panic attack

[Luludean]

when I was first diagnosed with AF it was 15 years ago , I had had mitral valve repair in 2000. Effects of a bad flu and being largely ignored tipped me in to AF. It was a very scary journey then , with most doctors ((especially the women) deriding the condition as hysteria , panic attacks and middle age/ class nonsense, especially if you happened to be divorced .

We have come so far away from that situation !!!! A reason to be grateful !!

15 years ago no one would have thought a site such as this , with so many AF friends , and, the trusty helpliners , would ever exist !! Thank you !!!!

And,,,,, if anyone says to you «  do you think it is a panic attack ? » just breathe and walk away!!

Happy Christmas to us lucky ones . L

[BobD Volunteer]

I do hope we have come a long way as we really needed to. I can remember very early on recommending to ladies not to make an effort before going to the doctors because it had been shown that appearances often out weighed symptoms where some were concerned.

My doctor didn't have that excuse, he was just an idiot who thought I had digestive issues and spent two years treating a non existing problem before I moved house and doctor and she diagnosed me the first time I saw her, probably because her mother had AF.

[Luludean in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, so you had the same brush off years ago!! Just as well we did get believed !!

The « look » thing is still a problem !! I am not going around in sack cloth I need to put make up on , tis nature. But!!!!!!! One gets  «  well you look alright!!!!! » What should I do ?? I have asked «  would you like me to put a bin bag over my head?

My surgeon in Papworth ( 23 years ago ) said «  you are the only person I know, who in ITU asked for a lipstick ! »I was off my trolley on drugs then.

That is all irrelevant now because f to f seems to not exist! 🤗

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Luludean]

I saw my lovely GP on Tuesday actually to update various goings on and when I told her I had an appointment at local cardiology regarding my last echo results (three months ago) she asked me how I did it as mosts of her patients are waiting a year! Round here GP appts are about three weeks though same day for emergency gets you to a doctor of some sorts.

[Luludean in reply to BobD]

You are lucky!!!!

No face to face , been moved from my long trusted gp to a part timer , who doesn’t know me. Not been seen in cardiology for over 3 years !! That is very in nerving . Was given zdmission appointment for epidural steroids nd other things last Wednesday, all paper work arrived Thursday morning , appointment/ procedure «  cancelled » Thursday afternoon . Wednesday I was told pain clinic had NO waiting list , all cleared.

So A F is enjoying itself . L

,

[Camelia23]

Hi Lulu, I was diagnosed 4 years ago and I find it incredible that was the attitude 15 years ago. Must have been nigh intolerable for you!