COPD FLARE UP

[jackwok]

During a hospital visit for worsening COPD I was told I would be referred to Cardiology. This was accompanied by a comment ' I wont lie to you but this is unlikely to happen any time soon' I was told some while ago that I had a heart murmur but nothing has been done.

Thinking about going private.

Any comments would be much appreciated.

[JHutton1994]

Unfortunately you really have to advocate for yourself these days. You need to go to the GP everytime your symptoms get worse to get them to push the referral. Needing to do this myself, after being in a similar situation to you, but for me there's a suspicion of cyanotic heart disease.

[Dumba]

Yes worth going private

[jackwok in reply to Dumba]

Thanks for that but need to do costings.

[strongmouse in reply to jackwok]

Check for any local private hospitals and ask them what they would charge for doing test for heart murmurs. An echogram could cost £200 - £300. Some hospitals may ask for a referral from GP others will accept self-referral.

I had one done years ago for a mitral valve prolapse, and it was the same surgeon that worked in the NHS! It hasn't needed treatment, but it is good to know what is going on.

[jackwok in reply to strongmouse]

Thanks for your advice strongmouse.

[knitter]

similar thing happened to me .

A and E visit due to exacerbation asthma / COPD .

Told I had enlarged heart and high pulse rate

Told to contact my gp for 24 hour monitor , and echocardiogram

Had to chase it up with gp, got an appointment back with same hospital , took a while .

Then blood test same hospital .

GP said didn’t need echocardiogram as monitoring and blood test OK . But still high heart rate , still enlarged heart . Don’t feel ‘ right ‘

I thought of going private , but then X-ray , monitor , blood test etc would be repeated I guess ….thinking of cost and travel .

A dilemma .

Haven’t seen a GP for ages , just phone consultation or sometimes nurse face to face .

Routine asthma review Sep, see what happens then .

PS …I contacted the ALUK helpline by email , they were amazing

Sending my best wishes , take care.

[jackwok in reply to knitter]

You have similar symptoms to me. Due to A&E visits I have had all the tests you mention 3 times in the last three months. The heart murmur comes from a scan about 3 years ago and my breathing has not been the same since. Thanks for your help.

[knitter]

just another thought .

The British Heart Foundation has a helpline too .

But contact your GP surgery today ….8 am rush soon ….explain your worries , see if they will fast track you for heart appointment .

Have you any one who can advocate for your, my daughter went with me and listened to health professionals ….she heard things that I missed

[jackwok in reply to knitter]

Thanks for that knitter. Very helpful.

[PaulineHM]

I am impressed that you have been told about for any heart involvement. There is increasing evidence that COPD exacerbations which need care in hospital do have a tendency to also show cardiac related events.

As JHutton says we do need to advocate for ourselves these days. The whole of the NHS is very pushed these days. You can always call the resp consultants secretary and ask where you are in the system.

Go well,

Pauline

[jackwok in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks PauineHM. Very helpful.

[Tykelady]

On my first admission after a bad flare up there was a note added, mentioning mild heart failure but as yet no need for the cardiology clinic at that time. Three years on and I have heart failure and atrial fibulation on top of all the lung problems but i must say that the attention I get is superb.

[jackwok in reply to Tykelady]

Thanks for your imput.

[Shirazmataz]

I would go to GP, insist on GP if you have to and ask for a whole picture with future need for treatment. Going private for something which has continuous care needs sounds like you might end up totally draining your resources. Its not like going for a knee or hip replacement where there is a one off op and the price is defined. So the more info you can get and cost implications needs identifying as much as pos. I dont know if it is pos to go private for diagnostics and then get back into NHS for follow up. Someone here might know? You need as much info as pos to make your decision.

[jackwok in reply to Shirazmataz]

Thanks for your sound advice.

[O2Trees in reply to Shirazmataz]

I went to private consultant when I realised I had a abdominal prolapse. Then had successful physio for it.

[jackwok in reply to O2Trees]

Thanks for that.

[Ern007]

I have COPD - Angina and AF - I also have Murmers. Mine are leaky art valves. although many are not. I am waiting for an echo appointment to see if My Aota and mitral valves have got worse. One is moderate the other mild.

I had Heart Murmers when I was 21 and they turned out to be no more.

I think being referred to cardiology is pretty normal, to see what the murmer is.

At this stage I wonder what you would gain going Paivate, unless you Have BUPA.

My advice if your are worried, your GP will have reports, ask you GP do you need or would gain by going private - Could save you a lot of money.

[jackwok in reply to Ern007]

Thanks for that. My reason for going private is a friend of mine has waited over six months for an appointment. I think I need quicker than that.

[Ern007 in reply to jackwok]

I think I have been waiting 3 months and 2 months for 24 hour ECG - I am surprised if you will be waiting long if you have enlarged heart - Enlarged Heart is not a condition in itself - It's a symptom of another cause.

I was referred by my GP and I am goint to ask her to chase it up. Of course you want answers.

[jackwok in reply to Ern007]

Thanks again for your imput.