13,000 Members

[MichaelJH]

At about 12:30 today (4/10) we reached 13,000 forum members. The forum seems to grow ever faster. Hopefully new members are gaining support for and insight into their condition. The 13,000th member is Belski - we hope to hear from you soon.

[SpiritoftheFloyd]

I reckon that's a thousand in about 2 months. Impressive growth!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to SpiritoftheFloyd]

It was 10,000 five months ago and only a few thousand two years ago. Most organisations would like growth like that!

[SpiritoftheFloyd in reply to MichaelJH]

I'm sure that Debenhams to name just one would love growth like that!

[Fergus210]

Isn't that actually a sad reflection of the increasing rate of heart disease.

I'd much rather not have heart disease and not be a member.

[benjijen]

Do you think it's a sign that people are taking more control of their health problems and fed up with being 'fobbed off' with a multitude of meds? I find it enlightening to read how people have been managing and the pros and cons they have found with their meds and lifestyles. I've always been one to question so if I read something that might pertain to me I research it further and then go and upset my GP!!

[Adaboo in reply to benjijen]

I just spat my coffee out reading that last sentence 😅

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to benjijen]

No, I suspect it is people are turning more to the Internet with increasingly long waits for referrals and problems getting GP appointments. It was a six week wait before I was seen by the Urgent Chest Pain Clinic! The problem is the amount of misinformation.

I don't understand the "upset my GP" comment. My aim is to have a sensible discussion about any issue and knowing about/understanding the alternatives helps that process.

[Rosei in reply to MichaelJH]

My sister-in-law has had her appointment for cardiology at St George's London, moved from 7th of Oct 2019 to Jan 30 st 2020, she has a very serious heart condition .

[benjijen in reply to MichaelJH]

I've tried the discussion a couple of times but they seem to get very defensive when you ask a question which they obviously don't know the answer to. All they have to say is that they're not sure on that one and will look into it. Instead they have a tendency to talk down to you as if you're stupid. I even keep a spreadsheet of my BP, Pulse,weight and angina attacks (Due to my acountancy background I expect) and they look at me as if I'm a bit peculiar. I consider I'm trying to monitor my own health and have all relevant information to hand if they need it!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to benjijen]

According to the GMC Guide to good practice doctors are meant to work in partnership with their patients....

gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance...

See this section

gmc-uk.org/ethical-guidance...

This from the guidelines to doctors

'You must support patients in caring for themselves to empower them to improve and maintain their health. '

[benjijen in reply to Milkfairy]

Perhaps I should print this out for my GP but bit concerned they might take me off their books!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to benjijen]

They can't remove you from their list without good reason.

[Sunnie2day in reply to benjijen]

Interesting - I am a retired statistician and also keep a spreadsheet logging the same details. I also have columns for environmental factors (air temp, humidity, physical activity, mental stress).

Luckily my medical team likes my spreadsheet print-out and the cardiologist now asks for it first thing. He gives it a look-over then asks for my word doc print-out of latest questions. My GP (a supervised junior shaping up to be a superb GP) is the same - first thing she asks for the spreadsheet and questions print-outs, it's got meetings down to under ten minutes in both appointments.

However. My last GP surgery was not as amenable. I was registered there from 2010 to September 2018 and simply could not get through to any of the staff (who fobbed me off when I'd ring about chest pain) including GPs who did the 'eye-roll/eye-ball glaze over' when I'd remind them I'd registered with pre-existing multiple heart conditions and needed some deeper medical attention. I went eight years without 'proper medical supervision' according to my current GP and cardiologist - and both medics say the lack of attention from the previous GP surgery contributed greatly to my conditions progressing to a more serious state.

I hate to say this but I think it really is a post-code lottery for many of us. I moved post-codes a year ago and the new surgery is brilliant.

[benjijen in reply to Sunnie2day]

Hi, I'm pleased I'm not the only one! Although I'm sure there are others out there as well. I also have a food app (lost 13kg so far) and a fitbit which tracks exercise and sleep. Never thought of tracking environmental factors. Stress would be off the chart most days as my mother has dementia (alzheimers and vascular) and, although she doesn't live with me, I'm her main carer. I totally agree about the post code factor with regard to treatment. My GP surgery is slightly out of my area but is certainly better than the 2 where I live. Maybe I shoud see one of the younger GPs in the surgery who may be more enlightened!

[Sunnie2day in reply to MichaelJH]

I think Benjijen means he/she upsets the medic when asking a question the medic can't answer on the spot. I'm enjoying excellent communication and cooperation with my current medical team (GP and cardiologist) but the last one either 'eye-rolled' or were openly derisive if I asked a question they perceived as being a challenge to their superior knowledge.

[Jack2019 in reply to benjijen]

Pretty much the reason I joined, seems impossible to question or have a conversation with Doctors so next best thing is talking with people who are going through the same thing and having similar questions.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Jack2019]

We perhaps need a workshop on how to be empowered to have an assertive conversation with those responsible for our medical care.

How to challenge a Cardiologist with grace and dignity 😉

[Hidden in reply to Milkfairy]

I just complain about them now. I had a consultation last week and the consultant was so obnoxious and pigheaded. I left the consultation went home and swiftly emailed Pals stating my concerns. It’s the only way to get through to some of these ‘I’m better than you Consultants’. A sick patient shouldn’t have to fight the good fight.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Hidden]

Yup done that too and have several letters of sincere apologies from several Cardiologists......

Still raised my concerns in away that maintains everyone's dignity.

[ladywiththelamp]

Strength in numbers, knowledge is power!

[Handel]

Thanks for that Michael. xxx

[Lezzers]

Could it be heart disease is now taken more seriously, better/earlier diagnosis hence the increase?

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Lezzers]

Whilst there is better diagnosis many people still leave things rather too long. The big difference from when my father and uncle died was that:

a) we now have paramedics rather than ambulance drivers so life can often be sustained for longer

b) while it was then limited to administering drugs, occasional shock treatment and hoping the patient would survive there are now more effective drugs and catheter laboratories

c) better drugs for long term treatment. Had my father survived I think there was not much more than Atenenol and Warfarin for treatment

d) better diagnostics (i.e. technology)

e) better understanding of the role of diet but sadly the message does not get through to many

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The number of members was a palindrome at 16:30 today (5/10) hitting 13031!