I wrote this weekend after seeing cardiologist on Saturday.
I chased up today and earliest can get an echo cardiogram is 31st August then another week after that to see cardiologist. So looks like I’ll be in AF for a at least 8-10 weeks until I get ( or not depending what they find I guess) …an ablation.
From what he said at initial consult the longer in AF the less likely ablation will work…. So, is this ok? I’m asking but aware there isn’t anything I can do to actually speed it up ! so I guess I’m just hoping for reassurance! . ( I know this is quicker than a lot of people , so I appreciate I’m luckier . …. Just sitting at home chewing over it….
(Also …. Just chopped a small dead tree down in my garden which felt great as managed to take out frustration on it : until HR hit 174 . I felt fine but thought I’d better sit down. Oops! 🙊)
thanks for any help 🙏
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patience12
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Ring the echo dept and put yourself on their cancellation list. You would be surprised at how many people cancel.It works about half the time so there is a good chance you will be seen before August.
Sounds like a good idea from 10gingercats. I've spent months in AF in the past and usually ended up having a cardioversion which for me always put me back into normal rhythm, haven't you been offered one? Then I had 3 ablations but am now in low constant AF between 60-90and I get along fine.
No I haven’t been offered a CV. My cardiologist said it wasn’t worth it? I don’t know why. Recommended an ablation .
I’m not sure why CV wouldn’t work. 🤷♀️ I’ll ask after he’s seen the echo cardiogram.
One of many questions : there’s so much to take in at the initial appointment my head was fried coming out and between me and my husband we managed to piece together what he said. ( wish I’d recorded it ).
As replied to 10gingercats the 31st was a cancellation. God knows what it would have been otherwise. We live quite close to hospital so after being on hold and leaving messages, we went down there and luckily receptionist saw the echo nurse and popped in to see her and said there’s a cancellation for end of month so I took it. Was surprised though at the length of time. I guess I thought private meant instant! Disabused rapidly! Receptionist said everyone that can go private ( insurance or self funding) is at the moment . Maybe longer waiting in NHS? So it’s busy as well private 🤷♀️
I suppose it depends how many cardiologists are available - they can only see a certain number of people even if you are paying!!!! I live in South Africa and most of our specialists are private, but I still have to book my annual check-up with mine who practices at the local private hospital, 3 months in advance. Granted, I live in an area with a lot of gated estates especially designed for old people, a lot of whom (include me although I live on a normal estate) have heart problems. !!!!!
Interesting…..as the NHS is planning to use spare capacity in private hospitals/facilities (already is in some areas) it may end up that private bookings are delayed! I assume the echo is private as well as the consultation, some consultants will see you privately then book tests etc on the NHS if you don’t have insurance cover.
I’ve been advised that although treatments like cardioversion and ablation may work, it is important to reduce the stroke during these procedures by being on anti coagulants for a couple of months beforehand.
I had a waiting list of 18 months for ablation just before the pandemic. Now its 12 months. I am now on the wait-and-see list to see if I need a second,8 months wait.It is aggravating to have to wait,but my EP well respected ,reassued me that it takes a lengthy period of aggressive AF to cause significant damage to the heart structure.
If it is of any comfort I was in persistent AF for 2 years and so far at 5 months post ablation & still holding.I was given a 50% chance of success by EP.
Get on the cancellation list. I was in hospital with a bad arrhythmia about 4 weeks ao . Unknown to me A&E had asked for an echo and a holter monitor. The echo appointment came through in just under 3 weeks and the holter in 4 weeks. In fact when I rang last Friday to change the holter appointment because I couldn't take it back when they wanted, I was immediately offered another date for last Sunday, just 2 days later instead of the end of August.
NHS waiting time in South Manchester is 8 months. I've got one on Thursday this week requested last December. Failed Cardioversion but not seeing the cardiologist for another 3 months. HR mostly controlled so no urgency it seems. I'm in persistent AF, now thinking of taking Amiodarone to assist a further CV when/if I get offered one
I live in South Africa, much of our health treatment is private, but a different system from the USA. It's a bit complicated to explain. Anyhow, when I go to the Cadiologist, he has a room full of machinery and his assistant does an echocardiogram with doppler during my appointment - why do you have to wait for another appointment ,it does not make sense?
Good question. No idea. I was told echo person works in private hospital 2 days per week. So last time I had consult and echo same time . This time…. Not. 🤦♀️
(Bad) luck of the draw I think. Even private now I sense is under strain. Most people are the same in NHS and private practice so I guess they do part week NHS and part private. Someone posted here that NHS using private to take strain. Don’t know really. My advice: don’t get ill! Sorry grim humour!
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