It just goes on !

[Fieldhouse]

Just started with palpitations

Hi just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse I have now started with palpitations!!! I have now had 3 heart attacks the last one 3 weeks ago and at last they decided to give me a stent. From my original HA in March I have been left with a weakened LV ( sorry don’t know all the tech. terms ). I am on the usual meds with 7.5 Bisoprolol. Now last night and early morning I started with palpitations so off to A&E they did all the usual tests and said it could be ectopic palpitations and I should go to the doctor for a 24 hour tape. I intend to call doctors tomorrow, just wondering if anyone has any words of wisdom. Thanks

[Buzzy-Beans]

It sounds like your condition is serious, as this is very much the case, then make absolutely certain that your GP asks/insists on an urgent ECG Tape to be fitted and preferably a 72 hour tape as it gives a far more likely accurate indication of what you are going through.

But be prepared to blag, or in other words, get to know a secretarial someone in an influential position your local hospital or otherwise it could take months and months to get a tape fitted! In my case, initially I was advised that it would take months and months of waiting as the backlog on the waiting list was a lengthy one indeed, it was only when I started rattling cages did I discover from the tape department itself that this backlog was one created entirely by the admin departments and by making direct contact, I was able to obtain an appointment almost whenever I wanted at whatever time best suited me!

I am 72 and have only returned my 72 hour tape 3 days ago.

And for those who accuse me of jumping the queue, rubbish, I simply refused to accept the pathetic, inefficient NHS red tape fuelled red tape admin system!!

[Fieldhouse in reply to Buzzy-Beans]

Hi actually on the phone to the doctors at the moment. So I am ready for their response. Please keep in touch. X

[Buzzy-Beans in reply to Fieldhouse]

I will be here

[Fieldhouse in reply to Buzzy-Beans]

Well no luck from my doctor, spoke to him earlier he says the hospital should make me appt for tape !!! Explained to him the hospital said I had to ask “ you “Talk about not being interested 😬So now waiting for a call back from my heart nurse. I am only experiencing these palpitations 4/6 times a day but I need answers.

[Buzzy-Beans in reply to Fieldhouse]

My own GP doctors tried to side step their issues of responsibility!You are their patient and it is their public and professional duty to attend to your needs.

This is I am afraid a mish mash grey area that shouldn't be allowed to exist, but it does and I am afraid at times you have to get nasty, or else!

[Fieldhouse in reply to Buzzy-Beans]

You seem to be right, in my opinion he just wants the hospital to deal with everything and doesn’t want to get involved. I have never heard of this doctor who called me back. Why is it that they are still only doing telephone consultations ? If I experience anything unusual off to A&E I will go.

[Buzzy-Beans in reply to Fieldhouse]

I don't know where you live as in my practice, they have been doing full consultations at the surgery all 2021, with 2 out of the 4 doctors giving you quite literally as much time as you and they feel is required and not the STUPID 10 min consultation as dictated by the damnably useless NHS!As mine is the case that it is, on most days I can phone and get either a phone consultation or a physical face to face appointment the same day and each time I want them to write to the hospital or a consultant they do it there and then.... But mind you I can be quite persuasive!!

[Retirement65]

Hi there just thought I would jump on here sorry you have had the dreaded palps as I call them I started with them when I was pregnant 40 years ago I had what they call supra ventricular tachycardia long story short I’ve been on sotolol (smallest dose) ever since as was explained more precautionary I would say ive had ectopics off and on ever since can go for a long time in between having any palps so funnily enough started with them a couple of weeks ago I rang the GP yesterday spoke to a lovely doctor she is referring me for a 24hr ecg - I’ve had checks including an echocardiogram earlier on in the year everything was fine I was checking my pulse on my oximetre and sometimes when Im resting it drops but the doctor said it would have to be consistently in the forties to be an issue so just wanted to let you know that’s where I’m at think sometimes it helps when you know somebody else is in the same boat not that your wishing anything on anybody hope it resolves itself I don’t have any caffeine alcohol spice look for additives in just about everything drink plenty water sometimes splashing your face with cold water as this affects the vagus nerve sometimes jolts it back but the 24hr will at least show anything up take care let us know how you go on 🙂

[Fieldhouse in reply to Retirement65]

That has eased my concerns just to know I’m not the only one. I have noticed I only get them when I am sitting or lying down which I find strange. I was in A&E and apparently they didn’t show up on the ecg. That’s quite understandable as I wasn’t having them at the time. So the 24 hr is obviously what I need. I have given up on trying to convince my doctor just waiting for a call from the nurse. Fingers crossed might have more joy from her. I will let you know 👍

[Retirement65]

Hi fieldhouse this does annoy me that patients are having to fight for a response from there GP nobody wants to feel poorly let alone phoning to speak to there doctor all this just adds to the anxiety exacerbating the damn palps think you need to be a bit forceful tell them it’s making you feel unwell even if you are managing I would have felt worried had my doctor not said she would refer me for24hr can I ask does your chest ache? Hope you get sorted 🤞x

[Fieldhouse]

To be honest no I don’t think so. That may sound strange but you see I damaged my chest cartilage after following the BHF rehabilitation program!!! For someone who has never been in a gym 50 mins of marching on the spot type excercises did it for me. No way am I a couch potato I spend hours in my garden and walking my dogs. My nurse phoned me and is going to ask her manager if they can fit one. There are so many good people in the nhs willing to help unfortunately this doctor is not one of them. Today has been a good day and you have made me think could it be something in my diet ? Have a good night.