here.
Thank you so much and really am so grateful to you for using your precious time to help reassure me when you are in the situation you are in this morning. I will be thinking of you as I go into my day and hoping all goes well and your husband will feel better after the procedure x
If humanly possible take somebody with you. One seldom hears everything said at these meetings and a second pair of ears helps enormously. If not can yo record on your phone?
I realised how important it is to take someone with you to an appoint. some years ago when an elderly friend asked me to accompany him to an appoint. I turned to my friend at one point as we sat in front of the doctor and I thought my friend looked rather vague .The doctor had not taken into account the patient had hearing problems.......mentioned on his notes!.It turned out to be an import. appoint.So maybe more than one reason to have someone with you at an appoint.
As Bob has said it's a good idea to have someone with you, as it's so easy to forget what was said. Ideally we could do with a little recording machine, so we can listen to what the EP said at a later time when we're feeling calm and can absorb more.
The funny thing is that Wilsond’s reply was in my mind while I was in the appointment and I did exactly as instructed and asked each question on the list! 😊 so helpful
I can't add anything to the great advice from other posters except breathe and try to slow down everything. Best wishes with your visit and let us know how you get on. xx
If an ablation is advised, it may be logistically easier to say yes, and if you change your mind you can withdraw from what is likely to be a long NHS waiting list later. The pressure of the first appointment makes firm decision making in the heat of the moment difficult, and if you say no and then change your mind, that can be more complicated. Some consultants like things in black and white, and don’t appreciate “maybe”, even if they should.
I noticed you said you had refused meds for anxiety and given up on Bisoprolol after three days, not sure if you discussed that with anybody first? What I am coming to is that I have learned the hard way that you should give offered medication a trial even though expressing doubts and if something doesn't suit you or help you should not stop without reporting bad effects to your doctor so it can be noted or maybe dose adjusted or an alternative prescribed, also some meds need to be stopped gradually. It would be great if you are offered an ablation immediately (say YES!) but you may be offered meds to try first or tide you over until the date. Best wishes!
Good Luck.... I wish I’d taken a list of questions with me on my first appt.
Thank you all so much for your words of encouragement and your practical tips, I used every one of them! I’ve started a new post on the outcome of thx appointment. It was a very big day !
Thank you all again
Late to the party here, so probably after your appointment, but if you explore the AFA website there is a great form you can fill in to take to appointments which I use every time I go. Saves the consultant’s time & gives them more time to focus on you & your questions.
It includes your history meds etc & somesuggested questions.
Hopefully someone more tech savvy than me might post a link or admin may pick this up.
Thanks so much for that! That would have been a great help. I did write a list as advised by loads of posters here. I will have a look though for future appointments for sure. 😊
Found it! Go to AFA website & click patient area, then patient resources & scroll to AF checklist & also Patient & primary care checklist. Both very useful for appointments. 2nd one has good questions to ask & areas to note answers or write notes on treatment efficacy etc.
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Ablation at last! 
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