Hooray hooray got my appointment today!

[Rainfern]

I'm seeing a cardiologist EP end of this month, and that feels a big relief, not that they'll have any magic wands! It's really worth chasing these things up. The registrar who originally referred me for the holter monitor failed to refer me to a consultant. That was weeks wasted while I waited to get the holter fitted and it was only when I chased up the cardio secretary to ask about monitor results that I learned there was no referral as such to a cardiologist EP! I had to go back to my GP to get the referral. Meanwhile I'm told the waiting time for monitor results is currently 6 weeks. So decided against all my principles and dislike of our two-tier system (not to mention financial circumstances) to take the private route to a consultation. I'm glad it's with the same consultant I'll be under with any NHS procedure. I've read here so many times how important it is to not hang around with persistent af, and I've not even been offered cardioversion or anti arrhythmia drugs yet alone been offered an opportunity to explore future options. So hopefully some further choices will open up to me, and when they do I know I'll be eternally grateful to this forum!😀

[doodle68]

Hello Rainfern that is good news...

My suggestion to you would be to make a list of things to ask the consultant.

If you are newly diagnosed have you had an Echocardiogram yet , it is essential to view the condition of your heart before treatment is decided.

I wish I had seen an EP earlier (I had to pay to see one) tried Flecainide earlier and had chance to take it as a PIP , got on the list for an Ablation earlier.

I am afraid as with many conditions Covid has made things even more difficult for many AFers.

[Rainfern in reply to doodle68]

Thank you Doodle and Buffafly for your helpful suggestions. I had the echocardiogram back in early November last year. It showed Afib but the general structure of my heart to be sound. Daily reading on my Microlife Home BP/HR monitor consistently show presence of Afib and resting HR in 80s and 90s. The holter results take around 6 weeks so by the time of my appointment that will be 7 weeks and the secretary said if the results aren't in then get in touch a few days earlier and make a different appointment. As I understand it I wasn't referred to cardio because the registrar explained my condition was due to aging and that it would be dealt with at the GP practice!

[Buffafly in reply to Rainfern]

🙄 A GP told me my Sinus node was wearing out. That may be true but doesn’t mean I have put up with the results and neither should you ❤️‍🩹

[Rainfern in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you Buffafly for your replies, goodness knows what a worn out sinus node looks like, but sounds like something your GP might have invented! Do you find that the older you get the more people seem to think its OK to come out with bunkum?! 😂

[Buffafly]

You might also consider waiting for the holter result because the more info the EP has the more valuable your consultation will be.

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

That’s probably why you weren’t referred to a consultant - they need ECG, holter and echocardiogram to make a decision.

[Afibflipper]

Rainfern I really am so pleased for you, not for the fact you’ll have had to empty the bank to see the same

Consultant consultant but that the registrar took you off radar! I hope you get the same care I have with private and you start to see light at the end of the long tunnel x

[Rainfern in reply to Afibflipper]

Thank you dear Flipper. And I hope you're doing well yourself. My main complaint is exhaustion at the moment, but I know there's many worse off than me xx

[secondtry]

Definitely the right decision. Exploit it to the full, keep a diary of events leading up to your appointment, a list of questions (don't get pushed out of the door before you have written down the answers) for your appointment and keep a diary leading up to the next private appointment if funds allow.

A private appointment doesn't give you much extra time but sometimes that extra 10 mins yields a lot for your money 🤞😁.

[Rainfern in reply to secondtry]

Thank you secondtry for your encouragement! I've already got that diary under way, and a daily record of HR/BP and presence of AFib. I find it too easy to slip off quickly from an appointment, thinking too much about using up time and the next person waiting! So this is very helpful.

[DawnTX]

first thing on your list ask about a blood thinner please because as you probably know, that is one of the most dangerous part of a fib

[Rainfern in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you Dawn for your concern. Please see my reply to Cat below (I know, I'm working backwards!!)

[Cat04]

You've been in afib since November & no medicines at all?? Get onto your GP as a minimum who can prescribe an anticoagulant (essential) and rate/rhythm control drugs. This will help you fel better until you see the EP.

[Rainfern in reply to Cat04]

Ah Cat, thank you for your concern. I'm sorry I didn't explain well.... Ive been on anti-coagulant from the start! But because my GP doesn't seem to have an in-depth knowledge of this condition I have not pushed him for a rhythm control prescription. I do have a beta blocker, propranolol, that I just take at night which is when things are most likely to kick off. Although I'm not comfortable with the symptoms I know from being on this forum that mine are quite mild compared with others. And I'm focused on keeping exercised, hydrated, weight control, relaxation and so forth. I'm not sure the rate/rhythm control drugs would stop me being breathless on stairs or give me my energy back in the afternoon? But it would be nice to feel normal heartbeat again!

[DawnTX in reply to Cat04]

i’m so glad you told her that as well. We have to look out for each other.

[Cat04]

My GP admits to not knowing about cardiology, not too reassuring is it! Sounds like you are doing all you can until you see the EP. Good luck x

[Buffafly]

By the way, where in the Southwest do you live?

[Rainfern in reply to Buffafly]

Just messaged you 😀