Forums can be helpful whether it’s about medical issues or you car etc. We should always keep in mind they are just a snapshot and whilst they can be helpful they can also cause distress . I read some awful accounts before my ablation that could have deterred me from having the procedure. I didn’t and I’m pleased I went ahead .
Listen to your medical people is the best and safest way to move forward . Having said that I’ve read some posts that have been very positive and offered good generic advice .
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kalgs
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Certainly can be on occasions but it’s what we have . Along side the medical advice it’s wise to know what you want to ask. Sometimes a second opinion might be possible.
1000x this. They are too rushed - they can't know everything because they never have the time to fully listen and investigate each case - and in the US where the medical system is all driven by profit it's even worse.
Indeed. One's first concern when responding should like medical staff " first do no harm".It is also good to remember the majority (not all) people who frequent forums are there because either, they are very concerned or they have run into unusual problems.
You can easily find more information on ablations that would make you want to get them rather than be afraid of them - we have cognitive biases we must be aware of when seeking out information. Confirmation bias being the one that would cause us to put more weight to the negative posts about ablation because we are starting out searching and afraid of the procedure.
That said, don't just always listen to your doctors, especially if you know you are able to effectively analyze and research scientific information. No, that's not all of us, but some of us can. Some of us even went to college and learned to do it there. The doctors do NOT spend enough time with us to get the full picture. Some it seems willfully don't listen at all and only pay attention to their tests, I've seen this with multiple docs, that's why I had to fight for my AF diagnosis. They did not listen, they only saw their tests didn't show AF because I kept not having it during them, so they told me to "get more stamina" and that I was having panic attacks for months on end. They did not listen. Had I listened to them, I might have sought out a therapist rather than an electrophysiologist. Instead I researched - learned about SVT, AF, etc etc and also learned to read EKGs.
I won't get too far into detail here but suffice it to say that my EP that had originally finally diagnosed me after I had to demand a referral from my useless cardiologist to get anywhere, will now not see me again by my choice. After 2 years from my original diagnosis I returned to him, and he knew my AF episodes were very few and far between - he refused to entertain the idea of pill in pocket for me, AND directly discouraged me from working with a gastroenterologist and/or nutritionist to get the other conditions that aggravate my AF under control. I've now done this on my own (dietary changes, supplementation etc), and come off the beta blocker he had me on that was making me miserable (plus I read that vagal AF can actually be worsened by beta blockers in some people - confirmed for me when they upped my dose in January and I had more AF episodes than ever). Now I haven't had AF in 2 months, even the ectopics are gone now . For good? Probably not since we know the nature of AF. But I am sure enjoying how good I feel atm. If I had listened to my EP I'd still be depressed with no energy on the beta blockers + he was trying to add in flecainide, and an ablation at 39.
Yes we should listen to our docs, but know when you need to stand up for yourself.
So true. Too many Drs in the USA are ruled by the insurance companies. And they won't fight for their patients. My 1st cardio Dr said to me here's your pills, see you in 3 months. NO explanation. No nothing. So I did my own research and changed cardio Drs. I'm not great. But had I listened to the 1st cardio Dr wanting to do an ablation on me that I didn't need, I'd be pushing up daisies. Drs are failing the patient much too much.Take care and be safe. Happy for your success.
Yep I had no idea what was going on - they kept dismissing me. My very first ER visit was awful - they kept me overnight, and told me nothing at discharge, as if because the echo and EKGs were ok, feeling like I was going to die and heart rate over 200 that I had that sent me to calling 911 was... nothing or just a panic attack - which I knew neither was true. I got home and searched online trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Then the doctors scoff when you say you read anything on your own - well how about they talk to us instead. Take care as well belinda
I spoke to my EP about some of the comments I had received on here which seemed to be blaming me for causing my own Afib and he said it was nonsense and that while forums (fora?!) can be supportive and helpful there is also a lot of nonsense written! This was after me having months of beating myself up due to the comments I received.
I suppose that they might not even a snapshot. Statistically, the membership of a health forum seems likely to be skewed; also, the kind of individual who writes in to such forums will likely be skewed, leaving the potential for rather skewed information to exists on forums!
Generally though, those that are treating you have never suffered what what they are treating you for.
I remember at a group meeting once in which the discussion had ground to a halt as we all disagreed with the facilitator, an attendee said " the problem here is that we've all got it and you haven't".
I would dearly love to agree with you as I have a long family history of NHS workers( in a variety of capacities) . Unfortunately my experience over the last 15 years does not bear this out. Members of my immediate family and myself have been badly let down by those working in the NHS. to the point of medical negligence. I will not go down the negligence route for personal reasons and because I don’t think it does anyone any good. My son is about to undergo a 8 hour operation to try and save his foot after a deep infection on the Achilles’ tendon. If it fails he will lose the use of his foot. The infection was missed by his medical after care team following an Achilles repair procedure. This was despite his GP. Wife trying to insist they open the cast and take a look. Their spaniel dog could smell the infection. In this case the surgeons work has been ruined by the negligent after care.So, I am afraid that I no longer put all my trust in the medics. I am responsible for my own health.
Sorry for the rant. I am feeling a bit sore right now. X
I sympathise with you as we have also been badly let down, I won’t go into it but suffice to say negligence, investigations and an inquest is the result.My current unbelievable situation is a random Consultant advising on a CT I had of which he had neither seen me, the images or report yet thought it ok to dismiss as normal and unimportant the potentially life threatening issues discovered ! Luckily I’m able to rattle cages and have this followed up by a different Consultant who does know me and has actually seen the CT, but we shouldn’t have to do this and what of the people who do trust their Drs without question, very worrying.
I hope your son does well and the outcome is good for all of you.
I listen to all and then distill to my decision. My preference is to know as much as possible before taking the decision. Like the majority here, we understand these posts don't carry as much weight as medical and Alternative Practitioner advice but remain very helpful.
Absolutely. However, some individuals have posted their anxiety after reading a post before considering a medical procedure.However, I guess that’s the nature of the beast .
When folks have a procedure or investigation it's natural that others will ask how things went and what their experience was....... part of the purpose of a forum.......... so we will obviously get warts and all responses. I'd certainly prefer that than folk sugar coating things or playing things down.As for the medical professionals, I've had good and bad experiences but have learned to research my own conditions so that I can challenge anything I am concerned about.
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