After 2 years of telling my doctor that I was experiencing "palpations", I had a 24 hours ecg just before Christmas. This led to my gp rining me to tell me I had PAF. I was prescribed Apixaban 5mg and bisoprolol 1.25 my. Had a very short telephone conversation with a consultant who said the results of a 24 hour follow up ecg were reassuring, although I was still experiencing ectopic heart beats. Consultant said I should have an echocardiagram, but there is a 9 month wait for this.
I have now been told that I will have follow up telephone conversation with a consultant at the beginning of August. I'd like to be prepared for this and would welcome any advice as to what questions I should ask.
Thanks in advance
Written by
Trimley
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I would suggest you visit AFA and read up as much as possible about AF as possible, the treatments available and how to access them and go to the Factsheets and look for one entitled Questions to ask your Consultant.
I am sure others will chip in with their favourites but there is so much to absorb, that’s your starting point and then ask specific questions on the forum - so much experience and knowledge here, you’ve found your tribe!
Purchase an oximeter and do a regular finger test to test your pulse rate and push for an echocardiogram ASAP.Take your blood test regularily
Ask for a copy of your ECG result and a full explanation of what it says. “ Reassuring “ isn’t good enough if they think you require an echocardiogram. .
I wouldn't entirely trust an oximeter when AF is present. In AF not all the heart beats occur when the heart has recharged with blood, and therefore do not produce a measurable pulse. I know a Kardia device or similar is more expensive, but it is invaluable in these heart conditions where the electrical signal is the only dependable measure of what is going on. They also give recorded evidence to present to your doctor/consultant.
My advice would be to ask the consultant if looking at my diet and timing my meals better would suit me as a person. This would include the right amount of sleep and relaxation. My nutritionist helped me SO MUCH The consultant will probably only be prepared to spend the time seeing to straight down the middle medication, but so much other help is out there for you. Sadly I developed drug induced Lichen Planus, so I am biased as I wished I had gone to the nutritionist before going on to the Bisoprolol. I did manage to leave it alone after 3 months of better living, but of course the Lichen Planus wont budge blow it. I stuck to the Rivaroxaban as my GP said it stops pooling of the blood and will help to avoid strokes.
My advice would be to keep pressing the doctors for answers until you are happy with the result. I had similar symptoms to you, got an echo within 4 months [this revealed nothing] , a cardiac MRI 2 months later which revealed a 25% cardiac infarct. I have tried bisoprolol, diltiazem[which didn't help], sotalol[which has kept me symptom-free]. I still have an appt. with an electrocardiologist. The problem with beta-blockers is that they make me really cold in the winter[ but better than AF] and I can hopefully go to the gym sauna and steam room this winter.
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