After nearly 11 months since AFib was diagnosed with its additional pills I have been wondering why the cardiologist hasn’t taken any notice of me?
Just one measly call last May 1st. I’m not a horrible person and I was getting bothered by the absence of ‘cast iron’ info from the boss, so to speak. But my patience was in vein.
After my 4th (self) admission to A&E for palpitations, just after Christmas, my Dr’s secretary call me and said the Pharmacist will ring you. Great! I thought that’s a start.
He was fab, and after a good chat about my circumstances and mentioning Dr Gupta’s videos (👍) concluded there was nothing he could do to help and that I should call the cardiologist to find out what the plan is.
That’s when I found out, in a return call message from the cardiologist secretary, that I had been discharged from him last May. After a clear Echo test.
Ahhhhhhhhh! That explains it.
Ohhhhhhhhh!
Bugger!
😬
PS. Thankfully my own Dr is calling me next week: to clear the muddy waters hopefully.
Stay safe everyone. 🤞
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Cigarboxblues
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My suggestion would be to research the KARDIA one lead heart monitor and find an Electrophysiologist (EP) to arrange a one off private appointment, with the option to have investigations and follow up on the NHS. You probably need to be investigated for sick sinus syndrome (SSS), and considered for pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) +/- pacemaker(PM)
Thanks Badger2021. During the call Tuesday I intend to ask for official guidance and stance on the self checked Kardia charts. If they are of use for me to use as info for the dr to help diagnose the issues I will straight away get the afore mentioned 6 Lead gadget, as you suggest.I feel that it’s best for me to k ow me so to help my dr.
The bad news is that many GPs have mentally filed AF in the same category as the common cold, nits and IBS. Even so you seem to have had poor service. You should have had a copy of the letter to your GP discharging you for a start.
The good news is that you seem keen to learn and look after yourself so I should go to the AFA website and read everything twice. Things are difficult at the moment but as the cardiologist you ‘saw’ didn’t seem over concerned (understandably as he’s probably working all hours with COVID patients) you might want to ask your GP to refer you to an EP either NHS or privately.
Re the A&E visits, no point in going unless you are experiencing chest pain, dizziness/faintness, breathlessness and other nasty symptoms suggesting your heart can’t cope. At your age that shouldn’t happen until you HR is much higher than you report or has been high for days.
Best wishes, do come back with further questions when you’ve done the homework 💜
Indeed, homework, that’s the only way forward.This is a platform with a welcome interchange of information suggesting that there is a great understanding of the subtlety of this condition.
From the Gp’s position (like you say) it does seem more like a superficial annoyance rather than, how I feel about it as, a life changing challenge. I will change, learn, understand and keep active in mind and body.
Update.So the GP Dr rang me as planned, saying “what can I help you with”?
I said AF, when do I go to A&E?
If your pulse is under 60 for long or over 100 for long was her answer, slightly contradicted by the opposing view that AF alone is going to be with you for your life, and that you have to listen to your body. Use the Bisoprolol to bring down a high pulse with up to 10mg ((4 tablets). I said my normal resting heart is 50 BPM to which she said it would be best if it was in the 60-90 range (without giving a clue as to how to do that or in my view whether it’s even possible?
I also asked “Will a Cardio mobile gadget help me help”? After replying how would you read the chart? I said I would send it to you. Basically she said that it wouldn’t be necessary.
She said she had no letters about my condition and said “happy days” when I mentioned that the echo test (last may) was clear.
On the whole I understand what she’s saying. I didn’t argue my case, I’m not the medical expert, I listened and comprehended.
Conclusion.
I have learned lots in the last 11 months and remain uncertain about what to expect and how to deal with AF. Helped by this community and Sanjay Gupta I will continue to learn, change my lifestyle and self analyse.
The community has really helped me calm my feelings of separation and slight despair about what’s “the experts” are telling me. Allied with the fact that the Gp will be the first one I tell if or when something changes.
So I will listen to my body, learn more about the condition and live.
I’m content that I’m the one in charge and hope that the new doses of self medicated magnesium-citrate help with another few doses of educational videos and text from experts and “fellow survivors”.
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