7 day halter delay

[Peacockmumma]

I went to the dr here end of Nov, I did post on here before (as following 8 episodes in 16 days whilst in France after lunch.) had ecg. Bloods bP checked for 1 week blah blah…and was told I would be referred to cardiology after I had had a 7 day halter on to monitor. I had that done before when I was first diagnosed so was happy with that.not that I’ve seen a live body at cardiology..all appts have been over the phone..anyway. Chased the dr up in Dec…it’s Xmas . Ok..so went back this week…20 weeks to get a sodding 7 day halter. It’s for the area! No idea how big this area is! lol.

I’m in south east.

You have to laugh..I’m lucky I don’t suffer when I have an episode. I’ve honestly given up with the NHS but can’t do anything more. I know my episodes are eating / vagus related I’m sure and when it does start it sits in the 70s..usually 76 for a few hrs. Air fried bacon, black pudding and a fried egg on bread kicked it off last time.

Have to say tho for an urgent cancer pathway for a cough nhs were brilliant….xray and ct scan both done within about 2 weeks, no cancer..phew. . Just wish people would phone with results..carried my phone with me to the loo everywhere waiting for a call..found it all on nhs app!🙈

[BobD Volunteer]

Holter monitors (named after the inventor) are not cheap and most hospitals only have a few so there is often a long waiting list especially when they are out for long periods. They then need recharging and testing before the next patient . There are specialist companies in UK who send modern units which do the same job by post with a return envelope and good instructions as to how to fit and use. Royal Brompton in London had one sent to me in Devon from a firm in Yorkshire but no doubt it is an expensive option. Might be worth enquiring.

[Peacockmumma in reply to BobD]

Very strange…as I said had a 2 week wait last time …oh well.

[jeanjeannie50]

I would say that 20 weeks to wait for a holter monitor is too long .

When you had your lunches in France did you have wine with them? Sulphites/sulphides preservatives in wine can trigger AF. I used to find that eating a biggish lunch would often kick off an attack as soon as I started walking and leaving the cafe or restaurant. Now I'm scared, so never overeat lunch times.

When out with a walking group everyone would take a lovely packed lunch of sandwiches and goodies, boring me had to make do with just a banana and some nuts which I knew would not set off my AF.

Wishing you well.

Jean

[DawnTX in reply to jeanjeannie50]

I definitely agree about over eating by the second time I was positive that’s what it was and I no longer do that. I bring half home if I am out to lunch somewhere. I can sip a glass of wine but all you don’t wanna do it and over eat that’s for sure. Usually, by the time I get to my car, I am hurting ice cream sets me off. It doesn’t take much either or any type of an ice cream drink. I believe it is related to the coldness of it. I swear I can feel it touching things setting it off inside lol. We are all different on what so you need to pay yourself a list.

I always have trouble with sulfates. Normally the drink that I drink is to be more like a fruit drink the one that I like. I personally love a heavy French red wine or Greek, but I barely get it in my mouth and you can watch me turn red from my hairline start to itch and now definitely get the palpitations even pacemaker once enough at least for me. There are so many things that can cause them, including emotions, but it sounds like you are definitely having issues with food or too much of it. I can eat just about anything but in moderation or less.

[Peacockmumma in reply to DawnTX]

Honestly the meal wasn’t even large but def think it may be the sulphites of the bacon and black pudding

[DawnTX in reply to Peacockmumma]

it may very well have been. It doesn’t have to be a large quantity if it’s a heavy meal. I find I am eating about half of what I used to be able to put away lol I’m not sure why unfortunately I’m not losing the weight compared to what I am eating, but I have had several steroid injections since July which throws off my sugar also. I know I am doing the right thing at least most of the time lol unfortunately it is what it is sometimes and we to roll with it. You’re gonna be OK. especially since I got my pacemaker I mostly get annoyed with the feelings lol I know it is not doing further damage because my pacemaker is in charge. That’s the great thing about the pacemaker. If you know anyone that needs one ever tell them things keep getting better all the time medically. Most of the time I feel normal again, which is something I never thought I would get to do.

sometimes we also blame everything on the when it is something else just keep an eye on what you’re eating as I said are definitely something I need to keep away from but we are all different. I try to find the common denominator when I have problems. Most of the time for me it is my anxiety more than anything. Best of luck it’s good for us to share the triggers. We find to at least give someone something to think about. We don’t get all the a fib does what a fib wants to do. It’s a nasty little creature lol just tell him to go away.

[Peacockmumma in reply to DawnTX]

AFIB has a mind of it’s own and catches us out lol

[30912]

Yes, I'm in the south east too. There is an outstanding NHS appointment for me with cardiology after a referal by my GP back in July. Guess what? Seven months later and it's still outstanding according to my NHS app. Had to go private as I couldn't wait. It was worth every penny.

I would add though, that my recent experience with some other NHS departments is there seems to be a tendency to be ignored unless you chase them up.

[Peacockmumma in reply to 30912]

My friend too had an urgent referral that took 9 months…I mean come on..it’s the heart..not a thumb! If I was suffering with AFIB, and I know I shouldn’t write this, I would pay private but I can’t unless I have a dr referral and at the moment I’m not even at that stage as I’m waiting for the halter so I CAN be referred, such a shambles,

Had a cough which dr referred me for X-ray. But the referral didn’t show up on the computer system…X-ray required a ct scan..all clear..but needed to go to respiratory clinic according to a letter on nhs app, dr surgery say all was normal and that I may or may not be called to clinic. I HAD a phone call from the clinic asking to go to clinic… so dr couldn’t give me a referral letter as nothing was on their system to say it so I couldn’t even use Benenden because they required that. After chasing clinic I have managed to get the respiratory clinic appt in 12 weeks lol

[Scout1947]

I too live in the south east and was told in July 2024 that it was an 89 week wait for a 7 day holter test. After 8 weeks wait for a face to face appointment to see GP she wrote an expedite letter and I was sent a monitor to do the test at home. I sent it back to the company on 30 October and they told me they’d posted the results on 4 November. 1 January and I still didn’t have the results and was still on a waiting list to see a cardiologist (referral was made in July 2024). On the advice of my sleep apnea consultant I made an appointment to see a private cardiologist. There was a 3 week wait for that and I then had to threaten the GP that I would make a formal complaint about my ‘lost’ test results before they admitted they did have them and a friendly doctor printed off a copy for me to take with me to my private appointment. I was diagnosed with AF 4 years ago and to date have spent £5,000 on private consultations and tests.

[Peacockmumma in reply to Scout1947]

89 weeks! Do they only have the one halter ? Was never this bad just as Covid was starting here.

And until very recently my surgery has been amazing,..I know it’s not them that create the list. There was a time when I could log onto the nhs app and send a message..that has now been discontinued it seems .