scratching my head.?

[Jetcat]

Hi you lovely people. long story so I’ll keep it short.

Iv had 3 ablations and have a history of palpitations. went to GP asked for a monitor because I’m getting ectopics frequently.

He said NO need but come for ECG in 2days and bloods.!! I wasn’t happy so asked to be referred to a cardiologist anyway which he did do and Iv got my date.👍

My wife who hasn’t got AFIB presents at A+E with palpitations first time ever.!! After a stressful night shift at work and received a printout to give to her GP. the GP. arranged a 7 day holter monitor and bloods ASAP , and is now being treated for a thyroid problem and is now fine.👍

Am I missing something here or should I have demanded a monitor.? I’m a polite person so didn’t want to disrespect the GP but why didn’t he listen to me.??

Any rational explanation would honestly be appreciated.??

Best wishes everyone.

Ron.

[BobD Volunteer]

Ectopics are considered benign whereas AF is more serious. Simple.

[Jetcat in reply to BobD]

Thanks bob. But I’m still at a loss as to why I was declined a monitor when I have a history of AFIB and ectopics, but my wife got one straight away with no history of AFIB or ectopics.!!!

[Buffafly in reply to Jetcat]

You have ‘a history’ which apparently doesn’t show anything ‘serious’ whereas your wife didn’t and clearly the hospital ecg printout rang alarm bells. Not saying your symptoms aren’t distressing but they are well documented previously.

[Jetcat in reply to Buffafly]

That is true buff. I didn’t think of it like that and it’s rite what you’re saying 👍

[djbgatekeeper]

Hi Ron, I have frequent palpitations they are a complete pain, I recently had a loop recorder inserted in my chest so I can capture a recording for my cardiologist. People underestimate how palpitations can be so demoralising but it seems my GP is on board. So far they haven't been frequent enough to trigger a recording but the last couple of weeks have been uncomfortable. It might be worth you doing a bit of research on loop recorders to get the most from your appointment... If you need any help let me know 👍

[Jetcat in reply to djbgatekeeper]

thankyou gatekeeper. Will do.👍

[Peony4575]

Maybe cardiologist will order one. If you can afford it, why not get a Kardia so you can capture your own palpitations. Handy things to have as palpitations have a habit of becoming shy when you have a 24 hour monitor

[secondtry]

These days it is a tricky balance with more standing up for the patient's viewpoint and integrating that as diplomatically as you can into the NHS system. In most cases, not all, I have found that does involve some private appointments.

[Sixtyslidogirl]

I think you are right to want to understand what is going on. My cardiologist says that palpitations are just a catch all name when something is undiagnosed. And some ectopics are more benign than others. I get more when my heart is irritated. There are lots of devices you can use to see what is going on as people on here will testify. This gives you more knowledge and may reassure you or give more power to your elbow to get more medical advice.

[Jetcat in reply to Sixtyslidogirl]

Thanks sixty.👍

[Ppiman]

I get the same and, on two recommendations from people here, bought myself a Wellue AI 24-hour monitor for peace of mind, which has been excellent; but, as Bob says, ectopics are not considered anything of importance unless they are very frequent or occur only during exercise, I believe. I take 1.25mg bisoprolol daily to ward off AF and that does reduce the ectopics, too.

Steve

[Jetcat]

hi Steve. I’m on 10mg bisoprolol and have been for years but still get ectopics unfortunately.!! God only knows what they’d feel like if I wasn’t on bisoprolol.? 😳

[Kendalghost]

I was fitted with a monitor a while back. When I returned it I was told that I should have just used my Kardia as it records enough info and I could email the details through to them. It is good having a record of all my A fib days, a bit depressing but interesting.

[Jetcat in reply to Kendalghost]

Hi kendal, Iv got a cardialive ECG recorder but I wanted a monitor to record all of my ectopics every day for a week 👍

[Dodie117]

I would second the above. Get a Kardia. Approved by nhs etc so invaluable.

[Jetcat in reply to Dodie117]

Iv got a cardialive but I wanted to have a monitor to show doctors just how many I get in a day

[Banquo]

You may be a perfect candidate for the Wellue 24 hour monitor that another here mentioned. It fills that need of having something you can wear overnight or through the day that can potentially give you some continuous data that your Kardia misses in its 30 second snapshot. I have both the Wellue and Kardia and luckily my EP is a gizmo guy so he likes that i have those results to send them when needed. Other times I just use them for my own curiosity. I guess it depends on whether your doc could use that info and would find them useful? In any event, good luck to you!

[Dodie117 in reply to Banquo]

It’s expensive!!

[Jetcat in reply to Dodie117]

What sort of price dodie.?

[Dodie117 in reply to Jetcat]

I don’t have one but Looking at Amazon the 24hr one seems to be £350ish. Maybe Banguo has more info. I just use Kardia. I also wear a Fitbit (£50) which monitors me when asleep.

[Jetcat in reply to Dodie117]

Thanks dodie. Iv also got a Fitbit plus the cardialive but how far do ya go I ask myself .? Iv got a cardiologist appointment back end of this Month so hopefully he maybe a little more willing to offer a 7day monitor.??👍

[Dodie117 in reply to Jetcat]

Yes. I’m happy with my decision and don’t do a lot of monitoring.

Good luck 🍀

[Jetcat in reply to Dodie117]

Thanks dodie.👍

[Banquo in reply to Jetcat]

I bought my 24 hr recorder right from the website: getwellue.comThey have many different products. I also have had a Kardia 6L that I've used for years. The benefit of the wellue is i can wear it overnight for continuous monitoring and see results the next day and send it to the doc if it is troubling. I've been wearing it a lot lately after my second ablation. Otherwise if you are in the middle of an episode and know it, you can use a watch or Kardia etc to get a 30 second recording. Again, there is an argument that ignorance is bliss and monitoring things with gizmos might just add stress to your life...but I like to know, personally. Good luck!

[Jetcat in reply to Banquo]

I agree Banquo. I’ll take a trace whilst in AFIB but tend not to keep looking at Heart rate through the day etc nowadays.

I had a cardiologist app 2weeks ago as a new patient with a new cardiologist and I took some print offs from my Kardialivecor to show him. He was very pleased I had done so too as he has got something to look at.👍 he sent a report to my GP regarding putting me back on DOAC and swapping my meds about through day etc but also sent me a copy. And it states this middle aged gentleman(me) is educated on AFIB and has a good knowledge of his condition and had brought some ECGs with him which I can clearly see he has been having bouts of AFIB and also super ventricular ectopics.👍

[Banquo in reply to Jetcat]

I see you've had 3 ablations? Do you feel like they've increasingly improved your situation? I just got done with my 2nd ablation, and hope springs eternal, right?

[Jetcat in reply to Banquo]

I was wishing for no AFIB for rest of my life after ablations but things haven’t worked out that way.? I don’t regret having them because although I still get episodes of AFIB my quality of life is a lot better than it was. I still work full time etc and enjoy life. I personally think that once afib has introduced itself into our hearts it’s going to be a constant companion just lurking around the corner, for some of us anyway no matter what.?

[Banquo in reply to Jetcat]

Yeah unfortunately I agree ..the mystery is forever present. Good to know things have improved, though. I'm hoping for the same.

[Jetcat in reply to Banquo]

With ablations,lifestyle changes,and meds, things have got to be better than it left untreated.?👍👍

[Jetcat]

Thankyou.something to consider.?👍