Meeting a consultant

My husband was admitted into hospital for 10 days in August , during this time he was treated by doctors and nurses, after this we have had appointments with HF nurses. Our planned consultant appointment was overseen by another Dr as our consultant was ill. The problem was this Dr was just finishing a 24 hour shift , he was exhausted , we wanted to know what was happening next , he said patients with this condition usually had 5 years. Obviously we were shocked , we were hopeful that we would get positive news. We estimate the appt lasted under 5 minutes.

Since then we have been told by our HF nurse our consultant was speaking to surgeons to discuss him and we would get a letter this was 2nd December.

We haven't had a letter , and the gp mentioned last week a operation was risky ??.

We have appt 20th January at another different named consultant? , is this normal practise , feel we are getting nowhere fast . Think we will have to go private . Anyone any experience of this thanks

[Shar28]

Hello. I don’t t know how typical your experience is but there can be quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. I’d suggest your husband asks for copies of all correspondence about him to be sent to him too and always takes someone else to appointments with him with a notebook and pen to act as note-taker. Also, makes notes of questions before you go, as and when you think of them. That way you will get a note of what his actual condition is (ie the cause of heart failure), what it means for him and the next steps.

It’s really scary and worrying when you are given timescales but as medicines take effect and treatments are given, things change. Hopefully your husband will confound the Dr who said this.

All the best to both of you.

[Hidden in reply to Shar28]

Hello thank you for the reply, lets hope we finally get some answers on January 20th.

[Fortepiano]

Can you ask the HF nurse to expedite the letter? You have probably been switched to a new consultant after the Consultant/surgeon meeting. Unfortunately any switch always seems to entail new delays, and Christmas doesn't help.

Is your new appointment with a cardiologist or surgeon? You could look him up to see his speciality.

You have been left far too long without a proper discussion. I hope it goes well.

You could ask your GP what the reports that have been sent to him say. Definitely get included on any future reports as Shar 28 suggests.

[Hidden in reply to Fortepiano]

Hello again thank you for the reply. Our next appointment says " We are pleased to confirm your appointment with Dr Basavarajaiahs clinical nurse specialist, in cardiology or a member of his/her team.

I did google Dr Basavarajaiahs profile , his specialism is general cardiology. I am presuming this is him ,it mentions Good Hope our local hospital, our Gp said it is a female ?.

I am not sure from the appointment if he will even be there. Thanks once again .

[Ianc2 in reply to Hidden]

One of the questions to ask is what other cadiologists are available in your area, before you consider arranging and paying for a private consultation?

[Hidden in reply to Ianc2]

Hello thank you for the advice, you are right, it just seems we are not getting anywhere , I am really worried

[Hidden in reply to Ianc2]

Thank you for the advice , our GP said our Consultant is very experienced , we would just like to meet him.

[Fortepiano in reply to Hidden]

It certainly doesn't sound as if you will see the consultant or even his registrar - more like a standard nurse follow-up appointment. You could phone the cardiology department and check.

[Hidden in reply to Fortepiano]

Hello again I will call, it will feel a waste of time otherwise,we really need some positive news

[dickielex]

While others might feel differently, I would deal with estimates of life expectation with scepticism. I live with a woman given six months to live seven years ago. How long have I got doctor is the question most doctors dread because they very frequently can't know.

[Qualipop in reply to dickielex]

I agree, you need answers and explanations as every case is different. My mum was diagnosed with heart failure in her 20s. She had full blown eclampsia and organ failure during her pregnancy with me. Back in the 40s there was no treatment. You were just sent home to get on with it. Apart from being told her heart was too weak for any anaesthetic she got nothing else and never even mentioned it to her GP. She had a hip replacement at 65 under epidural ; still had no heart treatment. She lived to 69. The only problem she ever had was breathlessness on slight inclines.

[Hidden in reply to Qualipop]

Sounds like an amazing lady. Thank you for the support

[Hidden in reply to dickielex]

I hope that you are right, we hadn't asked the question, I had asked about surgery, the Dr then said surgery was way off, and he probably had about five years, I felt sick, I do not think it even registered with my husband. The whole illness has come as an awful shock to all of us.Thank you for the reply

[Ianc2]

I think I would take anything said by anyone after working a 24 hour shift with a very large dose of salt especially as they seem to be contradictory I agree with everything shar28 said Have a look at the pinned topics on the right hand side of the site and have a look at the BHF facilities. I believe they have nurses you can contact for advice if you need to.

Any hospital admissions come as a bit of a shock, but there are plenty of old lags lurking around on this site with all manner of peculiar heart afflictions, so be of good cheer, someone will be able to help along the way. I apologise for the standard of the jokes you will no doubt read, but sometimes the help. (allegedly).